Cedar Crest Football Season Outlook: 2023

Lancaster Lebanon League – Section 1 (AAAAAA)

Head Coach: Rob Wildasin – 10th season

Top Returners: Alex Abreu (Sr., RB); Owen Chernich (Sr., WR/S); Caleb Dorshimer (Sr., LB); Nick Lambros (Sr., C); Fernando Marquez (Sr., RB); Logan Oriel (Sr., WR/DB); Aidan Schomp (Sr.,TE); Cam Simone (Sr., G); Leo Tirado (Sr., WR/DB); Christian Weaber (Sr., T); Jackson Custer (Jr., QB); Jack Waranavage (Jr., WR/DB)

Key Losses: Roman Brummel (LVC); Ethan Heisey (LVC); Jay Huber (Lycoming)

2022 Results: 5-5

On the Radio: Cedar Crest Falcon Football can be heard on WLBR/Froggy Valley three times this season: September 8 on the road against Warwick, October 13 at home against McCaskey, and October 26 when they host this year’s Thursday night edition of the Cedar Bowl. Click for the full radio schedule.

Cedar Crest Football Season Outlook

In 2022, if it wasn’t for bad luck, Rob Wildasin’s Falcons might not have had any luck at all. Coming out of the gate with two quick wins, Wildasin lost three of his team captains to a variety of injuries. What looked like bad luck actually became opportunity and several of his 2023 starters gained valuable playing time that Wildasin hopes will bear fruit this year. Despite a 5-5 finish, the Falcons believe that the foundation is built to compete every Friday night this fall, as well as the Thursday season finale against cross-town rival, Lebanon High School.

Junior QB Jackson Custer might have received the most benefit borne out of unfortunate opportunity. Replacing the big arm of Jay Huber (now at Lycoming College), Custer threw for 772 yards with 8 passing TDs in six games. Custer brings the ability to run the ball as well, as he added four rushing TDs. Custer has the trust of his teammates, especially with Senior TE Aiden Schomp, who noted that they’ve been playing together for many years.

Schomp figures to be a big—in opportunities and size—target for Custer in 2023. Following a season in which he caught 22 passes for 294 yard and 4 TDs, Schomp is one of the hottest recruits in the state, listed among the top 5 TE in PA. At 6’6”-plus, the big man figures to receive as much attention from opponents’ defenses as he has from recruiters. Schomp told WLBR, “We look dialed in. We look ready to go.”

Custer will also have the dual threat of senior running backs Alex Abreu and Fernando Marquez coming out of the back field to establish the running game. At 5’6”/160, Abreu presents a different option than the 6’2”/215 Marquez, but both had valuable reps last fall. Abreu tallied 236 yard and 4TD while Marquez ran for 175 yard and 4TD. They figure to benefit from a well-seasoned and talented front line with senior C Nick Lambrosflanked by seniors Tristan Long and Christian Weaber at OT and Cam Simone at OG. Lambros told WLBR that the team “really turned up the intensity (this summer)” and noted that the running game should benefit from it. Wide receivers Logan Oriel, Owen Chernich, Leo Tirado, and Jack Waranavage round out the available weapons for Custer in the Crest Zone Option offense.

On the opposite side of the ball, senior LB Caleb Dorshimer figures to wreak havoc on opposing offenses as he builds on a solid junior season. His two-way counterparts of Schomp, Marquez, and Simone on the D-Line will complement the speed Chernich, Tirado, and Waranavage in the defensive backfield.

Life in Section One is never easy, no matter the sport. Opening night against Northeast gives the Falcons an opportunity to open with a big win before somewhat even matchups with CD East, Warwick, and Penn Manor. Crest finishes September with perennial powerhouse Wilson and Reading, before grinding through Manheim Township, McCaskey, and Hempfield before closing out with the Cedar Bowl at home. “The kids have been great, the commitment is there, and (they) are working hard and I believe we are where we need to be now,” Wildasin told WLBR, adding “we just have to stay healthy, play great football, and we’ll be in the mix.”

Facing this season of opportunity, the Cedar Crest Falcons Football Team is dedicating the season to Michael “Big Mike” Rivera, a teammate who tragically died in April. Wildasin said “Michael was a big personality and a great kid and there is no replacing him.” Lambros added “Mike was everything we stood for. He was a great guy and it was such a hard loss for us.” Wildasin remarked that “Big Mike” will be on the field with the Falcons for the entire season and that he “will be a part of us forever.”

– Written by Steve Beard

2022 Key Stats

Jay Huber* – 874 passing yards over 5 games, 9 passing TDs

Jackson Custer – 772 passing yards over 6 games, 8 passing TDs, 4 rushing TDs

Alex Abreu – 236 rushing yards, 4 rushing TDs

Fernando Marquez – 175 rushing yards, 4 rushing TDs

Nolan Groff* – 27 receptions, 376 yards, 3 TDs

Aiden Schomp – 22 receptions, 294 yards, 4 TDs

*Graduated

2023 Cedar Crest Football Schedule

8/25     v   Northeast

8/31     @ Central Dauphin East

9/8       @ Warwick (radio)

9/15     v   Penn Manor*

9/22     v   Wilson*

9/29     @ Reading*

10/6     @ Manheim Township*

10/13   v   McCaskey* (radio)

10/20   @ Hempfield*

10/26   v  Lebanon (radio)

* Section 1 game

2023 Cedar Crest Football Roster

Head Coach: Rob Wildasin