MUNCY–Not many people knew how dangerous a receiver Nate Rogers could be. Many others were uncertain Muncy could continue its winning ways this season.

Well, Rogers is developing into one of the area’s premier receivers and Muncy has won four straight games. A year after graduating most of their starters from a Class A state semifinalist, Rogers and his teammates are enjoying silencing the doubters.

Rogers caught five passes for 86 yards and returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown in one half of play and Muncy dominated all facets Saturday night at Scott McLean Field, blanking Sayre, 42-0. Andrew Walters accounted for three touchdowns, Muncy (4-1, 3-0 NTL-II) scored 28 first quarter points, and the defense produced its second straight shutout as the Indians built momentum entering Friday’s Old Shoe showdown against rival Montgomery.

“After losing a bunch of good players, not many people thought we would be good this year, so being 4-1 feels really good,” Rogers said. “We’re proving to people that we’re still a good team.”

Muncy has the same record halfway through the regular season as it did a year ago. A lot of names have changed, but the results have not. The Indians have come light years from where they were when they opened the season with a 21-7 loss against Warrior Run.

In its first home game since that opener, Muncy proved it again. The starting defense did not allow a point for a third consecutive game and the starters scored on all four possessions as Muncy landed an early knockout blow, allowing its youngest players ample playing opportunity throughout the final 2 ½ quarters.

“Going back to camp and the summer, each week they are getting better. That’s the goal and you see where we are after 10 weeks and try and be the best version of ourselves,” Muncy coach Chris Persing said. “They’ve done a nice job understanding what we’re trying to do each week, and they are coming every day ready to work.”

That is what Persing and his staff are especially enjoying. Persing is a first-year coach, so Muncy had to learn new offensive and defensive systems on top of the roster change. The Indians are proving quick learners and strong players as well.

The ultimate goal this season is not to peak at 4-1, but to keep building. Still, reaching this point and knowing they can still get better has the Indians excited about what is developing.

“That first game there were many things we could have done better. From there to here, we’ve improved significantly,” Rogers said. “We’re just getting better as we go. The more games we play, the less mistakes we’re making.”

“Practices have been good. They’ve been really fun to coach. We have a group that wants to learn and get better every week,” Persing said. “That’s what these guys do. They’re competitors. A lot of these guys have had a lot of success and not just in football. They want to do well and they’re going to put in the effort to do well.”

That includes Rogers who continues building off a strong conclusion to his sophomore season. He missed seven games with an injury last fall, but Rogers returned for the postseason and made a big impact, intercepting three passes and excelling on special teams.

He continues performing well in those roles but now also is showing his offensive prowess. Muncy honored 2024 Pennsylvania Player of the Year Austin Johnson at halftime Saturday, presenting him his all-state photo as well as a state wrestling championship ring. Johnson and Landyn Wommer combined to run for 4,532 yards and 63 touchdowns last year, so Muncy did not have to throw the ball often.

With those dynamic players in college now, Muncy has adapted and gone to a more open offense. Rogers is thriving in this new look, catching 21 passes for 387 yards and five touchdowns.

It’s not just the stats, but the catches Rogers is making. He is a deep threat but also strong at gaining yards after the catch. And he made a brilliant 29-yard catch despite tight coverage right along the sideline, displaying the hands which have sometimes made him open even when he is not necessarily that open.

“He’s a very good athlete. He’s a very hard worker. He understands what we’re trying to do, and he shows up and tries to get better every day,” Persing said. “I think all our guys try and do that, but I think you’re seeing his effort really pay off. When he has the opportunity to make plays and get the ball in his hands, he makes plays.”

Rogers was denied his sixth touchdown reception after turning a short pass into what looked like a 39-yard first quarter touchdown because of a holding penalty. A few minutes later, he found another way to score, catching a punt on the run, making a quick cut toward the sideline, making one last move inside the 10 and capping a 65-yard touchdown return untouched while putting Muncy ahead, 14-0.

“I caught the ball and saw them all coming at me. They weren’t slowing down, so I took a step to the left and just went for the sideline,” Rogers said. “I saw a hole and went through it. There was one guy to miss near the end, and I was able to do that and get the score.”

The scores kept coming from there. Walters (64 rushing yards, 48 passing) ripped off a 41-yard touchdown run for the game’s opening points, following two Nixon Lamper blocks around the edge and downfield. Following a Wes Somits 16-yard touchdown, Walters capped the first quarter eruption as Carter Feigles made an excellent catch for an 8-yard touchdown.

Walters made it 4 for 4 for the starting offense, rolling left and scoring from nine yards out as Muncy opened a 35-0 lead just past 15 minutes into the game. Sophomore Layken Harris capped the scoring in the fourth quarter, trucking two defenders and breaking loose for a 78-yard touchdown.

“We got the mercy rule right away which is what we wanted. That was awesome,” Rogers said. “We got the young guys some experience and that was a big thing, too.”

Muncy’s starting defense stifled everything Sayre tried and the only first down the Redskins produced against it came via penalty. Those starters have not allowed a point in three consecutive games and limited Sayre to 16 yards on 19 plays before exiting early.

Gavin Barrows set up a touchdown with a leaping interception and both Lamper and Nassir Miller set up real estate in Sayre’s backfield. Harris and Maddix Snyder added sacks.

All were positives as Muncy turns the page and prepares for the Old Shoe Game. This will be the first time both teams are three games or more above .500 when they play in the 2000s. It has all the makings for a super game in front of a huge crowd.

Muncy, however is keeping its focus upon itself more than anything.

“You can’t worry about the opponent. You just prepare all week and then enjoy Friday night when it gets here,” Persing said. “It will be a great environment. It’s going to be a big crowd, your rival, and it will be an exciting game.”

Muncy 42, Sayre 0

Sayre 0 0 0 0―0

Muncy 28 7 0 7―42

First Quarter

M–Andrew Walters 41 run (Austin Hartzel kick), 8:40

M–Nate Rogers 65 punt return (Lucas McCahan kick), 6:51

M–Wes Somits 16 run (Nolan Trostle kick), 4:18

M–Carter Feigles 8 pass from Walters (Hartzel kick), 2:23

Second Quarter

M–Walters 9 run (McCahan kick), 8:59

Fourth Quarter

M–Layken Harris 78 run (Trostle kick), 4:23

TEAM STATISTICS S M

First Downs 7 13

Rushes-yards 33-56 14-175

Passing yards 45 127

Total yards 101 302

Comp-Att-Int 3-12-1 8-14-0

Fumbles-lost 5-1 2-0

Penalties-yards 3-15 4-35

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: Muncy, Lakyen Harris 3-80, TD; Andrew Walters 3-64, 2 TD; Wes Somits 5-43, TD; Noah Weikle 3-(-12). Sayre, Hudson Malanoski 12-36; Riley Johnson 17-32; Declan Berry 4-(-12).

PASSING: Sayre, Barry 3-11-1, 45 yards; Malanoski 0-1-0. Muncy, Walters 5-8-0, 48 yards, TD; Weikle 3-6-0, 79 yards.

RECEIVING: Sayre, Quinn Chandler 2-35; Johnson 1-10. Muncy, Nate Rogers 5-86; Chayce Scampone 1-26; Carter Feigles 1-8, TD; Roman Maiorana 1-7.

INTERCEPTIONS: Muncy, Gavin Barrows.

SACKS: Sayre, Malanoski. Muncy, Harris, Maddix Snyder.

Records: Muncy 4-1, 3-0 NTL-II. Sayre 0-5.