ANNVILLE, Pa. – The Lebanon Valley College football team will have a new look this season after graduating more than 34 players, including nine all-conference honorees from its 2025 roster. The Dutchmen will rely on leadership and contributions from their six senior captains: inside linebacker J.D. McCallion, linebacker Brandon Choi, defensive end Sheadan Makosy, wide receiver Ethan Heisey, tight end and H-back Blake Weaver, and offensive lineman Logan Milito.
Lebanon Valley, which welcomed more than 50 first-year and transfer players this season, sits tied with Stevenson University for fourth place in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Football Coaches' Preseason Poll. Last year, the Dutchmen went 6-5 overall with a 6-3 MAC record against conference opponents. LVC also earned its third trip to the Centennial-MAC Bowl Series in the past four seasons.
"There are a lot of exciting things about this team," said Head Coach Chris Thompson. "We want to build off last year's success but at the same time, don't forget that we lost three games by five points. It's a new year and a new opportunity. We have a great nucleus and leadership group of seniors, paired with some young talent, with one of our largest incoming first-year classes and our largest transfer group."
Senior quarterback Owen Strouse will lead Lebanon Valley's offense as a first-year starter. Heisey will be a key offensive contributor after appearing in all 11 games and making 10 starts last year. Senior running back and wide receiver Trey Freeman is coming off a campaign in which he ranked second on the team with 348 receiving yards and had two receiving touchdowns. Weaver contributed a pair of touchdowns as well. Additionally, LVC expects junior wide receiver and running back Jayden Stanfield to make an impact in his first year with the program, after transferring from Alvernia University.
Milito will anchor the offensive line that helped LVC finish second in the MAC for rushing offense and third in fewest sacks allowed in 2025.
Defensively, Makosy tied seventh in the MAC with 5.0 sacks, and McCallion ranked eighth in the conference with 69 total tackles. The Flying Dutchmen will also rely on senior inside linebacker Jacob Karkoska (38.0 total tackles, 2.5 sacks) and senior whip John Klein. Choi, a transfer from PennWest California (Pa.), is healthy and ready to make an impact after missing last year due to injury.
On special teams, Lebanon Valley will depend on All-Conference punter Max Wisensale to tilt the field. He ranked third in the conference with a punting average of 39.8 yards and four touchbacks, as well as fourth with 10 fair catches and five 50+ yard punts. Sophomore Connor Hazel and first-years Noah Borluca and Jake Musselman will also be in the mix on special teams.
The Dutchmen will open the season on Friday, Sept. 4, at 7 p.m., against Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster. Lebanon Valley will then host Delaware Valley University for the start of MAC competition on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 1 p.m., at Arnold Field.
LVC will celebrate Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 1 p.m., against Stevenson University and wrap up the regular season with Senior Day during its annual rivalry game against Albright College on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 1 p.m. The Dutchmen hope to lead the LVC student body to March to Kreiderheim for a fifth consecutive year, during the 105th all-time meeting between the programs.
Lebanon Valley's full 2026 schedule can be found here.
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