B.C. football coach Dave Stahler

Dave Stahler is entering his first season as the head football coach at Berks Catholic. He learned valuable lessons while playing for, and coaching with, two legends in Pennsylvania. Rick Keeley won 280 games over 38 years and is a member of the PSFCA Hall of Fame. Lloyd Wolf finished with 626 victories during four decades on the basketball sidelines. He was inducted into the Berks County Chapter of the PA Sports Hall of Fame in 1997. Stahler, a 1988 Holy Name graduate, got to know both Keeley and Wolf while playing football and basketball for the Blue Jays. After attending Kutztown University, Stahler came back to Holy Name in 2001 as an assistant under both men. Stahler discussed what stood out to him about Wolf. "It was the way that you treat people and the way that you build relationships with people," he told Paul Roberts of SV Sports. Stahler was elevated to associate head football coach at Berks Catholic in 2012. He became the Saints' offensive coordinator two years later. Keeley guided Berks Catholic to four District 3 championships. He went (118-41) in the past 13 seasons. "Coach Keeley taught us all a lot and is a great guy. There's not a better person," emphasized Stahler. The Saints are coming off a (5-6, 3-4) campaign. Nate Rose and Bryce Gumby (8.7 ypc) return in the backfield. Zach Suski is expected to take over at quarterback and Stahler believes the receiving corps will be a strength. "You always have to figure out what your guys do the best. I think we throw it a little bit better than we did last year," said Stahler. Berks Catholic, known for its Wing-T offense, attempted just 87 passes in 2023. The Saints are moving from Section 4 to Section 5 in the Lancaster-Lebanon League. That means longtime rival Wyomissing isn't on the schedule. "I think down the road that could change and it probably will," noted Stahler. His first game as head coach will be on August 23 against Twin Valley.