Offseason Program Profiles: State College Little Lions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What they did do in 2022?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a tremendous season for the Little Lions who collected a 13-1 record including 7-0 in the Mid-Penn Commonwealth conference. They were led by an outstanding offense that averaged over 36 points per game to go along with a stout defense that allowed just 17 points a game. Freshman running back [player_tooltip player_id='402439' first='D'Antae' last='Sheffey'] exploded onto the scene for the Little Lions, immediately becoming one of the best offensive weapons in the entire state, rushing for over 1,700 yards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They would run through their regular season schedule which included wins over Downingtown East, Central Dauphin, Harrisburg, and Cumberland Valley before beating Altoona, McDowell, and North Allegheny en route to the 6A semifinals where their season would come to an end with a 27-7 loss to Harrisburg. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It marked the sixth time since taking over in 2014 that head coach Matt Lintal led the Little Lions to nine or more wins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key losses:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB [player_tooltip player_id='530669' first='Finn' last='Furmanek']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB Matt Wall</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WR Donte Nastasi</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id='99862' first='Michael' last='Dincher']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DE [player_tooltip player_id='64047' first='Stephen' last='Scourtis']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>G Thomas Dincher</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>P [player_tooltip player_id='146779' first='Ian' last='Brandt']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>C [player_tooltip player_id='319397' first='Logan' last='Milito']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB [player_tooltip player_id='530381' first='John' last='Scott']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB [player_tooltip player_id='530892' first='William' last='Stone']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key returning players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are just a few of the key returning player for the Little Lions but by no means is an all-inclusive list of key returners. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB D'Ante Sheffey</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>TE Jake Hoenshelt</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB [player_tooltip player_id='269136' first='Michael' last='Gaul']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB Owen Yerka</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WR Ty Salazar</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>CB Cooper Brushwood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 Outlook:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is no doubt that the Little Lions have to replace a ton of talent from the 2022 team including quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='530669' first='Finn' last='Furmanek'] and multiple members of their starting offensive line. That being said, their biggest key to successful returns in 2023 in sophomore D'Ante Sheffey. The 2026 prospect has quickly become a Power Five prospect and is among the best players in the entire state. On top of Sheffey, they also return leading tackler Micahel Gaul, cornerback Cooper Brushwood and a trio of key members offensively in likely starting quarterback Owen Yerka, wide receiver Ty Salazar, and TE Jake Hoenshelt. It will be tough to match the success of the 2022 team but the Little Lions certainly have the talent to do so. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->