Lampeter-Strasburg quarterback Caileb Howse (13) scrambles for a first down. PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRIS KNIGHT / LNP|LANCASTERONLINE
Justin Staggers
Managing Editor
PIAA Class 4A Player of the Year.
All-State Quarterback.
Led Lampeter-Strasburg to its first state championship appearance.
The accolades for Caileb Howse go on and on—and after his historic season, so did the offers.
But the Lancaster native is staying home.
On Jan. 26, Howse announced his commitment to Millersville University via X, just months after a senior campaign that Lancaster County sports fans won’t soon forget. He passed for over 1,600 yards and 18 touchdowns while rushing for 1,440 yards and 20 more scores.
His impact wasn’t limited to offense. Playing safety, Howse recorded six interceptions—four of which he returned for touchdowns.
Lampeter-Strasburg’s do-it-all guy helped the Pioneers reach their first-ever state championship game, proving they could compete on a stage typically dominated by private-school powerhouses. His performance throughout the regular season and playoffs drew interest from several schools, including Widener, Bloomsburg, and Albright.
“The recruiting process was fun but exhausting from mid-December until the end of January,” Howse said. “We traveled a lot in the car, visited a bunch of schools, met great people—it definitely made the decision difficult.”
But when Millersville head coach JC Morgan and his staff entered the picture late in the process, everything started to fall into place.
“[The Millersville coaches] treated me well on the visit and throughout the recruiting process,” Howse shared. “While I was there, I liked the feel of the campus and the environment in general. The players on the team were easy to interact with and really open about sharing their experiences. I also like the idea of being 20 minutes from home—I’m far enough to have the college experience, but close enough to visit family, do laundry, and have dinner.”
Howse will be joining a familiar face at Millersville in lineman Tre Spahr, a fellow Lampeter-Strasburg graduate. And just days after Howse’s commitment, Dominic Brown— his close friend and running back/linebacker who played a key role in his team’s state title run—also announced his decision to join the Marauders.
The commitments by Howse, Brown, and other local products are a positive sign for the future of Millersville football. Lancaster has long been home to elite football talent, but many top recruits have previously chosen to play their collegiate football elsewhere. Having a strong pipeline of local talent will be crucial for the program’s success going forward.
While it’s impossible to put a timeline on a program turnaround, the potential for success is undeniable.
“I don’t really approach it from an underdog perspective,” said Howse. “But I do try to play QB like a football player. I’m aggressive and love to both run the ball and pass it. So, whatever I can do to help the team…I’m ready.”