Midd-West Mustangs

BY KURT RITZMAN

Lance Adams has had to deal with one major change since moving from assistant coach to head coach at Midd-West.

“Organization has been the biggest thing,” Adams said, noting he had to handle “essential but non-football things,” such as equipment handout, player physicals and team camp.

The biggest difference on the field will come on the defensive side.

“Defensively, we will change our scheme entirely,” Adams said. “We’re going to play a 3-5, and be really aggressive out of it. We’re going to try to make things happen defensively.”

New defensive coordinator John Punako is directing the defense, and Adams said he’s pleased with the early returns.

“Coach Punako has done a really good job putting it in,” Adams said. “The players are enjoying it, and have to bought into not sitting back and being aggressive.”

The Mustangs defenders are getting prepared for a high-risk, high-reward defensive scheme.

“We’re going to be aggressive, so we’ve stressed to them that it’s a doubleedged sword,” Adams said. “We’re going to make things happen, but with being aggressive, you can give up big plays. We need to have a next-play mentality on defense.”

Midd-West returns some key defensive pieces to take on new roles and assignments.

“Our secondary is pretty much a holdover from last year,” Adams said. “Our defensive line all played, and our linebackers have some experience. But linebacker is the biggest hole we have to fill.”

However, the Mustangs do return junior Austin Dorman at middle linebacker, one of the most important positions in a 3-5.

“He’s tenacious, and he has a competitive mentality that’s infectious to the rest of the team,” Adams said. “He stands all of 5-(foot)-6, so he’s not overly tall, but he’s built like a fire hydrant. He’s nonstop and downhill. He’s got a little edge to him, so he fits the role very well.”

He also has taken charge of the defense, and is helping his teammates learn the new system, according to Adams.

“He’s growing into a leader role,” Adams said. “I’m pleased with his maturity as a player and as a defensive leader.”

Offensively, the biggest question mark is how the Mustangs will replace the production of Hunter Wolfley. The 2021 graduate rushed for 1,364 yards and 13 touchdowns on 166 carries last year, good for 8.2 yards per carry. Wolfley was also Midd-West’s leading receiver a year ago.

“We’re not replacing him,” Adams said. “I don’t want anybody to be Hunter Wolfley. I want them to be the best versions of themselves.”

Adams said that means the Mustangs are going to take a more balanced approach in terms of ball distribution.

“We’re going to have to pick up the slack piecemeal, rather than trying to put it all on any one guy,” Adams said. “I told them it was like the parts of the body. Everybody has to do their own part, so the body as a whole can function.”

CHRISTIAN REGESTER

Aug 27 at Central Columbia* Sept. 3 at Danville* Sept. 10 Mifflinburg* Sept. 17 Bloomsburg Sept. 24 Lewisburg* Oct 1 North Penn-Mansfield Oct. 8 at Juniata Oct. 15 Montoursville* Oct. 22 at Central Mountain Oct. 29 Halifax

*-PHAC-2 GAME

L at Montoursville 56-7 L at Danville 55-22 L at Central Col. 42-20 L at Lewisburg 35-28 L Mifflinburg 35-33 W Hughesville 30-10 L at Bloomsburg 28-2 L Shikellamy 27-6

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

*-PLAYOFFS; &-DISTRICT CHAMPION #-PIAA CHAMPION

PASSING C-A Int TD Yds C. Regester 42-115 9 4 571 RUSHING Att Yards TDs Hunter Wolfley 166 1,364 13 Trey Lauver 48 157 2 Austin Dorman 10 21 0 RECEIVING Rec Yards TDs Hunter Wolfley 14 269 3 Eli Swann 18 203 1 Corey Reinard 3 68 1

RETURNEES IN BOLD

The offensive principles won’t look much different from last season.

“Our offensive scheme will remain the same,” Adams said. “I called the offense the last three years, and Dexter Herman will assume that responsibility this year.”

Herman, a Midd-West graduate, played tight end for Liberty University.

Adams did say there were things the Mustangs had to improve offensively.

“We have to do a better job throwing and catching,” Adams said. “So our line has to do a better job of protecting.

“We’ve got decent athletes on the perimeter to take pressure off the rest of the offense.”

Christian Regester is expected to return at quarterback to distribute the ball to those athletes. Regester, a senior, passed for 571 yards and five touchdowns a season ago.

“He has great command of the offense,” Adams said. “He’s entering his third year as the starter. We’re going to lean on that experience, that leadership. He has to step up and throw the ball with accuracy, and know when not to throw and to keep us out of trouble.”

Senior Ethan Schlief and Dorman are expected to start in the backfield, but Adams said there were a couple of other players who could “step up” and grab some playing time. Seniors Corey Reinard, James Troup and Everest Wilson are in the mix to start at wide receiver.

Adams said the Mustangs would likely turn to a freshman at tight end, Jasher Wolf.

“He’s worked extremely hard, and he has a good grasp of our offense,” Adams said. “He performed well at the junior high level. He just needs to adjust to what varsity game speed is like.”

The first-year head coach also has high expectations for the guys up front offensively.

“We return two of three starters — last year it was up and down because of COVID who started — on the line,” Adams said. “I’ve been super pleased with them. It’s a young group; we only have one senior lineman on the entire roster.

“I think that’s one of the strongest parts of our team. Let’s see if they prove me right.”

As excited as Adams is for what the Mustangs will put on the field, he’s been happiest with his kids off the field.

“The kids are more than coachable,” Adams said. “That’s one of the intangibles I’ve been really pleased with and proud of.”

The Mustangs have done community service together as a team, and took an unusual approach to their offseason team camp.

“We had our team camp at Camp Mount Luther,” Adams said.

“Usually teams go to a college, but we went away and did our own thing. It was a fantastic experience. We worked on intangibles — teamwork, effort, leadership, enthusiasm. Camp afforded us an opportunity to work on and hone those skills.

“Our focus has been on the mental part and emotional part of the game. That’s what I think will carry us.”

MIDD-WEST COACH LANCE ADAMS

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