After nearly nine months away from Friday night lights, Week 1 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League did not disappoint.
The Muhlenberg Muhls and Schuylkill Valley Panthers both showed up ready to compete under the blazing August sun, which would begin to set around halftime.
In the end, the Muhls came out on top with a commanding 45-14 victory at Leesport on Friday night in their Section 2-5 matchup.
“It was just to play as the collective,” senior Fred Lacey said of the game plan heading into Week 1. “We were underdogs coming into this game, and we just showed out. So I love it.”
There was a bit of déjà vu from last season’s opener as Fred Lacey quickly reminded the Panthers of his name with an 89-yard kickoff return to start the game. Last year, Lacey had a 95-yard return against Schuylkill Valley, an eerily similar start to the 2025 season.
“This one felt even better, because to come on their place and score right on the opening kickoff,” Lacey said. “I love kick returning; it gets our crowd hype, and it gives us momentum. I love when they kick to me.”
That’s something upcoming opponents of the Muhls should keep in mind. As head coach, Rob Flowers knew, once Lacey caught the ball, it was a house call.
“Touchdown,” Flowers said, of what was running through his mind. “We prepare for that, we have kids that can run. We just have to get everyone to buy in, make the right blocks, and honestly, we were surprised when they kicked it to him.”
After making a statement to start the game, the Muhls quickly forced a three-and-out and took over at their own 34-yard line.
Following a series of runs gaining six, three, and five yards, sophomore quarterback Adriel Baez threw a swing pass to his right to Michael Miller, who then broke free for a 62-yard touchdown, the second score of the game.
Just four minutes into the game, the Muhls held a 14-0 lead, with every ounce of momentum on their side.
Both teams exchanged possessions before Muhlenberg found itself again driving deep into Panthers territory.
However, on a fourth-and-long, Baez’s pass sailed over his receiver in the end zone and was intercepted by Josiah Urbaez.
Starting from their own 20-yard line, the Panthers drove into Muhls’ territory, highlighted by a 15-yard reception from Alex Aletras to Logan Cammuaf on a waggle-boot play to the right.
Aletras then powered through on an 18-yard quarterback run, driving the Panthers inside the 10-yard line.
One play later, Brandon Plye took a pitch to the left and punched it in through the pylon for a 10-yard touchdown, helped by a lead blocker who delivered a pancake block to clear the way for the Panthers’ first score of the season.
The Panthers then held the Muhls on the next drive, regaining possession at their own 10-yard line.
The Panthers’ next drive stalled, leading to a punt. But a high snap sailed over Reese Wamsher’s head, resulting in a safety. That play extended the Muhls’ lead to 16-7 with 6:53 remaining until halftime.
The Muhls made the most of their favorable field position, driving deep inside the 10-yard line.
Facing a third-and-five from the nine, Baez targeted his receiver on a corner route to the back left of the end zone. However, the receiver and defensive back tangled feet, though no penalty was called.
The Muhls settled for a 21-yard field goal, successfully kicked by Derek Shupp.
The Panthers had two more chances to close the gap but couldn’t get anything going, leaving the Muhls with a 19-7 lead at halftime.
The Panthers received the ball to start the second half, completing passes for eight and 15 yards before being forced to punt.
The Muhls took over at their own 22-yard line. After a five-yard run by Cameron Small, Baez again found his No. 1 receiver, this time on a deep go route.
The ball seemed to hang in the air forever, and it looked like it might be overthrown, but the speedy Miller was able to track it down and sprinted 73 yards to the end zone for his second touchdown of the day.
“It’s just been offseason work with me and him,” Miller said of their chemistry. “We hit the field so much during the off-season, and it finally showed. It’s just going to keep going up from here.”
On the very first play of the next possession, Lacey intercepted Aletras on a go route, giving the Muhls the ball back.
That turnover sparked a 9-play, 44-yard drive, capped off by a touchdown run from Cam Small, his first of the season, with 3:30 left in the third quarter.
Schuylkill Valley responded with a quality drive of its own.
After a 24-yard reception on a running back screen by Cammuaf on third-and-long, Aletras connected with Plye on a deep go route for a 40-yard touchdown, cutting the Muhls’ lead to 31-14 as the fourth quarter began.
But the Muhls didn’t let up, responding with back-to-back scoring drives.
Baez extended the lead with a 22-yard quarterback keeper, followed by Small’s second touchdown of the night on a 12-yard run.
The Panthers struggled to find their rhythm on offense, a challenge Miller attributed to the Muhls’ relentless physicality and tireless effort. They held Schuylkill Valley’s top backs, Cammuaf and Plye, to just 46 yards on 13 carries, an average of 3.5 yards per rush.
Aletras finished the game with 148 yards and one touchdown, completing 12 of 27 passes.
On the other side of the field, the Muhls showcased a well-rounded offensive attack.
Baez completed 9 of 14 passes for 236 yards and two touchdowns through the air, while also adding 47 yards and another score on the ground.
Running back Cam Small carried the ball 18 times for 68 yards and two touchdowns, and Michael Miller caught four passes for 156 yards and two scores.
With eight home games on the schedule, Muhlenberg’s locker room feels a different energy this season, one of confidence and belief that this win is just a building block to something bigger.
“We still have another level that these young men can get to,” Flowers said.
As for Schuylkill Valley, the Panthers may have started 2025 with a loss, but they know how to bounce back; they won Section 5 last year.
Source: Berkshire mont