2021 Season Recaps – District 3: Exeter Township

Next, up in our District Three 2021 season recaps are the Exeter Township Eagles who are coming off a playoff run to the state quarterfinals. The Eagles got their 2021 season off on the wrong foot with a 35-28 loss to Central York, the 2020 6A runner-ups. Following their loss to Central York, the Eagles would find their footing and win six of their eight remaining regular-season games to head into the playoffs with a 6-3 record, most of their six wins being in dominating fashion. Their playoff run would start against South Western who’d they defeat 38-21 before taking down Manheim Central and Cedar Cliff. In the state quarterfinals, they’d get revenge for a loss earlier in the season by upsetting Governor Mifflin 31-28. In what was a rematch from earlier in the season, the Eagles would get their revenge on Governor Mifflin with a 31-28 upset victory, clinching a spot in the 5A state semi-finals. The Eagles playoff run would game to an end in the semi-finals against Penn-Trafford in a 49-14 defeat. Despite the loss to Penn-Trafford to end the season, Exeter still put together one of the best seasons in the entire state and a rather unexpected playoff run overall. Head coach <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/exeter-township-eagles-(reading,pa)/football/records/coaches.htm">Brian Zelinske</a> did a tremendous job with his team in 2021 and now let’s take a look at some of his key players. <h5><strong>2022 Ranked Prospects:</strong></h5> <strong>No. 48 LB [player_tooltip player_id="27615" first="J.R." last="Strauss"]</strong> Exeter’s top-ranked senior, Strauss is headed to Villanova to play under head coach Mark Ferranta. Our 48th ranked prospect overall and our sixth-ranked linebacker, Strauss made an impact on both sides of the ball in 2021. On offense, Strauss recorded 32 receptions for 501 yards and seven touchdowns while also recording 34 rushing yards. Defensively is where Strauss stood out the most this past season recording 77 tackles including 5.5 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks. <strong>No. 172 RB [player_tooltip player_id="242558" first="Eric" last="Nangle"]</strong> Exeter’s leading rusher in 2021, Nangle recorded a 2,000+ yard season for the Eagles with 1,824 rushing yards and 501 receiving yards with 28 total touchdowns. The all-state running back was consistently one of the best running backs in the Keystone State throughout the season and recorded eight games of 100+ rushing yards this season. Still available, Nangle is going to be a huge steal for wherever he lands as the next level. <strong>No.180 OL [player_tooltip player_id="156284" first="Kyle" last="Helm"]</strong> Helm is one of the biggest reason’s for Exeter’s success on the ground this season. The senior guard helped pave the way for the Eagles to rush for over 3,000 yards and average well over 200 yards per game. <strong>No.201 LB [player_tooltip player_id="27687" first="Tyler" last="Yocum"]</strong> The senior linebacker not only put up 483 rushing yards this season and 14 touchdowns but was dominant on defense with 105 total tackles including 7.5 tackles for a loss and one sack. He also recorded three interceptions and caused two fumbles throughout his 14 games played. <strong>No.298 QB [player_tooltip player_id="241875" first="Colin" last="Payne"]</strong> The senior quarterback was solid when tasked with throwing the ball, completing 59.6% of his passes for 2,363 yards and 23 touchdowns. On the ground, he added 29 carries for 42 yards and another score. <strong>No.679 ATH [player_tooltip player_id="186295" first="Carson" last="Schmidt"]</strong> Our final 2022 ranked player is athlete [player_tooltip player_id="186295" first="Carson" last="Schmidt"]. Schmidt’s biggest impact for the Eagles came on the offensive side of the ball recording 19 receptions for 402 yards and four touchdowns. <h5><strong>2023 Ranked Prospects:</strong></h5> <strong>No. 16 TE [player_tooltip player_id="97607" first="Joey" last="Schlaffer"]</strong> Exeter’s top prospect regardless of class, Schlaffer was the Eagles’ top receiving weapon in 2022 with 48 receptions for 834 yards and nine touchdowns. The Penn State commitment is our No.1 TE in the class of 2023 and is a true game-changer at the tight end commitment. He’s coming off a terrific junior season and we’re excited to see what he can bring to the table in 2022. Watch for him to potentially crack in to the top 10 at some point next year. <strong>No. 242 OL [player_tooltip player_id="248874" first="Anthony" last="Caccese"]</strong> Another crucial part of Exeter’s offensive line, Caccese played some terrific center for the Eagles in 2022 helping leading the way along with Helm’s above. He also made quite the impact defensively with 31 tackles including 12 tackles for a loss, and 3.5 sacks. <strong>No.342 OL [player_tooltip player_id="92702" first="Lucas" last="Palange"]</strong> While being another cog in Exeter’s deadly rushing attack, Palange impacts the game in all three facets for the Eagles. On the offensive line, he was one of District 3’s top guards while he also made an impact as a long snapper on special teams. Defensively, he was dominant as a linebacker with 91 tackles including 23 tackles for a loss and eight sacks. He also had one forced fumble and one blocked kick. We have him listed as an offensive lineman but it wouldn’t be shocking to see him play on the defensive side at the college level. <strong>No.420 ATH [player_tooltip player_id="248191" first="Kyle" last="Lash"] </strong> Playing guard and defensive tackle for Exeter, Lash performed well on both sides of the ball and recorded 51 tackles including 11 tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks. He also recorded a single forced fumble on the season. <strong>No.529 QB [player_tooltip player_id="129553" first="Mason" last="Rotelli"]</strong> Rotelli didn’t get to have a big impact in 2021 with Payne ahead of him but in 2022 he’ll get his shot as the Eagles starting quarterback. In his limited work at quarterback this past season, he completed all four of his passing attempts for 28 yards while carrying the ball 10 times for 31 yards and one touchdown. <h5><strong>Unranked Prospects:</strong></h5> <strong>DE Richie Karstien</strong> Karstien flew under our radar in terms of 2023 rankings but that will change in our next rankings. This season, he recorded 49 tackles including 10 tackles for a loss and six sacks. On top of those numbers, he recorded an additional 20 quarterback hurries. A menace for opposing quarterbacks, Karstien has a knack for always getting into the opposing backfield and to the quarterback. &nbsp;