Head coach Shaun Weaver is entering his first season at the helm of the Albright Lions. Weaver previously spent four seasons on the Lions’ staff from 2020 to 2023 before heading to Frostburg State in 2024, where he served as the defensive line coach.
But when former head coach Isaac Collins departed, Weaver didn’t hesitate to return, jumping at the chance to lead a program and school he holds close to his heart.
“It was awesome, you know, being away from the program for a year, but already being here for multiple years before and loving this place and the people here, it was a pretty cool experience to get the call to be the head coach to come and get to work,” Weaver said on accepting the head coaching offer. “Easy, fast decision for me.”
Since their last winning season in 2017, an 8-3 campaign that included an appearance in the Centennial-MAC Bowl Series against Susquehanna, the Lions have struggled, going 6-54 over the past six seasons.
But that’s in the past. With Weaver in control and leading a young but experienced group, there’s renewed optimism in Reading. Weaver is focused on instilling a strong culture, and the hope is that his leadership can begin to turn the program’s fortunes around.
“The main thing with the program is just kind of instilling our culture to be able to develop the program to be consistently competitive,” Weaver said. “That started from the time I got here with the guys who were obviously on the roster already, to the new guys that we added in the recruiting class, and just trying to get them to buy into simple things that we can all work on and build together to make the program a championship-level program here. It’s in our DNA.”
Weaver noted that the younger players and newcomers have done a solid job acclimating to the team’s culture, helping maintain momentum as the season approaches. While several new faces will be asked to step up early, Weaver is leaning on his four team captains to help guide the program back on track and set the tone for the new era.
On defense, captains Darien Osmun and Jacquez Parker-Cannon will be tasked with elevating a unit that allowed 27.9 points per game in 2024, the second-worst mark in the MAC.
Osmun, a junior linebacker, returns as the heart of the defense. In his first two seasons, he’s totaled 99 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and four passes defended. He’ll once again be the on-field leader, directing traffic from the middle.
Up front, Parker-Cannon anchors the defensive line. The 6-1, 285-pound senior brings strength and experience to the trenches, having recorded 16 tackles, two tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles over the past two seasons. He’ll look to build on that production and help set the tone in the trenches this fall.
“He’s kind of been the most consistent guy that we’ve seen throughout the spring and the fall,” Weaver said of Parker-Cannon. “Just very, very detailed. He plays physical and has a good frame. Moves pretty well for a big guy. Expect him to have a good year up front.”
On offense, MAC Commonwealth Honorable Mention selection Cody Carter will anchor the offensive line. Regarded as the Lions’ most complete and polished lineman in both pass protection and the run game, Carter is expected to be a cornerstone for the unit in 2025.
On the outside, junior wide receiver Alden Strickler is a player Albright fans should be excited about. After leading the team in receiving last season, Strickler returns as a key playmaker. He caught 28 passes for 499 yards and four touchdowns in 2024.
“He had a pretty good, productive year last year,” Weaver said of Strickler. “He’s a guy who comes to work every day and has a lot of passion for everything he’s doing. Expect him to do great things in the receiver room, in the pass game, and he’s a willing blocker. He does a lot of great things.”
With their solidified captains entering 2025, Albright has the leadership in place to help guide the program out of the struggles that have crushed recent seasons and toward a more competitive future.
Albright also returns their leading rusher, John Boston, who ran for 380 yards and two touchdowns last season. On defense, team and MAC-leading tackler Samuel Moratori, an All-MAC Second Team safety, recorded an impressive 111 tackles in 2024.
Last but not least, the Lions return quarterback Chase Roberts, who has shown significant improvement over the offseason and looks to open up Albright’s passing attack after finishing fifth in the MAC in passing last year.
“This fall is taking this game to another level. Excited about him. He’s just got the most experience, and he’s throwing the ball at a high level throughout high school and developing the college game really well. He’s got a great arm,” Weaver said of Roberts. ”We’re excited about him being able to run the show because I think his best year of football is ahead of him.”
Weaver knows Roberts well, having recruited him out of Hanover High School during his previous time on staff.
Roberts set the YAIAA (York Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association) passing yards record with an outstanding 7,015 yards in 2022.
In his sophomore year at Albright, he completed 148 of 252 passes for 1,609 yards, throwing six touchdowns and six interceptions.
With kickoff set for this Friday night at Gallaudet, Weaver and the Lions are chomping at the bit to get the new era of Albright football underway.
“We want one to improve and be consistently competitive in each game,” Weaver said of his team’s goals. “That’s what we need to do to take the next step.”
Albright at a glance
Coach: Steve Weaver, first season.
Last season: 1-8 MAC, 2-8.
Key players: Offense – Chase Roberts, John Boston, Alden Stricker, Cody Carter. Defense – Jacquez Parker-Cannon, Darien Osmun, Samuel Moratori.
Schedule: Sept. 5, at Gallaudet; Sept. 13, at Misericordia; Sept. 20, Delaware Valley; Sept. 27, Widener; Oct. 11, at Alvernia; Oct. 18, at Eastern; Oct. 25, FDU-Florham; Nov. 1, at King’s; Nov. 8, Stevenson; Nov. 15, Lebanon Valley.
Source: Berkshire mont