Camp Hill is putting that less than satisfying 2013 season in the rear view. A whole lot of offensive firepower is back to make amends, including top quarterback Michael Shuster and a bevy of two-way stars. Exciting times. Below is Camp Hill's Countdown to kickoff preview.
School Name:Camp Hill Lions
Coach: Frank Gay
Last Year: 3-7
Last 5 years: 17-35
Returning Starters: 6 on offense, 7 on defense
Key Players: QB-FS Michael Shuster; WR-FS Michael Hope; OL-DE Austin Simpson; FB-LB Kyle Remig; RB-OLB Bill Williams; WR-DE Zack Kuntz; RB-OLB Deshawn Franklin; WR-CB John Paul Kimport; K Alex Gallaher.
Offense Overview: When we last spoke with Gay, now entering his fourth season at Camp Hill, the guy was pretty stoked. Why not? QB Shuster is just a junior and will be starting for the third straight season. The gunslinger already has more than 3,800 passing yards to his name.
Then there's RB Williams, a sophomore who broke for over 1,000 stripes in his debut a year ago. When you add in rangy WR Kuntz and all those gritty weapons in Hope, Remig and Harrisburg transfer Deshawn Franklin, it looks as good as Scar-Jo in jeans and Chuck Taylors. We're also obligated to mention Simpson, the anchor, will be a four-year starter when the Lions finally tee it in week 1.
Defense Overview: Now we're going to turn down the music and collect our thoughts. The Lions are well aware their defense was often nonexistent a season ago. The gang gave up 52 to Milton Hershey, 35 to Boiling Springs, and a whopping 62 to District 3-A champ Steel-High.
When those amounts crop up it hardly matters how good your offense is. The Lions understand this. In fact, Remig, making a tenacious tandem with Franklin at linebacker, said Camp Hill is focused on making monumental strides defensively. Those 352 points allowed are definitely weighing on the team. With sophomore LB Jack Williamson stepping in, and Hope slide up from time to time, that should give the Lions added punch.
Biggest Game: October 24 at Trinity. When asked this very question, the head cheese put the Shamrocks in all caps. That guided us to late October.
More Camp Hill Lions: 2014 schedule | 2014 roster
EPLER'S CRYSTAL BALL: Gay certainly got us excited so the remaining sentences will be bouncy, people. Barring a rash of injuries, or bout with bad sushi, the Lions won't finish two spots out of the District 3-A tournament this year.
With Kimport adding depth, there probably isn't a more complete set of skill position players in the division. If Shuster gets enough free space, well, you've seen what kind of production he's good for. That said, the Lions must erase 2013 from the memory banks. There are a few Capital Division offenses capable to big things against a suspect defense. Camp Hill has to make sure it doesn't have one to offer.
More: Complete Countdown to Kickoff coverage