Nov 7, 2025
Josh Knoebel of Montgomery runs against Muncy at Muncy High School Friday night. Montgomery won, 27-7. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
Montgomery (10-1) is having its best year since 1987, winning 10 games for the first time since that season and the program’s first league title since 2001. The Red Raiders are trying to win their first district championship and are playing in it for the first time in eight years, entering on a nine-game winning streak.
The winner of the District 4 Class A championship tonight will face either Lackwanna Trail or Tri-Valley next week in the state tournament.
The Red Raiders blanked defending champion Muncy, 33-0 a week ago, allowing just 110 yards and lead the district in both points and yards allowed. Montgomery has held all but two opponents to single digits and collected its fourth shutout last week. All three levels have excelled defensively and linebacker Cam Woltz is three tackles from his second straight 100-tackle season. Safety Trace Furman (112) has reached a career-high in tackles, going over 100 for a second consecutive year and both are juniors.
Connor Jarrett has consistently made big plays up front and Logan Joy has three interceptions in his last two games. Austin Luckenbill and Seth McClintock had strong games in the secondary against Muncy and Luckenbill forced a fumble which led to a touchdown. Furman and Josh Knoebel both went over 1,000 yards this season against Muncy and four players have gone over 400 yards.
Quarterback Parker Persing completed all three of his passes last week, finding Ethan Tupper for a nine-yard touchdown. Briar Persing is averaging 28.6 yards per catch and combined with Mason Bryson for 2 ½ sacks against Muncy. An experienced offensive line has surged throughout the season and helped Montgomery score its most points in the 2000s.
A hard-hitting linebacker, Lincoln Miller leads the team with five sacks and averages five tackles per game, while making 10 for loss. He also is one of four backs who has produced a 100-yard game and averages 7.1 yards per carry.
The Eagles (10-0) are ranked third in the state and also are pursuing their first district championship after losing to Muncy in last year’s final. Line Mountain returned the majority of its starters from that squad and pummeled all but one opponent during the regular season before receiving a bye into the finals. That bye came at a good time and could help two-time all-state defensive end Max Johnson return. Line Mountain pulled away from Montgomery in the second half of last year’s semifinals, gaining 483 yards.
Quarterback Kaiden Maurer is a four-year starter who is third all-time in District 4 with 82 touchdown passes. He led the district with 29 touchdowns during the regular season and is a mobile threat who also leads the team in rushing. Four Eagles have run for more than 300 yards and Kaden Dunkleberger stepped up when Johnson was injured, running for 137 yards in a 36-34 win against Steel-High.
Wide receiver Dalton Schadel led the district with 13 touchdowns during the regular season and is seeking a 1,000-yard season. He has 1,538 yards and 23 touchdowns the past two years. Senior lineman Jackson Kauwell has 5 ½ sacks and 12 ½ tackles for loss. Despite missing four games, Johnson has 17 tackles for loss and Preston Derk has four interceptions, returning one for a touchdown.
Senior linebacker Bryce Smeltz has 10 1/2 tackles for loss to go along with 2 1/2 sacks and is a valuable receiver as well. He is second on the team in touchdown catches and averages 19.1 yards per reception.
Both teams have longed for this opportunity and it is strength against strength with Montgomery’s stifling defense facing Line Mountain’s explosive offense.
For all the firepower both teams possess, this ultimately will come down to who wins the battle between two standout lines.
GREENSBURG — The Lock Haven men’s soccer team fell at Seton Hill on Thursday, 4-1, to wrap up its regular …
Copyright © 2025 Sun-Gazette, LLC | https://www.sungazette.com | 252 W. Fourth Street, Williamsport, PA 17703 | 570-326-1551
