2025 Lycoming College Football Season Preview

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - Now entering the third year in the Landmark Conference, the Lycoming College football team enters the season looking to recalibrate after a 2-4 conference season in 2024. Eighteenth-year head coach Mike Clark, who is one win away from reaching 90 in his career, said during the conference's media day that the focus for the team will be on the small details and doing things the right way as the team went through camp leading into the season opener with TCNJ on Saturday, Sept. 6.

Those details and discipline are, Clark believes, the keys that will help the team as it looks for its first winning season since 2022 and move back up the conference standings after finishing second in the league in 2023.

With eight starters returning on offense and a young defense that has started to grow into their roles, there are plenty of reasons for optimism as the season opens.

The Warriors will face off with three NJAC opponents for the first time in 2024 during the non-conference season - facing TCNJ (Sept. 6) and Rowan (Sept. 27) at home and Montclair State (Sept. 13) on the road. The team will also face Dickinson at Girardi Stadium on Sept. 20.

The Landmark Conference season opens with a quartet of teams that reached the postseason in 2025, starting with Homecoming against Moravian on Oct. 4, before visits to fourth-ranked Susquehanna on Oct. 11 and Western Connecticut State, which went 9-2 in 2024 as a member of the MASCAC, on Oct. 18, before wrapping the stretch by hosting Wilkes, who finished second in the conference for the second straight year in 2024, on Oct. 25. Catholic (Nov. 1) and Juniata (Nov. 15) on the road wrap up the schedule.

The guys that are willing to be accountable for doing the little things right are who we need on this team. We held a team meeting at the end of last year where I took it back to the basics. We have really focused on being guys who do things the right way and that will help us make significant strides. We had to tighten some things up at the end of last year - it was disappointing in a lot of ways, and ultimately the responsibility for that lies with me. We worked hard to be a better and closer team this offseason.

-18th-year head coach Mike Clark

Junior Jay Huber returns after he saw action in nine games in 2024, when he completed 52 percent of his passes (97-of-185), tossing 12 touchdown passes and being intercepted seven times.

Sophomore Joe Lyons III has challenged Huber throughout camp after he appeared in only one game last year - the season finale against NCAA Championship-semifinal bound Susquehanna, where he went 6-of-11 for 52 yards and a touchdown.

Senior Vaughn Belford and three first-year quarterbacks - Zion Brake, Phillip Price and Corey Schock will also work for playing time throughout the season.

5	Jay Huber	JR	QB	6-2	190	Lebanon, Pa. / Cedar Crest
6	Zion Brake	FY	QB	6-3	170	Allentown, Pa. / Executive Education Academy
10	Phillip Price	FY	QB	6-2	180	Townsend, Del. / First State Military Academy
14	Joe Lyons III	SO	QB	5-10	170	Margate City, N.J. / Atlantic City
16	Corey Schock	FY	QB	6-0	215	Pottstown, Pa. / Owen J. Roberts
18	Vaughn Belford	SR	QB	6-1	190	Trenton, N.J. / Steinert

Junior Terrence Oliver developed into one of the top all-purpose backs in the Landmark Conference in 2024, rushing for 1,003 yards on just 178 carries, scoring nine touchdowns, and adding 14 catches for 186 yards and a score as well, helping him earn Second Team All-Landmark Conference honors.

In two years on the team, Oliver has already moved into 13th in program history with 1,760 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, needing just 240 yards to become the 11th Warrior to reach 2,000 rushing yards in a career and the first since Blake Bowman in 2016.

Junior Spencer Ferguson will offer a change of pace in the running game after he rushed 30 times for 74 yards and a touchdown as a junior.

Sophomores Quinten Palermo and Lock Haven transfer Brady Jordan as well as a group of eight first-year runners will also work for playing time.

4	Noah Walker	FY	RB	5-10	185	Dover, Del. / Polytech
7	Terrence Oliver	JR	RB	5-9	180	Sharon Hill, Pa. / Academy Park
23	C.J. Scruggs	FY	RB	5-9	180	North Wales, Pa. / Pope John Paul II
26	Gerald Sanders	FY	RB	5-7	175	Middletown, Pa. / Lower Dauphin
27	Jayden Stokes	FY	RB	5-5	150	New Market, Md. / Oakdale
28	Lamar Wilson	FY	RB	5-9	206	State College, Pa. / State College Area
29	Spencer Ferguson	JR	RB	5-8	190	Downingtown, Pa. / Coatesville Area
30	Jacks Greene	FY	RB	5-7	175	Clifton Heights, Pa. / Northeast
32	Quinten Palermo	SO	RB	5-9	165	Scranton, Pa. / Scranton Prep
34	Brady Jordan	SO	RB	5-7	181	Jersey Shore, Pa. / Jersey Shore Area
39	Elijah Jordan	FY	RB	5-8	184	Jersey Shore, Pa. / Jersey Shore Area
49	Gerret Boyd Jr.	FY	RB	5-7	179	Sugarloaf, Pa. / Wyoming Seminary

With four of the top five receivers returning from 2024, the Warriors will have plenty of experience in the position, led by seniors Dawson Debebe and Karson Kline.

Debebe posted 36 receptions for 684 yards and eight touchdowns a year ago, as he moved into 12th in program history in receiving yards (1,324) and ninth with 16 touchdowns.

Kline finished second on the team with 27 catches for 300 yards and three touchdowns and juniors Jared Zimmerman and Ross Eyer each also had more than 100 yards and a touchdown.

Seniors Colin McGrory and Coltin Hans, and sophomores Jalen Aiken and Ibrahim Jabbie also return this season along with four first-year players.

3	Tyler Cormier	FY	WR	5-9	167	Newark, Del. / Saint Mark's
4	Ross Eyer	JR	WR	6-5	200	Muncy, Pa. / Muncy
8	Karson Kline	SR	WR	5-11	185	Clearfield, Pa. / Clearfield Area
12	Jared Zimmerman	JR	WR	6-0	176	Souderton, Pa. / Souderton Area
13	Dawson Debebe	SR	WR	6-3	205	Schwenksville, Pa. / Perkiomen Valley
15	Jordan Wilcox	FY	WR	5-9	150	East Stroudsburg, Pa. / Stroudsburg
17	Ibrahim Jabbie	SO	WR	5-8	184	Collingdale, Pa. / Academy Park
24	Colin McGrory	SR	WR	5-8	185	West Chester, Pa. / Biship Shanahan
41	Riley Vanderpool	FY	WR	5-10	140	Towanda, Pa. / Towanda Area
82	Jalen Aiken	SO	WR	5-9	152	Pine Hill, N.J. / Overbrook Regional
83	Coltin Hans	SR	WR	6-0	175	Montgomery, Pa. / Montgomery Area
84	T.J. Chambliss	FY	WR	5-3	140	Temple Hills, Md. / Bishop McNamara

With one of the deepest position groupings in years, seniors Brendan Clark, Michael VanHorn and Braden Kotter have all seen significant playing time in the last two seasons.

Clark, who played in four games in 2024 before being lost to an injury, was an Honorable Mention All-Landmark tight end in 2023. VanHorn stepped into the starting role, making seven catches for 86 yards, and Kotter also appeared in the last seven games.

Sophomore Matt Finn and three first-year players will also vie for time.

20	Mekhi Bass	FY	TE	5-11	205	Upper Marlboro, Md. / Suitland
33	Theo Ferragame	FY	TE	5-9	225	Glenside, Pa. / Springfield Township
35	Michael VanHorn	SR	TE	5-11	230	Philadelphia, Pa. / Father Judge
47	Braden Kotter	SR	TE	6-2	235	Southampton, Pa. / Council Rock South
48	Shawn Zakrzewski	FY	TE	5-9	230	Conshohocken, Pa. / Roman Catholic
87	Matt Finn	SO	TE	5-9	200	Andover, N.J. / Newton
88	Brendan Clark	SR	TE	6-6	241	Montoursville, Pa. / Loyalsock Township

With three established starters returning and five others coming back with game experience, the offensive line will be one of the most experienced parts of the lineup for the Warriors.

Seniors Oscar Ortega and Braedon Hart are both three-year starters in their positions as right guard and center, respectively, with Hart developing into a two-time all-conference selection. Junior Chris Austin returns after starting all 10 games as a left tackle as well.

Juniors Elijah Osborne, Colin Giel, Eric Myers and Tyler Vandever all saw game time in 2024, along with sophomore Nasir Hall as well. Sophomores Owen Hause and Nyeem Gonzalez both played on the junior varsity line. Transfer Glenn Oakley, from Geneva College, and sophomore Jordan Hamilton joined the team in the spring and four first-year offensive linemen join the program as well.

50	Nasir Hall	SO	OL	6-2	260	Kingston, Pa. / Wyoming Valley West
51	Eric Myers	JR	OL	6-0	272	Clearfield, Pa. / Clearfield Area
52	Reese Wilson	FY	OL	6-0	265	State College, Pa. / State College Area
53	Owen Hause	SO	OL	5-11	264	Lenhartsville, Pa. / Hamburg Area
60	Oscar Ortega	SR	OL	6-0	320	Coatesville, Pa. / Coatesville Area
61	Glenn Oakley	JR	OL	6-0	270	Trout Run, Pa. / North Penn-Liberty
63	Tyler Vandever	JR	OL	6-4	266	Saylorsburg, Pa. / Pleasant Valley
64	Braedon Hart	SR	OL	6-1	285	Philadelphia, Pa. / Father Judge
65	Nyeem Gonzalez	SO	OL	5-8	241	Scranton, Pa. / Scranton Prep
66	Colin Giel	JR	OL	6-3	280	Philadelphia, Pa. / MaST Community Charter
68	Elijah Osborne	JR	OL	6-0	272	Lewistown, Pa. / Mifflin County
71	Chris Austin	JR	OL	6-3	330	Philadelphia, Pa. / William Penn Charter
72	Randy Franklin	FY	OL	6-1	260	Hagerstown, Md. / South Hagerstown
73	Jordan Hamilton	SO	OL	6-1	314	Gloucester City, N.J. / KIPP Cooper Norcross
77	Messiah Atkins	FY	OL	6-0	310	Elizabeth, N.J. / Saint Mary
78	Michael McAleavy	FY	OL	6-3	225	Frederick, Md. / Tuscarora

At tonight’s team BBQ, Senior QB @VaughnBelford won the FG contest for the offense. pic.twitter.com/oXhQIZbfTH
— Lycoming Football (@WarriorsFBall) August 30, 2025

Senior Michael Sipps heads up a young but talented defensive line for the Warriors, after he posted 34 tackles, 3.5 for loss and added 1.5 sacks in his junior season.

Junior Mason Woodward posted six stops in three games and juniors Joey Reedy and Joey Collins also return, along with sophomores Nasir Shakur, Cameron Palermo, Owen Bird, Godwin Edeh and Mike Chambers. Eleven first-year players will also factor into the mix immediately.

40	Thomas Cillo	FY	DL	6-0	227	Williamsport, Pa. / Williamsport Area
45	Nasir Shakur	SO	DL	5-10	240	Waldorf, Md. / Westlake
53	DaMarion Poole	FY	DL	6-5	190	Glen Burnie, Md. / Old Mill
59	Cameron Palermo	SO	DL	6-0	187	Scranton, Pa. / Scranton Prep
69	Owen Bird	SO	DL	5-11	225	Trout Run, Pa. / South Williamsport Area
70	Yahseam Stokes	FY	DL	6-1	217	Philadelphia, Pa. / Roman Catholic
74	Elijah Houdershieldt	FY	DL	6-1	253	Carbondale, Pa. / Carbondale Area
75	James Lawson	FY	DL	5-11	276	Glenolden, Pa. / Academy Park
76	Jayden Hay	FY	DL	6-0	218	Somerset, N.J. / Franklin
79	Gary Thomas	FY	DL	6-2	227	Springfield, Pa. / Springfield
86	Joey Reedy	JR	DL	6-4	235	Reading, Pa. / Exeter Township
90	Mason Woodward	JR	DL	6-0	225	Granville Summit, Pa. / Troy
91	Trinity Hill-Caleb	FY	DL	6-0	178	Clinton, Md. / Suitland
92	Michael Sipps	SR	DL	6-1	249	Lawrenceville, Pa. / Cowanesque Valley
93	Jeremiah Boyer	FY	DL	6-3	210	Crofton, Md. / DeMatha Catholic
93	Anton Stratts	SR	DL	6-0	235	Lock Haven, Pa. / Central Mountain
94	Mike Chambers	SO	DL	6-0	270	Glen Burnie, Md. / Old Mill
95	Mark Rosario	FY	DL	6-1	230	Pine Hill, N.J. / Timber Creek Regional
97	Elijah Jones	FY	DL	6-0	213	Brookhaven, Pa. / Sun Valley
98	Godwin Edeh	SO	DL	6-2	260	Frederick, Md. / Tuscarora
99	Joey Collins	JR	DL	6-1	235	Scranton, Pa. / West Scranton

With the graduation of all-conference linebacker Joey Rivituso, the Warriors will transition with another young group in the linebacking corps.

Senior Matt Trolinger leads the group after posting 41 tackles, 2.5 for loss, 0.5 sacks and an interception from his position on the outside, while sophomore Khalil Johnson made a big impact on the outside with 29 tackles, two for loss, a sack, two interceptions, a breakup and a forced fumble. On the inside, sophomore Daniel Atsou returns after he made 11 tackles, two for loss, in the team's first three games before an injury, and sophomore Braden Baum will step up after making five stops.

Sophomore Angelo Ferrigno notched 14 tackles and sophomore JayVon Story had five stops.

Junior Gavin Rice and Eli Rippey, and sophomores Sam Harley, Imran Okedeyi, Kash Tobin, Devin Garcia, Chandon Maurer and Cyre Collins Jackson also return, while eight first-year players join the program.

1	Christon Mitchell-Brown	FY	LB	6-0	201	Philadelphia, Pa. / Archbishop Ryan
6	Daniel Atsou	SO	LB	6-1	210	Capitol Heights, Md. / Suitland
13	Sam Harley	SO	LB	5-10	165	Severn, Md. / Old Mill
19	Angelo Ferrigno	SO	LB	6-1	203	Hughesville, Pa. / Hughesville
24	JayVon Story	SO	LB	5-10	175	Philadelphia, Pa. / West Catholic
31	Imran Okedeyi	SO	LB	5-10	210	Annapolis, Md. / Annapolis
33	Matt Trolinger	SR	LB	5-10	190	Carlisle, Pa. / Carlisle
35	Kash Tobin	SO	LB	6-0	205	Hegins, Pa. / Tri-Valley
36	Devin Garcia	SO	LB	5-11	207	Reading, Pa. / Berks Catholic
37	Kemoy Hewlett	FY	LB	5-10	198	Frederick, Md. / Tuscarora
41	Matthew Balichik	FY	LB	6-0	185	Mount Carmel, Pa. / Mount Carmel Area
42	Chandon Maurer	SO	LB	5-11	180	Shamokin, Pa. / Line Mountain
43	Gavin Rice	JR	LB	5-10	208	Montoursville, Pa. / Loyalsock Township
44	Braden Baum	SO	LB	5-8	220	Salisbury, Md. / Parkside
46	Khalil Johnson	SO	LB	5-8	179	Laurel, Md. / Atholton
48	Cyre Collins Jackson	SO	LB	6-1	180	Newark, N.J. / KIPP-Newark Collegiate
51	Michael Crane	FY	LB	5-10	190	Wyoming, Pa. / Wyoming Area
54	Logan Bosco	FY	LB	6-0	169	Middletown, Del. / Odessa
55	Ryan Morley	FY	LB	5-8	176	Glendora, N.J. / Triton Regional
57	Eli Rippey	JR	LB	5-9	205	Weedville, Pa. / St. Marys Area
58	Ryder Bowen	FY	LB	5-8	193	Wellsboro, Pa. / Wellsboro Area
67	Isaiah Betz	FY	LB	5-10	190	Turbotville, Pa. / Warrior Run

Seniors Mario Samony and Ryan Pentz highlight the group of returning defensive backs.

Pentz finished second on the team with 47 tackles, three for loss, and finished second in the Landmark with three interceptions during his junior year. Samony notched 10 tackles and broke up five passes to finish in the top 10 in the conference in that category.

Sophomore Cam Tolbert returns after posting five tackles and two breakups in four games, as does junior Louie Shank, who had four tackles and an interception in two appearances.

Junior D.J. Debebe and sophomores Aiden Barlett, James Hall-Melnychuck and Dathan Tyson all appear ready to step into larger roles on the team and eight rookies also join the position group.

3	Mario Samony	SR	DB	5-11	175	Old Forge, Pa. / Old Forge
5	Cam Tolbert	SO	DB	5-11	185	Suitland, Md. / Suitland
7	Evan Woodward	FY	DB	5-11	160	Granville Summit, Pa. / Troy
9	Aiden Barlett	SO	DB	5-10	189	Hughesville, Pa. / Hughesville
10	Stiles Eyer	FY	DB	6-3	194	Muncy, Pa. / Muncy
14	Louie Shank	JR	DB	5-11	170	Carlisle, Pa. / Carlisle
16	Connor Nichols	FY	DB	5-9	175	Delmar, Md. / Delmar
17	D.J. Debebe	JR	DB	6-2	190	Schwenksville, Pa. / Perkiomen Valley
18	Cameron Brown	FY	DB	6-0	195	Glenn Dale, Md. / Archbishop Carroll
21	James Hall-Melnychuck	SO	DB	5-6	150	Magnolia, N.J. / Sterling
22	Ryan Pentz	SR	DB	6-0	200	Mill Hall, Pa. / Central Mountain
23	Jordan Williams	FY	DB	6-2	190	Cockeysville, Md. / Concordia Prep
25	Dathan Tyson	SO	DB	5-9	195	Jersey Shore, Pa. / Jersey Shore Area
26	Memphis Shotto	FY	DB	5-9	151	Elmhurst Township, Pa. / Scranton
32	Wesley Meran-Henson	FY	DB	6-1	172	Laurel, Md. / Meade
49	Talyn Mauck	FY	DB	5-7	177	Jersey Shore, Pa. / Jersey Shore Area

A group of three first-year kickers - Vasco Granitto, Adrian Alena and Alex Malone - will combine with sophomore Chris Cooley, who had one kickoff opportunity in 2024 - to cover the team's kicking duties in 2025.

0	Adrian Alena	FY	K	5-10	150	Rochelle Park, N.J. / Hackensack
28	Alex Malone	FY	K	5-9	180	Reading, Pa. / Conrad Weiser
30	Vasco Granitto	FY	K	5-9	185	Dover, Del. / Polytech
38	Chris Cooley	SO	K	6-1	210	Montoursville, Pa. / Loyalsock Township

2024 Lycoming Football Schedule