With a fresh mindset and something to prove, Conrad Weiser is ready to make a strong showing in Section 3 of the Lancaster-Lebanon Football League.
Last season, the Scouts finished with a 2-5 record in Section 4 and 2-8 overall record. Conrad Weiser’s last winning season came during the 2021-2022 season before Berks’ merger with the Lancaster-Lebanon League.
“We’ve had two I’d say disappointing seasons,” senior quarterback and All-Berks punter Donovan Gingrich said. “We’re having a lot of returning seniors and I think we have a different mindset because this is our last year.
“I feel like we took the other two years for granted. So this is our last year and I feel like more of our seniors are buying in.”
The Scouts’ biggest strength may very well be the chips on the shoulders of many seniors who want to end their high school careers on a high note.
In addition to Gingrich, a three-year starter at quarterback, three-way player Evan Rittle will provide versatility as a wide receiver, defensive back and returner, and tight end Evan Miller is back after missing his junior season because of a shoulder injury.
Rittle was second on the Scouts in touchdowns in 2023 with seven. Gingrich has thrown for 2,431 yards, 23 touchdowns, 15 interceptions and is 194-for-395 passing during his tenure at quarterback. Last season, Gingrich threw for 962 yards, 10 touchdowns and four interceptions.
“We’re hoping that we can stay a little bit healthier this year and that’ll allow us to win more games and compete,” Miller said. “Our goal is to make the playoffs and hopefully win the section. Our offseason has been going very well. We’ve all been working hard lifting weights and getting in shape.”
Working hard and adding weight over the past few years has been Gingrich. Now at 200 pounds and standing at 6-1, the additional weight should make Gingrich tougher to tackle, and Conrad Weiser coach Alan Moyer said he plans to utilize Gingrich’s rushing abilities more this season.
“He’s certainly gotten stronger,” Moyer said of Gingrich. “He’s 200 pounds right now, and he was worried about that, but I don’t have any qualms about that. I say, ‘Trying to tackle a 200 pound quarterback is a daunting task.’ So I’m happy where he is physically.
“We’re expecting a big year out of them, and hopefully we’re gonna turn him loose running the ball as well. We had to be careful with that in the past, but it’s his senior year so we’re gonna hopefully get the ball in his hands and see what he can do running on the ball.
“He has good speed and quickness and he’s elusive, so expect a lot of offensive production out of Gingrich.”
For Gingrich, his added physicality is only part of the growth. In addition to having a different mindset for how he wants his team to perform, Gingrich said he believes his own mental frame of playing quarterback is better than it’s ever been.
“I’d have to say my mindset,” Gingrich said regarding his biggest improvement. “I think the last two years I was really in my head, but I’ve been working with people and working on my game and I feel confident that even if things go bad, I feel like I can overcome that and have a good mentality.”
Gingrich will have plenty of experienced protection in front of him to help his offensive production. Kaleb Britting, Charlie Shimp, Josh Colella and Jack Heckman all return to the offensive line. Serving as a strong unit up front, Britting weighs in at 270 pounds, while Shimp and Colella come in at 265. Additionally, sophomore Westyn Ulrich could make an impact on the line at 255 pounds.
The strength on the offensive line will also help as Conrad Wesier looks to replace its top scorer, running back Sevon Parham (eight touchdowns), who graduated in 2024.
“We got two or three kids that are going to compete for the starting tailback position,” Moyer said. “All have had experience, all got carries last year. Parham played both sides of the ball so anytime he needed a break or when he was out for two weeks with injury some younger kids got a chance to carry the rock.
“So Jonathan McQuillen and Javien Rivera (will compete at tailback). With experience up front, hopefully there will be some holes there for them.”
Defense was a problem for the Scouts last year, as Conrad Weiser gave up 316 points and scored just 154. At 6-5, 210, senior Mason Gechter looks to be a force at defensive end.
“Defense has constantly been a struggle for us the past two years,” Moyer said. “Not that we were probably that bad. It’s just the teams we were playing are good. You look at our schedule, almost all of our losses came to teams that went on to play week 11 and some of them went on to play week 14.”
Moving from Section 4 to Section 3 could prove beneficial, as the Scouts will face several teams they have yet to face in recent seasons. Conrad Weiser opens its season at home against Abington on Aug. 23 before traveling to ELCO on Aug. 29.
League play for the Scouts begins on Sept. 13 at Fleetwood.
“I think it’ll be a new look,” Gingrich said. “There’s some teams that we haven’t seen before, especially out of the conference like Abington. So there will be new opportunities and new play styles.”
A look at Scouts
A look at the Scouts
Coach: Alan Moyer, 22nd season, 138-95.
Last year: 2-5 Lancaster-Lebanon Section 4, 2-8.
PIAA classification: 5A.
Schedule: Aug. 23, Abington; Aug. 29, at ELCO; Sept. 6, at Lebanon; Sept. 13, at Fleetwood; Sept. 20, Manheim Central; Sept. 27, Solanco; Oct. 4. at Garden Spot; Oct. 11, Warwick; Oct. 18, Cocalico; Oct. 25, Unionville.
Source: Berkshire mont
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