High school football: As usual, Wilson will be chasing section and district titles

After a two-season hiatus from the top of the Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1, Wilson reclaimed its crown in 2024, capturing a record 26th title.

With plenty of talent returning, the Bulldogs are poised to dominate again in 2025.

“Just expect to get the best result, and not expect to be complacent with the way that we did last year,” standout running back Correll Akings said. “We can’t expect it to just get handed to us, because we have to really work for it.”

After finishing the regular season 9-1, with their only loss coming early in the fall to Nazareth, led by Auburn quarterback commit Peyton Falzone, Wilson advanced  to the District 3 Class 6A championship.

However, the Bulldogs ran into a familiar powerhouse in Harrisburg, falling 48-14 in a lopsided title game, the same team that defeated them in the 2021 district final.

“Well, Harrisburg was better than us, and we’ve been harping all winter and all summer,” Wilson coach Doug Dahms said of the district loss. “That’s the top, that’s where you have to get. You have to work every week and build for that. Not saying we overlook a game or anything like that, but if we have the season we expect to have, we know what’s at the end.”

Wilson is in the midst of a nine-season drought without a district championship, but, as always, capturing that title will be firmly in their sights in 2025.

At quarterback, Wilson will enter another transition period, this time moving from Offensive Back of the Year Madyx Gruber to senior Mason Young.

Gruber, an All-State selection, made a seamless switch from wide receiver to quarterback, throwing for 2,018 yards and 25 touchdowns. He also rushed for 702 yards and added nine more scores on the ground. Defensively, he led the team with five interceptions.

Young will look to take the reins, and with a wealth of all-star talent around him, the 6-1 senior is poised to thrive. His teammates are excited to see what he can do under the Friday night lights.

“Madyx was obviously a great player, but I think Matt Mason will fill his role perfectly, because they’re both great on their feet. Both have a great arm. So offensively, I think we’ll be fine,” senior lineman Avery Manara said of Young.

Also returning for their senior seasons are All-League selections Correll Akings and Chase Herb.

Akings was a dynamic threat as a junior, rushing for 1,078 yards and 18 touchdowns, while also contributing in the passing game with 27 receptions for 365 yards.

“He’s a little bit thicker, and he’s a little bit more tenacious,” Dahms said of Akings. “I think defensively, he’s going to be much better than he was last year.”

The Bulldogs had the third-ranked defense in 2024, holding opponents to just 10.9 points per game across their 11 victories.

Herb was a key contributor on that side of the ball, recording 52 tackles, nine passes defended, and one interception.

Dahms and his staff are also expecting big contributions from brothers Monty and Damian Greer, Monty, a junior, and Damian, a rising sophomore.

“Monty Greer, we’re going to be able to spell him quite a bit on the offensive side of the ball,” Dahms said of the Greer brothers. “Then Damian will spell on the defensive side. So we feel pretty good about the running back position.”

Monty Greer rushed for 536 yards and five touchdowns last season as the secondary back behind Akings. With another year of experience for both, Wilson’s backfield is shaping up to be one of the most explosive in the league.

Lastly, All-State selection Michael Glover looks to make another big leap in his junior year. The talented tight end caught 40 passes for 670 yards and seven touchdowns as a sophomore and is expected to take on an even bigger role for the Bulldogs in 2025.

“We’re going to move him around a little bit more, as opposed to just playing at a tight end position, and go out in space and create some matchups for some corners,” Dahms said. “He’s going to have his hands full because he’s going to have to play some defense this year.”

On defense, E.J. Brownback is set to lead one of the top units in the Lancaster-Lebanon League. The rising junior recorded 87 tackles last season, including 17 for loss, along with 4.5 sacks.

It’s safe to say Wilson has one of the deepest, most talented rosters in the Lancaster-Lebanon League. The big question now: Can they get to the district final and win?

Coach: Doug Dahms, 20th season, 196-44 (Lancaster Lebanon Section 1 Coach of the Year)

Last year’s record: 6-0, Lancaster-Lebanon Section 1, 11-2.

Key players lost: ATH Madyx Gruber, LB Christo Hunsicker, DL Derek Rieniger.

Key players returning: QB Mason Young, RB Correll Akings, RB/DB Monty Greer, RB/LB EJ Brownback, WR/DB Chase Herb, WR/DB Jaiden Carpenter, WR/CB Damian Greer, TE/DE Michael Glover, OL Jesse Etchberger, OT/DL Avery Manara.

3 Keys to Success in 2025

1. Win in the trenches: Coach Dahms’ biggest concern for the Bulldogs is their size up front. The offensive line is anchored by tackles Avery Manara and Jesse Etchberger, both standing 6-4but with leaner builds. With so much talent at the skill positions, if the Bulldogs can hold their own and win the battles in the trenches, they’ll be in great shape.

Mason Young transitions well: Getting some late-game experience while sitting behind Madyx Gruber will be valuable for Young as he prepares to take the reins. With top-tier weapons around him, Young will need to step up and play his part to make opposing teams pay.

Stay healthy: Wilson has a deep roster loaded with some real gems at every position. On paper, weaknesses are hard to find, but if they want to compete with powerhouses like Nazareth and Harrisburg, they’ll need everyone healthy and all hands on deck.

Schedule: Aug. 22, Cheltenham; Aug. 29, at Plymouth-Whitemarsh; Sept. 5, Nazareth; Sept. 12, Reading High; Sept. 19, at Cedar Crest; Sept. 26, Gov. Mifflin; Oct. 3, at Hempfield; Oct. 10, Penn Manor; Oct. 17, at J.P. McCaskey; Oct. 24, Manheim Township.