After a big loss to Schuylkill Haven in the District 11 Class 2A semifinals last year, Garrett Smoyer and his Northern Lehigh teammates didn’t waste any time in the offseason seeking to achieve their top task for the 2026 season.

It was simple: get stronger.

“We definitely knew what needed to be done after the loss against (Schuylkill Haven),” said Smoyer, the team’s senior quarterback. “We spent lots of time in the weight room during the off season, along with a lot of throwing routes and really getting timing down with the receivers.”

Smoyer is among a veteran core returning for the Bulldogs, who rallied to win their last five regular-season games and finish 8-4 overall. As a result, a deep postseason run this year already is a given.

“I believe that we had enough talent to compete with Schuylkill Haven,” said Smoyer. “But we all knew that we individually needed to get stronger for next year to become stronger as a team.

“Expectations are definitely high this year because of the veteran group that we have coming in again this year.”

Head coach Joe Tout, who begins his 21st year at the helm, also was well aware of their mission ahead.

“We were a junior-heavy team last year,” said Tout. “Schuylkill Haven was a senior-ladened team, and you could see the difference in strength between us and them.

“They were stronger than us on both lines. We knew we had to put our emphasis on the weight room this year.”

Along with Smoyer, a four-year starter who threw for 1,725 yards and 17 touchdowns a year ago, senior Kaiden Smith, Paul Porobenski, and Mason Rothrock will all rotate time in the backfield, while fellow senior Chris Frame (496 yards, 67 carries, nine touchdowns) will move between the backfield and a receiver spot. They will seek to fill the void left by Grady Newhard, who ran for a team-high 667 yards.

Tout is in total lockstep with Smoyer, who holds the team career passing marks in completions (237), attempts (436), and yards (3,303).

“He has a great work ethic and gets the job done,” said Tout. “He is very selfless, and could have every passing record. That speaks volumes about him.”

However, Smoyer (474 yards, 145 carries, nine TDs) still looms as the Bulldogs’ best running threat.

Yet, the Bulldogs offense will likely take the lead in their passing game with seniors Ryan Zambo (38 catches, 370 yards, 4 TDs) and Colin Karetsky (35-579-8). Frame also was a huge factor (26-450-4). Senior tight end Chase Gall will also be in the mix.

Up front, seniors Dawson Newhard and Landen Klimek are both three-year starters at the guard spots. Senior Bill Kennedy, who started late in the season last year, is penciled in at left tackle. Sophomore Aiden Reinik should open at right tackle, and fellow sophomore Reilly Shimko will likely get the nod at center.

“Reinik and Shimko both had good offseasons and good camps,” said Tout. “Newhard and Klimek will have a good year, and Kennedy came into his own last year. We’re still looking to build our depth on the line.”

Senior Bill Slattery, who could see time on the O-line, should be at nose tackle in the Bulldogs’ new 4-3 alignment. Newhard, Klimek and junior Bryce Nance will fill out the front.

Rothrock, a three-year starter, will be in the middle at linebacker, and will likely be flanked by Gall and Porobenski.

The Bulldogs’ secondary is probably their most experienced unit with Zambo, who has manned a corner for the past three seasons, along with Smoyer.

Karetsky and Frame will both be at safety, while Smith and junior Christian Fortino will both likely spell Smoyer.

Tout is confident in senior kicker Anthony Hanna, who he believes can have a career in college. Hanna should also handle the punting duties, but sophomore Bryce Wanamaker may see time punting.

With 13 seasoned seniors on the 47-man roster, Tout hasn’t been surprised by the early returns.

“We haven’t missed a beat,” said Tout. “Our attendance was outstanding with our workouts. We have a good feeling, and this was one of the cleanest camps I’ve ever had.

“They really know their stuff.”

Northern Lehigh will have a tweak to its schedule this season when it opens at home with Executive Education. The following week, it travels to Northwestern.

“Executive will be a wild card because we’ve gotten some mixed reports about them,” said Tout. “The first two weeks will be a challenge. After that, we should settle in. We have a lot of stuff in right now.”

Tout is extremely optimistic that his team is set to compete for their first district title since 2021.

“Being excited about the season can be an understatement,” said Tout. “We feel we have a good chance to play for a district title.”

Smoyer echoed his coach’s thoughts.

“I see the team very driven and focused because of the way we lost in the playoffs last year,” said Smoyer. “That loss gave us more motivation for this year to get to a district final championship.”

POSITION BREAKDOWN QUARTERBACKS

By the end of the season, senior Garrett Smoyer could have every NL passing record. He also is an effective runner. Sophomore Ryder Gall will be the backup, and he could see some time in blowout victories. Freshman Garrett Farkas is the third quarterback.

RUNNING BACKS

Seniors Chris Frame and Kaiden Smith are slotted at tailbacks and fellow seniors Mason Rothrock and Paul Porobenski will all see time to fill the loss of Grady Newhard. Sophomores Jayden Rehrig and Michael Bejarano along with freshman Lucas Eck provide depth.

WIDE RECEIVERS

This may be the Bulldogs’ deepest position, and it was their most productive unit last season. Frame is equally productive here. Seniors Colin Karetsky and Ryan Zambo both had efficient seasons last year. Fellow senior Carter Thomas and junior Christian Fortino oth saw time last season. Two-year starter Chase Gall will be a factor, and sophomore Bryce Wanamaker is the second tight end.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Three-year senior starters Dawson Newhard and Landen Klimek are back to anchor the line. Senior Bill Kennedy, who was worked into the line in the latter part of last year will get a nod. Sophomores Reilly Shimko and Aiden Reinik fill out the line. Juniors Brayden and Bryce Nance, senior Gio Marino, and sophomore Cole and Cam Chruscial will all provide depth.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Senior Bill Slattery, who played both ways last year, is slated at nose tackle in the Bulldogs’ 4-3 alignment. He’ll be joined by Newhard, Klimek, and Bryce Nance. Kennedy, Brayden Nance, Cam Chruscial, and Wanamaker will be behind the starters.

LINEBACKERS

Rothrock is back to man the middle, and he will have Gall and Porobenski on either side. Rehrig, senior Andrew Rudolph and junior Hayden Lilly provide depth.

SECONDARY

Along with being a deep position, this may be the most experienced. Smoyer, Karetsky, Frame, and Zambo have been together the past few years. Smith and Fortino are experienced and will contribute. Thomas and soph Connor Whalen are also in the mix.