Don’t look now, but football season is right around the corner.
The 2025 Lancaster-Lebanon League gridiron campaign kicks off with Media Day festivities on Aug. 1, followed up with a week of heat acclimatization practices starting Aug. 4.
The scrimmage date is Aug. 16, and the Week 1 games — are you ready? — are slated for the Aug. 22-23 weekend.
To help get you geared up for the season, LNP | LancasterOnline and Mike Drago Sports — back for its fourth season of jam-packed league coverage — have compiled a list of the top returning players for the upcoming 2025 campaign.
Here is the Section 2 list, with bios written by Jeff Reinhart and Mike Drago. Players are listed alphabetically.
12 FOR THE SHOW
Malachi Briddell, WR, Lebanon — Briddell put together one of the best under-the-radar seasons in recent memory last fall for the Cedars, who are mired in a 42-game losing skid heading into 2025. Lebanon’s sleek receiver didn’t let the losses bother him; he went all-out on every play, and carved out a heck of a campaign on the flanks for the Cedars. His numbers: 42 catches for 910 yards, averaging a nifty 21.7 yards per grab with nine TD receptions — three that covered 55 yards or longer up top. He’s a burner. The 910 receiving yards were No. 2 in the L-L League, and Briddell earned a spot on the LNP | Mike Drago Sports Big 37 team. Lebanon is facing 10 road games this season because of construction at Alumni Stadium. And the Cedars will be out to snap this dizzying L streak. The one constant will be Briddell, a rising senior who can make big plays down the field with his quick feet and soft hands. He should see plenty of safeties over the top, no matter where he’s lined up. Either way, don’t let Briddell beat you in coverage. Or else.
Aidan Dauble, TE-LB, Exeter — The 6-2, 215-pound outside linebacker was a force on one of the league’s top defenses last year, recording 67 tackles for a team that matched a program record with 12 victories and reached the District 3 Class 5A championship game. Dauble was a first-team all-section pick on defense, and he’s expected to challenge for similar honors on offense this season as he gets an expanded role. Dauble had just five receptions last season as a TE/H-back, but he’ll become a focal point of the passing attack with the graduation of all-section tight end Genuine Stutzman. Dauble is attracting looks from PSAC and Patriot League schools because of his athleticism, football instincts and intelligence. He’s a 3-year starter, 2-year captain and a top student. Dauble was also an all-division pick in basketball after averaging 16 points and nine rebounds per game for an Eagles’ team that reached the district championship game this past winter.
Sawyer Esbenshade, QB, Conestoga Valley — The Buckskins have produced a long line of sterling all-star quarterbacks over the years. Esbenshade chiseled his name onto that list last fall after a spiffy junior season in the pocket. Check his numbers: 114-for-188 for 2,078 yards with 25 TD strikes against just three picks — plus 419 rushing yards and six TD keepers. More importantly, he piloted CV to a 10-0 regular-season ride with the outright Section 2 championship — the Bucks’ first crown since 2006 — and into the District 3 Class 5A semifinals, where CV was tripped up after a glittering 11-0 start by section rival Exeter. Esbenshade was rewarded handsomely with a first-team section all-star nod, and he earned a spot on the LNP | Mike Drago Sports Big 37 team. Smart. Nimble. Quick on his feet. Knows when to tuck it under and run. Sturdy pocket surveyor and a pinpoint passer. If the Bucks are going to defend their section crown, they’ll need another big season behind center from Esbenshade, who certainly hit the ground running in 2024.
JoJo Garcia, WR-DB, Conestoga Valley — Cat-quick play-maker became one of QB Sawyer Esbenshade’s favorite targets in space last fall, with 18 receptions for 289 yards — 16.1 yards per grab — with a trio of TD snags. Garcia chipped in with 187 rushing yards and three rushing scores, picking up yards in chunks on jet sweep plays. He was tabbed a first-team section all-star at WR for his play-making efforts. Garcia and Esbenshade are primed to do even more air damage this time around. You simply can’t let Garcia, a rising senior, slither free in space. He’ll make you pay.
Lebron Leaf, QB-LB, Governor Mifflin — After showing big-play ability in limited touches as a junior, Leaf will get a chance to make a lot of big plays this season as he moves to QB for the Mustangs. He averaged 11.5 yards per carry as a halfback last fall. Now Mifflin will try to tap into his 4.56 speed, athleticism and natural leadership abilities by turning him into a dual-threat QB. The 6-3, 195-pounder earned second-team all-section recognition as a safety last season, making 50 tackles, two for a loss, with an interception and a forced fumble. Leaf was an aggressive defender, a sure tackler, and a force when it came to stopping the run game. He also excelled at the annual Chris Nunn Memorial Football Combine earlier this spring, finishing third overall, second in the Pro Agility Run, third in the Vertical Leap and L-Cone Drill, and sixth in the 3-Hop Drill.
Riley Martinez, QB, Exeter — Martinez was leading the L-L League in passing efficiency when he was knocked out in Week 7 with a leg injury. He returns as a 3-year starter and one of the league’s top passers. Martinez threw for 1,016 yards and 16 touchdowns last fall, with just three interceptions, in roughly half a season. Now 6-2 and 205 pounds, he’s throwing the ball even better, and he’s expected to become more of a running threat. Martinez matched a program record with five TD passes last season against Lebanon – all in the first half. Another strong season should see him end up as Exeter’s all-time leader in passing yards, TD passes and several other passing categories. Martinez showed what he could do as a sophomore, throwing for 1,396 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Kevin Oswalt, OT, Exeter — Must be something in the water around Reiffton; the Eagles keep producing one big line prospect after another. Oswalt falls in line behind an impressive list that includes all-state selections such as Michal Menet, Lucas Palange, Kyle Lash, Anthony Caccese, Zack Zandier and Logan Wegman. Oswalt established himself as a top lineman on both sides of the ball as a sophomore, earning all-section second-team honors on offense and defense. The 6-4, 220-pound rising junior recorded 55 pancake blocks and graded out at 89% on offense; on defense he had 33 tackles, with three for a loss, and six QB hurries. Oswalt is getting looks from PSAC and FCS programs because of his physicality, toughness and work ethic.
Chase Prange, LB, Ephrata — Mountaineers’ ball-hawking ‘backer was an absolute hit machine last fall, piling up 117 tackles, including five sticks for a loss, six QB hurries and a pair of pass breakups as Ephrata went 6-4 and just missed out on a District 3 Class 5A bid — one year after going to the title game in that bracket. The Mounts plugged Prange into the middle of their defense, and he responded quite nicely, earning Linebacker of the Year honors, plus a first-team section all-star nod. Once again, the rising senior will spearhead Ephrata’s D, as the Mounts will try and slay CV and Exeter for section supremacy — while trying to get back to the postseason. Prange should be right in the middle of everything.
Cameron Small, RB-DB, Muhlenberg — Small enjoyed a breakout season in his first year with the Muhls, scoring 23 touchdowns, earning Pennsylvania Football Writers All-State and LNP | Mike Drago Big 37 recognition, and becoming just the fifth player in Berks history to rush for more than 2,000 yards. He topped 100 yards eight times in 11 games, he reached 200 yards five times, and he set a program record with 346 rushing yards — against Exeter, one of the league’s stingiest defensive teams. Small finished with a program-record 2,051 rushing yards, averaging 8.2 yards per carry. He had just 37 touches a year earlier as a backup at Reading, but he blossomed in his new environment. Small was also a standout on defense, where he earned second-team all-section honors as a hard-hitting D-back.
Joel Ummarino, C-DE, Exeter — The 3-year starter was an invaluable piece up front for the Eagles last season, as a heady center who helped make the run game go, a pocket-collapsing defensive end, and as a long snapper on special teams. Ummarino will be even more important this season, with an experienced returning lineup around him, and he should make an even bigger impact after tacking nearly 20 pounds onto his 6-2, 270-pound frame. Ummarino was a first-team all-section pick as a D-end after making 54 tackles, including 12.5 for loss, for a unit that was No. 2 in the entire league in scoring defense and No. 7 overall in total defense. Ummarino had 11 QB hurries, and he was a second-team all-section pick at center, where he earned rave reviews from his coaches because of his football IQ and technique, which led to a 96% blocking grade. Ummarino was credited with more than 50 pancake blocks, and he’s getting looks from PSAC programs.
Jayden Ware, WR-DB-KR, Exeter — Ware is known for his big-play ability, such as his 36-yard interception return against South Western in the district playoffs, and his 73-yard touchdown catch against Bishop McDevitt in the District 3 Class 5A championship game. What his coaches love most about him is his team-first mentality. Despite his speed and ability to make big plays as a wide receiver, he’s also willing to block; that made a difference on many of those long scoring runs by all-state pick Jayden Zandier a year ago. Ware was a second-team all-section selection at wide receiver after averaging 23 yards per catch on his 17 receptions last season — seven of them good for TDs. With Section 2 Receiver of the Year Carter Redding graduated, Ware will become QB Riley Martinez’s top target. He’ll also take an even bigger role in the secondary, too, after leading the team with three interceptions last season.
Dylon Worley, OG-LB, Governor Mifflin — Worley was a punishing presence in the trenches for the Mustangs last season, setting a physical tone and earning all-section first-team honors at guard by leading the way for FB Grady Gardner, who rushed for more than 1,400 yards and 19 touchdowns. The 6-foot, 245-pound rising senior is one of the strongest players on the team, and he’s also a natural leader up front. Worley earned praise from his coaches for his ability to pass-block and pull on sweeps, and for his consistency. He was a second-team all-section pick on defense as a middle linebacker after he made 36 tackles, five for a loss, with two sacks and five QB hurries.
OTHER KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH
Cordell Bair, WR-DB, Conestoga Valley
Leo Brown, RB, Exeter
Austin Bryant, WR-DB, Ephrata
Camron Buchmoyer, LB, Lebanon
Kyle Capello, WR, Elizabethtown
Tony Ferriera, OT-DT, Muhlenberg
Konnor Fisher, WR-DB, Conestoga Valley
Evan Honberger, K, Ephrata
Dustin Hoover, LB, Ephrata
Jackson Kozik, TE-DE, Exeter
Fred Lacey WR-DB-KR, Muhlenberg
Sam Matoni, DT, Conestoga Valley
Michael Miller, WR-DB, Muhlenberg
Alex Ortiz, DE, Ephrata
Andre Osborne, OG-DT, Exeter
Zavier Otero, OG, Muhlenberg
Caleb Rice, LB, Ephrata
Teagan Ruble, RB-LB, Conestoga Valley
Gannon Shank, QB, Elizabethtown
Patrick Steuer, RB-DB, Governor Mifflin
Chris Susana, RB-LB, Governor Mifflin
Chris Volpe, LB, Elizabethtown
Prince Wratto, RB, Elizabethtown
Aaron Young, WR-DB, Ephrata
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