The youth movement in Somerset is finally over. The senior-heavy Golden Eagles bring a renewed sense of excitement and enthusiasm into the 2024 season.
Playing in the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference, Somerset will need its upperclassmen to shine if the Golden Eagles are going to earn a playoff berth for the first time in four years.
"The energy from these boys has been amazing," said Somerset coach Jeff Urban. "They are early for practice and staying late. They are just so hungry."
Coach: Jeff Urban, 3rd season, 4-16 career record
2023 records: 3-7 in LHAC
Top players lost: Craig McKnight (OT), Trevor McNabb (S), Elijah McCrae (DE)
Top returning players: Rowan Holmes (RB/DE), Lane Lambert (QB/LB), Zane Hagans (OL/DL), Camden Lowery (RB), Garrett Marsh (OL/DL), Cole Parry (WR/DB), Evan DiBuono (RB/LB), Carson Sanner (RB/LB), Tucker Mostoller (OL/DL), Carter Dunmyer (WR/DB), Elijah Walls (WR/DB)
Assistant coaches: Kelby Hay, Buddy Howsare, George Coyle, Brock Leazier, Mike Holmes, Jared McCormick, Braden Fochtman
Offensive outlook: Somerset has a new offensive coordinator in Buddy Howsare, who was on the staff last season. The one-two punch of seniors Camden Lowery and Rowan Holmes will garner much of the attention from oppositions out of the backfield. Lowery tallied 892 yards and four scores while Holmes added 529 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Senior signal-caller Lane Lambert can run it as well. The Golden Eagles will have to develop more of a passing game under Howsare to keep defenses honest. Junior Cole Parry was the only pass-catcher with triple-digit receiving yards.
Players to watch Meet the 2024 top 30 Daily American Somerset County football players to watch
"Our inside running game is what we are going to hang our hats on," Urban said. "Of course, we have to move the ball around. The kids we have been playing as young boys are grown up. We are going to be much more balanced this year. We can get the ball out in space. We have the speed and physicality to compete. The bodies look like Friday night players, now."
Defensive outlook: Lambert and Holmes led the team in tackles last season. Holmes and senior Zane Hagans each had three sacks. Somerset will take on six teams that made the postseason a year ago. A team that gave up more than 30 points five times last season will need to be better under first-year coordinator George Coyle.
"It's a blessing to play in the Laurel Highlands with the quality of opponents we have every week," Urban said. "It forces our kids to play disciplined defense. We have to play team defense. We have some bulls at different positions, but we also have to play disciplined. Every coaching staff we go up against has several years of experience compared to ours. We have to step up our game to get the kids ready for Friday nights.
"Whenever you're new at a craft, you bring so much energy. That's what I'm seeing from our two coordinators. They game plan so much. We are so enthusiastic with this young coaching staff."
Somerset County football schedules Plan ahead to the 2024 Somerset County football season with all six teams' schedules
Classification: District 5-3A
Last District 5 playoff appearance: 2018
Last District 5 playoff win: 2015
District 5 titles in program history: 1
Somerset Golden Eagles
Aug. 24 at Chestnut Ridge, 7 p.m.
Aug. 30 vs. Central, 7 p.m.
Sept. 6 at Greater Johnstown, 7 p.m.
Sept. 13 vs. Westmont Hilltop, 7 p.m.
Sept. 20 at McCort-Carroll, 7 p.m.
Sept. 27 vs. Richland, 7 p.m.
Oct. 4 vs. Bedford, 7 p.m.
Oct. 11 at Penns Valley, 7 p.m.
Oct. 18 at Forest Hills, 7 p.m.
Oct. 25 vs. TBD (LHAC crossover)
Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on X @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Somerset football preview: Golden Eagles boast renewed excitement into 2024 season
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