Tamaqua’s turnaround at the end of the 2023 season spoke volumes.

What could have been a catastrophic collapse after a slow start turned into four straight wins and victories in five of the Blue Raiders’ final six contests to reach the district playoffs.

The task now is for the 2024 Tamaqua team to continue that momentum.

“I was really proud of the team last year,” he said. “It’s easy to pack it in once you start off 0-4. And we have a good core of those guys back that kind of helped turn that second half of the season around. Victor Schlosser was a kid that really turned it on the second half of the season. Luke Kane was a leader the second half of the season. Declan Coleman, a kid that we got back that (for the second half), who was out I think basically the first four games. So he was a big part of winning some of those games in that second half of the season. We have guys that know what it takes to win games.”

Coleman (TE/DL), Kane (QB/LB) and Schlosser (WR/DB) return for the senior seasons key contributors in all phases of the game.

In addition to passing for 908 yards and nine TDs last season, Kane also led the team with 77 total tackles. Kane also rushed for 191 yards on 62 carries with four scores.

Senior Tyler Koch returns after recording 61 total tackles, second on the team, while also making 12 grabs for 202 yards and two scores and rushing for 173 yards and three scores.

Leading rusher Bradley Whalen had 694 yards on 122 carries (5.69 yards per carry) to go along with seven scores as a junior while also making 33 tackles in nine games.

Schlosser caught 15 passes for 171 yards and two scores to go along with 35 tackles.

“I think it’s important that we build off of that and that, continue that kind of mentality that, ‘Hey, we can play with anybody,’” said Bonner. “We gave ourselves a chance and an opportunity to win games.”

Senior Jacob Hehn returns after finishing fourth on the team with 46 total tackles, while junior Luke Fronheiser made the fifth-most tackles on the team with 42.

“I think experience, and especially with our specialty guys, Bradley Whalen, Luke Kane, Declan Coleman, Victor Schlosser, Jacob Hehn, are all experienced skill guys that we have coming back that have been playing since their sophomore year,” said Bonner. “And a lot of them are two way guys. So you look at those guys, but then we have Luke Fronheiser, a junior who’s been a starter, and he’s going to be at center and at middle linebacker. We’ve got that core group of skilled kids that have experience and know what it’s going to take for us to be competitive.”

Tamaqua scored 21.1 points per game (third-best in the area) and averaged 234.9 yards per contest en route to a 5-6 finish a season ago. Defensively, the Blue Raiders surrendered 28.4 points and 282.6 yards per game.

“We have a very athletic seven guys up front; four guys up front are skilled guys,” said Bonner. “Our defensive end is Jacob Hehn. He’s our backup tailback/flanker. Our other defensive end is Declan Coleman, and he’s a wide receiver, tight end. Our nose guard is are tail back. We have three-shade tackle that plays some skill stuff.

“So we have four guys up front that are not the biggest kids, but athletic. So we’re looking for those guys to get a lot of those TFLs, get a lot of those turnovers and fly around the ball.

“They’re not the biggest group, but I think they’re more athletic groups that have had it front in a while.”

Bonner acknowledged that the team is hoping to find stability up front, something that will be key for the team to take another step forward this season.

Continued progress is something Bonner knows this team is capable of after its strong finish a year ago.

“I think we’re capable of surprising a lot of people,” said Bonner. “I think there’s a lot of people right now, obviously, I don’t put anything in the preseason polls whether it be NFL, NCAA, or high school. I don’t put a lot into it. But I don’t think a lot of people are expecting us to make much noise, especially in upper division. We’re playing six 4A schools. We’re a 3A school playing in a 4A schedule, basically. The 3A schools we’re playing are very competitive, North Schuylkill and Northwestern, two of the best teams, not just in the district, but probably in the state. So I think a lot of people are looking at our schedule saying that we’re gonna have a rough time.

“Our goal is hopefully to surprise a lot of those people. And I think the kids, there’s the buy-in from these kids. We’ve had good turnouts in the offseason. We have kids working hard, we have some good team leadership, so we’re hoping that that pays off for us.”

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Tamaqua Position Breakdown

QUARTERBACKS

Senior Luke Kane returns after completing 62 of 134 pass attempts for 908 yards with nine scores and seven interceptions. Bonner has indicated he hopes the senior can push 1,500 yards this season. Look for junior Chase Serfass to be the backup with freshman Ace Schickram a third option.

RUNNING BACKS

Bradley Whalen returns as the starter after rushing for 694 yards and seven scores last season. Fullback Tyler Koch is also a returning starter. Jacob Hehn and freshman Terrence McDowell will also be in the mix for playing time in the backfield.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Victor Schlosser was the team’s second-leading receiver a year ago and will hope to build on the 15 catches for 171 yards and two scores he posted last fall. Junior Brady McCabe, along with senior Declan Coleman, who missed five games a year ago, at tight end will also be vital parts of the passing game. Jacob Hehn and Tyler Koch will also be in the passing game. Newcomer and senior Cooper Ansbach will be in the mix at wide receiver.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Junior Luke Fronheiser returns at center. Senior Declan Franz is another returning starter on the offensive line. Junior Malachi Stewart has also impressed coaches in camp at guard, along with sophomore Damian Jazowski who will move into a starting role.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Seniors Bradley Whalen Isaiah Davis will both see playing time at defensive tackle. Malachi Stewart could see time at both positions, while Declan Coleman and Jacob Hehn will play defensive end. Damian Jazowski will also provide depth along the line.

LINEBACKERS

Luke Fronheiser and Tyler Koch will play inside linebacker, while Luke Kane and Brady McCabe will play outside linebacker. Chase Serfass, along with Terrence McDowell and Ace Schickram also should be in the mix at linebacker.

SECONDARY

Junior Shawn Chen will play safety, while seniors Scott Case and Victor Schlosser will play corner. Cooper Ansbach also figures to see playing time in the secondary as a first-year player. Sophomore Peyton Schwartz will also see time in the secondary.