The chase for Mid-Penn Commonwealth supremacy this season will be an adventure worth exploring.
Somebody will emerge as that top dog, but it could be one of five or six teams. Yes, it’s safe to say the Commonwealth is wide open in 2014.
Cumberland Valley is the defending champion, but the Eagles have some big holes to fill.
Central Dauphin, Mifflin County, CD East, State College each appears to have some of the tools needed for a strong chase. That is five teams who rightfully have aspirations to compete for the title and postseason goals, too.
If the weather ever cooperates, watching the Commonwealth unfold will be the most interesting since nobody is the clear-cut favorite this season.
School: Carlisle Thundering Herd
Head coach: Eric Behrenshausen
2013 record: 4-16 overall, 2-14 Commonwealth
Key returning players: Breanna Abby (Sr.), Abby Frinfrock (Sr.), Paige Robinson (Sr.)
School: Cedar Cliff Colts
Head coach: Robert Bitting
2013 record: 3-17 overall, 1-15 Commonwealth
Key returning players: Heather Knuth (Sr.), Rachel Knuth (Sr.), Sam Lantz (Sr.), Sam Meashey (Jr.), Emma Midgarden (So.), Anna Walker (Jr.), Tiffany White (So.)
School: Central Dauphin Rams
Head coach: Ken Williams
2013 record: 18-7 overall, 11-5 Commonwealth
Key returning players: Lexy Hess (Sr.), Halley Rose (Jr.), Mary Nell Smith (Jr.), Amanda Homrighausen (Sr.), Breann Hopkins (Sr.), Rosa Veliky (Sr.), Alex Cunkle (Sr.)
School: CD East Panthers
Head coach: Mike Stepp
2013 record: 8-12 overall, 4-12 division
Key returning players: Aspen Colegrove (Sr.), Abigail Ebright (Jr.), Nina Bruno (Jr.), Jayla Allen (Jr.), Antonice Mason (So.), Shania Brooks (Sr.), Sheily Aponte (Sr.)
School: Chambersburg Trojans
Head coach: Ted Bittinger
2013 record: 12-7 overall, 11-5 Commonwealth
Key returning players: Mandy Bell (Sr.), Lily Nolan (Jr.), Tara Harmon (So.), Kialani Killinger (Sr.), Alexis Shearer (Jr.)
School: Cumberland Valley Eagles
Head coach: Gregg Williams
2013 record: 24-4 overall, 15-1 Commonwealth
Key returning players: Rachael Mumma (Sr.), Jessica Moore (Sr.), Alexa Erney (Jr.), Kara Holtzman (Jr.), Summer Keefer (Jr.), Taylor Krow (Jr.), Zoe St. Cyr (Jr.)
School: Mifflin County Huskies
Head coach: Jack McCurdy
2013 record: 16-6 overall, 13-3 division
Key returning players: Kali Hunter (Sr.), Tara Kibe (Sr.), Shelby Lyter (Sr.), Allessa Morrison (Jr.), Mara Rhodes (Jr.), Jordan Shirey (Jr.), Maggie Wray (Jr.)
School: Red Land Patriots
Head coach: Jason Munns
2013 record: 10-10 overall, 6-10 Commonwealth
Key returning players: Ashley Carroll (Jr.), Britanny Carroll (Jr.), Madi Christiansen (So.), Reaghan Gettys (Jr.), Alyssa Munns (Jr.), Miranda Zehring (Jr.)
School: State College Little Lions
Head coach: Mike Harper
2013 record: 10-9 overall, 8-8 Commonwealth
Key returning players: Sarah Bastian (Sr.), Laura Harris (Sr.), Lexi Mattivi (Sr.), Michaela Rittenhouse (Sr.), Megan Robert (Sr.), Sharayah Simco (Sr.), Lauren Weiss (Sr.), Brenna Adams (Jr.), Liz Drawl (Jr.), Autumn Farrell (Jr.), Ellie Frey (Jr.), Jess Henderson (Jr.), Corey Marfitt (Jr.), Karli Nolan (Jr.)
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