It was only last Thanksgiving when the State College Little Lions’ season came to a bitter end against the Pine Richland Rams for the second year in a row. The most productive and winningest senior class in school history will be leaving some gaping holes in the backfield, wide receiver and defensive backfield positions, which will need to be filled ASAP if the Little Lions want to go to the same round of the playoffs or further. The competition will be stiffer to get there, however, as both Mifflin County and McDowell, teams State College trounced in the playoffs en route to Altoona in the quarterfinals, will be returning Quarterbacks, as well as key players across the board.

Quarterback

1. Brady Dorner
2. Jack Wunz/Conrad Moore

State College is entering an interesting Quarterback battle this fall, that Coach Matt Lintal will most likely want to decide early, as all 3 options at QB also took reps at Wide Receiver in-game last year. The Little Lions will replace the Most Passing QB in school history in Tommy Friberg. In his stead is Brady Dorner, who was primarily utilized as a WR last year. The only caveat to Dorner taking over is the lack of production returning in the receiving corps, which may cause Lintal to ask Sophomores Jack Wunz or Conrad Moore to step up and become the starter. One can most definitely be sure, whoever is not named the starter will most likely start as a wideout in the fall. 

Running Back

1. Dre Green
2. Isaiah Edwards
3. Stevie Guthoff

At the end of last year, Slotback Cohen Russell slowly took fewer reps as a true runner in Junior Dresyn Green was implanted as the primary RB. This role was increased as a possible team suspension sidelined Junior Isaiah Edwards for 3 games. Going into the 2019 season, both runners will return as the perfect one-two punch. Edwards, the downhill power back, and Green, the shifty, outside runner. Losing Cohen Russell will hurt depth, however, as inexperienced backs in Stevie Guthoff and Lance Urbas will have to step up unless there is an injury.

Wide Receiver

1. Trevor Beck
2. Carson Franks
3. Isaiah Edwards
4. Conrad Moore

Tight End/H-Back

1. Nathan Lusk
2. Nate Polo

Lots of bodies, but almost no experience in the Receiving corps return from last year, as Trevor Beck, who was injured and sidelined in the second game last year, returns as the only true receiver. Brady Dorner and Isaiah Edwards return but at different positions. Edwards may be moved permanently to receiver if rising juniors like Carson Franks, Conrad Moore, and Jack Wunz lag behind in getting comfortable.

Offensive Line

LT. Logan Leib

LG. Sam Storll

C. Jason Cameron

RG. Kobe Asendorf

RT. Addison Darcy

Two weeks ago, Ramsey Kifilo announced his planned transfer to the IMG Academy in Florida. His replacement will be the only inexperienced part of the Line. Injuries to Jason Cameron, Adam Van Horn, Shane Cole, and James Pone mysteriously disappearing from the team gave experience to rising seniors Logan Leib, Kobe Asendorf, and Addison Darcy, who eventually became stable members of the Line by the end of the year. A mixture of Sam Storll, Josh Horman, and possibly Alec Simin will be quality depth pieces if the injury bug hits the Lions again this year.

Defensive Line

DE. Nathan Lusk

DT. Addison Darcy

DT. Sam Storll

DE. Kevin Kurzinger

Much like the offensive line, on the defensive side of the ball, an ACL tear to Titus Thompson and a season-ending injury to Cole Urbas gave younger members of the team a chance to shine last year. One of those names was Kevin Kurzinger, who entered the season as a QB prospect. Kurzinger will be joined by returning starter Nathan Lusk and Joe Nastasi who also contributed. The inside of the line will need to avoid injuries as Addison Darcy and Sam Storll are the only returnees with any varsity experience

LBs

OLB: Jim Manyak

MLB: Kyle Domico

Two returning starters in Jimmy Manyak and Kyle Domico will lead a deep group of experienced contributors from last year. Mac Heim, Stevie Guthoff, and Lance Urbas, all with varsity playing experience back up Manyak and Domico. Despite the depth in this position, everyone will have to try to stay healthy, as the Linebacker position must take a step forward from last year with missing pieces in other positions on D.

Secondary

CB. Isaiah Edwards

N. Dre Green

FS. Conrad Moore

SS. Sam Knipe

CB. Trevor Beck

Arguably the position group with the most potential, the Little Lions will have the most to replace in the secondary, losing Keaton Ellis to Penn State, Tom Bucha to Bloomsburg, and Cohen Russell to Slippery Rock. Keeping Trevor Beck healthy is key, and integrating Isaiah Edwards as a full-time corner on defense looks like it will be a challenge. Conrad Moore is a complete mystery, who played on defense for snaps here and there in 2018.