With holes to fill and a standard to maintain, it all starts up front for Exeter football in 2023

While plenty surely changes from one season to another, one thing remains certain for Exeter football coach Matt Bauer: It all starts up front.

“It always does and always will for me,” Bauer said on the importance of his offensive and defensive linemen. “It’s definitely not rocket science for me: We have to be able to control the line of scrimmage.

“We can’t get caught looking down the road because there’s a week-to-week process and we’re not worried about any other person on our schedule other than Daniel Boone right now. If you get caught looking down the road your season could derail in a hurry.”

Another aspect of the Eagles’ culture that remains intact from last season is the expectation that has come with Exeter’s rise as a powerhouse. After winning the program’s first District 3 Class 5A title with a 31-28 win over Gov. Mifflin in 2021, the Eagles followed that with a perfect regular season and a division-winning 6-0 record in Section 2 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League last year.

Exeter fell to Cocalico 34-14 in the district title game to finish 12-1, however, the loss has not dampened the Eagles’ confidence as they look to remain a favorite in a highly-contested section.

“There’s no slouches in this league and we know we’re going to be everyone’s biggest game,” Bauer said. “We have a huge target on our back and beating us will make a lot of teams’ seasons. So we have to play night in and night out and be very focused and very detail oriented.”

“We’re everyone’s biggest skill game on their schedule,” senior offensive and defensive lineman Ryan McConnell said. “So we just have to keep working, get back and do what we do.

“I don’t think its going to be easier the second time around (winning the section). I think it’s still going to be hard, but I think we can definitely hold our own in the section.”

Exeter graduated several key pieces from last year’s squad that had the third-highest offensive production in Berks with 4,555 total yards (2,895 rushing, 1,660 passing). With Berks Linebacker of the Year and guard Lucas Palange, All-State tackle Anthony Caccese and Defensive Lineman of the Year Kyle Lash all graduated, seniors Matt and Ryan McConnell look to take up the mantle on the front lines.

“We definitely have a good group up front,” said Matt, who two-way lineman who will start at center on offense. “We put the hardest-working group out there; every practice we’re out there. We should have a good group this year and I’m excited for it.”

“They (the current linemen) have the opportunity to be (just as strong), but last year’s line was the best line I’ve had in 14 years of being a head coach,” Bauer said. “This group is anchored by the McConnell twins that we’re expecting big things from as well; it all starts up front for us.”

In addition to the big men up front, the Eagles will have to fill the shoes of offensive playmaker Joey Schlaffer, now a tight end at Penn State, who had 14 touchdowns and a team-high 879 receiving yards in 2022. The transition may prove to be seamless with 6-5, 230 pound Coastal Carolina commit Zach Zandier taking up the starting role at tight end as a senior.

“We have a lot more speed, and I feel like we lost a lot of guys, but we still have a lot of talent,” Zandier said, “and we have younger guys that are going into their junior year and sophomore year and they’re going to start making big plays and grow into good players.

Zandier caught 24 passes for 420 yards and four touchdowns last year. He has the mentality and physicality to be a difference-maker while uplifting those around him, according to Bauer. He should also prove to be a force at defensive end.

Even though the statistical accolades and on-field performances are pivotal, the ability to motivate seems to elevate Exeter even further.

“I think the most important thing is you have the right attitude to be in that position (to be a leader),” Bauer said. “Joey had it; Zach has it. The most important thing is not the stats, it’s getting the team to be as successful as possible, giving them the best opportunity of winning and being successful. So the teams’ needs always come first no matter what.”

At quarterback, Bauer said he believes that a decision will be made between senior Nate Pashley, also a free safety, and sophomore Riley Martinez by the end of the preseason.

Pharell Cacaeres returns at running back and will look to follow in the footsteps of Richie Karstien who accumulated 1,585 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior in 2022.

“Nate (Pashley) is gonna be all over the field for us, so hopefully we’ll figure out who our quarterback is,” Bauer said. “Riley Martinez has definitely, as a sophomore, stepped up for us and has done a lot of nice things. We really won’t know for sure if he’s ready until we get to evaluate him under fire and see how that goes.

“That’s why we’re getting Nate ready as well. So it’ll definitely be an interesting process and we’ll see where things land.”

With competition to be had, Pashley said he believes that the talent is still there despite the loss of last year’s seniors.

“We got good running backs, good receivers, good quarterbacks,” Pashley said. “So everybody’s switching in between positions. So we’re looking to move the ball around with different plays.

“We obviously lost a bunch of seniors, so this year we have a lot more speed and people playing different positions.”

On defense, Bauer said he believes that up-and-comers will learn to thrive as the team finds ways to replace the firepower provided by Lash and Palange.

“Our secondary is a veteran group for sure,” Bauer said. “There’s some big shoes to fill at linebacker, but there’s a lot of young underclassmen and there’s a lot of battles going on right now at the linebacker position.

“So we’re excited to see how that pans out, and on the defensive line, there’s a couple of holes to fill there, too. You can’t really replace a Kyle Lash and his motor and his ferocity, but a lot of kids have been mentored by him and they’re trying to model themselves after that formula.”

For Bauer, the success that has blossomed in recent years has less to do with number of wins and losses, but more with the legacy that is left at the end of each season. With a one-game-at-time mentality and plenty of players ready to step up, year after year, the seeds for progression appear to be growing stronger at Reiffton.

“I always preface it to the senior class that being able to leave a legacy to move the program forward into uncharted territory where our program has not been, to me, is the most important thing,” Bauer said. “The wins and losses hopefully will take care of themselves as long as they stay focused on the task at hand. And we always preach loyalty, dedication and perseverance as the cornerstones of our program and I don’t foresee these kids not being able to maintain those,

“That’s the most important thing that our team values and the standard that we’ve created here is maintained.”

A look at the Eagles

Coach: Matt Bauer, 15th season, 105-53.

Last year: 6-0 Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 2, 12-1; L-L Section 2 champ, District 3 Class 5A runner-up.

PIAA classification: 5A.

Schedule: Aug. 25, Daniel Boone; Sept. 1, at Boyertown; Sept. 8, at West York; Sept. 15 Gov. Mifflin; Sept. 22, Lebanon; Sept. 29, at Warwick; Oct. 6, at Muhlenberg, Oct. 13, Hempfield; Oct. 20, at Conestoga Valley; Oct. 27, Manheim Central.