2024 high school football preview: Ranking the three top teams in Division III this season

The football season is almost upon us , and YAIAA teams across the area are prepping for the start of their respective 2024 campaigns.

A three-way tie last year doled out a split Division III title between Delone Catholic, Littlestown and Bermudian Springs. The race for the top is as competitive as ever, and multiple teams present a good case to take the title for themselves.

Here are our rankings and breakdowns for the top three teams in YAIAA Divsion III this season, as well as overviews for the remaining teams throughout the division.

3. Hanover Nighthawks

It's been another year of change for the Nighthawks program. Bret Hertzog steps in to fill the head coaching position left after former coach Jarrel Burnett was let go before the end of last season.

Hertzog's main focus, in the interim, has been to direct the Nighthawks into more of a "team atmosphere."

"Prior, we might have been more of an individual atmosphere, relying on individual performance," Hertzog said. "Now, we're looking at team performance, and we're looking to build players of high character."

Hanover hasn't had a winning season since 2015, and Hertzog steps in as the third head coach in three years. But senior quarterback Gavin Trish can feel a shift coming within the Nighthawks program. But Trish feels, with a handful of returning starters along the offensive line and at the skill positions, that he and fellow seniors can help establish a winning culture in Hanover.

"My biggest thing is to have a winning season, but obviously the biggest thing is trying to change the culture of the school," Trish said. "I feel like if this we can start it off this year, I would just be happy to be part of a change for our school and our program."

Trish passed for more than 1,600 yards last season and will still hold priority under center. He'll have a fresh receiving corps to work with, headlined by fellow senior Jorge Chavez. Yrayra Kasili takes over as the program's most experienced rusher after averaging over 5 yards per carry last season.

Hertzog feels that Hanover can make itself competitive this season. They have the returning starters and a fresh perspective from a first-year coach, which might be the formula for a potential division title race.

"We're looking to get into that conversation," Hertzog said. "Be competitive with them, possibly steal a couple of wins. We're just as good or better than them. We can do anything they can."

IN THE NIGHTHAWKS' HUDDLE

Key returnees: Gavin Trish, sr., QB/FS; Mason Kress, sr. G/DT; Jaden Trish, jr., C/DE; Yrayra Kasili, sr., RB/CB; Jorge Chavez, sr., WR/CB

Newcomers: Boden Strausbaugh, so., QB; Carver Alvarez, so., WR/LB

Head coach: Bret Hertzog, first season

Last season: 4-3 in division, 4-6 overall

Classification: 4A

Last YAIAA division title: 2015

Last District 3 appearance: 2015

Last District 3 playoff win: 1995

District 3 titles: 1985

2. Bermudian Springs Eagles

A seasoned offense led the Eagles to a share of the division title last year and a trip to the District 3 Class 3A tournament.

Senior lineman Carter Storm said that playoff loss to West Perry showed the Eagles they can play with teams outside of their league. Even if they will be doing so with a new quarterback and a different look at running back.

Senior Jack Gautsch is one of several options in the backfield, but don’t be surprised to also see him hauling in passes from junior Lane Hubbard or senior Caden Nye.

“Tyson [Carpenter] is going to be hard to replace,” fifth-year coach John Livelsberger said of his graduated QB. “He was a three-year starter, so we are going to get back to the ground and pound a bit. Our experienced offensive line is going to help the quarterback ease into the position.”

It’s that strength on the line and Bermudian’s depth at key positions that will keep them in the hunt for another division title.

“We have a lot of kids working in the weight room, especially the rising freshmen,” senior lineman Luke Goldhahn said. “We have been able to fix a lot of the little mistakes, knowing we can do better.”

Gautsch will share the running back duties with seniors Eddie Sebright and Andrew Smith in the Eagles’ traditional Wing-T offense. He was solid at wideout last year, averaging just over 16 yards per reception, so don’t be surprised if Livelsberger moves him around.

“We had rising freshmen showing up at workouts for the first time in a long time,” Gautsch said. “We are looking forward to our rematch with Littlestown, but we need to focus on one game at a time.”

IN THE EAGLES' HUDDLE

Key returnees: Jack Gautsch, sr., RB/S; Luke Goldhahn, sr., OL/DL; Brayden Heller, jr., OL; Lane Hubbard, jr., QB/CB; Caden Nye, sr., QB/DE; Eddie Sebright, sr., RB/SS; Andrew Smith, sr., RB/CB; Carter Storm, sr., OL/DL

Newcomers: Dylan Hubbard, sr., WR; Noah Leedy, so., QB/S; Dru Speelman, jr., OL/DL

Head coach: John Livelsberger, fifth season

Last season: 6-1 in division, 6-5 overall

Offense/defense: Wing-T/4-2

Classification: 3A

Last YAIAA division title: 2023 (three-way tie)

Last District 3 appearance: 2023

Last District 3 playoff win: 2019

District 3 titles: Three (1998, 1993, 1992)

1. Delone Catholic Squires

For the past year and change, the Squires have been define by their run-heavy offense. Head coach Corey Zortman will be the first to admit that. After all, having two dominant rushers in Gage Zimmerman and Brady Dettinburn combine for over 2,000 yards is a good reason to focus on the run.

Now, Zortman is finding ways to reconfigure an offense without them. Though, he has a few ideas already in the pipe. Zortman is in his tenth season helming the team and 29th year with the program overall, and he understands the give and take that each successive year requires.

"When you replace guys that put numbers up like that, you have to look at other ways to generate offense," Zortman said. "We have a lot of nice skill guys that have very similar skill sets, so we're going to look to generate offense in a different way this year. Still have the same mentality, but I think we're built to do things differently than we've done in the past."

Although Delone Catholic isn't losing its traditional edge, it's not opposed to spreading out its offense, either. Zach Staub, under center for the Squires, trusts his skill players like wideouts Logan Ford and Chris Cole to help him elongate the offense.

"I'm really confident in making those tweaks because we have a lot of skilled guys that I trust in and I know they have trust in me," Staub said. "There's a lot of guys actually that have been working hard this whole off season and trying to implement themselves so they can help the team in the best way possible, which we can absolutely use. We need those guys."

IN THE SQUIRES' HUDDLE

Key returners: Zach Staub, jr., QB/FS; Logan Ford, sr., WR/DB; JD Sieg, sr. OL/DL; Levi Hohenstein, sr., RB/LB; Braden Smith, sr., RB/S; Brayden Clabaugh, sr., RB/LB; Levi Davenport, sr., OL/DL; Chris Cole, sr., WR/DB; Kaden Hix, sr., TE/LB; Nolan Kruse, sr., K

Newcomers: Jamie Aquino, jr., OL/DL; Chase Martin, jr., OL/DL; Zeke Vandergrift, jr., OL/DL; Ryan Smulian, jr., RB/LB; Nate Smith, sr., RB/DB; Parker Hohenstein, so., DB

Head coach: Corey Zortman, 10th season

Last season: 6-1, 6-5 overall

Classification: 1A

Last YAIAA division title: 2023

Last District 3 appearance: 2023

Last District 3 playoff win: 2019

District 3 titles: 1989, 1990, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2012

Biglerville Canners

Brett Smyers knows the Canners’ air game is going to be solid. With experienced quarterback Bo Forney and wide receivers Tavian McAuliffe and Noah Fulton returning, the coach is confident in their ability to make the spread offense work.

Forney threw for nearly 1,200 yards last year, with nearly half of those yards going to McAuliffe.

“We are looking to get athletes in space and make defenses adjust,” the fifth-year coach said. “We have a lot of returning players on defense and some bigger bodies who have never played football before. It’s been a while, but this is one of the years I feel best about.”

Smyers is moving to a 3-4 to get more of those bodies and that speed deeper into the defense. He hopes the change results in more division wins and closer contests with the top teams.

The Canners had more success through the air than they did on the ground. Senior running back Landen Taylor averaged just under 4.0 yards for each of his 74 carries, but none found the end zone. Aidan Hoffman also had success on the ground with an average of 5.2 yards per carry and one touchdown.

IN THE CANNERS' HUDDLE

Key returnees: Gavin Althoff, jr., DB; Brody Conrad, sr., DE/TE; Bo Forney, sr., QB; Noah Fulton, sr., WR/LB; Aidan Hoffman, jr., RB/LB; Jaden Jackson, jr., OL/DL; Kyler Johnson, sr., WR/LB; Daniel Lansdowne, sr., OL/DL; Tavian McAuliffe, sr., WR/DB; Brayden Pearce, so., DB; Jackson Sload, so., DL/ Tyler Spadacino, jr., WR/DB; Landen Taylor, sr., LB; Tyler Wolf, sr., K

Newcomers: Ryan Bungard, fr., WR/LB

Head coach: Brett Smyers, fifth season

Last season: 2-5 in division, 3-7 overall

Offense/defense: Spread/3-4

Classification: 3A

Last YAIAA division title: 2015

Last District 3 appearance: 2015

Last District 3 playoff win: 2015

District 3 titles: none

Fairfield Knights

First-year coach Gabe Jackson has always seen himself as an underdog. He was an undersized running back on a Dover platoon that ground up thousands of yards and won the Div. II title in 2014.

He tried his hand at several Div. III college programs, but that didn’t work out when he tore his Achilles and he switched gears to coaching. He was a running backs and junior high coach at Octorara School District in the Lancaster-Lebanon League last season.

“I saw myself as an underdog who would show up big in big moments,” Jackson said. “I think this school has the opportunity to do that. They have a scrappy attitude.”

That attitude might come from never having enough players for a full scrimmage or because the Knights are on their third coach in as many years.

“We understand there are different coaching styles and visions, but our players are adaptable,” senior wide receiver and linebacker Tyler Chendikum said. “We had a lot of close games last year so I think we have a fair chance of playing competitively.”

The Knights are going to have a freshman center because Austin Littleton is moving from that position to quarterback.

How that transition works will have a lot to do with Fairfield’s success. In addition to Chendikum, Littleton will have running back Steven Higgs at his disposal. Higgs is chasing 1,000 all-purpose yards this season.

IN THE KNIGHTS' HUDDLE

Key returnees: Steven Higgs, sr., SB/FS; Lincoln Kearchner, jr., G/DT; Austin Snyder, jr., G/Edge

Newcomers: Tyler Chendikum, sr., WR/SB/LB; Nathan Davis, so., WR/DB; Noah Davis, so., RB/LB; Austin Littleton, so., QB/Edge; Wyatt Taylor, so., T/NT

Head coach: Gabe Jackson, first year

Last season: 1-6 division, 1-9 overall

Offense/defense: Pistol multiple/4-3

Classification: 1A

Last YAIAA division title: none

Last District 3 appearance: 2022

Last District 3 playoff win: none

District 3 titles: none

Littlestown Thunderbolts

The Bolts shared the division title last year in head coach Corey Bittle’s first year at the helm of his alma mater. It will be hard to duplicate that this year without 11 key components from that squad.

“That includes the Div. III offensive and defensive players of the year as well as a two-year starter at quarterback,” Bittle said. “They will be hard to replace.”

Bittle will start by moving his son, Brody, into the starting quarterback slot. Brody saw a bit of action last year behind Alex Popoff, finishing 3-for-6 with 44 yards and no interceptions.

Senior Nate Albert will be one of Brody’s top targets. He finished last year with 11 catches for 158 yards. Junior Brody Clabaugh had one catch for 28 yards, but should factor heavier in this year’s offense.

The Bolts have to replace two running backs who combined for nearly 1,600 yards and 28 touchdowns. That work will fall to junior Logan Conaway, who carried the ball 45 times for 176 yards, and senior Lucas Bacher.

“I don’t know how the big-play person is going to be, but that could be to our advantage,” Bittle said. “We had multiple people to do that, and we are going to replace them with people who played last year. Everyone got a lot of playing time last year.

“The role might be new, but the playing isn’t.”

IN THE THUNDERBOLTS' HUDDLE

Key returnees: Nate Albert, sr., WR/DB; Lucas Bacher, sr., RB/LB; Brody Bittle, sr., QB/DB; Austin Bitzel, sr., OL/DL; Collin Chrismer, sr., G; Brody Clabaugh, jr., WR/QB/DB; Logan Conaway, jr., RB/LB; Hayden Harmon, sr., OL/DL; Matt Schaefferman, sr., OL/DL; Wyatt Stonesifer, sr., OL/DT

Newcomers: Connor Dillon, sr., RB/LB; Colton Kabrick, so., WR/QB/DB; Karson Miller, sr., WR/DB; Colton Rill, jr., RB/LB

Head coach: Corey Bittle, second season

Last season: 6-1 in division, 8-3 overall

Offense/defense: Undecided/4-2 or 4-3

Classification: 3A

Last YAIAA division title: 2023 three-way tie

Last District 3 appearance: 2023

Last District 3 playoff win: 2013

District 3 titles: Three (2004, 1989, 1984)

York Catholic Fighting Irish

Following a 2-8 finish last year, the Fighting Irish have spent the offseason building up in whatever way possible. Evan Kipple and Jack Lawrence both felt that low turnout last season hurt their chances at success.

Naturally, their first solution started with shoring up numbers. Now, the Irish are up to 43 players from 18 the year before. That fresh energy has given the Irish something to work for, and both Kipple and Lawrence feel a return to the program's winning ways is inevitable.

"I feel like last year, there always that feeling not that we weren't sure if we were going to win a game," Kipple said. "This year, we have those guys. I know we're going to make plays. It's like, I think we're going to make it."

Those numbers come with confidence on the field. Some of the players Kipple and Lawrence encouraged to come out were ones that had played before but taken the previous season off.

"We had a lot of players that played our 10th grade year, but they took off 11th grade," Lawrence said. "This year, we have a lot of those guys coming back out. We have that confidence in ourselves."

IN THE IRISH HUDDLE

Key returnees: Evan Kipple, sr., QB/DB; Jack Lawrence, sr., WR/LB; Everett King, sr., TE/DE; Jackson Yingling, sr., RB/LB; Austin Watcher, sr., WR/DB; Sidney Lauterbauch, jr., RB/LB; Jonathan Taveras, jr. OL/DL; Reid SInclair, so., OL/DL

Newcomers: Sean Melhorn, so., RB/DB

Head coach: Brad Hayek, third season

Last season: 2-5 in division, 2-8 overall

Offense/defense: Speed look/3-4, 4-4

Classification: 1A

Last YAIAA division title: 2021

Last District 3 appearance: 2021

Last District 3 playoff win: 2021

District 3 titles: 1982, 2016, 2018, 2021

York County Tech Spartans

The Spartans face an upward climb heading into 2024 as they are working with a new head coach and a competitive top half in Division III. Steve Duvall, on the other hand, feels that the Spartans have plenty to work with. He was their offensive coordinator last year and figures the returning talent is a solid foundation to work from.

"It's easy to change an offense and a defense," Duvall said. "To change a culture is tough, because you have to instill in these guys that you believe in them. And if you believe in them, and we do, and you show confidence in them they build their own confidence. Then they run the field and perform at a higher level."

Duvall believes the Spartans will be able to open their offense to their skill position players like wide receiver Ethan Farrell and Jahziah Breeland. Zach Rodnez, who filled in as running back last year, has even converted to wide receiver and safety this year.

"I've been trying to work on my footwork and speed," Rodnez said. "We do a lot of conditioning already, which helps a lot, but I've just been trying to keep up with my stamina and everything."

IN THE SPARTANS' HUDDLE

Key returners: Colton Nafe, sr., RB/LB; Nasir Ford, sr., OL/DL; Hunter Childs, sr., RB/LB; Ethan Farrell, sr., WR/DB; Jahziah Breeland, sr., WR/DB; Sterling Scarborough Jr., sr., RB/DB; Nyshon Scott, sr., WR/DB; Serge McGill Jr., jr., RB/DE; Landon Wood, jr., TE/DE

Newcomers: Cole Bisker, so., QB; Diego Diaz, so., LB

Head coach: Steve Duvall, first season

Last season: 1-6 in division, 2-8 overall

Classification: 6A

Last YAIAA division title: 1976

Last District 3 appearance: none

Last District 3 playoff win: none

District 3 titles: none

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: 2024 high school football preview: Ranking the three top teams in Division III this season