2023 Northern Tier League Small School Division Preview
Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 4, News
Ed Weaver | August 22, 2023
The last two seasons Muncy has claimed the Small School Division championships, sweeping the division both years. This year the Indians will look for their third in a row, while the other five teams look to dethrone them.
2022 Final NTL Large School Division Standings
| TEAM | DIV | LG | OVR | STREAK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muncy | 5-0 | 7-0 | 10-1 | L1 |
| South Williamsport | 4-1 | 5-2 | 6-4 | L1 |
| Northwest Area | 3-2 | 5-3 | 5-6 | L5 |
| Columbia Montour Vo-Tech | 2-3 | 2-3 | 5-5 | W2 |
| Montgomery | 1-4 | 1-6 | 1-9 | L7 |
| Cowanesque Valley | 0-5 | 0-7 | 0-9 | L9 |
2023 Team Previews
CMVT Rams – Class 4A
Head Coach: Mark Varner
Columbia Montour Vo-Tech finished with a .500 record for the first time since the 2007 season in 2022 (5-5), scoring wins over Shenandoah Valley, Holy Cross, Cowanesque Valley, Montgomery, and Bucktail.
Returning Starters: Gabe Souder (DE), Caden Long (QB), Gannon Earnest (OT/DE), Ashton Smith (OLB), Logan Bracey (CB), Mason Haught (FB/LB)
Key Newcomers: Axton Koser (WR/CB), Braxton Brown (TB), Kaden Derr (WR), Brayden Benjamin (C)
Key Starters Lost: Toby Zajac, Tommy Bond, Chase Koncsler, Jake Davenport
Season Outlook: “Our number one goal is to be competitive in every game. Once that happens an above .500 record will follow.”
Cowanesque Valley Indians – Class 3A
Head Coach: Joe Leonard
A year after qualifying for the District IV Class 3A playoffs, Cowanesque Valley struggled under first-year head coach Joe Leonard. The were young, not one senior on their team. This year, they bring everyone back and are making to pull off a few upsets.
Returning Starters: Graham Hess, Fletcher Good, Aspyn Dennis, Pete Wendell
Key Newcomers: Dave Hess, Kegan Lane
Key Starters Lost: Carter Ackley (injury)
Season Outlook: “Improvement on what we installed last year and competitiveness.”
Montgomery Red Raiders – Class 1A
Head Coach: Cory Tice
A year after being the #3 seed in the District IV playoffs, 2022 was a tough one for the Red Raiders. After an 0-2 start Montgomery defeated Cowanesque Valley 36-20 on the road for their lone win of the season. Under new head coach Cory Tice, who has ties to Troy, the Red Raiders are looking to rebound and get back in the hunt for D4’s Class 1A championship.
Season Outlook: “Being in year one, I cannot speak to any of the returning players’ football abilities, but what I can speak to, is their character. They have expressed their level of unhappiness of last year’s outcome, and they have been working their tails off in the weight room to correct it. We are a young team with a lot of work to do to reach our goals. The men have not pushed away from hard work, and that in itself is a step in the right direction. We are getting back to the roots of football, we are going to love our lineman, and play physically. We are excited to get started officially and ready to continue working hard and start competing. Go Raiders!”
Muncy Indians – Class 1A
Head Coach: Sean Tetreault
The last two seasons the Muncy Indians have lost three combined games and have finished runner up to Canton in the District IV Class 1A playoffs. The five-time District IV champions have had a great run under Coach Tetreault, amassing a 63-31 (.670) record. This year the Indians are determined to return to the top of Class 1A in District IV.
Returning Starters: Noah Confer (WR), Cameron Kamerer (TE/DE), Eli Harris (LT), Kenny Hampe (LG/DT), Brayden Trostle (C), Braydon Kamerer (RG/DT), Gabe Stark (RT), Austin Johnson (RB), Jacob Fowler (LB), Landyn Wommer (LB)
Key Newcomers: Stiles Eyer (QB/DB), Paxton Derr (WR/DB), Carter Fiegles (WR/DB)
Key Starters Lost: Branson Eyer (QB/DB), Ross Eyer (WE/DB), Jason Shuda (LB)
Season Outlook: “We bring the entire offensive line and are excited about the hard work they have all put in this off-season. A 3 headed backfield of Austin Johnson (All-State RB), Jacob Fowler and Landyn Wommer should take pressure off of the passing game and allow Stiles Eyer the ability to ease into the starting QB Role. Noah Confer coming into the season healthy is a great addition and looks to be a major contributor for our football team.”
Northwest Area Rangers – Class 1A
Head Coach: Leigh Bonczewski
Northwest Area returned to District IV last year with Carl Majer. Coach Majer is now coaching at Danville and the Rangers are now being led by Leigh Bonczewski. The Rangers qualified for the District IV Class 1A playoffs last year, falling to Muncy in the opening round, putting them one game under .500 (5-6) for the year. The Rangers were one of the state’s “hottest teams” to begin 2022, starting off 4-1 before stumbling and finishing out the season.
Season Outlook: “Our offseason was a little chaotic at first but now everything has been running smooth. We had a lot of great summer workouts. We’re struggling with numbers but the kids we do have a very committed. We want to be able to run the ball and make sure we improve each week.”
Sayre Redskins – Class 1A
Head Coach: Ricky Lindblad
After not fielding a Varsity team in 2022 the Redskins return under new head coach Ricky Lindblad. With their athletes ready, and coming off a 5-6 2021 season, the Redskins are hungry to compete.
Returning Starters: Kaden Bennett (RB/LB), Will Crossett (OL/DL)
Key Newcomers: Karter Green (TE/WR/LB), Jamier Kole (WR/RB/DB), Nick Pellicano (QB/DB), Tanner Green (QB/TE/WR/LB)
Key Starters Lost: Zack Garrity, Jackson Hubbert
Season Outlook: “We’re looking forward to having a favorite team on the field with a new coaching staff. We are looking to build the foundations to have a successful season as we look to compete for the NTL Small School title and qualify for districts.”
South Williamsport Mountaineers – Class 1A
Head Coach: Chris Eiswerth
Since returning to the NTL in 2005 the Mounties have been a force in the Small School Division winning four consecutive championships from 2012-2015. Last year the Mounties finished the regular season 6-3 while only playing 9 games, including a 16-10 OT win over Hughesville. Following a season-opening loss to Milton, South Williamsport ran off three straight wins, then dropped two to Canton and Muncy, before finishing the season with wins over Wellsboro, Hughesville, and Northwest Area before fall to Canton in the opening round of the District IV playoffs.
Returning Starters: Amir Kemrer, Ryan Casella, Kiaser Kistner, Radley Knapp, Dylan Scheller, Landyn Gephart, Chris Confer, Evan Tortellet, Paxton Gephart, Owen Bird, Ben Ferris, Garrett Cooley
Key Newcomers: Caleb Neidig, Tanner Smith, Max Wilton, Tadd Lusk, Jonah White, Elijah Harvey, Evan Ogdan, Jack Fortin, Jadn Hamm
Key Starters Lost: Conner Apker, Austin Bowersox, Caden Harris, Ryan Fry
Season Outlook: “The 2023 Mountaineers have had a great offseason. They have worked very hard in the weight room and on the practice field. They are poised for a super season. South Williamsport has had a great off-season that has produced much competition on the practice field. We have some great kids returning, and some very talented players stepping up and improving over the past year. They return 8 starters on offense that gained nearly 2,000 yards rushing and over 700 yards passing a year ago. They return 8 starters on defense that allowed 19 points a game a year ago. The Mountaineers have made the playoffs 11 straight years. They return Chris Confer, Evan Tortellet, Owen Bird, and Paxton Gephart on the offensive line. Radley Knapp, Ryan Casella, Amir Kemrer, Garrett Cooley and Kaiser Kistner return in the backfield. Landyn Gephart and Dylan Scheller return as wide recievers and combined for 35 catches and nearly 600 yards a year ago. Ben Ferris is a returning defensive tackle that could be one of the best in the area. Chris Confer and Evan Tortellet also return on the defensive line and have started for 3 years. Ryan Casella, Kaiser Kistner and Garrett Cooley return at the linebacking core where they combined for over 135 tackles a year ago. Dylan Scheller returns at corner from a breakout year having 4 interceptions.”
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