Some takeaways from Manheim Central football, 2013:
* Barons won their 21st L-L League section title, winning Section 2 with a 7-0 record.
* Manheim Central went 13-1 overall, bolting to a 13-0 start, including a 42-20 win over section rival Cocalico in the District 3-AAA semifinals. Barons fell to Bishop McDevitt 48-7 in the district finale, as Manheim Central was denied a 17th D3 crown.
* Manheim Central gouged out 418 yards and 45 points per game — both tops in the L-L League.
* Barons featured a pair of 1,000-yard ball-carriers, including the league’s leading rusher, Marc Royer (2,265 yards), and Ian Hanselman (1,186 yards).
* Manheim Central also featured the third-ranked defensive unit in the league; Barons allowed just 240 yards and 12 points per game.
* Mike Williams was tabbed Section 2 Coach of the Year, as the Barons produced 20 section all-stars, including Linebacker of the Year (Justin Moreno), Offensive Back of the Year (Royer), and Offensive and Outstanding Lineman of the Year (Chad Zunich). Section 2 award winners.
* Zunich was named to the Class AAA all-state team.
We caught up with Zunich and Tony Staffieri at L-L media day, and they chatted about the upcoming season — Williams’ last as Manheim Central’s coach.
Staffieri is healthy after suffering a cracked collarbone in the district championship game last fall. Zunich is making the jump from guard to center this season for the Barons.