PRZPA State Title Preview, 4A, Lampeter-Strasburg vs. Bonner

Thursday, December 5th, 7:00PM – PIAA 4A Championship Final at Cumberland Valley HS   Lampeter-Straburg wins the game if...   LS is going to face a multi-faceted offense filled with Division One talent stationed at multiple positions. I wish it could say it would be as easy as slowing down this vaunted rushing attack, or stopping the passing game in its tracks, yet the game plan won't be that simple. LS knows this. Speaking of Bonner's passing attack, LS will have to bracket West Virginia signee [player_tooltip player_id='464619' first='Jalil' last='Hall'] if they plan on winning, this should be at the utmost priority. LS will have to single-up [player_tooltip player_id='599031' first='Jeremiah' last='Coleman'], another Bonner Division One talent. Coleman is capable of a 200-yard game against anyone in the state. This is all pre-text to the real way Bonner wants to win this football game. Smash-mouth running the football for 300+ yards, this is the way Bonner prefers to win each and every week. [player_tooltip player_id='953528' first='Noel' last='Campbell'] Jr. can orchestrate an offense that is willing to beat teams both through the air, as well as the ground. Behind backs like Mick Johnson and Saaleem Frink, Bonner can win this football game by opening holes for these two. A pass, in my opinion, doesn't have to be thrown in order for Bonner to beat LS, this rushing attack is that potent. Johnson and Frink have combined for over 2,000 total scrimmage yards this season. Reading all of this, you realize that LS has an uphill battle defensively. Some would suggest to fill the box with eight defenders to ensure you slow this rushing attack. I'd counter by putting the ball into the hands of a young but confident [player_tooltip player_id='953528' first='Noel' last='Campbell'], who is comfortable running passing concepts that predicate on getting the ball out quickly, on time, accurately, to two of their elite PCL wideouts.   I'd argue that offensively, LS will likely chug forward in the same fashion that has led them to this point. The combination of [player_tooltip player_id='1282186' first='Emory' last='Fluhr'] and two-way star [player_tooltip player_id='1165818' first='Caileb' last='Howse'] are smart enough to be in position to make the most out of opportunities on defense. I'd argue that tensions way heavily on the shoulders of Thad Wolf and Collin Shelly too. If these two young men can put together respectable games as bookend tackles, Bonner won't be able to make [player_tooltip player_id='1165818' first='Caileb' last='Howse']'s life a living hell in the backfield. We all expect Howse to make otherworldly efforts to win one-on-one matchups no matter the defense he's up against. Yet it's going to take more than one man to defeat this Friar team. Thankfully for LS, they have Dom Brown, a stout back with 1,500 rushing yards and 20+ scores to his name. He can and will likely be of some relief to Howse. Again, offensively speaking, so long as LS tackles don't have a bad game, I expect LS to attempt to beat Bonner the same way they beat TJ and Wyomissing. If LS wants a chance at winning this football game, their defensive efforts need to be at a season's-high.   Bonner-Prendie wins the game if...   I'd make the case that Bonner's path to victory is a simple one, on paper of course. Limiting the improvisational skills and opportunities of [player_tooltip player_id='1165818' first='Caileb' last='Howse'] as a dual-threat weapon. No one is going to eliminate Howse entirely, yet Bonner has to do what they can to either force Howse to run exclusively, or throw all day. This could become a shoot-out if Howse is able to carry on like he has all year. 1,500 passing yards, 1,200 rushing yards, nearly 40 touchdowns to his name. Bonner can and must make his efforts one-dimensional. Sending in the beef through the interior, sending speed off the edge, how Bonner's front seven holds up against Howse and Brown is what will decide this football game, in my opinion. In what will likely be a freezing-temperature game, Bonner is likely to run the ball at will. Offensively, I think Bonner can do what they please, the pressure will be on LS to halt this rushing attack and force throws. Where Bonner wins this football game is squarely on the shoulders of the defense. Bonner cannot forget about Danny Wiechler and [player_tooltip player_id='1282186' first='Emory' last='Fluhr'] as offensive weapons. Yes, throwing the football will be tough in these conditions, yet they cannot sleep on the possibility of Howse throwing for yards. If the Friar front can limit Howse and Brown, I think they win this football game. Much easier said than done. I'm looking for [player_tooltip player_id='1156126' first='Elijah' last='Daniels'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1091239' first='CJ' last='Amobi'] all game. Maximum effort, maximum motor are going to be needed from these two. Both can be game-wreckers in their own right, the two can make huge strides in boosting their rank, more importantly, hoisting a 4A trophy, if they dominate this football game.     Below are evals on some of the better prospects involved in this football game.    Here's what my colleague [player_tooltip player_id='1539423' first='Pat' last='Weider'] had to say about Howse in a piece published about a month ago. Howse currently holds one D3 offer out of Grove City College.   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> [player_tooltip player_id='1165818' first='Caileb' last='Howse']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/caileb-howse/"></a><a></a> has had an amazing season for Lampeter-Strasburg. He has been one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks I have seen for a while. Running the football, he is almost like a fullback who just runs hard and runs through defenders. He also has good quickness and elusiveness. As a thrower of the football, he is consistent and does a nice job throwing a catchable football. On defense, he is a playmaker who had two interceptions he returned for touchdowns the other week. Howse is a talented player in the 2025 class and a big reason why Lampeter Strasburg should have a good chance to win the 4A title. </blockquote>     Here's what my colleague [player_tooltip player_id='1539423' first='Pat' last='Weider'] had to say in a LS preview written before the season began...   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> [player_tooltip player_id='1422745' first='Collin' last='Shelley']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/collin-shelley/">CollinShelley6'4" | 290 lbs | OL/DLLampeter-Strasburg | 2026PA</a><a></a> is a good offensive lineman prospect who showed some promise last year. He has a mixture of varsity and junior varsity film from last season. He played primarily as an offensive tackle. As an offensive tackle, he showed a good ability to fire off the ball and drive defenders off the ball. He has good strength and when he locks onto defenders he overpowers them. He is particularly good at run blocking. I expect Shelley to start and be a big contributor for Lampeter-Strasburg this season. </blockquote>     Here's what I had to say about starting quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='953528' first='Noel' last='Campbell'] Jr. earlier in the season...   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> The underclassman passer who has led Bonner to an undefeated record through five games. PRZ is late to sing [player_tooltip player_id='953528' first='Noel' last='Campbell']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/noel-campbell/"></a><a></a> ‘s praises, as Campbell split time with [player_tooltip player_id='953527' first='Kenjai' last='Gatling']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kenjai-gatling/"></a><a></a> as a freshman last Fall. It's Campbell's time now, the young man has come through in more ways than one. Campbell has thrown for 200+ yards on four out of five occasions. Campbell has eclipsed the century mark early on, a testament to his accuracy, knowledge of the playbook, and willingness to get the ball out on time and in rhythm. 10 scores, 1,000 yards, all while completing better than 65% of his passes.   Bonner has always predicated their success based on how well they can move the ball on the ground, this year is no different. Yet the Bonner coaching staff have a wrinkle to deploy now that they have a passer they can trust. I was present for the game against the Haverford School, Campbell was poised and under control, saw the field well, was protected in the pocket. All of this amounted to 12 completions, five of which went to West Virginia commit [player_tooltip player_id='464619' first='Jalil' last='Hall']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jalil-hall/"></a><a></a> . A variation of passes completed as well. Hitches, curls, nine routes, fades, slants. Campbell is comfortable running the passing attack. A Bonner team seemingly more balanced than previous years, there is no team in the state I'd be surprised to see them beat, large in part due to Campbell's development and progression as a passer. A big boost in rank is coming as well, he's earned that. </blockquote>     One of my favorite unoffered seniors in all of Pennsylvania. Here is my deep eval of Johnson and his efforts five weeks into the season...   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> This past weekend's match-up against Father Judge marks the fourth straight game Mick Johnson has eclipsed the 100-yard mark on the ground. We've been in on all things [player_tooltip player_id='1091185' first='Mikhail' last='Johnson']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/mikhail-johnson/"></a><a></a> since the off-season, rumblings were picked up that this kid has all the makings to be named PCL MVP, he might be on that path after six weeks into the 2024 season.   Johnson was close to leading the 2023 team in rushing, lagging behind Avery Hankey by a few hundred yards. 2024 has come with a significant lean on his talents on the ground. Just six attempts for Johnson against Father Judge, he was able to rip those six for 120+ yards and four scores. Johnson would rack up four scores on the ground against Roman Catholic as well, he's been in the end zone over 15 times through five games. A mixture of goal-line carries and long break-away runs, Johnson isn't a one-trick pony.   Talking Johnson's recruiting situation, it's worth mentioning that Johnson burst onto the scene relatively later than expected. Johnson proved to be a prospect worthy of looks last Fall, especially when you factor into consideration his play as a DB/LB. This is a kid worthy of FCS attention today. Thing is, we know that the majority of FCS programs have moved on from the class of 2025. This not to say the Division One window has closed, I think there's a serious chance he still gets scholarship consideration in the coming weeks, especially if he continues to tear through great defenses the way he has.   Comfortable runner in 10 personnel sets, reads his gaps inside out, doesn't bounce unless necessary. Has breakaway speed, has a different gear once he sees green turf ahead of him. Tough runner, a bruiser but not because of his build per se. Cut-up muscular build that has him looking like a DB more than anything. Capable of catching the football but not asked too, not shown on tape either. Toughness and willingness to take on the brunt of a defense shown in goal-line carries. A nasty lateral cutter, elusiveness isn't his game though. Johnson can cut in or out to juke a kid out of his shoes, but he'd much rather run through you than around you. Has a great blend of patience and burst. Some reps the kid sees the hole and is shot out of a cannon for big gains. Others rep, Johnson displays a stutter to let gaps naturally appear. A phenomenal feel for the game when aligned at OLB/S/SCB. His Division One grade is certified in my eyes because of his prowess on defense. So much to like, hopefully programs begin to provide opportunities sooner rather than later. </blockquote>

Thursday, December 5th, 7:00PM – PIAA 4A Championship Final at Cumberland Valley HS