For you, a round of audio Podcast interviews with L-L League football players who call Section 3 home.
I caught up with Elco’s Arron Achey, Lampeter-Strasburg’s A.J. Flick, Northern Lebanon’s Nate McKillop, Donegal’s A.J. Pacana, Columbia’s Joey Charles, Pequea Valley’s Mike Rice, Lancaster Catholic’s Kyle Smith and Annville-Cleona’s Nick Young at L-L League football media day last week.
I chatted with each of those guys about expectations for the upcoming season. And other assorted things.
Enjoy …
Arron Achey, Elco – When the Raiders break camp, Achey will begin his fourth season as Elco’s starting quarterback. Last fall, using his arm (991 passing yards, 7 TDs) and his feet (1,184 rushing yards, 17 TDs), he piloted the Raiders into the District 3 playoffs for the first time since 2001. And Elco was right on Lancaster Catholic’s heels in the Section 3 race right up until Week 10. Achey is double trouble. Not only can he burn you on offense, he’s also one of the top defenders around. He’ll dabble at LB and safety for Elco this season. With a ton of returning talent – including skill-kids aplenty – Achey and the Raiders are thinking big again. And they have every reason to. You can listen to the interview with Achey by clicking on the ‘play’ button above. You can also download the Podcast and play it on your favorite mp3 device by clicking here.
A.J. Flick, Lampeter-Strasburg – The Pioneers are hoping last season was just a fluke. L-S slipped to 5-5 a year ago (after a 1-4 start), just one season after winning the District 3 Triple-A title. The Pioneers were bitten by the injury bug last fall, and word around the league is that if L-S can stay healthy this time around, the Pioneers just might have the goods for another postseason run. For that to happen, L-S will need good play in the trenches and good play on defense. And in Flick, the Pioneers have a guy who should thrive in both of those spots. Flick will help out on the o-line at guard. And in the Pioneers’ 4-3 D scheme, he’ll be called upon to make plenty of plays from his LB spot. You can listen to the interview with Flick by clicking on the ‘play’ button above. You can also download the Podcast and play it on your favorite mp3 device by clicking here.
Nate McKillop, Northern Lebanon – Mr. McKillop has some mighty big shoes to fill as the Vikings’ new starting quarterback. All Matt Nolan did in that spot the last two years was rush for 2,268 yards and 26 TDs and pass for 1,675 yards and 17 TDs. That’s 3,943 total yards and 43 total TDs. Oh yeah, Nolan also guided Northern Lebanon to the District 3 Triple-A playoffs the last two years. The bar has most definitely been raised in Fredericksburg, and it’s McKillop’s job to keep the Vikings moving in the right direction. He said he’s up for the challenge. You can listen to the interview with McKillop by clicking on the ‘play’ button above. You can also download the Podcast and play it on your favorite mp3 device by clicking here.
A.J. Pacana, Donegal – Big doings in Mount Joy, where the Indians will have a new coach this season: Jeff Polites, who spent the last 11 years at Elizabethtown, moved a few miles down Route 230 and will take over Donegal’s program. One of the players he inherits is Pacana, a speedster who will help out in the offensive backfield and at OLB for the Indians, who are looking for a fresh start after going just 2-8 a year ago. Pacana said the transition is going pretty well. You can listen to the interview with Pacana by clicking on the ‘play’ button above. You can also download the Podcast and play it on your favorite mp3 device by clicking here.
Joey Charles, Columbia – The Crimson Tide would just as soon forget all about last season, when, despite earning a spot in the District 3 Single-A playoffs, Columbia finished dead last in the L-L League in total team defense while going 3-8 overall. But this is a new season and, as Charles said, it’s a fresh start, and everyone is 0-0. And Columbia is looking for a few good young men to get its ship turned around and sailing in the right direction again. Charles is one of those young men. You can listen to the interview with Charles by clicking on the ‘play’ button above. You can also download the Podcast and play it on your favorite mp3 device by clicking here.
Mike Rice, Pequea Valley – The Braves’ former QB finds himself in a new spot as training camp opens around the L-L League. After passing for 1,591 yards and 11 touchdowns as the full-time starter under center in his sophomore season, Rice went down with a broken ankle in Week 3 last season. When he went down, he had thrown for 483 yards and three TDs, and he was Pequea Valley’s leading rusher with 126 yards on keepers. Ben Myers came in and went on to pass for 1,762 yards and 11 TDs, so coach Curtis Waltman decided to keep Myers at QB and move Rice to wideout, where he’ll replace two-time All-State pick Sean Persch, who finished his prep career with 164 catches for 2,444 yards and 22 TD catches. So Rice has some pretty large shoes to fill in his new position this season. You can listen to the interview with Rice by clicking on the ‘play’ button above. You can also download the Podcast and play it on your favorite mp3 device by clicking here.
Kyle Smith, Lancaster Catholic – Holy cow. Where to start? After passing for 3,193 yards and 42 TDs – against just five picks – last season, when the Crusaders went all the way to the Eastern Final, Smith will begin his senior season with 5,807 yards and 69 TDs. He needs 2,302 yards to pass Pat Devlin and 26 TD passes to pass Pat Bostick in the state annals. So if he stays healthy, and if Catholic has another deep postseason run, he should shred those marks. But the reigning First-Team AP Double-A All-Star honoree isn’t big on talking about records or individual success. He’s a team guy through and through. And Smith and his teammates have some big expectations for the coming months. You can listen to the interview with Smith by clicking on the ‘play’ button above. You can also download the Podcast and play it on your favorite mp3 device by clicking here.
Nick Young, Annville-Cleona – The Little Dutchmen were finally back home last season. After spending two full seasons on the road because of construction at the school, A-C was back in its stadium last fall – and even played under the lights for the first time. The Dutchmen responded with a 5-5 season, keeping everyone absolutely honest during their run. And while the big-strike duo of QB Nate Myers and slot guy Dean May made a lot of eye-opening plays, rookie RB Rickey Snyder opened some eyes with 624 rushing yards and four TDs. He also had a 200-yard rushing night against Elco in there. He just might be ready for primetime. But if Snyder is going to have a bust-out season, he’s going to need help from his FB, namely Young, a rugged worker and hard hitter who will help out the Dutchmen on both sides of the ball. You can listen to the interview with Young by clicking on the ‘play’ button above. You can also download the Podcast and play it on your favorite mp3 device by clicking here.
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Arron Achey, Elco – When the Raiders break camp, Achey will begin his fourth season as Elco’s starting quarterback. Last fall, using his arm (991 passing yards, 7 TDs) and his feet (1,184 rushing yards, 17 TDs), he piloted the Raiders into the District 3 playoffs for the first time since 2001. And Elco was right on Lancaster Catholic’s heels in the Section 3 race right up until Week 10. Achey is double trouble. Not only can he burn you on offense, he’s also one of the top defenders around. He’ll dabble at LB and safety for Elco this season. With a ton of returning talent – including skill-kids aplenty – Achey and the Raiders are thinking big again. And they have every reason to. You can listen to the interview with Achey by clicking on the ‘play’ button above. You can also download the Podcast and play it on your favorite mp3 device by clicking here.
A.J. Flick, Lampeter-Strasburg – The Pioneers are hoping last season was just a fluke. L-S slipped to 5-5 a year ago (after a 1-4 start), just one season after winning the District 3 Triple-A title. The Pioneers were bitten by the injury bug last fall, and word around the league is that if L-S can stay healthy this time around, the Pioneers just might have the goods for another postseason run. For that to happen, L-S will need good play in the trenches and good play on defense. And in Flick, the Pioneers have a guy who should thrive in both of those spots. Flick will help out on the o-line at guard. And in the Pioneers’ 4-3 D scheme, he’ll be called upon to make plenty of plays from his LB spot. You can listen to the interview with Flick by clicking on the ‘play’ button above. You can also download the Podcast and play it on your favorite mp3 device by clicking here.
Nate McKillop, Northern Lebanon – Mr. McKillop has some mighty big shoes to fill as the Vikings’ new starting quarterback. All Matt Nolan did in that spot the last two years was rush for 2,268 yards and 26 TDs and pass for 1,675 yards and 17 TDs. That’s 3,943 total yards and 43 total TDs. Oh yeah, Nolan also guided Northern Lebanon to the District 3 Triple-A playoffs the last two years. The bar has most definitely been raised in Fredericksburg, and it’s McKillop’s job to keep the Vikings moving in the right direction. He said he’s up for the challenge. You can listen to the interview with McKillop by clicking on the ‘play’ button above. You can also download the Podcast and play it on your favorite mp3 device by clicking here.
A.J. Pacana, Donegal – Big doings in Mount Joy, where the Indians will have a new coach this season: Jeff Polites, who spent the last 11 years at Elizabethtown, moved a few miles down Route 230 and will take over Donegal’s program. One of the players he inherits is Pacana, a speedster who will help out in the offensive backfield and at OLB for the Indians, who are looking for a fresh start after going just 2-8 a year ago. Pacana said the transition is going pretty well. You can listen to the interview with Pacana by clicking on the ‘play’ button above. You can also download the Podcast and play it on your favorite mp3 device by clicking here.
Joey Charles, Columbia – The Crimson Tide would just as soon forget all about last season, when, despite earning a spot in the District 3 Single-A playoffs, Columbia finished dead last in the L-L League in total team defense while going 3-8 overall. But this is a new season and, as Charles said, it’s a fresh start, and everyone is 0-0. And Columbia is looking for a few good young men to get its ship turned around and sailing in the right direction again. Charles is one of those young men. You can listen to the interview with Charles by clicking on the ‘play’ button above. You can also download the Podcast and play it on your favorite mp3 device by clicking here.
Mike Rice, Pequea Valley – The Braves’ former QB finds himself in a new spot as training camp opens around the L-L League. After passing for 1,591 yards and 11 touchdowns as the full-time starter under center in his sophomore season, Rice went down with a broken ankle in Week 3 last season. When he went down, he had thrown for 483 yards and three TDs, and he was Pequea Valley’s leading rusher with 126 yards on keepers. Ben Myers came in and went on to pass for 1,762 yards and 11 TDs, so coach Curtis Waltman decided to keep Myers at QB and move Rice to wideout, where he’ll replace two-time All-State pick Sean Persch, who finished his prep career with 164 catches for 2,444 yards and 22 TD catches. So Rice has some pretty large shoes to fill in his new position this season. You can listen to the interview with Rice by clicking on the ‘play’ button above. You can also download the Podcast and play it on your favorite mp3 device by clicking here.
Kyle Smith, Lancaster Catholic – Holy cow. Where to start? After passing for 3,193 yards and 42 TDs – against just five picks – last season, when the Crusaders went all the way to the Eastern Final, Smith will begin his senior season with 5,807 yards and 69 TDs. He needs 2,302 yards to pass Pat Devlin and 26 TD passes to pass Pat Bostick in the state annals. So if he stays healthy, and if Catholic has another deep postseason run, he should shred those marks. But the reigning First-Team AP Double-A All-Star honoree isn’t big on talking about records or individual success. He’s a team guy through and through. And Smith and his teammates have some big expectations for the coming months. You can listen to the interview with Smith by clicking on the ‘play’ button above. You can also download the Podcast and play it on your favorite mp3 device by clicking here.
Nick Young, Annville-Cleona – The Little Dutchmen were finally back home last season. After spending two full seasons on the road because of construction at the school, A-C was back in its stadium last fall – and even played under the lights for the first time. The Dutchmen responded with a 5-5 season, keeping everyone absolutely honest during their run. And while the big-strike duo of QB Nate Myers and slot guy Dean May made a lot of eye-opening plays, rookie RB Rickey Snyder opened some eyes with 624 rushing yards and four TDs. He also had a 200-yard rushing night against Elco in there. He just might be ready for primetime. But if Snyder is going to have a bust-out season, he’s going to need help from his FB, namely Young, a rugged worker and hard hitter who will help out the Dutchmen on both sides of the ball. You can listen to the interview with Young by clicking on the ‘play’ button above. You can also download the Podcast and play it on your favorite mp3 device by clicking here.
