The Dreher Blue Devils battled to a 3-7 record and a playoff appearance in their first year back in the 4A classification in 2024.
“I think last year was more of a welcome to 4A type football, but it was also great for my kids to experience that, be a part of that, and realize and understand that they can play at that level,” Dreher head coach Corey Jenkins said. “We didn’t win many games last year, but we played very hard. With a few mistakes here or there, with the ball bouncing a different way here or there, we have a chance to win those games at that level. This year going into it, we are much more confident as a team and as a staff, and I think it’s going to be a great season for us if we do what we are supposed to do.”
Six points separated Dreher from a break-even record, an additional region win, and potentially a better playoff draw.
“At this level it’s a confidence, mental toughness thing,” Jenkins said. “It’s about knowing you can play with teams and having the right mindset and being able to finish. This year our kids are more experienced. We believe they are ready.”
For the second straight offseason Jenkins will have an open quarterback battle between Walker Rowe and Chris Baker. While the two split time early in 2024, Baker was lost for the year following an injury in the season opener at Keenan. Rowe took the reigns from there. So far this offseason, Jenkins said the two quarterbacks had good springs, which has carried over into the summer.
“We’re leaving it up to those guys to make the coach’s decision hard,” Jenkins said. “Both guys may play early on. We will see who separates from who. It’s a good situation to be in.”
Whichever quarterback wins the battle will be helped by an offensive line that is anchored by Chanson Evans. The 6’-5”, 325 lb. offensive lineman is coming off a really good spring, and his coach feels the game is beginning to click for him. Evans is starting to get attention as well on the recruiting trail as a few college coaches have come to see him already.
Dreher’s Walker Rowe (above left) and Chris Baker will battle for the starting quarterback position in 2025.
Evans is the only senior on the line. Jenkins said the offensive line has gelled well together over the past few months.
Two important returnees to a young defense are safeties Joseph Pohlman and D’vion Carter.
Cortez Gilmore played defensive end last year, and the coaches have big expectations for him this year.
Jenkins believes his team’s strength is its togetherness.
“These guys are learning brotherhood and learning how to depend on each other,” Jenkins said. “I think us being together as a full-fledged team, not as individuals, is important. My first year or two here at Dreher that was the issue. We had guys that wanted to be individuals. Going into my fourth year, I think these guys understand it. I think last year we had some guys that understood it, but we still had a little bit of individual play. This year I think we have a lot of guys who have bought into the whole team mindset. I think that is going to be our strength. They are doing it for a purpose. They are doing it for the guys they are playing next to as well.”
The Blue Devils face another challenging schedule starting off with a home opener against the Keenan Raiders.
“It’s going to be competitive,” Jenkins said. “It sets the tone for who they are as a team and it sets the tone for us and who we are as a team. For the past three years that’s been the starting point for both of us. It’s a great thing we have going. We both like playing inner city schools. Playing those guys I think is good for the city. It’s good for the schools. It’s good for the kids because they know each other. It’s a great way for us to open the season.”
Dreher then hosts Lakewood before traveling to Bishop England.
The Region 3-4A opener is against a York team that escaped with a three-point win over the Blue Devils in 2024.
Dreher also gets A.C. Flora and Lancaster at home, with road games at Camden, Richland Northeast, and South Pointe.
“I want the kids to play hard and go out and work,” Jenkins said. “One thing we are going to do this year is work, just work and see what happens. We are putting in a lot of work right now. I told them ‘you have to pay the price. You either pay it now or you’ll pay the price of regret later.’ You have to pay the price. You have to choose which one you want to pay, and I think the kids are paying the price right now with the way they are working out and the way they are training. I’m looking forward to this season.”
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