Twin Valley football 'moving forward' under new coach Brett Myers

Aug. 18—A season ago, Twin Valley qualified for the District 3 playoffs for the first time in school history.

Despite the historic accomplishment, the Raiders' playoff run was short-lived, as they were defeated by Spring Grove 33-6 in the first round — a loss that still looms large in the minds of several Twin Valley players.

"We're just going to use that experience, keep that bad taste in our mouth and keep moving forward this year," senior center Masen Ketner said. "We're all super excited for it."

With a district playoff berth under their belt, the Raiders head into the 2022 season with a better understanding of what it will take to reach the postseason again, and motivation to avenge that 27-point loss from last November.

"We weren't used to it (and) we had never been there before, so we didn't have that (prior) experience," senior linebacker Kellen Styer said. "This year we can be a little more comfortable and keep our heads on straight when we get there."

Twin Valley will try to reach districts for the second time in program history under the direction of new coach Brett Myers. who takes over for Kris Olsen. Olsen coached just one season as his position was opened early in the summer. Myers also serves as an assistant principal at Twin Valley Middle School.

"High school football is a lot about relationships," Myers said. "We're going to have a core philosophy to focus on our kids and helping them grow as people."

Myers coached at Middletown from 2013-20, compiling a 73-22 record and leading the Blue Raiders to three consecutive PIAA Class 3A championships from 2016-18. Prior to coaching at Middletown, his alma mater, Myers was the head coach at Pottstown from 2007-13 after serving as an assistant coach at Exeter.

"Sometimes as coaches we overthink football," said Myers, whose son, Evan, a sophomore, returns at quarterback. "It really comes down to doing a couple things right — blocking and tackling and giving great effort, and that's going to be our focus."

The Raiders find themselves in Section 3 of the expanded Lancaster-Lebanon League, which absorbed all 13 members of the Berks Football League. A Class 4A program, Twin Valley finds itself in Section 3 with Class 5A schools Elizabethtown, Ephrata, Garden Spot and Solanco, as well as former Berks Football League teams Daniel Boone and Fleetwood, which are Class 4A.

"Being able to see some new teams, see some different playing styles is going to be a lot of fun," Styer said. "It's just going to be a great time."

The Raiders must replace two of the top players in school history in running back/linebacker Dominic Caruso and wide receiver/kick returner/defensive back Trey Freeman.

Caruso rushed for 943 yards on 186 carries, caught 30 passes for 133 yards and scored a team-high 14 touchdowns last season. Also an all-league linebacker, he finished his career with 3,684 rushing yards.

Freeman finished his career with a Berks career record 2,250 receiving yards after catching 57 passes for 1,104 last season. He also scored 10 touchdowns and was an all-league selection at receiver and kick returner.

Myers completed 107-of-192 passes last season (55.7%) for 1,498 yards and 10 touchdowns with nine interceptions.

Nick Harris, a senior, is the leading returning rusher. He had 42 carries for 216 yards last season; he scored five touchdowns. He also is the leading returning receiver with five catches for 43 yards. Jordan Rose had three catches for 68 yards a year ago.

Ean Winchester, a junior, is back after being an all-league second-team selection at linebacker last season.

The Raiders will open league play on the road against Fleetwood and also will travel to Garden Spot and Daniel Boone later in the season. Twin Valley will host Elizabethtown, Solanco and Ephrata.

In non-league action, the Raiders will open the season at Schuylkill Valley. Twin Valley will host Lower Dauphin in Week 2 and Conrad Weiser in Week 3 before wrapping up its non-league schedule at Hatboro-Horsham in the regular season finale on Oct. 28.

And with one appearance in the district playoffs already behind them, the Raiders are eager to get a taste of postseason football once again.

"It's so much more fun," Harris said. "We want more of it."

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A look at the Raiders

Coach: Brett Myers, first season (96-60 in 14 seasons, eight at Middletown and six at Pottstown).

Last year: 3-2 Berks Football League Section 2, 6-5. District 3 Class 5A qualifier.

PIAA classification: 4A.

Schedule: Aug. 26, at Schuylkill Valley; Sept. 2, Lower Dauphin; Sept. 9, Conrad Weiser; Sept. 16, at Fleetwood; Sept. 23, Elizabethtown; Sept. 30, Solanco; Oct. 7, at Garden Spot; Oct. 14, Ephrata; Oct. 21, at Daniel Boone; Oct. 28, at Hatboro-Horsham.