Football — Optimism running high for Hornets heading into upcoming season. A look ahead at this year’s squad and returning players


Head coach – Harold Fairclough (6th year, 34-15)


Assistants – Dale Fink, Jake Hildebrand, Keith Brader, Mike Brusko, Matt Cohen, Mark Keeley, Dave McFadden, Eric Miller, Rich Ocelus, Jake Reichard, Rob Sawicki, Jon Scerbo, Mark Scisly, Pete Verile


Last year – 5-1 (Lehigh County Division Champs, lost to Easton 1st Round District XI 6A playoffs)


Losses to graduation – RB Brandon Camire, WR/CB (86 carries/554 yards/13 TD, MVP Lehigh Div); WR/CB Jameel Sanders (23 recept., 260 yards, TD; 1st Team – Lehigh Div); WR/FS Chad Newhard (8 recept., 105 yards, TD; 1st Team – Lehigh Div); WR/CB Tanner Ritter (15 recept., 329 yards, TD; 1st Team – Lehigh Div); OL/DL Justin Roman (1st Team – Lehigh Div); LB Connor Carter (2nd Team – Lehigh Div); LB Kordell Waiters, WR/CB Gabe Trexler, OL/DL Tyler Keller, K/P Alex Orlando (1st Team – Lehigh Div)


Returnees – Jr. QB Jake Fotta (64 of 123, 1,013 yards, 8 TD, 4 Int.; 2nd Team – Lehigh Div); Sr. RB/LB Jared Groller (1st Team – Lehigh Div); Sr. LB Jaden Delgado (2nd Team – Lehigh Div); Sr. TE/LB Dave Iobst, Sr. OL/DL Dyan McHugh (1st Team – Lehigh Div); Sr. RB/CB Sam Mortatori, Jr. RB Tylik Jarvis (18 carr., 134 yards, 3 TD); Sr. WR/CB Jaiden Robinson, Sr. WR/LB Matt Baraket, Sr. OL/DL Dylan McHugh, Sr. OL Cooper Schoenly, Jr. OL/DL Trevor Gitski, Sr. OL/DL Danny Ahne, Soph. OL/DL Ben Mercado, Soph. OL/DL Mario Landino, Sr. WR/CB Jeremiah Sona


Newcomers – Jr. WR/CB Chase Fotta, Jr. WR/LB Donavan McCargo, Sr. FS Tyson Karrat, Jr. FS Ryan DeJohn

Scrimmage – Sat., Aug 21 vs Downingtown West, Home 10 am

First game – Fri., Aug. 27 vs Stroudsburg, Away, 7 pm (LIVE: www.easternpasportsnetwork.com)

Follow team on social media: @emmaussports.com, @eastpasportsnet (Twitter), Emmaus football (Facebook)