Athens Wildcats High School football preview 2024

ATHENS, Pa. (WKBN) – Five seniors graduated from Athens’ playoff team that fell to Danville in the District 4 quarterfinal a year ago.

In 2024, coach Shawn Bradley’s group returns 15 starters (seven on offense and eight on defense).

Athens’ offense in 2022 was able to generate four touchdowns or more in five games. Last year, the ‘Cats were only able to eclipse that plateau twice.

The Wildcats’ sophomore quarterback Connor Davidson led the team with 841 yards passing (11 TDs) and 512 yards on the ground (4 TDs) as a freshman. Athens also will welcome back several playmakers at the skill positions in Keegan Congdon, Adam Kemp, Eli Chapman (156 receiving yards, 155 rushing yards), Sean Peters (31 catches, 342 yards), Gage Marmor (7 catches, 93 yards), Connor Robinson (212 yards receiving; 364 rushing yards), Brendan Cooke, Karson Sipley, Dom Robbins, Ayden Vanderpool, Lucas Persun and Ryan Cook.

The line will be anchored by a pair of starters: Caleb Nason and Brenden Comstock. Also, look for Brady Flynn, Chase Wren, John Timm, Landon Layman and Rodney Chapman to contribute upfront for Athens.

“We lost a pair of linemen and a key contributor in the backfield,” Bradley says. “We had a number of injuries along our offensive line and had quite a few kids step up and contribute. We’re hoping to have much more continuity along the line this season.”

On defense, Athens must find a way to lower its defensive averages of nearly allowing 32 points per outing.

“We must become more disciplined,” Bradley indicates. “Looking for better tackling, positional responsibilities, play recognition, ball pursuit and more physicality.”

The Wildcats open the new year with a trip to South Williamsport in week one on Friday, August 23.

Athens Wildcats
Fast Facts
Head Coach : Shawn Bradley
2023 Record : 3-8
Last 5 Years: 22-30 (42.3%)
League: Northern Tier League, Large School Division
Home Field: Alumni Stadium
Base Offense: Spread
Base Defense: 4-3

2023 Team Stats
Scoring Offense: 15.0
Scoring Defense: 31.8

2023 Individual Leaders
Passing : Connor Davidson – 841 yards, 42.1% (72-171), 11 TDs
R ushing: Connor Davidson – 512 yards, 3.6 avg, 4 TDs
Receiving: Sean Peters – 342 yards, 11.0 avg, 4 TDs
Tackles : Connor Davidson – 61
QB Sacks: Karson Sipley – 3

2023 Results
Danville 55 Wildcats 7*
Wildcats 42 Sayre 14
Central Columbia 28 Wildcats 14
Canton 42 Wildcats 19
Wildcats 7 North Penn-Mansfield 6
Towanda 27 Wildcats 6
Troy 62 Wildcats 6
Wellsboro 26 Wildcats 12
Wyalusing Valley 14 Wildcats 12
Wildcats 28 Cowanesque Valley 22
Line Mountain 54 Wildcats 12
*-playoff

2024 Schedule
Aug. 23 – at South Williamsport
Aug. 30 – Northwest
Sept. 7 – at Canton
Set. 13 – at Troy
Sept. 20 – North Penn-Mansfield
Oct. 4 – Towanda
Oct. 11 – at Wyalusing
Oct. 18 – at Muncy
Oct. 25 – Sayre

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