The Class A Lions have 15 starters back from a team that started 4-2 but was blitzed by injuries and dropped their last four games. Sophomore QB Michael Shuster threw for nearly 1,800 yards last season as a freshman. Below is their Countdown to Camp preview.
School Name: Camp Hill Lions
Coach: Frank Gay
Last Year: 4-6 overall, 2-5 in Capital
Last 5 Years: 23-32
Returning Starters: 8 on offense; 7 on defense
Key Players: QB Michael Shuster; RB-DB Khalil Ashby; RB-LB Bill Williams; TE-DE Marshall Durham; OL-DL Jared Kronitz; TE-DB Michael Hope; OL-DE Austin Simpson; RB-LB Kyle Remig; TE-LB Corey Becker; OL-DL Evan Greenwood
Offense Overview: In this wide-open, high-octane offense the Lions employ it makes sense to start with the quarterback, right? Sophomore Michael Shuster was thrown into the deep end of the pool as a freshman and performed. A completion rate of 50 percent and 1,744 yards are solid numbers. And he’ll be better in 2013. The biggest step for him out of the gate is cutting down those picks. Shuster threw 19 a year ago. His No. 1 target is gone, but this combination of backs and receivers gives the Lions depth. Love a 6-5 TE in this offense. And last year Marshall Durham averaged 9.1 yards a catch with three touchdowns. Keep an eye on him. How the running game as a compliment to the pass develops could be a turn-key ingredient for the offense. Up front there’s three returning starters including a pair of three-year starters in Austin Simpson at center and Evan Greenwood.
Defense Overview: According to coach Gay the Lions’ top goal is to make the District 3-A playoffs. To get back there in 2013 this will be the unit to keep an eye on. Look, injuries shredded this squad a year ago. And it hurt way more on defense than offense. Camp Hill was 4-2 after six games and went 0-for-4 the final month. In those final four games the Lions allowed 187 points. That’s 47 against per outing over the last four games. Overall, the final number was 32 points a game surrendered. No offense can overcome that number. Seven is a good number in terms of returning starters. How are they better?
Biggest Game: October 18 vs. Trinity
More Camp Hill Lions: 2013 Schedule | Tentative 2013 Roster
Shay’s Crystal Ball: When you commit to a wide-open offense you are basically saying we have weapons and want to use them to score points. And I don’t think 28-32 points a game on average is a stretch. Shuster is just getting started and most likely will throw for 2,000-2,500 yards during the regular season. Line has experience and the back and receiver by committee works in the spread. There are 11 seniors and 19 players with varsity experience. Great numbers for a Class A team. Defense and turnovers will tell the tale of the 2013 Lions in big games. A year ago Camp Hill averaged 3.5 turnovers a game. In big games, you lose with those numbers. One or two injuries can be tolerated and managed. Five or six for a small school and it is lights out.