Bermudian Springs

By Brandon Stoneburg

GameTimePA.com

Most coaches and fans of the YAIAA would say Bermudian Springs is a safe bet to win Division III.

Yes, the Eagles have won 29 of their last 30 regular-season games. And yes, their highly touted backfield duo of Colton Dull and Briton Shelton returns.

Head coach Jon DeFoe doesn’t want to hear it. There is still plenty of work to be done, he said.

“You put together a program, and you want to be in the thick of it year in and year out,” DeFoe said. “Regardless of what previous teams have done, I would think these guys would want to do the same thing.”

A key to maintaining its recent success will be how smoothly Bermudian’s Wing-T offense runs. People have joked about the Eagles running only eight plays. But even when the opposition knows what’s coming, they’re still having trouble stopping it: The Eagles ran for 2,890 yards last season.

“We do what we’re good at instead of giving you a whole buffet and not being good at anything,” DeFoe said.

Offense

Quarterback >> Seniors Collin Weigle and Ryan Markle will compete in camp to replace Teddy Marines, who threw for 1,336 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. Until the team gets through scrimmages, it will be too early to make a decision, DeFoe said.

Running back >> The pride and joy of the Bermudian offense. Dull is coming off of a season in which he ran for 1,117 yards and 14 touchdowns. Shelton added 588 yards and 10 touchdowns. The staff likes to put the ball in the hands of playmakers, DeFoe said, and these two want to make plays. The challenge is to block for each other, which shouldn’t be a problem. The backfield is pretty much like family, Dull said.

Receivers >> Senior Wyatt Gearhart could be a sleeper pick for a breakout season. As a junior, Gearhart caught only four passes but is one of the team’s better athletes, DeFoe said. Derek Starner has had a great camp as well, showing off good speed and hands.

Offensive line >> If healthy, it could be a strength of the team. DeFoe joked that he might be able to run behind those guys. The Eagles utilize a lot of angle blocking and misdirection.

Defense

Defensive line >> The linemen have looked solid to this point, and the coaching staff wants the team to pride itself on stopping the run. Good depth will allow the Eagles to rotate players and keep the linemen fresh.

Linebackers >> DeFoe called the position a work in progress.

Secondary >> The bulk of the secondary returns this season. The coaches expect great things out of the group as a whole. Their ability to cover receivers helped lead to a plus-14 turnover ratio last year.

Special teams

Senior Connor Zahm will handle the kicking duties.

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Save the date >> A chance for revenge against Littlestown comes Oct. 24 in front of the home crowd. The Bolts ended the Eagles’ 29-game regular-season win streak in the final seconds of last year’s matchup. Opening night at New Oxford also could be a good test to gauge how good this year’s team is. The Eagles squeaked by the Colonials, 34-27, in their last meeting.

Bottom line >> Barring any injuries or major setbacks, Bermudian should be in the playoff hunt in October.