Trending
H.S. football
Who: Bedford at Central
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Records: 6-0 overall and in the LHAC
Coaches: Dave Baker (213-207-11 in 42 seasons, including Central and Williamsburg); Kevin Steele (108-75 in 17 seasons, including Bedford and Tussey Mountain)
Last week: Bedford defeated Forest Hills, 55-21. Central defeated Richland, 40-13
Radio: MIX 94.7-FM
By John Hartsock
jhartsock@altoonamirror.com
The saying is trite but true. A football team at any level is generally as only as good as the performance of its front lines, particularly on offense.
The Central Scarlet Dragons -- who host Bedford Friday night at 7 p.m. at the Roaring Spring Athletic Field in a battle of unbeaten teams that are both 6-0 overall and in the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference -- boast a high-octane offensive attack that is led by junior quarterback Jeff Hoenstine and a bevy of other talented skill position players.
But the Scarlet Dragons' offensive line is the engine that has greased the unit's wheels. Along with senior Ethan Eicher at tight end, Central's interior offensive line consists of junior center Mason Conrath, senior tackles Josh Waite and Elijah Lingenfelter, senior guard Jacob Detwiler, and junior guard Dom Wagner.
It's a front line that has given Hoenstine and his skill position comrades plenty of room in which to maneuver and operate.
"Any time that you have a good offense, it's obvious that your offensive line must be doing a lot of good things,'' Central coach Dave Baker said. "Guys just don't run or pass for big gains without having other guys block for them.
"It's that simple,'' Baker added. "Our line has blocked well, and they've played well together.''
Hoenstine, a returning Class 3A First Team All-State selection at quarterback, has thrown for 1,527 touchdowns), senior running back Parker Gregg (18 for five), junior wideout Eli Lingenfelter (17 for six), senior wideout Devon Boyles (13 for six), and senior tight end Ethan Eicher (10 for one) - who have caught at least 10 passes.
Gregg, who ran for three touchdowns and caught two in Central's 40-13 victory over Richland last Friday, has rushed for a team-leading 526 yards on 59 carries and nine touchdowns this year.
Waite, a Class 3A Second Team All-State selection at guard last year, moved to right tackle this season, while Conrath moved to center this year from one of the guard spots that he occupied last year.
"I'm just really proud of how our offensive line has come together,'' Waite said. "Elijah Lingenfelter, Jake Detwiler and Dominic Wagner have really stepped up this year as full-time starters.
"Our offensive line realizes what we need to do to win each game - whether it's being heavy on the pass or heavy on the run, and our line has adapted to each situation,'' added Waite, who also starts at defensive tackle.
Waite and Conrath have both successfully adjusted to their new positions on the offensive line.
"We lost a couple of starters on the line from last year, so we've had to make some adjustments, but things have been good,'' Conrath said.
Central faces a Bedford team with an explosive offense of its own. Senior quarterback Mercury Swaim, a First Team Class 3A All-State selection at the athlete position in 2020, spearheads a Bedford offensive attack that has averaged over 48 points per game.
Swaim has rushed for 610 yards on 53 carries and seven touchdowns, and passed for nine scores on 29 completions in 50 attempts for 572 yards.
"They have some other excellent runners, but their quarterback is an excellent runner and their offense is set up for him to do a lot of the running,'' Baker said.
Senior fullback Trent Price has rushed for 399 yards on 54 carries and five touchdowns for Bedford, while junior running back Ethan Weber has rushed for 267 yards on 17 carries and four TDs.
"I think we've been able to create a lot of big plays on the offensive side of the ball, our defense has played very well for the most part, and our special teams have produced numerous touchdowns,'' Bedford coach Kevin Steele said.
Friday's matchup will go a long way in determining the Laurel Highlands Conference champion this year.
"It's a huge game for us and it's a huge game for them,'' Baker said. "This will probably be for the Laurel Highlands championship.''
Steele also recognizes the high stakes surrounding Friday's matchup.
"They have an outstanding team and they're off to a great start,'' Steele said of Central. "We feel that we have a good team and that we're off to a great start. It's a great matchup in the Laurel Highlands Conference that could also have some bearing on the (PIAA Class 3A)playoffs down the road.
"It should be a great atmosphere and a lot of fun for the kids and their communities,'' Steele added.
Conrath had his own perspective about the importance of Friday's game.
"I think it's going to be a game that nobody will want to miss,'' Conrath said.