Under first-year head coach Rob Flowers, the Muhlenberg Muhls endured a rocky start, but it served as a much-needed stepping stone as they look to take another step forward in 2025.
Muhlenberg opened the 2024 season 2-1, playing nine road games due to issues with their newly installed turf, and ended the regular season on a six-game losing streak.
However, they ended 2024 on a high note, winning 24-0 over William Allen in the Eastern Conference 5A/6A title game.
“You could definitely just tell (change with Flowers taking over),” lineman Zavier Otero said of Flowers’ first year. “The weight room numbers just exploded up after him, and just the love for the game. The hard work and dedication we put into it is definitely a big aspect of it.”
The weight room has played a major role in the Muhls’ growth, and it’s something the program has fully embraced at Muhlenberg.
“I’m looking forward to it, man, because it’s a new level of confidence when you get stronger, when your body is doing different things, it’s a whole other level of confidence,” Flowers said. “So, that’s awesome.”
In addition to their work in the weight room, the Muhls return a wealth of experienced talent who’ve already proven themselves under the Friday night lights.
Leading the way is running back Cameron Small, who headlines a skilled group that also includes Michael Miller, Fred Lacey, and Adriel Baez.
After transferring from Reading High, Cameron Small exploded for 2,051 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns out of the backfield. He became just the fifth player in Berks history to surpass the 2,000-yard mark and also earned second team LL honors as a defensive back.
“He got stronger, quicker, and faster,” Flowers said of Small. “He’s locked in. Man, he’s a hungry, hungry kid. You take a kid like him and feed him a little, and he runs with a purpose and passion. He runs like it’s going to be his last run of his life. I’m looking forward to watching him.”
Alongside Small, Miller is expected to be a key contributor on both sides of the ball.
Last season, the versatile senior playmaker totaled over 400 yards both rushing and receiving.
“We’re going to use him in those different roles, because he’s a very explosive football player on the offensive side,” Flowers said of Miller. “He’s one of our playmakers.”
After playing just one home game last year, the Muhls are set to host eight this season, a change that could give them a real boost.
“It’s definitely a great feeling knowing that we’re here for eight games out of the ten,” Otero said of having eight home games. “Just with our community and everyone’s eyes watching you on that field, it’s something very different.”
With plenty of positives heading into 2025, optimism is running high in Muhlenberg.
“I think we just got to stay positive,” lineman Tony Ferreira said. “Next play, next play, next play. Something goes wrong. We just got to go to the next play. Have to stay positive.”
Coach: Rob Flowers, 47-85, second season (seasons at Reading High and Daniel Boone).
Last year’s record: 1-5, Lancaster-Lebanon Section 2, 4-7.
Key players lost: DE Dequan Small, WR/CB Javiehn Ortiz, OT/DL Samson Evans.
Key players returning: QB Adriel Baez, RB/DB Cameron Small, RB/LB Fred Lacey, WR/DB Michael Miller, OG/DT Zavier Otero, OT/DL Tony Ferreira, OG/DL Jeffrie Collado.
3 keys to success in 2025
1. Improve the passing game: After a dominant year on the ground, highlighted by Cameron Small’s 2,000-yard season, the Muhls will need to find more balance through the air.
Sophomore quarterback Adriel Baez returns with valuable experience, and if he can take a step forward in the passing game, this offense has the potential to reach new heights.
2. Let Small loose: Cameron Small has taken a step forward in each season of his high school career. Now a senior, he has all the intangibles to thrive once again; this year, the sky’s the limit.
“It showed me how high I can get, and I know I could get more,” Small said, looking back to last season. “The goal every season is to just be better than last season.”
3. Defense needs to step up: Only one of their seven losses came down to a single score. In the other six, the Muhls were beaten by an average margin of 23 points. Now entering their second season in a new defensive system, improvement is crucial. If they want to compete, they have to tighten up and hold teams out of the endzone.
“We only get 10 promised Fridays, got to make them all count,” Flowers said.
Schedule: Aug. 22, at Schuylkill Valley; Aug. 29, Reading; Sept. 5, at Daniel Boone; Sept. 12, Lebanon; Sept. 19, Gov. Mifflin; Sept. 26, Elizabethtown; Oct. 3, Exeter; Oct. 10, Ephrata; Oct. 17, Academy Park; Oct. 24, Conestoga Valley.
Source: Berkshire mont
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