EMIGSVILLE — It was the start of the fourth quarter against Manheim Township in the second week of the season. Central York trailed 21-20. It was a non-conference tilt between District 3 Class 6A heavy-hitters with significant playoff implications on the line.
Timeout was called. With his defense on the field, Brooklyn Nace looked at defensive backs Dwayne Morgan and Matthias Surgeon in the huddle and gave them a directive.
“Just give me one play, guys. I need one big play out of you guys,” Nace said.
Two snaps later, Morgan recorded a 90-yard pick-6 to help tip the scale in favor of the Panthers amid a five lead change thriller. As Morgan raced down the sideline, passing Nace, the magic of it all settled in. Nace knew his crew was bound for something more. Something special was brewing. Nace felt it in his gut.
That intuition was correct. Central York went on to a 9-1 regular season, unbeaten by PIAA opponents en route to the program’s first trip back to the District 3 6A final since 2020. It was one filled with gritty wins, blowouts, and everything in between, like Morgan’s pick-6.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been that happy playing football in my life,” Nace said. “Some of those moments like that, they just remind me of the brotherhood. Unfortunately I’ll never play with those guys again, but it’s something I’ll never forget.”
Central York will never forget Nace, either. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound quarterback led the YAIAA in passing for a second straight year, nearly set county marks and led his Panthers back to the District 3 Class 6A final for the first time since 2020.
And for his efforts, he was named PennLive YAIAA football Offensive Player of the Year for 2025.
Central York quarterback Brooklyn Nace throws a pass against Manheim Township in football at Central York High School in Springettsbury Township, Friday, August 29, 2025.
Paul Chaplin | Special to PennLivePaul Chaplin | Special to PennLi
Nace, an Old Dominion recruit, threw 200-of-263 for 2,793 passing yards and 36 touchdowns against just two interceptions for a 146.1 QBR. Through the first eight weeks of the season, his QBR was near perfect at 155.3 out of 158.3 — the highest in Pennsylvania at the time.
“It’s been a blast. Just being myself, I think I’ve fallen into the offense pretty seamlessly, but I wouldn’t be able to do that without the help of coaches and even more importantly, coach [Gerry Yonchiuk],” Nace said. “After every game, going through film study together, or when he gets on me in practice, all that plays its part and I think it’s shaped me into the quarterback I am today and help refine the offense that we have.”
All said and done, Nace finished his career with 6,882 passing yards. He was just 42 yards shy of breaking the Central York career passing yards record of 6,923, held by former gunslinger Cade Pribula since 2018. Nace was also within 93 yards of surpassing the all-time YAIAA career passing yards record of 7,015, set by Hanover’s Chase Roberts in 2022.
Central York’s Brooklyn Nace passes during Central York’s 23-9 win over Central Dauphin in high school football on August 22, 2025.
Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLiveVicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive
Yonchiuk equated Nace to a deer in headlights the first time he started as a sophomore. Nace’s growth, progression and understanding of the game, his physical traits complimenting the sheer ability to read defenses, all allowed for utter command as a three-star prospect this year.
“We could call a play and if the play wasn’t the best based on the alignment that the defense was giving us in coverage, he could check right out of it and give us a better play. That’s a coach’s dream come true,” Yonchiuk said. “He’s not overriding things, but understood what he had to do with it. When recruiters would come through and quiz him, they were basically like, ‘Wow, how old are you?’”
Central York quarterback Brooklyn Nace looks to pass against Wilson during a District 3 Class 6A semifinal football game at Central York High School in Springettsbury Township, Friday, November 14, 2025.
Paul Chaplin | Special to PennLivePaul Chaplin | Special to PennLi
Nace has been vocal this fall about having a chip on the shoulder. It was a sentiment felt by all in the locker room. The Panthers had lost to Harrisburg in the second round of the District 3 6A tournament two years ago. Last season, Central York was bounced by Wilson in the same round.
From PIAA 6A runner-up in 2020 to being dubbed as unable to get over the district hump, Nace and company took that to heart heading into the season. That mentality manifested into a season-opening come-from-behind victory against a playoff-bound Central Dauphin team. It escalated with dominant showings over Cedar Cliff and Wilson in the playoffs.
“It meant so much being able to get back to that game. It kind of reset the dominance that Central York has in that we know what we can do,” Nace said of returning to the District 3 6A final. “The buzz going around that Central York can’t get past the second round, that Central York couldn’t hang with the Mid-Penn teams was kind of getting to us.
“We were definitely hearing it, a lot of the guys, myself included, we were tired of it. I think we did a good job this year of just quieting that noise and resetting the tone for what being a Central York Panther is.”
Central York’s quarterback Brooklyn Nace (1) looks at the scoreboard while sitting on the bench during the fourth quarter against Harrisburg in the District 3 6A football championship final played Friday, November 21, 2025 at West Shore Stadium in Camp Hill, PA. Harrisburg defeated Central York 38-10. Matthew O’Haren | Special to PennLivePennLive
A Harrisburg contingent laden with blue chip talent ultimately captured the District 3 6A crown for a fifth consecutive year. But playing deep into November was the refresh button pressed for a program that had Cade and Beau Pribula smashing records and winning hardware.
Nace — who also helped Central York’s boys basketball team win a PIAA 6A title and District 3 6A crown the last two years — established himself as one of the best in that room on the gridiron as well.
“It’s been a blessing and extremely fun coming from behind a guy like Beau Pribula, and even his brother Cade Pribula,” Nace said. “Being able to play after them and kind of carry on this legacy as Central York’s great quarterbacks, I’m honored.”
— Follow Evan Wheaton on X/Twitter @EvanWheaton
Listen to the Pa. High School Football Report podcast