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Last Season's Experience Should Give Cedar Crest A Boost Heading Into 2023

Cedar Crest seemed headed for a typical football season last fall — beating most of the people it "should" and providing an irritant to the Lancaster-Lebanon League Section One powers — when big, key injuries started happening.

First it was defensive end Erik McLaughlin, then starting quarterback Jay Huber and WR-DE Ethan Heisey.

"Three team captains," coach Rob Wildasin said. "Torn ACL, torn ACL and shattered wrist."

The good news is the injuries forced experience on some key returnees for the 2023 season, in particular QB Jackson Custer, who impressed in half a sophomore season as the starter. The Falcons appear to have enough athletes, enough numbers and enough guys who've been through some Friday nights, to be one of the L-L's more improved teams.

THE PLAYBOOK

• L-L: Section One

• PIAA: Class 6A

• Head coach: Rob Wildasin (10th season, 46-43)

• Base offense: Zone Option

• Base defense: 4-3

• 2022 results: 5-5 (2-4 L-L)

• Key players returning: RB-DB Alex Abreu, WR-DB Owen Chernich, QB Jackson Custer, LB Caleb Dorshimer, C Nick Lambros, DT Tristan Long, RB-DE Fernando Marquez, TE-DE-P Aiden Schomp, OG-DE Cam Simone, WR-DB Leo Tirado, WR-DB-KR Jack Waranavage, OT-DT Christian Weaber.

About the offense

Custer will hand it to RBs Fernando Marquez and Alex Abreu, and throw it to WRs Owen Chernich, Leo Tirado and Jack Waranavage and massive tight end Aiden Schomp, who's getting Ivy League and other FCS college looks.

Just as importantly, Crest returns a bunch of solid linemen: C Nick Lambros, OT Tristan Long, OG Cam Simone, OT Christian Weaber, etc.

About the defense

A lot of the same faces show up on both sides of the ball. Chernich, Tirado and Waranavage man the secondary. Schomp, Marquez and Simone are rangy, athletic factors up front.

Crest does feature a defense-first guy on the second level in LB Caleb Dorshimer.

2023 SCHEDULE

(All games kick off at 7 p.M. Unless noted.)

• Aug. 25: Northeast (6 p.M.)

• Aug. 31: at Central Dauphin East (Landis Field)

• Sept. 8: at Warwick

• Sept. 15: Penn Manor

• Sept. 22: Wilson

• Sept. 29: at Reading (Albright College Stadium)

• Oct. 6: at Manheim Township

• Oct. 13: McCaskey

• Oct. 20: at Hempfield

• Oct. 26: Lebanon

The schedule

The nonleague slate is a bit eclectic — Northeast, from the Philadelphia Public League, comes here in Week One, followed by a trip to Central Dauphin East. Finally, Crest hosts the annual Cedar Bowl with neighboring rival Lebanon on Oct. 26, a Thursday.

Etc.

Cedar Crest has for years been the smallest school (by PIAA football enrollment) in Section One. It is the second-smallest 6A school in District Three and among the smallest 6As in the state.

Wildasin spoke expansively about the waters in which his program swims at this year's L-L Media Day, held Aug. 4 in Lancaster.

"Township, Hempfield and Wilson should finish 1-2-3 in the section every year,'' he said. "They shouldn't lose to anybody in the section except each other, so anytime that occurs, it's a blight on them more than on us.

"They have the numbers, they have the resources, they have the recruiting in some cases … we know it's true, so let's (acknowledge) it. The pressure's on them. We control what we can control."

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Enjoying The Great Outdoors At Cedar Crest

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

When avid hikers David and Naomi Sutter were researching their senior living options, one feature was at their top of their wish list - trails, trails, trails.

Cedar Crest, the Erickson Senior Living community in Pompton Plains, N.J., caught their eye, given the many outdoor amenities and activities offered in and around the lush 130-acre campus.

"Cedar Crest is a marvelous place," says David. "It has a very unique location - that's what attracted us to it. For anyone interested in walking or moderate hiking, this is the place to be."

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Nestled in the Ramapo Mountains, Cedar Crest boasts myriad walking and hiking opportunities.

"The community abuts Mountainside Park, so there are many miles of gentle hiking trails," he adds. "And, the people who designed Cedar Crest created access to over four miles of hiking trails right here on campus. We love this place - we've been here about 13 years."

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'A turning point'

Believe it or not, David wasn't always a fan of taking to the trails.

"One day, Naomi said to me, 'We're going to go for a hike.' I was 36 and Naomi was 31 then," David recalls. "I said, 'I don't want to go on a hike. I don't like hiking.'"

Nevertheless, Naomi prevailed, and they went on their first hike in Waterloo, N.J.

"By the time the day was over, I said, 'Oh, this is marvelous!' We joined the Union County Hiking Club in 1964, and we've been members of hiking clubs ever since," he says. "That was a turning point in our lives."

Now, the couple walks two to four miles a day on Cedar Crest's campus or nearby park trails all year round.

"Like the Sutters, many of our residents take advantage of our walking paths by themselves or with a friend," says Erica Zayat, resident services senior manager. "We are situated in a beautiful mountainous area, so no matter where you are on campus, you have a beautiful view."

Outdoor amenities abound

Erickson Senior Living prides itself on offering safe, accessible outdoor environments that encourage residents to get active and socialize, enhancing their overall well-being. By taking advantage of these amenities, residents feel more energized and have greater focus and stamina.

"Spending time out in nature, tied together with getting exercise and being socially active, is good for the mind, body, and soul," adds Zayat. "Having an array of outdoor amenities is a key component to maximizing well-being."

From outdoor active spaces such as well-manicured walking paths to entertainment like summer evening open-air concerts, the opportunities are everywhere!

Cedar Crest features an outdoor patio, perfect for hanging out after a swim in the pool or dip in the spa. Garden allotments appeal to green thumbs, and for those with a competitive spirit, the putting green, horseshoe pit, and bocce courts are always busy.

Al fresco dining spaces are great for socializing, while the meditation garden offers the ideal environment for peace and relaxation.

Investing in well-being

"Our outdoor meditation garden was made possible by the Well-Being Fund," Zayat says.

The fund, a multimillion-dollar investment provided by Erickson Senior Living, supports the addition of enhanced health and well-being amenities and services to residents in its communities across the country.

"We're so thankful! Getting fresh air and soaking up sunshine in the garden has had a significant impact on residents," she adds.

Not only do Cedar Crest's outdoor amenities and activities allow residents to spend time in nature, they also provide the added benefit of social interaction coupled with healthy movement.

"It all fosters connection," Zayat says. "Our residents love our walking club, which gets together every week from April to November. The hiking club, bocce, and horseshoes are also really popular."

Get outside!

The Sutters, who couldn't be happier living at the scenic community, agree that their time outside enhances all aspects of their well-being.

"There are so many physical activity options," David says. "We walk one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon. It induces a great serenity."

Thanks to resident-led efforts and investments in outdoor spaces, an increasing number of Cedar Crest residents are finding ways to spend time in nature, which is proving to be an integral part of their active, worry-free lifestyles.

Invest in your future self at Cedar Crest. From top-notch amenities to affordable, maintenance-free apartment homes, you are sure to live your retirement to the fullest. Visit CedarCrest.Com for more information.

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