Title dreams alive for some
None of the area’s four Division II and III college football teams started the season favored to win a conference championship.
Muhlenberg, Kutztown, East Stroudsburg and Moravian all head into the back half of their schedules with title dreams alive.
Let’s look at where all the local small-college football teams stand as we head into the final five weeks of the regular season.
MUHLENBERG (5-0, 2-0 CENTENNIAL CONFERENCE)
The Mules have lived up to their preseason billing as a Centennial Conference contender. Junior quarterback Joe Repetti has been named the conference offensive player of the week the past two weeks. He leads the Centennial Conference in passing yards (1,412), touchdown passes (18) and passing efficiency (200.77) while ranking second in completion percentage (71.0).
The Mules’ defense has matched the Repetti-led offense. Muhlenberg has stifled opponents on the ground (2.2 yards per carry) and allowed a league-low 13.0 points per game. Their pass rush has also boosted its production in recent weeks, with linebacker Tim Higgins (Emmaus) and defensive end Blaze Curry (Southern Lehigh) among those leading the way.
Muhlenberg’s home date Oct. 28 against preseason favorite Johns Hopkins could be a de facto championship game. Muhlenberg is ranked No. 21 in the D3football. com Top 25; Johns Hopkins is No. 10.
The Mules need to navigate their final two Centennial Conference road trips, to Gettysburg and Dickinson, before worrying about Johns Hopkins. Milne would also like to see improved play from Muhlenberg’s special teams. The Mules had five special-teams penalty in their closest game to date, a 28-20 win at Ursinus.
KUTZTOWN (4-2, 3-0 PSAC EAST)
The Golden Bears have ripped off four straight wins after starting the season with losses to Assumption and California (Pa.). Their defense has delivered throughout their winning streak.
Kutztown held Bloomsburg to three points last week, the second time in three PSAC East games it hasn’t allowed a touchdown. Two local products — defensive lineman Freddie Retter (Quakertown) and linebacker Tyler Whary (Upper Perkiomen) — have played pivotal roles for a unit holding foes to 85.2 rushing yards and 18.2 points per game.
The Golden Bears already own wins over PSAC East contenders Shepherd, the preseason favorite, and East Stroudsburg. Their PSAC East finale at West Chester projects as their toughest remaining league game, though Millersville and Lock Haven have proven feisty through six games.
EAST STROUDSBURG (5-1, 2-1 PSAC EAST)
The Warriors’ wealth of experience has vaulted them into contending position. They lead the PSAC in rushing offense (191.5 yards per game) and rushing defense (76.2 yards per game) while ranking second in scoring offense (38.3 points per game) and scoring defense (19.0).
ESU has won despite starting three quarterbacks through six games. Consistent production from wide receiver John Siggins (Parkland) and running back Tyron Lewis (473 rushing yards, third in the PSAC) have helped the Warriors win no matter who runs their offense.
ESU likely needs a victory Saturday at West Chester to keep its division-title hopes alive. The Warriors have lost nine straight against the Golden Rams. ESU also has a Nov. 4 trip to Shepherd on its schedule, giving it a tough finish.
MORAVIAN (3-3, 2-0 LANDMARK CONFERENCE)
The return to health of junior quarterback Jared Jenkins (Freedom) plus a move to the Landmark Conference for the league’s inaugural football season has the Greyhounds looking for their first winning record since 2015.
Jenkins repeated as the conference’s offensive athlete of the week Monday after throwing for 264 yards and five touchdowns in a 36-28 win over Catholic. He leads the conference in touchdown passes (17) and passing yards (1,618).
The Greyhounds have also started to see growth from their defense. Linebacker Clay Basile (Bethlehem Catholic), junior defensive lineman Jeremy McGuigan (Quakertown) and EJ Harvey have led an improved pass rush that has generated 12 sacks, tied for second-most in the conference.