After completing winning seasons in two of the past three seasons, the Fleetwood football team has no intentions of slowing down.
Last season, the Tigers finished 2-4 in Section 3 and 6-5 overall. In addition, Fleetwood won the Eastern Conference Class 4A championship game with a 42-41 win over Shamokin.
The Tigers’ accomplishments were largely influenced by the play of a trio of offensive weapons who have now graduated in All-Berks running back Czion Brickle, All-Berks wide receiver Mason Musitano and Jack Riffle, an All-Berks honorable mention at quarterback.
Brickle finished last year with 1,583 yards and 24 touchdowns on 202 carries, and 12 catches for 180 yards and a touchdown, while Musitano had 61 catches for 882 yards and seven touchdowns.
Despite these key losses, coach Steve Pangburn is confident that his team has enough returners to carry on the team’s recent success.
“We’ve got a pretty experienced group coming back,” Pangburn said. “They’re battle tested. I think first and foremost, we’ve all been on the field in some capacity before him and to bring them all together we feel like it’s going to be an advantage for us.
“A lot of the guys that are going to be playing this year have been on the field, just maybe not in that large capacity, but it’s their turn now. So we feel like they’re ready to rock.”
Riffle was 130-for-242 passing in 2023 and threw for 1,497 yards, 11 touchdowns and four interceptions. Filling in Riffle’s shoes will be senior Tristin McFarland, as well as Chase Domenech who will share time.
McFarland, standing at 6-4 and weighing 210 pounds, was an All-Berks second team selection at linebacker in 2023 and will transition over to quarterback from wide receiver. As a wide receiver in 2023, McFarland scored three touchdowns, caught 26 passes for 229 yards and rushed for 68 yards on 21 attempts.
According to Pangburn, McFarland’s athleticism will be a valuable asset at multiple positions.
“He put a lot of time in the weight room.” Pangburn said. “We have him listed as an athlete because you’re gonna see him everywhere. You’re gonna see him run the ball, throw the ball, catch the ball, and then he and Chase Domenech are going to share duties throwing the football.”
McFarland is confident in his ability to standout at quarterback and wherever necessary on the offense. Last season, Fleetwood scored 344 points and gave up 336.
“I feel confident (transitioning to quarterback),” McFarland said. “The people around me are encouraging me every day at practice, and we all put in so much work at it every day.
“It’s (the offense) is looking really fluid. We have a lot of new options, a lot of speed and a lot of power so it’s going to be fun.”
McFarland and the rest of the Tigers’ offense will have plenty of experienced protection up front to help yield positive production. According to Pangburn, Fleetwood boasts an all-senior offensive line for the first time in his coaching tenure.
At 6-8, 340 pounds, senior tackle Brandon Delgrosso leads an offensive line that averages around 275 pounds.
“This is the first time ever in my tenure we have an all senior starting offensive line,” Pangburn said. “We’re excited about that. fairly big We average about 275 up front this year, so our expectations are the same as every year: Win the section.”
For senior defensive end Landen Hare, speed and physicality may prove pivotal.
“We have a lot of fast and strong guys on the d-line,” Hare said. “A couple of fast and strong guys at linebacker; a lot of fast guys at defensive back.”
That athleticism on the defensive side will be necessary if the Tigers are to improve on their run stopping ability, as Fleetwood allowed 2,295 rushing yards in 2023. An offense with plenty of promising returners will need to be complimented by a steadfast defense should the Tigers make a run for the Section 3 title.
Fleetwood begins its season with a road matchup against Kutztown on Aug. 23 and opens league play against Conrad Weiser on Sept. 13.
A Look at the Tigers
Coach: Steve Pangburn, third season, 8-13 overall
Last season: 2-4 Lancaster-Lebanon Section 3, 6-5.
PIAA classification: 5A.
Schedule: Aug. 23, at Kutztown; Aug. 30, at Upper Perkiomen; Sept. 6, Schuylkill Valley; Sept. 13, Conrad Weiser; Sept. 20, Garden Spot; Sept. 28, Kennard-Dale; Oct. 4, at Warwick; Oct. 11, Manheim Central; Oct. 18, Solanco; Oct. 25. Cocalico.
