Nathan Rogers of Muncy shakes of the sort out try by a Sayre defender at Muncy High School Saturday evening in Muncy.
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MUNCY–Not many individuals knew how harmful a receiver Nate Rogers could possibly be. Many others have been unsure Muncy may proceed its winning methods this season.
Well, Rogers is growing into one of many space’s premier receivers and Muncy has received 4 straight video games. A 12 months after graduating most of their starters from a Class A state semifinalist, Rogers and his teammates are having fun with silencing the doubters.
Rogers caught 5 passes for 86 yards and returned a punt 65 yards for a landing in a single half of play and Muncy dominated all aspects Saturday evening at Scott McLean Field, blanking Sayre, 42-0. Andrew Walters accounted for 3 touchdowns, Muncy (4-1, 3-0 NTL-II) scored 28 first quarter factors, and the protection produced its second straight shutout because the Indians constructed momentum coming into Friday’s Old Shoe showdown towards rival Montgomery.
“After losing a bunch of good players, not many people thought we would be good this year, so being 4-1 feels really good,” Rogers mentioned. “We’re proving to people that we’re still a good team.”
Muncy has the identical report midway by way of the common season because it did a 12 months in the past. Loads of names have modified, however the outcomes haven’t. The Indians have come mild years from the place they have been once they opened the season with a 21-7 loss towards Warrior Run.
Kyle Feigles of Muncy goes up for a ball thrown to him towards Sayre at Muncy High School Saturday evening in Muncy.
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In its first residence sport since that opener, Muncy proved it once more. The beginning protection didn’t permit some extent for a 3rd consecutive sport and the starters scored on all 4 possessions as Muncy landed an early knockout blow, permitting its youngest gamers ample taking part in alternative all through the ultimate 2 ½ quarters.
“Going back to camp and the summer, each week they are getting better. That’s the goal and you see where we are after 10 weeks and try and be the best version of ourselves,” Muncy coach Chris Persing mentioned. “They’ve done a nice job understanding what we’re trying to do each week, and they are coming every day ready to work.”
That is what Persing and his employees are particularly having fun with. Persing is a first-year coach, so Muncy needed to study new offensive and defensive programs on high of the roster change. The Indians are proving fast learners and sturdy gamers as effectively.
The final aim this season is to not peak at 4-1, however to maintain constructing. Still, reaching this level and figuring out they will nonetheless get higher has the Indians enthusiastic about what’s growing.
“That first game there were many things we could have done better. From there to here, we’ve improved significantly,” Rogers mentioned. “We’re just getting better as we go. The more games we play, the less mistakes we’re making.”
Andrew Walters (10) and Roman Maioriana of Muncy rejoice after Walters scores a landing towards Sayre at Muncy High School Saturday evening in Muncy.
DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
“Practices have been good. They’ve been really fun to coach. We have a group that wants to learn and get better every week,” Persing mentioned. “That’s what these guys do. They’re competitors. A lot of these guys have had a lot of success and not just in football. They want to do well and they’re going to put in the effort to do well.”
That contains Rogers who continues constructing off a powerful conclusion to his sophomore season. He missed seven video games with an harm final fall, however Rogers returned for the postseason and made a big effect, intercepting three passes and excelling on particular groups.
He continues performing effectively in these roles however now is also exhibiting his offensive prowess. Muncy honored 2024 Pennsylvania Player of the Year Austin Johnson at halftime Saturday, presenting him his all-state photograph in addition to a state wrestling championship ring. Johnson and Landyn Wommer mixed to run for 4,532 yards and 63 touchdowns final 12 months, so Muncy didn’t should throw the ball typically.
With these dynamic gamers in faculty now, Muncy has tailored and gone to a extra open offense. Rogers is prospering on this new look, catching 21 passes for 387 yards and 5 touchdowns.
It’s not simply the stats, however the catches Rogers is making. He is a deep risk but additionally sturdy at gaining yards after the catch. And he made a superb 29-yard catch regardless of tight protection proper alongside the sideline, displaying the arms which have typically made him open even when he isn’t essentially that open.
Andrew Walters of Muncy scores a landing towards Sayre at Muncy High School Saturday evening in Muncy.
DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
“He’s a very good athlete. He’s a very hard worker. He understands what we’re trying to do, and he shows up and tries to get better every day,” Persing mentioned. “I think all our guys try and do that, but I think you’re seeing his effort really pay off. When he has the opportunity to make plays and get the ball in his hands, he makes plays.”
Rogers was denied his sixth landing reception after turning a brief move into what regarded like a 39-yard first quarter landing due to a holding penalty. A couple of minutes later, he discovered one other solution to rating, catching a punt on the run, making a fast minimize towards the sideline, making one final transfer inside the ten and capping a 65-yard landing return untouched whereas placing Muncy forward, 14-0.
“I caught the ball and saw them all coming at me. They weren’t slowing down, so I took a step to the left and just went for the sideline,” Rogers mentioned. “I saw a hole and went through it. There was one guy to miss near the end, and I was able to do that and get the score.”
The scores stored coming from there. Walters (64 dashing yards, 48 passing) ripped off a 41-yard landing run for the sport’s opening factors, following two Nixon Lamper blocks across the edge and downfield. Following a Wes Somits 16-yard landing, Walters capped the primary quarter eruption as Carter Feigles made a superb catch for an 8-yard landing.
Walters made it 4 for 4 for the beginning offense, rolling left and scoring from 9 yards out as Muncy opened a 35-0 lead simply previous quarter-hour into the sport. Sophomore Layken Harris capped the scoring within the fourth quarter, trucking two defenders and breaking unfastened for a 78-yard landing.
The line of defense of Muncy pressures Sayre quarterback Declan Barry at Muncy High School Saturday evening in Muncy.
DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
“We got the mercy rule right away which is what we wanted. That was awesome,” Rogers mentioned. “We got the young guys some experience and that was a big thing, too.”
Muncy’s beginning protection stifled all the things Sayre tried and the one first down the Redskins produced towards it got here by way of penalty. Those starters haven’t allowed some extent in three consecutive video games and restricted Sayre to 16 yards on 19 performs earlier than exiting early.
Gavin Barrows arrange a landing with a leaping interception and each Lamper and Nassir Miller arrange actual property in Sayre’s backfield. Harris and Maddix Snyder added sacks.
All have been positives as Muncy turns the web page and prepares for the Old Shoe Game. This would be the first time each groups are three video games or extra above .500 once they play within the 2000s. It has all of the makings for a brilliant sport in entrance of an enormous crowd.
Muncy, nevertheless is holding its focus upon itself greater than something.
Wes Somits (42) of Muncy runs for a landing towards Sayre at Muncy High School Saturday evening in Muncy.
DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
“You can’t worry about the opponent. You just prepare all week and then enjoy Friday night when it gets here,” Persing mentioned. “It will be a great environment. It’s going to be a big crowd, your rival, and it will be an exciting game.”
Muncy 42, Sayre 0
Sayre 0 0 0 0―0
Muncy 28 7 0 7―42
First Quarter
M–Andrew Walters 41 run (Austin Hartzel kick), 8:40
M–Nate Rogers 65 punt return (Lucas McCahan kick), 6:51
M–Wes Somits 16 run (Nolan Trostle kick), 4:18
M–Carter Feigles 8 move from Walters (Hartzel kick), 2:23
Second Quarter
M–Walters 9 run (McCahan kick), 8:59
Fourth Quarter
M–Layken Harris 78 run (Trostle kick), 4:23
TEAM STATISTICS S M
First Downs 7 13
Rushes-yards 33-56 14-175
Passing yards 45 127
Total yards 101 302
Comp-Att-Int 3-12-1 8-14-0
Fumbles-lost 5-1 2-0
Penalties-yards 3-15 4-35
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING: Muncy, Lakyen Harris 3-80, TD; Andrew Walters 3-64, 2 TD; Wes Somits 5-43, TD; Noah Weikle 3-(-12). Sayre, Hudson Malanoski 12-36; Riley Johnson 17-32; Declan Berry 4-(-12).
PASSING: Sayre, Barry 3-11-1, 45 yards; Malanoski 0-1-0. Muncy, Walters 5-8-0, 48 yards, TD; Weikle 3-6-0, 79 yards.
RECEIVING: Sayre, Quinn Chandler 2-35; Johnson 1-10. Muncy, Nate Rogers 5-86; Chayce Scampone 1-26; Carter Feigles 1-8, TD; Roman Maiorana 1-7.
INTERCEPTIONS: Muncy, Gavin Barrows.
SACKS: Sayre, Malanoski. Muncy, Harris, Maddix Snyder.
Records: Muncy 4-1, 3-0 NTL-II. Sayre 0-5.
Nasir Miller of Muncy runs with the ball towards Sayre at Muncy High School Saturday evening in Muncy.
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Nathan Rogers (11) celebrates with crew mate Nick Delany of Muncy after Rogers scores a landing towards Sayre at Muncy High School Saturday evening in Muncy.
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Nathan Rogers of Muncy runs for a landing towards Sayre at Muncy High School Saturday evening in Muncy.
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Former Muncy wrestler and soccer participant Austin Johnson is honored throughout half time at Muncy High School Saturday evening in Muncy.
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Muncy play Sayre at Muncy High School Saturday evening in Muncy. The blue quantity 2 on the 20 yard line marker was positioned in honor of former scholar Austin Johnson.
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Muncy gamers knee and pray earlier than their sport towards Sayre at Muncy High School Saturday evening in Muncy.
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