CUMBERLAND — As the Allegany football team prepares for the 2026 season, there is a palpable sense of optimism surrounding the Campers. After reaching the state quarterfinals last year, the team is eager to build on its success and take the next step in their journey.
Last season, Allegany finished with a record of 6-6, marking their first appearance in the state tournament since 2009. The Campers made a commendable run, ultimately falling to the eventual Class 1A state champion Patuxent in the quarterfinals. This experience has left the team with a renewed sense of purpose as they head into the new season.
Head coach Bryan Hansel expressed the significance of their playoff experience, noting, “Losing your senior class is always tough, and we had some talented seniors, but we have a lot of young kids that got to go out there and experience what getting out of the region felt like.” Hansel emphasized the importance of this experience as a stepping stone to future success, stating that the team has been driven by the desire to improve and achieve more.
The Campers will face challenges as they lost four All-Area first-team players to graduation, including standout athletes Amanni Blowe, Sebastian Stewart, Sully Watkins, and DJ Riley. However, the team retains valuable talent, including junior linebacker Khiante Bible, who was named Defensive Player of the Year last season. Bible led the area with 140 tackles and also made a significant impact on offense, rushing for 1,159 yards and 12 touchdowns.
“Khiante really committed to track in the spring and somehow got even faster,” Hansel noted, highlighting Bible's impressive offseason development. The coaching staff plans to utilize Bible’s speed in various offensive sets, aiming to maximize his contributions on the field.
Joining Bible in the backfield will be sophomore Maddox Hensel, who had a strong freshman season, rushing for 441 yards and four touchdowns. Coach Hansel described the offensive strategy as a dual-threat system, with both Bible and Hensel playing pivotal roles in the Campers' attack.
At quarterback, Dylan Blank returns for his junior year after a promising sophomore season where he threw for 984 yards and 12 touchdowns. Hansel praised Blank's work ethic and improvement over the offseason, noting that he has added significant weight and has been refining his skills with a quarterback coach. The coaching staff expects Blank to take on a leadership role and contribute more to the run game this season.
The offensive line is also shaping up well, with key positions solidified following the team's first scrimmage of the preseason. Junior Liam Wagoner will start at left tackle, while sophomore Jaxson Smearman will take on the right tackle position. The line's cohesion will be crucial as the Campers look to establish a strong running game.
On the defensive side, Allegany has made some changes in personnel, bringing back experienced coach Randy Stewart to oversee the defense. The Campers will rely on returning players like Rylen Ellsworth, who led the team in tackles and was a force in the defensive line last season.
The secondary will be anchored by Trevin Cox, who is expected to be a standout cornerback this year. Coach Hansel has high expectations for Cox, emphasizing his athleticism and ability to match up against opposing teams' top receivers.
As the season approaches, Allegany faces one of the toughest schedules in the Class 1A level, starting with a challenging matchup against Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, followed by a home game against the defending West Virginia Class AA champion Frankfort. The Campers will need to navigate this demanding stretch to set the tone for the rest of their season.
“Practicing on Thanksgiving is one of our goals,” Hansel stated, reflecting the team's ambition. With a mix of returning talent and eager newcomers, Allegany football is poised for a competitive 2026 season, aiming not just to reach the playoffs again, but to advance further and contend for a championship.
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