The Schuylkill County high school football season has unofficially started

Teams and players arrive at the Schuylkill Haven Sports Performance Center for the 23rd SCFCA Media Day on Wednesday.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN – All 14 high school football programs in Schuylkill County/Schuylkill League reported to the 23rd annual Schuylkill County Football Coaches Association (SCFCA) Media Day held at the Schuylkill Haven Sports Performance Center on Wednesday, which overlooks Rotary Field, the home of Schuylkill Haven football. This was the first opportunity for coaches and players to officially speak to the media and talk about the 2026 season. 

Media representatives from D11 Sports, EasternPAFootball, T-102 Sports Now, T-102, WPPA, Republican Herald, Shenandoah Sentinel, Skook News, Coal Region Canary, Times News, FOX 56/WQMY, WNEP, and WBRE/WYOU were all present to talk to players and coaches. 

The teams present were Nativity BVM (NBVM), North Schuylkill (NS), Minersville (Miners), Marian Catholic (MC), Tri-Valley (TV), Mahanoy Area (MA), Pottsville (P-ville), Pine Grove Area (PGA), Shenandoah Valley (SV), Schuylkill Haven (SH), Williams Valley (WV), Tamaqua (Tam), Panther Valley (PV), and Blue Mountain (BM).

All interviews from throughout the day can be found on X @RobbieM_media (all players except PV due to audio) and @EPAFootball (all coaches).

Team representatives

• NBVM – Pat Mason (HC), Cooper Felty, Owen Holley, Connor Felty, Noah Bulino
• NS – Joe Tomtishen (HC), Seth Hubler, Nelson Berger, Angel Ortiz, Brody Souchak
• Miners – Justin Frantz (HC), Derek Derenzo, Justin Cutler, Jayce Rizzardi, John Lutsky
• MC – Billy O’Gurek (HC), William Ebert, Tyler Price, Gregory Tirpak, Rocco Griguoli
• TV – Jeff Sampson (HC), Donovan Keeth, Lucas Schwartz, Trey Porter, Doyle Flory
• MA – Mick Connolly (HC), Joel Corona, Ben Lagaza, William Stoyer, JD Kowalchick
• P-ville – Mike Brennan (HC), Brody Eroh, Andrew Allen, Max Clews, Shay Strencosky, Ryan Beltz
• PGA – Dave Shiffer (HC), Kolbey Buffington, Logan Troup, Cody Schneck, Scout Frantz
• SV – Dave Bench (HC), Sam Mentusky, Gene Sinkus, Mike Elchisak, David Burrows, Todd Seiger
• SH – Mike Farr (HC), Triston Davis, Colton Reber, Chase Leibensperger, Bryce Reber
• WV – Frank Gaffney (HC), Colin Crisswell, Trevon Bair, Fletcher Thompson, Koen Zilinski
• Tam – Sam Bonner (HC), Ace Schickram, Flynn Coleman, Teagan Phillips, Terrence McDowell
• PV – Mark Lavine (HC), Jerry Harrison, Jayden Ramos, Spencer Black, Javier Martinez
• BM – Chuck Kutz (HC), Chase Guers, Cohen Kirby, Vaughn Helverson, Ryan Clemas

Media Day events

The event started when the President of the SCFCA and Schuylkill Haven Head Coach Mike Farr addressed the teams and media members. He talked about how the event is a great way for the media to get a look at what teams have without interfering with practice schedules. After that, the players and coaches introduced themselves. Lunch followed with burgers and ice cream from Mr. Softee, and then the media was allowed to talk with the teams.

One thing that has stood out for several years at the smaller schools is player turnout, especially at Nativity BVM. Pat Mason, the Head Coach, said this is the smallest roster in 30 years of coaching at Minersville and Nativity combined as he has 26 players this season.

I was also able to catch up with future West Virginia wide receiver Chase Guers of Blue Mountain. He said the staff was a key reason why he chose the Mountaineers. Rich Rodriguez and his staff would always ask him (Chase) how football games and track meets went, how he prepared going into track meets, and reminding him to rest between athletic contests.

The scenery stood out in Morgantown as Guers loved the town and mountains on his OV (official visit). The football facilities are being modernized and he really likes that too.

Division realignment

With the end of the scheduling agreement between the Schuylkill League and the Colonial League, that means schedules will be set up differently this season. The new division alignment is based on enrollment. 

Division One, which is made up of Blue Mountain, Pottsville, North Schuylkill, Panther Valley, Pine Grove Area, and Tamaqua, will play five non-league games and five league games throughout the season. 

Division Two, which is made up of Minersville, Williams Valley, Schuylkill Haven, Mahanoy Area, Tri-Valley, Nativity, Shenandoah Valley, and Marian Catholic, will play three non-league games and seven league games throughout the season.

Classification changes

• Williams Valley (AA → A)
• North Schuylkill (AAA → AAAA)
• Pine Grove Area (AAA → AAAA)

New head coaches

• WV – Frank Gaffney replaces Stephen Sedesse (former HC, resignation) / Ben Ancheff (interim)
• NS – Joe Tomtishen replaces Wally Hall (retirement)

Robbie’s must watch matchups (in order)

1) Schuylkill Haven vs Williams Valley (week 6) – This game is always a classic and one that comes down to the wire. Both offenses have key losses, but they also return a lot of talent, especially the Vikings. They both lose their quarterbacks from last year, but the run game will be fun to watch with senior Colton Reber (SH) and junior Fletcher Thompson (WV). Strength up front and creating turnovers on defense are big in this game for both sides. Plus, Frank Gaffney gets to come back to Haven where he was the Defensive Coordinator for the past four seasons under Mike Farr until departing during the offseason. This is definitely the Division One Game of the Season.

2)  Schuylkill Haven vs Blue Mountain (week 3) – To open up the season last year, the Hurricanes defeated the Eagles by one touchdown, 34-27. This is another game that will be close as Blue Mountain returns many key players such as junior Cohen Kirby at quarterback, the senior wide receiver and West Virginia commit Chase Guers, and senior Ryan Clemas on the line along with several other players. The Hurricanes have senior Colton Reber and junior Logan Goad to “level” the playing field for each team. Blue Mountain has their athletic and quick receiving corps while Schuylkill Haven has their strong run game.

3) Tri-Valley vs Marian Catholic (week 6) – The two times these teams faced each other last year were low scoring games as the Colts won in the regular season 17-14 while the Bulldogs won the District 11 title 3-0 where senior Nate Hillard made the eventual game winning kick from 50 yards in the third quarter. Marian Catholic has the best tight end in the county with senior Rocco Griguoli, and junior quarterback Gregory Tirpak returns. The Bulldogs return a lot too as the athletic and speedy senior quarterback and cornerback Trey Porter is back along with the height of the senior wide receiver and defensive end Lucas Schwartz, and the strong leg of Hillard as the kicker. Both teams feature a load of athleticism in all three parts of the game. I consider this the Division Two Game of the Season.

Robbie’s top players to watch in 2026 (in order)

NOTE – This is NOT the best overall players. These are just players to watch out for and keep an eye on!!!

Chase Guers (Sr. Blue Mountain WR/CB) – The future Mountaineer is known for his big time speed, which was shown on the track in the spring. Last season, Guers had 535 yards and six touchdowns on 35 receptions. On defense, he had 15 tackles, one interception, and one fumble recovery. He is one of the most athletic players in the county on a team that already features a lot of athleticism.

Colton Reber (Sr. Schuylkill Haven RB/DB) – One of the biggest and fastest running backs in the county had an insane year for a Hurricane running back room that was loaded. Reber finished 2025 with 2,875 yards and 38 touchdowns on 197 carries. He had 11 carries go for 100+ yards and averaged over 200 yards per game. On defense, he had 75 tackles and nine of them were tackles for loss, and three interceptions for 123 yards. Just looking at his numbers, and knowing the speed he has and his size makes me excited to see him play this fall.

Fletcher Thompson (Jr. Williams Valley RB/LB) – Arguably one of the best underclassmen players last season as a sophomore, Thompson had 1,462 yards and 17 touchdowns on 188 carries with 11 of them being for 100+ yards. On defense, he had 98 tackles (73 solo, 25 assisted) with eight of them being for loss. Just like Guers, he is going to be one of multiple key players for a Vikings team that brings back lots of talent.

Honorable Mentions – Rocco Griguoli (Sr. Marian Catholic TE/DE), Trey Porter (Sr. Tri-Valley CB/QB)

Robbie’s top teams to watch in 2026 (in order)

1) Williams Valley – With a new head coach and many key returning players, the Vikings are set up for another successful season. Frank Gaffney comes down from Schuylkill Haven where he was their Defensive Coordinator for the last four years, Fletcher Thompson returns as a linebacker and in the backfield on offense, Colin Crisswell is back out wide in addition to being a defensive back, Koen Zilinski returns on the line, and several others return as well for this dangerous Vikings team. Their offense is what they are known for as shown by last season. The defense was good at forcing turnovers, which I do not expect to change this season. Their line is one of the most aggressive and skilled OL/DL units in both divisions combined coming into 2026. They have some of the best and most experienced talent returning this season, and that is why they are my number one team.

2) Blue Mountain – Chase Guers headlines this Eagles squad, but like many other teams in the county, they return many experienced and skilled players from last season including three-year starter Cohen Kirby, the returning quarterback, and Ryan Clemas, who is back on the line. Although they have one of the tougher non-league schedules with notable games against Southern Lehigh week 2, Schuylkill Haven week 3, Shamokin week 9, and Lansdale Catholic week 10, that should not and will not determine the skill that the Eagles have on the field. Just like Williams Valley, they return some of the best talent and skill in the county, and that is the reason they are number two.

3) Schuylkill Haven – They lose a quarterback, two strong and quick running backs, several lineman, along with others. Colton Reber and Logan Goad return in the running back room, Triston Davis and Bryce Reber are back to be the new leaders of the offensive line, and Grayson Fessler is back on special teams as the kicker and punter just to name a few players. This line is still big, hungry, and experienced on both sides. Last year, I would have had the Hurricanes in the number one spot. This year however, I am not convinced that they have enough experience and skill in all parts of the football field to be better than the talent Williams Valley returns until they play and can beat them. That is the reason the Hurricanes are my third ranked team.

• Honorable Mention – Pottsville, Tri-Valley