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2025 MERCER MUSTANGS PREVIEW

MERCER – After consecutive winning seasons in 2022 and 2023, the Mercer Mustangs dropped to 2-8 in 2024 as a number of close losses knocked the Blue and White out of District 10 Class 2A playoff contention. However, with a 10-man senior class, several other seasoned letterwinners and the lessons learned in 2024 all forged together, Mercer aims to move up in Region 1 this fall.

"Our record was bad but we had a lot of positive things happen last year," head coach Jeff Lockard said. "One break here, one thing there and our record have been .500 and not 2-8.

"We have a good group this year. They've worked hard, they worked hard over the summer and they've worked hard in camp. We're very pleased with their work ethic and we're very pleased with their competitiveness.

Senior quarterback Rider Chiappini returns for his third season as the pilot of the Mustangs' Delaware Wing-T offense. He started every game in 2024 and then helped the Mercer basketball team advance to the second round of the PIAA Class 3A playoffs last winter as the area's premier sixth man.

"Rider is a competitor," Lockard said. "In our offense, running the Wing-T, we expect a lot out of him. It's his third year with us and it's nice to have that."

Two starters return at halfback in seniors Alex Leftheris and Parker Puskar. Leftheris ran for 241 yards and a team-leading four touchdowns. He also had a team-high five receptions. Puskar added 207 rushing yards.

Junior Preston Michael has the inside track to start at fullback. "We're pretty blessed right there," Lockard said of his four-man offensive backfield.

Seniors Derrick King and Bryce Furey return as starters on the offensive line. Furey earned First Team All-Region 1 last year while King, a multi-year starter, captured Second Team recognition. Junior Matt Chess also returns on the offensive line while Parker Barish looks to secure a full-time spot at guard. Sophomore Lucas Allen and freshman Brennen Davis are also contenders for starting spots.

That depth allowed Mercer to move senior tackle Kyle Suhrie to tight end. He missed 2024 due to an offseason injury but "looks real good," according to Lockard. "I think we're going to be pretty established up front."

Senior Brayden Frye and junior Shayne Aites are competing for time at split end. "We feel pretty good right now about where we are offensively," Lockard said.

Defensively, Mercer is switching from a 4-4 to a "50" look due to its depth up front and at linebacker. Chess, Furey, King and Suhrie are expected to see extensive action up front.

First Team All-Region selection Puskar and Frye are penciled in at outside linebacker while Leftheris and Michael are both returning lettermen at inside linebacker. Chiappini returns at free safety while Aites and Noah Frye look to secure cornerback spots. The other safety post is up for grabs.

"We have some guys and some depth that we can get into that '50' look and play a little better up front," Lockard said. "We can now go to a four-deep scheme in the back to help us some against the spread stuff that we couldn't do in the past. That will be a new look for us."

Senior Jayden Amos, a basketball and baseball standout, will handle kicking duties. He and Chiappini are battling for the punter's job. "This game is played in thirds," Lockard said. "How many times have you seen special teams win a game? So you have to be pretty stout in that area."

Mercer will compete in Region 1, which includes District 10 Class 2A champion Farrell, D-10 2A runner-up Sharpsville, District 10 Class 1A titlist Wilmington and Class 1A semifinalist Reynolds. Mercer also faces Class 4A Franklin, Class 3A Slippery Rock and D-10 Class 1A runner-up Greenville in its five-game non-conference schedule.

"If we stay on course, I think we will be very competitive," Lockard said. "That being said, we play a tough schedule. But that's part of life. We go against great teams and great coaches."