MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Muncy’s football team charges onto the field before a game earlier this season.

People can see the camaraderie Muncy football players share each Friday night. Whether it be after a score, a successful play or a negative play, those players often are rallying around each other.

Not much changes once they leave the field either.

Muncy has become a team connected as one. Regardless of grade or playing time, these players are on the same page, competing as one and achieving history as one. That closeness cannot be measured by any statistic, but is a major reason Muncy finds itself competing in tonight’s Class A state semifinal against Bishop Guilfoyle.

“I think this team has a really good connection. That’s what has taken us so far,” running back/linebacker Austin Johnson said. “We all love hanging out with each other. We have a good bond off the field and it’s awesome.”

Muncy has had an awesome season as well. The Indians (12-2) are in the Final 4 for the first time, have set a record for wins and, in the last two weeks, have doubled the program’s previous state victory total.

In a sport like football, excellent chemistry is a must. Each player is dependent on what the one next to him is doing. If 1/11th of the machine breaks down, the whole unit can do so.

Having a team which has pulled so tight helps the coaches. They can work on schemes and strategies knowing the players have many of the game’s vital intangibles covered.

“This team really decided to come together. There are no me people or anything like that. They have that team mentality and they are all friends,” Muncy coach Sean Tetreault said. “It’s great to see that camaraderie come out on the football field.”

People can overlook what goes on off the field, but if they do they miss a lot. Players enjoying Wing Nights, or parties or simply hanging out together can go a long way. It can make an average team good and a good team great.

Especially at this time of the year, when every opponent is an excellent one, the trust players have built in each other sure provides a boost. So many of these players have competed together through the years and that adds to the bond. The power of that can be seen throughout the playoffs, especially in a 47-46 first round state tournament win against Lackawanna Trail.

A team not so tight-knit could come apart in tense situations. Muncy has pulled closer in such times and that has been instrumental toward it playing its best football at the perfect time.

“When these kids are so close and together, they know where they all are going to be and what they need to be doing,” Tetreault said. “They all believe in each other. Football is the ultimate team game. You have to depend on the other 10 guys on the field doing their job and if you do yours and they do theirs, you’re going to be OK.

“It’s great to see our guys believing in each other, communicating well and playing fast and hard.”

Muncy being so connected has paid dividends at pivotal times as well. After winning eight straight mercy-rule games, Muncy suffered a 28-27 loss in its regular season finale against Hughesville. The Spartans rallied from down 13 in the final 5 ½ minutes and that kind of defeat is one which could break a team or push it to become a lot better.

Muncy chose the latter. There was no finger pointing or blaming anyone. The Indians simply went back to work, stayed focused on improving every day and turned defeat into triumph. Muncy romped through a demanding district playoff field before winning the thriller in Scranton and thumping Delone Catholic, 41-17.

Muncy had lost three straight previous district finals and faced a stern challenge against a Line Mountain team which pushed District 4 Class AAA finalist Lewisburg to the limit and which defeated 4A quarterfinalist Juniata. Muncy played its best game at that point in the season and won, 42-6, snatching that elusive championship.

Although excited, Muncy was unsatisfied. It wanted more and kept pushing each other to earn more.

Along the way, it’s been one for all and all for one.

“We knew what we were capable of all year, but after that district final, I could feel the intensity; feel the passion that everyone had,” Johnson said. “It’s just so awesome that these guys keep fighting. It’s awesome to be on a team where everyone loves the game the way they do and keep fighting for each other and keep playing hard.”

That is the plan tonight, too. Guilfoyle (13-1) is the best team Muncy has seen yet, but it’s the state Final 4, so that is to be expected. This run started shortly after the 2023 season ended. Players hit the weights hard and then attacked speed training, camps and 7 on 7s during the offseason.

They battled through the heat during preseason practices and navigated the schedule together. There have been more ups than downs, but whatever the case, Muncy players have stayed together and believed in each other.

Doing so again will be crucial tonight. Muncy paid the price throughout the offseason and throughout this year to earn an opportunity like tonight. Win or lose, these players have achieved something big and as they grow older they will be bonded, not just by being the best team in Muncy history, but through their connection.

As one family.

“These seniors have been playing since A football for the youth association. They and everyone on the team are never going to forget their time on the field,” Tetreault said. “This is something special they will keep with them for the rest of their lives.