What to know ahead of the 2023 Centre County high school football season
The high school football season is just around the corner and Centre County’s five teams are set to begin their seasons on Aug. 25. Bald Eagle Area, Bellefonte, Penns Valley and Philipsburg-Osceola are set to compete in the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference for the first time after the Mountain League disbanded, while State College will look to build off its run to the state semifinals last season.
Here’s everything you need to know about the local teams and their upcoming year.
Bald Eagle Area
Head coach: Jesse Nagle (eighth season as BEA head coach)
Key losses: Gavin Eckley, Tre Greene, Kieran Jodon, Caden McCullough, Chase Thompson, Ethan Chicko, Elliot Splain, Mikey Snyder
Key returners: Camron Watkins, Kahale Burns, Eric Clark, Carson Nagle, Wyatt Spackman, Alex Lefebvre, Braydon Dubbs, Cameron Dubbs, Caleb Lanning, Gavin Burns, Kaden Burns, Dakota McCool, Gage Gardner, Nick Wible, Austin Moyle, Mason Reese, Ethan Shirk, Preston Reed, Gavin Bennett
Schedule:
8/25 vs. Bishop Guilfoyle
9/1 at Central Cambria
9/8 at Penns Valley
9/15 vs. Tyrone
9/22 vs. Philipsburg-Osceola
9/29 at Bellefonte
10/6 vs. Clearfield
10/14 at Johnstown
10/20 at Bellwood-Antis
10/27 TBA
Bellefonte
Head coach: Tony Confer (first season as Bellefonte head coach, third season overall as head coach)
Key losses: Dominic Capperella, Wesley Badger, Logan Williams, JJ Saunders, Tyler Rice, Addison Shawley, Wyatt Lowery, Caleb Frazier, Trevor Johnson
Key returners: Sherman Lowry, Liam Halterman, Grady Garrison, Owen Pettina, Owen Hendershot, Nate Way, Braden Bickle, Jaeden Gabrovsek, Logan Aviles
Schedule:
8/25 vs. Central
9/1 at Chestnut Ridge
9/8 vs. Bishop Guilfoyle
9/15 vs. Clearfield
9/22 at Penns Valley
9/29 vs. Bald Eagle Area
10/6 at Philipsburg-Osceola
10/13 at Bishop McCort
10/20 at Huntingdon
10/27 TBA
Penns Valley
Head coach: Martin Tobias (28th year as Penns Valley head coach)
Key losses: Miles Brooks, Kollin Brungart, Micah Good, Scott Hess, Hunter Lyons, Lukus Osborn, Gavin Ryan, Hayden Walker
Key returners: Jackson Romig, Jarrett Stover, Ty Watson, Caleb Confer, Colin Niewinski, Josh Lieb, Danin Kerstetter, John Meyer, Hunter Stake, Rylin Loner, Landon Hess
Schedule:
8/25 vs. Bellwood-Antis
9/1 at Bedford
9/8 vs. Bald Eagle Area
9/15 at Philipsburg-Osceola
9/22 vs. Bellefonte
9/29 at Clearfield
10/6 vs. Central
10/13 at Somerset
10/20 at Tyrone
10/27 TBA
Philipsburg-Osceola
Head coach: Jeff Vroman (16th year as head coach)
Key losses: Ben Gustkey, Devin Suhoney
Key returners: Zack Myers, Jakodi Jones, Dayton Barger, Sam McDonald, Alex Knepp, Nick Johnson, Evan Eichenlaub, Conner Eichenlaub, Carson Long
Schedule:
8/25 vs. Huntingdon
9/1 at Penn Cambria
9/8 at Clearfield
9/15 vs. Penns Valley
9/22 at Bald Eagle Area
9/29 vs. Bellwood-Antis
10/6 vs. Bellefonte
10/14 at Westmont Hilltop
10/21 at Bishop Guilfoyle
10/27 TBA
State College
Head coach: Matt Lintal (10th year as head coach)
Key losses: Stephen Scourtis, Michael Dincher, Thomas Dincher, John Scott, Ian Brandt, Logan Milito, John Brighton, Finn Furmanek, Will Stone, Donte Nastasi
Key returners: Colin Dardis, Michael Gaul, Jake Hohenshelt, Ty Salazer, D’Antae Sheffey, Justin Castro Dixon, Ty Salazer, Michael Gaul, Sam Mayer, Cooper Brushwood, Eli Espinoza, Owen Yerka
Schedule:
8/25 at Williamsport
9/1 vs. Downington East
9/8 at Hollidaysburg
9/15 vs. Altoona
9/22 at Central Dauphin
9/29 vs. Central Dauphin East
10/6 at Carlisle
10/13 vs. Harrisburg
10/20 at Cumberland Valley
10/27 vs. Chambersburg
