The Barons come into the 2012 season needing 16 wins to reach 500 wins in their program.
In 2003, in a game known as the “Snow Bowl”, the Barons won the PIAA Class 3A football title over Pine-Richland 39-38 in two overtimes. Shawn Wilt blocked the extra point in the second overtime to give the Barons their first PIAA title.
They were state runners-up in 2004 and 2009.
Manheim Central has won 16 District titles since 1982. They won in 1989, 1990, 1992 to 2001, 2003 to 2005 and 2009.
In 2011 the Barons went 8-3, losing to Palmyra in the first round of District three playoffs, 34-31.
We sat down with head football coach Mike Williams and broke down his team for the 2012 season.
Coach Williams has a record of 318-66-3 going into his 31st season.
Q & A with Manheim Central head football coach Mike Williams
How is your off-season going this summer?
It’s been pretty good. We have made a lot of progress in the weight room. So far 7 on 7, we are still trying to find our quarterback. The kids are working real hard and we are pleased with the progress.
Who do you have coming back on offense?
We have two players battling for the starting job at quarterback, Senior Cole Proffitt and Junior Colin Fry. Proffit caught 16 passes at wide receiver last season for 316 yards. Both have been getting work at 7 on 7.
We were a young team last season and we have some experience this year. We have some good running backs, nice receivers and good lineman.
Ian Hanselman and Marc Royer are at running back.
At tight end is Taylor Geib. He is one of the better receivers we had at catching the ball. Geib caught 22 passes for 329 yards.
At wide receiver is Andrew Seiverling, who caught 21 passes for 206 yards.
On the line we have returning letterman Drew Hanselman. We have a real young player Chad Zurich. He just turned 15 and he is 6-2 290 and could be a great player for us. Jay Swayne is another one returning.
We have the makings for a pretty good team.
Who do you have coming back on defense?
We should be solid up front on defense and we need to improve in the secondary.
We have two real good ends in Chris Lynn and Nate Henry.
We have some good outside linebackers in Ian Hanselman and Austin Garner.
How about special teams?
We had three kids practice kicking this winter. We should be solid there. We have a good punter and kicker.
To have a successful season you have to?
We have to beat Lampeter-Strasburg first in our league. We have a tough non-league schedule. We play Warwick, Hempfield and Daniel Boone.
We have to start the season off by winning those games and beat Lampeter-Strasburg who has won our league the last two years. If we can do that everything will take care of itself.
Home Opener
Manheim Central opens home against Warwick on August 31st
40 teams in 40 days
Day 1 – Mount Carmel Area (4)
