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Following an excellent playing career at West Virginia, Eric Wicks coached at Pittsburgh and Bucknell. All that college experience helped him grow as a coach.
Still, Wicks needed to make a mental transition when he moved to the high school scene and became Lewisburg's coach last season. The general ideas are the same at each level, but Wicks had to remember that he was coaching high school players and not Division I athletes. His patience improved, his expectations changed and Lewisburg started taking off.
Lewisburg overcame an 0-3 start during Wicks' debut season a year ago, winning five of its next six games and reaching the District 4 Class AAAA semifinals
"Coming from college, I was expecting a little more and I thought we should have been a little further ahead than we were. I had to stay, 'hold on,' and remember that these are high school kids and make an adjustment in my thinking," Wicks said. "The guys are excited for the atmosphere the team has created and we're excited about seeing what we're able to do."
The Green Dragons learned they could do quite a lot last season, taking off down the stretch before Jersey Shore ended its season. Jersey Shore will not stand in Lewisburg's way this year with the Dragons moving to Class AAA. While Lewisburg must replace current Division I players like Owen Ordonez and Ethan Dominick, it possesses a nice mix of veterans and talented young players to help fill the voids.
There also is no learning curve in terms of adapting to a new coach. The players embraced Wicks last year, the staff meshed and everyone bought in. Now it's a matter of trying to pick up where they left off and playing the whole season like they did the final seven weeks.
"The staff we have is great. We added two coaches to the staff and we're excited with the meetings that we've had," Wicks said. "That puts us in the position where everyone has the same philosophy about where we can go as as team."
No one player can replace an all-stater like Ordonez or a four-year decorated starter like Dominick, but Lewisburg features possibly more depth than last year. It is a fairly young team in terms of age, but also an experienced one in terms of underclassmen who have made significant contributions. It's a matter of making all those pieces fit, and if they do, Lewisburg could become a major player in the Class AAA field.
Like Wicks, quarterback Wade Young was making an adjustment last season, going from Milton to Lewisburg. Young came on strong throughout the season, throwing for 1,014 yards and eight touchdowns despite missing some time. He put together an excellent offseason and provides Lewisburg a quality offensive leader.
"Wade Young looks really good. He played a lot of basketball and did a lot of training and some individual work and 7 on 7s," Wicks said. "He's definitely stepped it up a notch and after seeing what he's capable of last season, I think he sees a higher ceiling he can reach and can get even better."
Cam Michaels has grown better each season at Lewisburg and the four-way starter again could play a utility role, providing his team a lift as a receiver and rusher. Jeremiah Davis also is an exciting prospect after producing some highlight special teams plays late last season as a freshman. Wicks also is excited about another sophomore, Sean Field who excelled at the JV level and who provides tough running. Watch out for Michael Casale as well, a gifted linebacker who could provide both quality blocking and rushing.
Paving the way for those players will be a line which features a good mix of experience and size. Dylan Croner (6-foot-4, 290 pounds) anchors that unit and is coming off a strong campaign as is Garrik Feldmann. Hayes Schumacher played well at center as a freshman and Nate Malusis also started five games as a freshman, meaning the line could be strong this year and over the next few seasons.
Those players also likely will see time on the defensive front. Lewisburg's defense was outstanding during last year's second half, allowing just 39 points in five wins. The Dragons look especially stout at linebacker where each starter returns. Casale enjoyed a terrific season and could become one of the area's premier linebackers. Quin Michaels put together an impressive freshman year and Shane Farmer joined the other two linebackers as one of the team's leading tacklers.
Michaels, Ryan Opperman and Devin Bodden spark the secondary and all started last season with each intercepting at least one pass. With more players coming out this season, including some who had not played the past few seasons, Lewisburg also could have some valuable depth and be able to rotate more players in and out of the lineup.
Lewisburg had to win five of its last six games a year ago to qualify for a four-team district field. Class AAA, however, takes eight teams, so Lewisburg could have a smoother path to the postseason this time. The Dragons made a three-win improvement in 2021 and could potentially be a tough team in the Class AAA field, getting to test itself against fellow contenders like Shamokin, Montoursville, Loyalsock, Danville and Mifflinburg during the regular season.
"We're excited about moving to Triple A," Wicks said. "It's the same type of feeling as last year, where the seniors are good players, but we're still pretty young. There's a feeling that with the experience of last year and more guys being able to play, that could put us in a good spot if we keep working."
2022 Football Players to Watch
Michael Casale, LB/RB: Like fellow linebacker Quentin Michaels, Casale made a mark in his first year starting at linebacker. One of the team's top tacklers, Casale was a quick study and helped the Green Dragons surge down the stretch as they won five of their last six games to reach districts. Casale topped 10 tackles in each of his first five starts and never had fewer than seven in those games. He also produced 10 tackles against 4A state semifinalist Jersey Shore and helped Lewisburg hold five teams to 14 or fewer points. Casale had 1 1/2 sacks in that regular-season game against Jersey Shore and combines to make a strong trio of linebackers alongside Michaels and Shane Farmer. With leading rusher Ethan Dominick having graduated, Casale also could see increased activity in the offensive backfield.
Dylan Croner, OL/DL: Lewisburg's resurgence in the second half a year ago had a lot to do with the offensive line developing and Croner played a big role in that success. The 6-foot, 285-pounder can maul opposing linemen and helped the running game flourish down the stretch. Dominick topped 100 yards four times in those games and Croner gives the line an excellent piece to build around this season. Lewisburg has some excellent weapons, so if Croner and the line can consistently set the tone, this could be a dangerous team. Croner also could make his presence felt on defense, using his size and strength to become a potential run stuffer.
Jeremiah Davis, RB/DB: Teams had to think twice about kicking to Davis late in the season. As a freshman, he started going Devin Hester on opponents and breaking long returns nearly every time he touched the football. Davis came on so strong late in the year that he earned second team all-state honors as a specialist. The dynamic athlete returned kicks of 90 and 86 yards in the last four games and set up another score with an 89-yard return. The 90-yard return came against state semifinalist Jersey Shore. Davis returned the other touchdown against Milton and also caught a 62-yard touchdown pass in that win. Davis could become quite an offensive weapon this season as he gains more experience and is the kind of player who could break a big play any time he touches the ball.
Cam Michaels, RB/WR/DB: Another versatile threat, Michaels has done damage as both a receiver and runner the past two seasons. Dominick played a similar role and Michaels' athleticism gives Lewisburg plenty of options when figuring how it wants to utilize him. Michaels has produced 100-yard games as a rusher and receiver the past two seasons and led the team in receiving with 34 catches for 405 yards and three scores. He also ran for 84 yards on nine carries in a 42-7 win against Shikellamy. Michaels has speed and great hands and caught a career-high 10 passes for 121 yards against Loyalsock. Michaels also is one of the area's top safeties and has seven interceptions the past two seasons. He gives the special teams a jolt as well and took a punt back 55 yards for a touchdown last fall.
--By CHRIS MASSE