MECHANICSBURG – After going 43-8 over the last four years – including deep playoff runs – the Mechanicsburg football team finds itself with only three returning starters: seniors Dustin Knapp RB/LB and Cannon Propst OL/DL and junior Joey Mascadri OLB/WR/RB. All three started on both sides of the ball for MHS last year.
Gone is four-year starting quarterback Kaleb Romero, arguably the greatest player in Mechanicsburg football history.
“It will be the first time in four years that we will have a new QB,” said M’burg Coach Kurt Forrest. “Logan Hurst has stepped up and has done a tremendous job so far through our scrimmages and is becoming more of a leader every day. We will play to the strengths of this year’s team just like we always do. Part of high school athletics is being able to adjust to the players you have and this year will be no different.”
Returning lettermen for the Indians include senior Drew Vanvoorhis OL/DL, sophomore Kix Thiel OL/DL, senior Johnny Samples K and senior Hunter Hensley Manager.
Others vying for varsity playing time include senior Jayden Loveless OL/DL, senior Justin Hunt TE/DB, senior Kameron Young WR/WR, junior Levi Adams OL/DL, junior Frank Magyar WR/DB, junior Chad Deere OL/DL, junior Austin Parsons OL/DL, sophomore Mack Delong WR/DB, sophomore Noah Wolf WR/LB, sophomore Jaron Patterson OL/LB, freshman Keith Bebout WR/DB, freshman Jake Thiel OL/DL and freshman Caden Coleman OL/LB.
“We have an extremely young roster this year that is excited for their turn to step up and represent our school and community this fall,” said Forrest. “With our youth comes a lot of energy and excitement and our upperclassmen will be counted on to help lead them, and show them the ropes of Mechanicsburg football.
“Our goals never change here, we always want to walk off the field knowing we played our hearts out for each other,” Forrest added. “We believe if we do that, then the scoreboard will take care of itself.”
Forrest said the OHC will be interesting this year since there will be two divisions for the first time.
“The OHC now has two divisions as we welcome in West Jefferson and Fairbanks in the North and Greenon and Madison Plains in the South,” he said. “In my opinion, West Jefferson is probably the favorite in the North and Greeneview in the South.”
Mechanicsburg will host Cedarville to open the season Friday night.
