READY FOR FLIGHT
Exeter is a veteran group that looks to continue program’s winning ways
Talk to Ty Yocum about the upcoming football season and there’s a bit of a been-there, done-that vibe emanating from the standout Exeter senior.
The same sense comes from classmate Sam Orzolek.
It’s really not surprising considering they are among the leaders on a veteran team that has gone through it all before.
Qualify for the District 3 playoffs. Check. Enter a season having to replace a bunch of highprofile stars, yet still succeed. No problem.
“Our expectations are to beat anyone that comes in our way,” said Yocum, a linebacker/fullback. “We’re not out here to lose the games we’re not supposed to lose. We’re hoping to have a good or great season.”
“Most of us have been playing together since youth,” said Orzolek, a linebacker/offensive lineman. “Most of us have played varsity before, so we’re really looking forward to having a great season.”
These guys know what it will take to have success.
A year ago, the Eagles had to replace 13 all-league picks from a team that reached the District 3 Class 5A semifinals.
They ended up going 6-2; their streak of nine straight district playoff appearances came to end only because the field was cut due to COVID-19.
This year, Exeter must replace
Gavin McCusker, a twoyear starter at quarterback, and Gio Nowotarski, the Berks Defensive Back of the Year, among others.
But plenty of talent returns. Senior J.R. Strauss at linebacker and junior Joey Schlaffer at wide receiver were All-Berks picks last season. Yocum was a second-team All-Berks pick on offense at all-purpose back.
All three also earned allleague honors in Section 1 of the Berks Football League, Strauss and Yocum on both sides of the ball.
Other returning all-league players are first-team running back Eric Nangle, a senior; and second-team selections in junior offensive tackle Anthony Caccese, senior kicker Mikey Moser and junior defensive lineman Richie Karstien.
“Great senior class, great senior leadership,” Exeter coach
Matt Bauer said. “A lot of these kids are battle-tested. The junior class is also solid. Overall, it’s a very unselfish team. There’s a lot of kids with talent on the team, but overall they’re gelling very nicely. They understand the bigger picture, putting the team’s needs first.”
Colin Payne is one of those seniors who has put the team first. He was the backup as a freshman, then saw McCusker win the starting job and served as his backup for the next two seasons.
Now, it’s his team.
“We have a quarterback who’s waited his turn,” Bauer said. “Probably would’ve started on a lot of teams. We’re happy to have him get his opportunity.
“He fits the mold perfectly. He is very unselfish. It would have been very easy for him after losing the job to Gavin to not do what he did, but he was dedicated. He came out
here and ran the scout team. We got him on as a receiver and a defensive back some. His loyalty has been undaunting, and that’s a credit to the kid he is.”
In his career, Payne has completed 64% of his passes (43-of67) passes for 601 yards with eight touchdowns and three interceptions.
“I think he’s going to surprise a lot of people who don’t know his name,” Orzolek said.
Payne will have an experienced offensive line in front of him — Orzolek, Caccese and guards Lucas Palange and Kyle Lash are back — and plenty of weapons around him.
Schlaffer, the lone sophomore on last year’s All-Berks team, averaged 23.3 yards on 20 catches with six TDs.
Carson Schmidt had 20 catches for 342 yards.
Nangle had 774 yards on 123 carries, caught eight passes for 83 yards and scored six TDs. Yocum scored nine TDs. Strauss had 13 catches for 205 yards at tight end and 13 carries for 95 yards.
“We do have a lot of weapons,” Bauer said. “The challenge is to get the ball in these kids’ hands in key situations, and make sure we utilize the talent we do have. People don’t get lost in the mix.”
On defense, Strauss and Yocum
again will be the headliners. Strauss led the Eagles a year ago with 75 tackles, 12 for loss. He also had four sacks and two forced fumbles.
“The front seven should be a pretty decent unit, and we still have a question mark or two in the secondary, but I think all teams are going to have some question marks at this time of year,” Bauer said. “We have some competition going on and that’s a good thing, but the linebacking corps and the defensive line are definitely very formidable and we’ll see what happens.”
The Eagles, who will be looking to challenge Gov. Mifflin for the top spot in Berks 1, begin with a challenge, opening the season against defending District 3 Class 6A champ Central York.
“My approach has always been taking it one week at a time and we’re going to hit a very formidable opponent in Central York immediately, so that will definitely be a nice measuring stick for us,” Bauer said. “And it doesn’t really drop off, so we’re just going to continue to take it one week at a time right now. Central York is the only game on our schedule and we’ll try to stay healthy and continue to get better each week.
“If we can limit mistakes and keep the ball, control the line of scrimmage we should be OK.”