With big shoes to fill, Conrad Weiser hopes to remain a contender in tough Section 4 of expanded Lancaster-Lebanon League

Aug. 12—There's a new quarterback in town at Conrad Weiser. His name is Donovan Gingrich.

A sophomore, Gingirch takes the reins of the Scouts' offense and has some big shoes to fill after the departure of two-time All-Berks selection Logan Klitsch, who is now at Dartmouth.

Klistch led the Berks Football League in passing yards in each of his final two seasons with 2,405 yards in 2021 and 1,330 yards in 2020. Last season, he completed 65.4% of his passes and threw for 24 touchdowns and also ran for 691 yards and 20 TDs.

"My old offensive coordinator (Brett Skovera) commented that Donovan (Gingrich) is going to be very similar to Logan (Klitsch); very coachable, very hard working, and a smart student of the game," Conrad Weiser coach Alan Moyer said.

"So we're kind of excited to have him as a sophomore. He didn't get any many reps last year as a freshman, but he's going to get thrown to the wolves this year."

In total, Moyer's team lost nine offensive players to graduation.

The Scouts also lost two-time Berks Receiver of the Year Aanjay Feliciano, who caught 64 passes for 1,202 yards and scored 16 TDs in 2021 and is now at Stetson. At running back, the Scouts lost seniors Cole Rothermel, who had 663 total yards and five touchdowns last season, and Cameron Jones, who ran for 150 yards and scored four TDs a year ago.

"I feel like we got a lot of experience last year with all the seniors," Gingrich said. "And now that they're gone, I feel like we're more prepared for the games coming.

"It was great learning and watching everything he (Klitsch) was doing last year. I was just trying to follow in his footsteps, but now that he's gone, I have to step up."

Conrad Weiser looks to remain a contender in a tough Section 4 of the revamped Lancaster-Lebanon League. The section features three-time defending District 3 Class 3A champion Wyomissing, as well as six other district playoff teams from 2021: Weiser (4A), Berks Catholic (4A), Cocalico (4A), Donegal (4A), Lampeter-Strasburg (4A) and Octorara (4A). The other team in the section, Elco, was the 4A runner-up in 2020.

The Scouts have made the District 3 Class 4A playoffs in each of the past four years and the new offensive playmakers remain confident in their chances.

"I'm definitely confident in our new quarterback that he will fill the shoes," said senior Trey Dianna, a starting wide receiver. "I'm pretty comfortable in our new offense."

Dianna was second on the team in receiving in 2021 with 36 catches for 528 yards and five touchdowns. He also ran for 44 rushing yards on 13 carries.

Like Dianna, who is stepping up for Feliciano, junior running back and linebacker Sevon Parham will have a larger role as a two-way starter. Parham ran for 201 yards on 15 carries and scored three touchdowns last year and said he doesn't believe the pressures of an increased workload will get to him.

"Being raised by two tough parents, the pressure is really nothing to me," Parham said. "I'm used to it by now. I was never the type to fold under pressure or just give up. So, if the pressure is given, I'm gonna take it and do the most with it. My personal goal is to get my team as far as we can."

He has equal confidence in the young quarterback who will be handing the ball off to him.

"Donovan, man, I'm not worried at all about Donovan," Parham said. "Donovan is a young prodigy and he's going to be someone who grows up, so just him starting at this young age is going to be really good for him. Being as good as he is now, I can only imagine what he can do in the future."

While the new-look offense seems to be sound in its weapons, the defense also has spots to fill with the departures of two-time All-Berks Brett Organtini at linebacker and All-Berks defensive lineman Cameron Swanson. Organtini led the Scouts with 154 total tackles (14 per game) and Swanson had 38 tackles in 2021.

The Scouts allowed the third-most points in the Berks League last year with 348 and will need to step up in order to keep up with the offensive firepower in Section 4.

"We also want to make sure we tie up our defense," Moyer said. "Our defense was bad last year; it's embarrassing. Worst defense we've had in a long time. So that's going to be our No. 1 priority on day one.

"We lost nine (seniors) on offense and seven on defense. So, what are we doing to change? It wasn't the X's and the O's. It wasn't any of the schemes. It was just inexperienced kids. So we got kids coming back with some games under their belt on defense and we're happy about that. But just being a little bit tougher, and learning the game a little bit more. Hopefully, our commitment to the offseason weight room will help all over the field in all three facets of the game."

One facet of the game Weiser will not have to worry about is its special teams as senior All-Berks selection Adam Noll will lead the way at kicker. Noll went 54-for-57 on PATs and 4-for-4 on field goals, with a long of 34 yards in 2021.

"We have an excellent kicker," Moyer said. "Noll is top notch. His brother (Matt Noll) is out at Delaware State right now. But special teams are a big part of our game. And to have Adam back for his senior year, that's going to be pretty special."

Noll's consistency should come in handy as the kicker said he is comfortable making field goals in the 50-yard range.

"My personal best is past 50 yards; I'd say I'm comfortable in there," Noll said. "But I just want opportunities. If it's 50 yards, I'll be there. If it's 15, I'll be there and ready."

Even with plenty of holes to fill, Noll perhaps best summarized Conrad Weiser's mentality heading into the 2022 season.

"Don't underestimate us at all," Noll said. "We might be young, but we have great talent. With our new quarterback coming in, we have great talent, and we'll be ready for sure."

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A look at the Scouts

Coach: Alan Moyer, 20th season, 133-80.

Last year: 4-2 Berks Football League Section 2, 7-4. District 3 Class 4A qualifier.

PIAA classification: 4A.

Schedule: Aug. 26, Garden Spot; Sept. 2, Fleetwood; Sept. 9, at Twin Valley; Sept. 17, Elco; Sept. 23, at Octorara; Sept. 30, at Berks Catholic; Oct. 7, Donegal; Oct. 14, Wyomissing; Oct. 21, at Lampeter-Strasburg; Oct. 28, at Cocalico.