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MIFFLINBURG - Mifflinburg won its sixth straight game Friday night, leaning on a strong defensive effort and timely special teams play to defeat Montoursville, 21-7, in the penultimate game of the regular season.
In a rematch of last year’s District 4 Class AAA championship game, the Wildcats (7-2, 4-1) controlled the momentum for much of the night in a contest that evolved into a defensive battle.
After Montoursville pulled within one score midway through the fourth quarter, Mifflinburg responded immediately. Hunter Bolick returned the ensuing kickoff 34 yards, setting up excellent field position. On the first play of the drive, Brennen Snyder kept the ball on a designed quarterback run and raced 35 yards to the end zone.
The touchdown pushed the Wildcats’ lead back to 21-7 with 7:01 remaining.
“Our response was necessary,” Mifflinburg coach Cody Botts said. “I didn’t know we’d get a one-play response, which was huge.”
Snyder credited the offensive line for helping the Wildcats regain momentum so quickly.
“It all started with the line,” Snyder said. “They start everything. When they go, we all go. So that’s where it starts.”
The Wildcats’ defense took care of the rest, allowing the Warriors little movement in the remaining minutes.
Montoursville’s lone touchdown came on an impressive 18-play, 92-yard drive that stretched from late in the third quarter into the fourth. Mason Lapinski capped the march with a 5-yard touchdown run, cutting the deficit to 14-7.
Despite the lengthy scoring drive, Mifflinburg’s defense controlled much of the contest.
“I think our defense stepped up more than we thought they would today,” Botts said. “We knew they had athletes and guys on the edge that could challenge us down the field, but our defense answered.”
Snyder echoed that sentiment.
“We did great,” Snyder said. “We worked all week on tackling and what we needed to do. We needed to watch the deep ball, and we did that pretty well.”
Both teams struggled offensively early. Mifflinburg opened with a three-and-out, and Cameron Cintron blocked the ensuing punt, giving the Warriors possession at the Wildcats’ 23-yard line. However, Mifflinburg’s defense stiffened and forced a turnover on downs to keep the score tied.
The Wildcats finally broke through on the opening play of the second quarter. Snyder kept the ball on a designed run to the left side and outran the defense for a 34-yard touchdown.
Botts praised the sophomore quarterback, who continues to grow into the position during Mifflinburg’s six-game winning streak.
“Brennen has done a phenomenal job all year just managing the game and being a good manager of our offense,” Botts said. “But he’s a phenomenally gifted and talented athlete that, when we get him the ball, he makes plays.”
Botts added that Snyder’s development extends beyond athletic ability.
“He’s a sophomore. This is his ninth start ever at the position,” Botts said. “He just continuously takes more on.”
Mifflinburg extended its lead late in the first half after recovering a Montoursville fumble at the Warriors’ 23-yard line. Snyder connected with Kaine Klose for an 18-yard gain to the 2, and two plays later Landon Moser punched the ball into the end zone for a touchdown with less than a minute remaining before halftime.
The Wildcats finished with 130 rushing yards, led by Moser’s 110-yard effort on 24 carries, while Snyder added two rushing touchdowns.
“Our big goal is to run the ball very hard, and it opens up things down the field for me and my wide receivers,” Snyder said. “Everyone’s doing a great job. They’ve got to keep it up.”
Snyder also credited Moser and the rest of the backfield for keeping the offense moving.
“Landon Moser is an absolute beast,” Snyder said. “Seth Hartman, Dylan Catherman- they might be small, but they’ve got what we need.”
The Wildcats will carry their six-game winning streak into next week’s regular-season finale at Lewisburg (5-4, 4-1).
“I’d love to tell you it’s the same week, but it’s a rivalry game, and that means a lot for both of our towns,” Botts said. “Regardless of what the record is either way, we throw it out every year.”