HS Football: Nativity kicks off new era

Nativity head coach Pat Mason, left, passes the microphone to Colt Mason (4) during Wednesday's Schuylkill County Football Coaches Association Media Day at the Schuylkill Haven Sports Performance Center. At right is Nativity's Aidan Rickard (75). (Photo by Bob Lipsky)
Graduation night hit especially hard for Nativity football coach Pat Mason and the Green Wave this past school year. Now, with a roster full of fresh faces and eager upperclassmen, a new challenge begins.
Nativity enters the 2025 season looking to regroup after losing a flurry of contributing seniors from a season ago. The Green Wave went 6-5 last year, reached the District 11 Class A semifinals, and graduated a large senior class that included record-setting wide receiver Noah Dolbin, four-year starting quarterback Ben Kreitzer and two-way standout Samuel Spolski as part of a 16-person senior class.
This year’s roster is smaller and younger, with many players stepping into varsity starting roles for the first time. Depth and experience will be challenges early, but the program returns several athletes ready to take on leadership roles.
3 key players
Colt Mason (sr., QB-DB)
George Shimko (sr., OL-DL)
Aidan Becker (sr., RB-DL)
Colt Mason, head coach Pat Mason’s youngest offspring, steps into a critical role this fall — taking over at quarterback after Kreitzer, a three-year starter, graduated. Kreitzer leaves the program with passing yards 3,938 yards and 34 touchdown passes over his varsity career. As a senior in 2024-25, he threw for 1,732 yards. Now it’s Colt Mason’s turn at the helm. The youngest Mason’s versatility over the last few seasons in different skill positions will bring a more dynamic, ground-based offensive scheme versus the pocket-passing offense displayed by Kreitzer.

The Green Wave also return veteran lineman George Shimko as an anchor in the trenches. Shimko, 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, brings rare size, agility and experience to Nativity’s trench play. His presence will be crucial in supporting a young quarterback and stabilizing an offensive line that’s lost significant production to graduation.
One of only six seniors this season, no one possibly embodies the playing style of Nativity more than Aidan Becker. Listed as a running back and defensive lineman, Becker, 5-10, 168 pounds, is not afraid to move all over the field in order to do what his team needs.
3 key newcomers
Marshall Dolbin (soph., OL-DL)
Aidan Ricard (sr., OL-DL)
Cooper Felty (soph., RB-LB)
Sophomore Marshall Dolbin has the frame and strength to make an impact right away in the trenches. At 6-1, 232 pounds, he gives Nativity a physical presence who can plug into either line and help offset some of the depth lost to graduation.
Senior Aidan Ricard returns as one of the bigger bodies on the roster, checking in at 6-0, 240. His experience and size make him a candidate to play a stabilizing role up front, especially as the Green Wave work younger players into the rotation.

Cooper Felty, a 5-8, 180-pound sophomore, brings toughness and versatility to the backfield and linebacker spots. His willingness to run through contact and contribute on defense could earn him valuable snaps as the season unfolds.
3 key losses
Noah Dolbin (WR-DB)
Mark Kimmel (OL-DL)
Sam Spolski (RB-LB)
Noah Dolbin’s departure leaves a massive hole in Nativity’s offense and secondary. Over his two-year varsity run, Dolbin hauled in an impressive 71 catches for 1,349 yards, averaging 19 yards per reception and scoring 14 total receiving touchdowns. In the 2024 season alone, he averaged 76.1 receiving yards per game and finished with seven receiving TDs. His next chapter takes him to the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he’ll continue his football career at the Division I level — an accomplishment that reflects both his talent and discipline.
Kimmel, who anchored the trenches at guard and defensive tackle, may not have garnered flashy offensive stats, but his presence was felt in the physicality of every game. He logged 15 total tackles over nine games in 2024, including three sacks — solid numbers for an interior lineman. Kimmel’s consistent performance and size put him at the heart of Nativity’s line play on both sides of the ball.
Then there’s Spolski, who was truly the heartbeat of the Green Wave. As a senior, Spolski rushed for 617 yards on 80 carries — an impressive 7.7-yard average — including 12 rushing touchdowns, while battling a hand injury late in the season. His dual threat as a powerful runner and linebacker, coupled with leadership, made him one of the most irreplaceable seniors in recent memory. Spolski’s standout senior year earned him multiple postseason honors, including Schuylkill League All-Star recognition and Scholar-Athlete awards. He is now continuing his academic and military journey at the United States Naval Academy, carrying with him the work ethic and leadership that defined his Green Wave career.
Holes to fill
Bottom line
Nativity’s 2025 season promises to be as unpredictable as it is exciting. With a lean roster and a nearly blank slate, every week feels like a fresh page. Fans won’t know what to expect — maybe a breakout game from an underclassman, a gritty, low-scoring defensive slugfest, or a surprise late-season push — all hinging on how quickly the new leaders gel and execute under pressure.
The Green Wave’s schedule doesn’t offer much downtime. They open on the road against Holy Redeemer (Aug. 23) and Pine Grove (Aug. 29), followed by a trio of road-and-home swings through Williams Valley, Tri-Valley and Panther Valley to begin the league stretch. A pivotal road showdown at Shenandoah Valley (Sept. 26) kicks off what could be a tough second half of the season against Mahanoy Area, Minersville, Schuylkill Haven and a season finale at Marian Catholic.
Ultimately, the fun lies in the unknown. Nativity’s strength this year may not be wins — but watching that young core grow, adapt and surprise week after week. It could be the best show in Schuylkill League football.
Nativity Green Wave
PLAYER | POS | HT | WT | GR |
Bentley Werez | RB/DB | 5’7 | 144 | 9 |
Cole Felty | QB/DB | 6′ | 160 | 9 |
Colt Mason | QB/DB | 6’1 | 174 | 12 |
Frankie Uhrin | WR/DB | 5’10 | 142 | 9 |
Cooper Felty | RB/LB | 5’8 | 180 | 10 |
Owen Holley | QB/DB | 5’11 | 155 | 10 |
Jacob Williams | WR/DB | 5’10 | 156 | 11 |
Liam Garrity | WR/DB | 5’11 | 124 | 9 |
Kyle McCormick | WR/DB | 5’10 | 147 | 11 |
Noah Bulino | WR/DB | 6′ | 174 | 11 |
Aidan Becker | RB/DL | 5’10 | 168 | 12 |
Evan Ritter | RB/LB | 5’8 | 180 | 12 |
Aaron Sinko | TE/DL | 5’10 | 205 | 11 |
Sean Kramer | TE/LB | 5’10 | 187 | 11 |
Connor Felty | RB/LB | 5’10 | 185 | 11 |
Jacob Fletcher | RB/LB | 5’9 | 154 | 10 |
Danny Trezise | RB/LB | 5’8 | 166 | 9 |
Jace Bedway | TE/LB | 5’10 | 170 | 10 |
Preston McCormick | WR/DB | 5’7 | 121 | 9 |
Connor Palerino | OL/LB | 5’6 | 194 | 11 |
Chase Rushanan | OL/DL | 5’7 | 187 | 9 |
George Shimko | OL/DL | 6’3 | 230 | 12 |
Carson Killian | OL/DL | 6’3 | 290 | 9 |
Gage Chapman | OL/DL | 5’9 | 240 | 9 |
Vaughn Vesay | OL/DL | 6′ | 266 | 11 |
Luke Stausser | OL/DL | 6′ | 186 | 10 |
Dalton Seisler | OL/DL | 5’10 | 208 | 12 |
Aidan Ricard | OL/DL | 6′ | 240 | 12 |
Marshall Dolbin | OL/DL | 6’1 | 232 | 10 |
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