2023 Season Preview Cumberland Valley

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cumberland Valley Eagles finished the 2022 season with a 7-4 record overall, with their season coming to an end in the District playoffs in a last second thriller against Manheim Township. Head Coach Josh Oswalt is entering his 4th season as the HC and has done a really nice job. Particularly last year where the Eagles were selected by the PIAA to be the host of the State playoffs a move that shook up the entire state. Cumberland Valley has a brand new turf field and athletic fields that are among the best in the country, this selection by the PIAA was well deserved. Nevertheless it does not always make for smooth sailing and Coach Oswalt did a tremendous job last year handling the adversity. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Returning Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["377506"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Let's start with a couple of seniors who are being overlooked and running back [player_tooltip player_id='377506' first='Bryce' last='Staretz'] deserves some respect. A powerful bruising back who averaged over 5 yards per carry in 2022, he is a load to bring down. Staretz caught the eye of my colleague [player_tooltip player_id='1156407' first='Vic' last='Castillo'] who had this to say about him:rnrnu003cstrongu003eHere's a prospect at a program that excites me. I can't wait to cover Cumberland Valley a bit better than I have in the past. The primary back deployed by the program is u003cspan class=u0022pn-tooltip pn-player-linku0022u003eu003cspan class=u0022name-pointeru0022u003e[player_tooltip player_id='377506' first='Bryce' last='Staretz'], a kid who is expected to climb up our ranks this July. Real FCS interest that could lead to real FCS offers in time. 6'1, a great build just underneath 220 pounds, [player_tooltip player_id='377506' first='Bryce' last='Staretz'] boasts a 4.0 GPA while squatting 475 and benching 300+. There's a lot to like before cutting on the tape. Turn on said tape and you'll see why I like him as one of the state's best-unoffered backs.u003c/spanu003eu003c/spanu003eu003c/strongu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["377503"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"An underratted playmaker returns to the Eagles for 2023, this is another clutch receiver who always finds himself open when his squad needs him most. Completely agree with Coach Weider's thoughts below, this kid is a PSAC level player:rnrnPines was a very good slot wide receiver for Cumberland Valley. He runs good routes and has a good burst when he catches the ball ball. He is really good contested catches and usually comes down with the ball. He has really good hands. I saw him catch the ball when it was thrown low or high several times. He is really good at running seam routes or corner routes from the slot wide receiver position. Pines is also a sound blocker who comes down hill and can block linebackers and other defenders well. Pines projects as a CFB player who has a lot of potential and with a strong Senior year should only increase his profile.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["388098"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"The highest ranked prospect for Coach Oswalt squad is offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='402470' first='Tyler' last='Merrill']. Ranked 6th overall in the state for 2026, this young man has offer 10 FBS offers and were not even in August! He is only set to soar up rankings for years to come with big time schools such as Ohio State, Penn State, Syracuse and Pittsburgh already pulling the trigger. Here is what [player_tooltip player_id='1156407' first='Vic' last='Castillo'] had to say about him last fall:rnrnFor starters, Merrill is already playing both tackle spots for Cumberland Valley, showing off two separate skillsets for college to already fall in love with. This kid is a punishing tackle that makes his presence known in both the run and passing game. Registering more than 5 pancakes in two games, Merrill will absolutely maul kids who can't match up physically. It's tough to find comparable size opposite Merrill, especially when you're 300+ pounds and stand at 6'5 as a freshman. Highly impressed thus far. I'm expecting continued dominance.rnrnAnd continued dominance is what he did in his freshman campaign, on his way to earning all conference honors. The attention and interest in Merrill will only grow, and his offer sheet will triple by the end of next fall.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Andrew Rice","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2441","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Cumberland Valley","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"As Coach Weider has mentioned several times before kickers are people too. Just kidding this kid is legit, an upcoming junior who can boot the football a mile, here are Coach Weiders thoughts below:rnrnRice had a good Sophomore year kicking for Cumberland Valley. He made 21/22 extra points, 7/10 on field goals, and 13 touchbacks on kickoffs. Rice shows he has a strong leg and can be counted on to be accurate as a field goal kicker. The best field goal he made was a 40-yard field goal. He really nailed the kick. He also made one from 39 yards which was impressive as well. Rice showed he is a good kicker and he should only get better with a strong off-season.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["164526"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Another underappreciated star for the Eagles is middle linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='164526' first='Alex' last='Sauve']. Watching his tape he seems to be in on every tackle and his technique is on point. Coach Weider seemed to agree in his post regarding underrecruited District 3 players below:rnrnSauve is a classic middle linebacker for Cumberland Valley. The first part of his game that stands out is his stance. He has a great stance. Then he reads and reacts to the play very well. He does a great job in the run of the game by attacking the blockers head on than making a play on the ball. Sauve is also good at dropping in pass coverage and then making a play on the ball. Several times in his film he got his hands on passes and knocked down passes. Lastly, Suave is a good tackler and made several tackles in the open field. Sauve should only get better at linebacker.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["522493"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"A name keep on your radar for the 2027 is wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='522493' first='Elijah' last='Sherman']. Even with the amount of talent the Eagles have at wideout, do not be surprised if he makes an impression early. He caught the attention of our own [player_tooltip player_id='204323' first='Alan' last='Popadines'] when he balled out at the Prospect Future showcase in May:rnrnSherman shined on both sides of the ball at the Pennsylvania PRZ Next Rising Prospect Camp as a wide receiver and a defensive back. Sherman measured in at 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds at the camp and showed why he's the reigning Capital Football Association (CFA) Offensive Player of the Year. Good ball skills.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"Adam Somerville","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"Cumberland Valley","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_6_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"A big physical target at wide receiver is what I see with this young man, he loves to lower his shoulder after the catch. Maybe one of the most physical receivers in the state, Somerville is not easy to bring down in the open field. Where he has also shined is at both defensive back and safety for the Eagles. A very smart high football intelligence, Somerville has the frame and strength to play at the next level. Whether it be division 2 or 3, some school is going to get a darn good football player.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["599214"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["599215"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"I posted both quarterbacks together as both Schoenly and [player_tooltip player_id='599215' first='Noah' last='Stoner'] will see the field this fall. They both are very similar in style and are athletic enough to play other positions on the field. Both are class of 2025 kids and Stoner stepped up last year and is one of the top rated quarterbacks in Pennsylvania. If Schoenly doesn't see time under center expect, to see him at receiver and safety he is good enough to play both positions.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":9,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b16967c8fac"} /--> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Final Thoughts:</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cumberland Valley had a good season on 2022 and will look to build further from their early playoff exit last year. They certainly have the players to do it, but it will be tough playing in an excellent Mid-Penn Conference. It will not be easy to duplicate as their schedule out of the gate is brutal. While state power Harrisburg will be the predominant favorites in the Mid-Penn I still expect to see Cumberland Valley in the District 3 playoffs for 2023. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote -->