Solanco All-State RB Johnny Garcia

Solanco doesn't put the ball in the air often in its triple-option offense, and that's just fine with star fullback Johnny Garcia.  "I'm like a kid every time I get the ball, it's real exciting. The offense is real fun to play in. It's real hard to stop," Garcia told SV Sports' Paul Roberts.  The 5'9, 200-pound senior is a workhorse for the Golden Mules.  He ran for nearly 1,300 yards and 18 touchdowns last fall on 199 carries.  Garcia was an All-State selection last year.  He still remembers getting the news via a text message from head coach Tony Cox.  "My mom started freaking out and my heart was pounding. God blessed me. I was super excited because I know how competitive Class 5A is," said Garcia.  He enters this season with 2,730 career rushing yards.  Solanco will be one of the most experienced teams in the Lancaster-Lebanon League, returning ten starters on offense and nine on defense.  "As a team, we have a lot of expectations, a lot of goals that I know we can meet...We're not just throwing anybody in and praying that they can make a play. We know they can make a play," emphasized Garcia.  Kris Burgos-Wise, who averaged an eye-popping 12.6 yards per carry last fall, will join Garcia in the backfield.  Junior Chase Sensenig takes over at quarterback with Eric Koch as his top target.  The defense includes Bryce Cox up front, Kali Hines and Vincent Henry at linebacker, and Gabe Forren in the secondary.  Forren was voted the Defensive Back of the Year in Section 3 after making 69 tackles and a pair of interceptions at safety.  Junior offensive tackle Tyler Kreider will help to open holes for a rushing attack that averaged 345 yards per game on the ground in 2024.  Sophomore Wesley Bard is a player to watch on both sides of the ball.  The Golden Mules have a tough opener at Lampeter-Strasburg, the state runner-up in Class 4A a season ago.  They will battle for the Milk Jug trophy on August 22nd.  Solanco finished fourth in Section 3 last year behind Conrad Weiser, Cocalico, and Warwick.  The Golden Mules missed out on the District 3 playoffs with a mark of (5-5, 3-3).  "Obviously, we want to make District's. We have that chip on our shoulder," said Garcia.