RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montgomery’s Joel Knoebel was named Sun-Gazette Coach of the Year.

Looking at the returning roster, one might think Josh Knoebel walked into a super situation upon becoming Montgomery’s new football coach last winter.

Yes, a strong core of players was expected back from a seven-team win, but the climate was quite stormy. Cory Tice was not retained following the program’s first winning season since 2001 and several players and parents were upset. Some players said they would not compete if a new coach was hired.

Knoebel, however, not only brought back those players, but also calm, sunny skies. He not only won over the players, but made them champions.

Knoebel and his dedicated staff pushed all the right buttons, guiding Montgomery to one of the best seasons in program history. The Red Raiders went 10-2, captured the NTL-II championship and reached the District 4 Class A final, coming within a few plays of winning the program’s first district title. All this for a team which had won two games combined during the 2022-23 seasons.

Knoebel’s immediate impact at Montgomery made him a runaway winner as the Sun-Gazette Coach of the Year.

“I don’t think going into this year any of us really believed that we could be as good as we were,” NTL-II Player of the Year Trace Furman said. “Coach helped us see that, as he pushed discipline and hard work onto us all the way from summer workouts.”

“Coach Knoebel did a lot for everyone on the team, starting back in the spring when he told us his plans for the season and had us write down goals we wanted to reach,” two-way NTL-II all-star lineman Connor Jarrett said. “As the season went on, he pushed us to meet those goals by being tough on us and holding us accountable. By the end of the season, I can honestly say we all became more disciplined and more well-rounded because of him.”

Montgomery built on the success it achieved in 2024 when it enjoyed its breakthrough season and reached the district semifinals. Still, at a program which had endured so many losing campaigns throughout the 2000s, Knoebel had to be one part coach, one part strategist and one part motivator.

He checked off each box and Montgomery dominated throughout the season, winning nine straight games entering the district final. The Raiders only lost to Class AA district semifinalist Warrior Run and Line Mountain which romped its way to the final, nearly mercy-rule all 11 opponents. Montgomery, however, gave the Eagles their toughest game to that point, twice tying things and losing a 20-14 heart-breaker.

When others doubted Montgomery, the players believed. That included in blowout wins at rivals Muncy and South Williamsport as Montgomery left no doubt it was its league’s best team. Knoebel brought the Wing-T offense with him from his years as an assistant coach at Southern Columbia and his team brilliantly ran it as the year progressed.

The offense set a 2000s record for points at Montgomery and the defense allowed the fewest points during that time, leading the district in both points and yards allowed.

“I’ve been blessed to make such a great connection with Coach Knoebel; learning from him has made me a better leader,” Furman said. “Obviously, Coach kind of came into a rough situation at Montgomery with our poor history, and he talked to us a lot about how important it was to block the outside noise out and focus on the little things that we could control.”

Montgomery did that extremely well. The Raiders believed, they executed and they hit–hard. The Raiders played a punishing brand of football and that physical style helped it impose its will against nearly every team it played. Montgomery won its last nine games via double-digit margins and won the program’s first playoff game in dominant fashion, dethroning previous champion Muncy, 31-0, in the district semifinals.

Along the way, Montgomery spread excitement through the community. Knoebel stated doing so as a primary goal last summer and the well-wishes players received around town as well as the large crowds made that a mission accomplished.

He also helped bring out the team’s best by listening as much as directing. This wasn’t Knoebel’s team, but Montgomery’s team together.

While Knoebel had last call any decision, he let the players have a voice. Their input was taken into consideration and Montgomery both trust and a bond were formed. This became a reciprocal relationship.

Knoebel helped the Raiders become better players and they helped him become a better coach. And what a team Montgomery became together.

“For me personally, he really helped me understand the game better. Anytime I noticed something during a game that could help us, he actually wanted to hear what I thought and how we could use it,” Jarrett said. “He began a culture change with our town too, by making the team more involved with the community.

“We went through some tough situations throughout the season, but he made sure we handled them the right way — with our pads, not our mouths.”

Past Sun-Gazette Coaches of the Year

2002: Scott McLean, Muncy

2003: Rick Reichner, Hughesville

2004: Tim Welliver, Warrior Run

2005: Rick Reichner, Hughesville

2006: Miller H. Moyer, Canton

2007: Dick Delaney, Jersey Shore

2008: Todd Tilford, Lewisburg

2009: Alex Jackson, Loyalsock

2010: Todd Tilford, Lewisburg

2011: Bruce Ransom, Bucktail

2012: Chris Eiswerth, South Williamsport

2013: Tom Gravish, Jersey Shore

2014: J.C. Keefer, Montoursville

2015: Matt Hildebrand, Wellsboro

2016: Chuck Crews, Williamsport

2017: Paul Bozella, Montgomery

2018: J.C. Keefer, Montoursville

2019: Tom Gravish, Jersey Shore

2020: Tom Gravish, Jersey Shore

2021: Tom Gravish, Jersey Shore and Tyler Sechrist, Canton

2022: Justin Van Fleet, Loyalsock

2023: Chris Eiswerth, South Williamsport

2024: Sean Tetreault, Muncy