Noah Dolbin, Nativity.

Nativity

Head coach: Pat Mason

2023: 5-6

Story by Leroy Boyer

When it comes to the talent level of skill-position players, not too many teams stack up this season with Nativity.

Pat Mason’s squad returns a bevy of speed and experience that the veteran coach hopes translates into more victories. The key to the Green Wave improving on last year’s 5-6 overall record, however, will be creating opportunities for those talented players to excel.

Leading that group is senior wide receiver/defensive back Noah Dolbin, who has accepted a full scholarship to play collegiately at Army. Dolbin hauled in 39 catches for 661 yards and six touchdowns a year ago, becoming the school’s all-time leading receiver. Dolbin has 103 career receptions for 1,953 yards, breaking the previous marks set by Paul Bandholz from 1986-88. Dolbin’s 16 career TD receptions are just one shy of the school record.

Throwing the ball to Dolbin will be senior quarterback Ben Kreitzer, who enters the 2024 campaign on the heels of back-to-back 1,000-yard passing seasons. Kreitzer completed 71-of-158 passes for 1,237 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2022, then was 68-for-138 for 1,126 yards and seven scores a year ago.

Behind him, senior Sam Spolski and senior Sam Walborn return in the backfield. Spolski has rushed for 1,400 yards and scored 17 touchdowns over the past two seasons while also excelling on defense from his linebacker spot. Walborn shined as a scatback/wingback in Nativity’s offense while filling a starting defensive back role.

Joining them is senior running back/wide receiver Mike Stank, who teamed with Dolbin to win a gold medal in the 1,600-meter relay at the PIAA Track and Field Championships in May. Stank missed most of the 2023 season due to injury but offers blazing speed that Mason and his staff can utilize from both the backfield and on the outside. Senior tight end Gavin Frie also returns.

“We are a senior-dominated team and we have a large amount of players on our roster returning with varsity starting experience,” said Mason, whose 34-player roster includes 16 seniors. “We have a small roster, so staying healthy will be the key to our success.”

Another key will be getting solid play in the trenches. Seniors Mark Kimmel (6-1, 300) and Jasir Jones and junior George Shimko are returning starters on both sides of the ball. Seniors Andrew Verchick and Barry Jenkins look to fill the offensive line. Defensively, Nativity returns nine starters, with Shimko, Kimmel and Jones up front, Spolski, Frie, Jenkins and senior Drew Seaman at linebacker and Dolbin and senior Nolan Daynorowicz in the secondary.

Nativity is one of three Class A teams in District 11 and will compete in the new small-school Blue Division (Division III) of the Schuylkill/Colonial Football Cooperative along with Mahanoy Area, Marian, Minersville, Panther Valley, Pine Grove, Schuylkill Haven, Shenandoah Valley, Tri-Valley and Williams Valley.

The Green Wave open their season Friday, Aug. 23, at home against Holy Redeemer. Nativity will play its home games at Saint Clair’s Veterans Memorial Stadium after playing last year at North Schuylkill.

“I think the new alignment is a good thing for the A and AA schools,” Mason said. “Playing local teams every week except for Week 1 is a good thing.’’