The Eagles came up just short of both the Section 2 title and District 3 Class 5A championship last season, but with a wealth of returning talent, Exeter is poised to be right back in the mix in 2025.
In Week 9 of 2024, the Eagles fell to the Section 2 champs, Conestoga Valley, 28-27 in a game that ultimately decided the section title. Four weeks later, Exeter got their revenge in the District 3 semifinals, dominating Conestoga Valley 48-14 to punch their ticket to the championship game.
Unfortunately for the Eagles, they ran into powerhouse Bishop McDevitt, three-time reigning district champions, and fell 48-14 to end their season. McDevitt would go on to win the PIAA state title in a thrilling 31-28 overtime victory over Roman Catholic.
Heading into 2025, Exeter enters the season ranked No. 5 in Class 5A, according to Eric Epler of PennLive.com. The Eagles are looking to capture their first District 3 title since 2021, when they edged Gov. Mifflin 31-28.
“It was an eye-opening experience, for sure,” Eagles coach Matt Bauer said of the district championship loss. “It’s definitely a motivating factor as well. We didn’t like the way that ended. We’re going to take it one week at a time but we know that McDevitt is not going anywhere, so we’re going to continue to move the program forward. We’ve got to be ready to match that type of skill and physicality.”
The Eagles may be one of the more fortunate teams when it comes to graduating seniors, as they return a strong core of young talent that’s both experienced and ready to take the reins.
“We can just pick up right where we left off,” senior Jayden Ware said. “Even though we lost some huge parts of our team, we also brought back some huge key leaders. I think the younger guys will play a big part in our success this season.”
The playmakers Exeter lost include Outstanding Back of the Year Jayden Zandier, Offensive Lineman of the Year Logan Wegman, and Wide Receiver of the Year Carter Redding.
“It was a special group last year, no question,” Bauer said. “But you know, this is a special group as well. The cupboard is not empty by any means. We got a lot of guys back, but we also have a lot of guys that have waited their turn and are anxious for the opportunity.”
Among the returning players expected to lead the charge are Riley Martinez, Ware, Aidan Dauble, and Joel Unmarino.
Martinez, a three-year starting quarterback, enters his senior season after missing part of last year with a leg injury.
Despite the setback, he still earned second team LL honors, throwing for 1,016 yards, 16 touchdowns, and just three interceptions.
“I feel like I’m going to come back stronger, faster, and a more efficient quarterback,” Martinez said.
Ware made his presence felt all over the field, hauling in seven touchdown receptions, recording a team-high three interceptions, and earning first team LL honors as a kick returner.
“Probably one of the most unselfish kids we’ve had, always puts the team first,” Bauer said of Ware. “Loves the block just as much as he likes the ball, which is kind of a rarity. He’s a playmaker for us, and we’re expecting a lot of explosive plays from him.”
Dauble and Unmarino each earned first team LL honors, Dauble at linebacker and Unmarino at defensive end. The disruptive duo combined for 121 tackles, consistently creating problems for opposing offenses.
As the 2025 season approaches, Exeter is focused on taking things one day and one game at a time, keeping their goals in sight without getting distracted by what lies further down the road.
“I feel like our strongest opponent is going to be ourselves,” Martinez said. “In our minds, we have to think that nobody can beat us, and that we’re the best team that everyone’s going to face. So we just have to keep that in the back of our minds. We can’t look down the road a get caught looking down the road and slip up against a team that we shouldn’t lose to.”
Coach: Matt Bauer, 17th season, 125-57.
Last year’s record: 5-1, Lancaster-Lebanon Section 2, 12-2.
Key players lost: RB Jayden Zandier, WR Carter Redding, OL Logan Wegman, LB Casey Gerhart.
Key players returning: QB Riley Martinez, RB Leo Brown, WR/CB Jayden Ware, WR Jackson Kozik, LB/TE Aidan Dauble, C/DE Joel Unmarino, OT/DL Kevin Oswalt.
3 Keys to Success in 2025
1. Playmakers make plays: Even with the departures of Zandier and Redding, the Eagles still possess plenty of talent on offense. Jayden Ware will be expected to lead the group with his big-play ability, and if Exeter’s offense remains explosive, the Eagles should find themselves right where they want to be.
Defense stays elite: Exeter had the No. 7 overall defense and the No. 2 scoring defense last season, recording four shutouts and allowing just 8.5 points per game during the regular season.
To make another deep run, the Eagles will need that same level of dominance, especially when facing the top offenses in the section and district later in the year.
Start hot, stay hot, stay healthy: The Eagles have the pieces in place for another strong season, but they’ll need to get off to a fast start and maintain that momentum throughout 2025.
Staying healthy will be crucial, while injuries are never fully in a team’s control, if Exeter wants to make a deep playoff run into December, they’ll need their top contributors on the field.
Schedule: Aug. 22, Daniel Boone; Aug. 29, at Boyertown; Sept. 5, Pleasant Valley; Sept 12. Gov. Mifflin; Sept. 19, Lebanon; Sept. 26, at Ephrata; Oct. 3, at Muhlenberg; Oct. 10, at Hempfield; Oct. 17, at Conestoga Valley; Oct. 24, Elizabethtown.
Source: Berkshire mont