Records don’t always tell the full story of a high school football season, and that’s definitely true for the Fleetwood Tigers in 2024.
The Tigers finished 3-7 in 2024, with four of those losses coming in one-score, tight games, something head coach Steve Pangburn and his team know they’ll need to change in 2025.
“When I go back to last year and you look at it from my perspective, being in the heat of the battles, we have four one-possession games. So, yes, you look at it, 3-7. Not good. But, when you’re on that sideline and you realize four one-possession games, things go one way, that’s easily converted to a 7-3 record. The character that these guys have, they’ll fight through those tough times, and we’re hoping that some of those conversions go our way,” Pangburn said.
The Tigers sat at 3-3 before ending the season on a four-game losing streak, dropping all six of their Section 3 matchups.
One key to turning their fortune around is rostering a team that is more “we” than “me.”
“I feel like the effort we’ve been putting in this year is way more than we did last year,” junior Chase Adams said. “We gel completely, as one cohesive unit. It’s all together. I haven’t seen one player say, ‘Me, me, me.’ It’s always been us. I feel like that’s the turning point that we needed.”
Pangburn added that he’s seen a shift in the locker room throughout the summer leading up to training camp.
“This is by far the highest-character team that we’ve had, and I feel like the culture is finally turning to what we envisioned,” Pangburn said. “Sometimes takes time, but I think that we’re kind of to the fruits of our labor with that process. And these kids, it’s amazing the way they fight together. I don’t hear a lot of ‘I’ at practice. It’s all ‘we’. So as a coach, it’s a blessing to come coach these kids every day.”
Another change the Tigers will bring to the field this season is a shift from a gap scheme to a zone-blocking scheme.
The coaching staff felt it was best to simplify the playbook, less thinking on every snap, and more just playing ball.
One player expected to take a big step forward this season is senior quarterback Chase McMonagle.
Despite missing half of last season due to injury, he lit up the stat sheet when healthy.
McMonagle finished second in the league in passing with 1,380 yards and threw 10 touchdowns in just six games, topping 300 passing yards in three of them.
“As a lineman, we just love him,” senior Gabriel Narvez said of McMonagle. “He’s a leader and he’s confident.”
While the Tigers will miss key two-way contributors Tristin McFarland and Landen Hare, they’re counting on a deep group of returners to step up and help the team take the next step in Section 3.
Coach: Steve Pangburn, fourth season, 11-20 overall.
Last year’s record: 0-6, Lancaster-Lebanon Section 3, 3-7.
Key players lost: ATH Tristin McFarland, OL Brandon Delgrosso, DE Landen Hare
Key players returning: QB Chase McMonagle, RB/DE Bryce Ryan, RB Nathan Kummerer, WR Dwyan Moore, WR/DB Chase Adams, ATH/DB Beau Fegely, OL/DT Shane Pekuri, OL/DL Gabriel Narvez.
3 keys to success in 2025
1. Find ways to win tight ball games: As mentioned, the Tigers dropped four games by just one score last season. To make noise at the top of Section 3, they’ll need to learn how to close out those tight contests.
2. Take care of the football: Winning the turnover battle accounts for roughly 70% of victories, and if the Tigers hope to improve in 2025, protecting the football will be crucial.
“I would just say taking a little bit better care of the ball, our quarterback (McMonagle) now with some experience under his belt, who we absolutely love,” Pangburn said. “There were some crucial late-game turnovers, and he’ll learn from that experience and make some better decisions.”
3. Defense needs improvement: The Tigers gave up an average of 33 points in their seven losses, making it incredibly difficult to stay competitive. If they want to turn things around in 2025, tightening up defensively and finding ways to limit scoring will be a top priority.
Schedule: Aug. 22, Kutztown; Aug. 29, Upper Perkiomen; Sept. 5, at Schuylkill Valley; Sept. 12, at Conrad Weiser; Sept. 19, Garden Spot; Sept. 26, at Kennard-Dale; Oct. 3, Warwick; Oct. 10, at Manheim Central; Oct. 17, Solanco; Oct. 24, at Cocalico.
Source: Berkshire mont