MIDD-WEST | MUSTANGS PIAA DISTRICT 4
CLASS 3A
HEARTLAND DIVISION 2 2021 SCHEDULE
Changes abound for Mustangs, Adams
Aug 27 at Central Columbia* Sept. 3 at Danville* Sept. 10 Mifflinburg* Sept. 17 Bloomsburg Sept. 24 Lewisburg* Oct 1 North Penn-Mansfield Oct. 8 at Juniata Oct. 15 Montoursville* Oct. 22 at Central Mountain Oct. 29 Halifax *-PHAC-2 GAME
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ance Adams has had to deal with one major change since moving from assistant coach to head coach at Midd-West. “Organization has been the biggest thing,” Adams said, noting he had to handle “essential but non-football things,” such as equipment handout, player physicals and team camp. The biggest difference on the field will come on the defensive side. “Defensively, we will change our scheme entirely,” Adams said. “We’re going to play a 3-5, and be really aggressive out of it. We’re going to try to make things happen defensively.” New defensive coordinator John Punako is directing the defense, and Adams said he’s pleased with the early returns. “Coach Punako has done a really good job putting it in,” Adams said. “The players are enjoying it, and have to bought into not sitting back and being aggressive.” The Mustangs defenders are getting prepared for a high-risk, high-reward defensive scheme. “We’re going to be aggressive, so we’ve stressed to them that it’s a double22
2020 RESULTS (1-7)
BY KURT RITZMAN
CHRISTIAN REGESTER
edged sword,” Adams said. “We’re going to make things happen, but with being aggressive, you can give up big plays. We need to have a next-play mentality on defense.” Midd-West returns some key defensive pieces to take on new roles and assignments. “Our secondary is pretty much a holdover from last year,” Adams said. “Our defensive line all played, and our linebackers have some experience. But linebacker is the biggest hole we have to fill.” However, the Mustangs do return junior Austin Dorman at middle linebacker, one of the most important positions in a 3-5. “He’s tenacious, and he has a competitive mentality that’s infectious to the rest of the team,” Adams said. “He stands all of 5-(foot)-6, so he’s not overly tall, but he’s built like a fire hydrant. He’s nonstop and downhill. He’s got a little edge to him, so he fits the role very well.”
AUGUST 2021 | INSIDE PENNSYLVANIA GAME NIGHT
He also has taken charge of the defense, and is helping his teammates learn the new system, according to Adams. “He’s growing into a leader role,” Adams said. “I’m pleased with his maturity as a player and as a defensive leader.” Offensively, the biggest question mark is how the Mustangs will replace the production of Hunter Wolfley. The 2021 graduate rushed for 1,364 yards and 13 touchdowns on 166 carries last year, good for 8.2 yards per carry. Wolfley was also Midd-West’s leading receiver a year ago. “We’re not replacing him,” Adams said. “I don’t want anybody to be Hunter Wolfley. I want them to be the best versions of themselves.” Adams said that means the Mustangs are going to take a more balanced approach in terms of ball distribution. “We’re going to have to pick up the slack piecemeal, rather than trying to put it all on any one guy,” Adams said.
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at Montoursville at Danville at Central Col. at Lewisburg Mifflinburg Hughesville at Bloomsburg Shikellamy
56-7 55-22 42-20 35-28 35-33 30-10 28-2 27-6
5-YEAR WIN TREND
5* 4* 1 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 *-PLAYOFFS; &-DISTRICT CHAMPION #-PIAA CHAMPION
2020 STAT LEADERS PASSING C-A C. Regester 42-115 RUSHING Att Hunter Wolfley 166 Trey Lauver 48 Austin Dorman 10 RECEIVING Rec Hunter Wolfley 14 Eli Swann 18 Corey Reinard 3
Int TD 9 4 Yards 1,364 157 21 Yards 269 203 68
Yds 571 TDs 13 2 0 TDs 3 1 1
RETURNEES IN BOLD
“I told them it was like the parts of the body. Everybody has to do their own part, so the body as a whole can function.”
