Sportsbeat Preview: Forest Hills Rangers

SIDMAN, Pa. (WTAJ) – Monday marked the first official day of training camp for high school football teams across Pennsylvania. Despite a move from Class 2A to Class 3A this year, Forest Hills has high hopes as they embrace new challenges and new teams.

“We’re excited here at Forest Hills,” Rangers head coach Justin Myers said. “We got a great nucleus of players.”

Coming off an 8-4 campaign, the Rangers are returning six starters on each side of the ball, which includes statistical leaders in three-year starting quarterback Nate Cornell, 1,000-yard rusher Xander Richardson and senior wide receiver Chase Williamson.

While a lot of experience lies within the skill positions, the offensive line is only returning one starter – senior center Kevin Brown. Two offensive linemen that saw some action last year will fill some of those holes.

“Every year you run into the season; the line is what wins you games,” Forest Hills head coach Justin Myers said. “Usually that’s what makes a winning season for you. We’re going to put a lot of pressure on them early you know to grow within the first couple weeks of the season.”

“I know all those guys can do their job,” Cornell said. “I know they’ll just do just fine.”

Cornell made significant strides from 2022 to 2023, increasing his passing yards by over 800 and adding eight more touchdowns.

“There’s a lot of things in my game that I’ve tried to develop – trusting my coaches, staying in the pocket and staying comfortable,” he said.

“He’s our best leader,” Myers said. “He’s had a great summer and has done a lot of things like camps and he’s ready to (have a big senior season).”

Meanwhile, Richardson is expected to carry a lot of the workload again for Forest Hills after having more than 1,500 all-purpose yards and 18 touchdowns in his first season as a starter.

“He had some big plays and watching him come up, I think he’s going to be a big part of this offense,” Cornell said.

The start of the season will prove to be a good test for the Rangers. Forest Hills opens the first five weeks of the season with three out of the four teams that handed them losses last year in Chestnut Ridge, Penn Cambria and Richland.

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The Rangers first game of the year comes at home on Aug. 23 against Johnstown, who hasn’t won a game since 2019.

Key Returners: Nate Cornell (QB), Xander Richardson (RB), Kevin Brown (C), Chase Williamson (WR)

Key Losses: Ben Harteis (OLB), Jaden Trentini (OT), Kaden Christ (OT), Lucas DeLoatch (OG)

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