Lebanon County begins its 2024 football campaign in a few days, and there's plenty of new storylines to watch for on each squad. As the season gets closer, there's six teams inside the county to look at before the first kickoff.
Each team's opening game is set for Aug. 23, so make sure to follow all coverage on LDNews.com through the year's first Friday night experience.
Palmyra Cougars
Palmyra ended the 2023 season on a seven-game losing streak, all of which came in league play within the Mid-Penn Keystone conference. This year, the team’s lone out-of-division game versus Lebanon could get the ball rolling for the year to come.
The Cougars have 11 starters returning along with several underclassmen who will bring new contributions. Quarterback Ryan Kowalski will return under center for his senior season following a campaign with over 1,000 yards from scrimmage, eight touchdowns and nine interceptions. Additionally, running backs Justin Kaplan and junior Braxtin Risser are coming off a 1,000-yard season between the two. Risser led the way in 2023, compiling 113 carries and five touchdowns to Kaplan's three scores plus a special teams touchdown.
On the defensive side of the ball, Palmyra also returns leaders who are filling new shoes this year. In 2023, senior lineman Joseph Altebrando had 46 tackles and two sacks, while senior defensive back Charlie Stewart brought in 20 tackles with an interception and a special teams touchdown.
The Cougars' defense will see plenty of new starters, but sophomore linebacker Xavier Smith could finish 2024 as one of the leading tacklers in the Keystone division. The 6-foot-1 linebacker is coming off a freshman year with 21 tackles and could slot in anywhere on the front seven for his upcoming campaign.
The main question surrounding the Cougars program is how the 2024 offensive line will hold up after losing three key pieces from last season. Of Palmyra's four all-division honorees last season, offensive lineman Beau Toler is the only returning name.
2024's O-line will be led by Toler along with Tyler Comarnitsky and company, so Palmyra's offensive production will ride on how the group fits together.
Key returnees: Justin Kaplan (Sr. RB, LB), Ryan Kowalski (Sr. QB), Braxtin Risser (Jr. RB), Tyler Comarnitsky (Jr. OL), Beau Toler (Sr. OL), Travis McDannell (Jr. DL/LB), Joseph Altebrando (Sr. LB), Charlie Stewart (Sr. DB), Hayden LeVan (Sr. DB), Xavier Smith (So. DL/LB)
Key losses: Kadin Jones (OL/LB), Nathan Eisenhooth (WR/DB), Logan Howard (OL/DL), Andrew Manning (OL/DL), Keagen Kleinfelter (WR/DB), Jonathan McDannell (WR/DL), Kadan Readinger (WR/DB/KR), Kyle Koennecke (RB/LB), Jason McCurdy (WR/DL/P), Titus Orlando (TE/DL), Matthew Bordner (K), Anthony Snyder (DE), Eli Rose (RB)
Head coach : Chris Pavone (3rd season, 3-17 overall)
Last season : 2-8
Offense : Spread
Defense : Multiple (4-3 base)
Classification : 5A
Last District 3 appearance : 2018
Last District 3 playoff win : 2011
2024 Palmyra football schedule
Week 1 vs. Lebanon ; Week 2 at Mechanicsburg ; Week 3 vs Hershey ; Week 4 at Shippensburg ; Week 5 vs Waynesboro ; Week 6 vs Mifflin County ; Week 7 at Lower Dauphin ; Week 8 at Gettysburg ; Week 9 at Red Land ; Week 10 at Northern York
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: 2024 football preview: Palmyra ready for quick strike behind key returning starters
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