Muncy comes into this football season with a chip on their shoulder. The Indians stumbled to a 5-6 record a year ago, losing their final four games, including a 33-0 defeat to Montgomery in the district playoffs.

"Coming off a season like last year we did a lot to improve, and a lot to prove to everybody else," said Nathan Rogers. "My sophomore year we made the big state run, so then having a season like that, we didn't even make the district championship, it's like a big fall off. I'm hoping to get back to where we were."

They'll have to start under center as last year's starter Andrew Walters graduated. He accounted for nearly 2,000 yards of offense and 22 touchdowns. 

Rogers led the team in receiving a year ago, with 36 catches for 565 yards and six touchdowns, so whoever takes the spot under center he has a big target to pass to.

Rogers hopes a renewed commitment to their off-season regiment will help get them back on top.

"Our coach is good as scheduling us a lot of 7-on-7's," he said. "We've had practices like every day, basically, and then he hired this guy to help us do speed training. That's been a big help."

They also return defensive standout Nick Lamper. Lamper had 13 tackles for loss a year ago to go with 72 total tackles.

Lamper also mans the offensive line, and he feels they let the team down a year ago.

"We've been looking a lot better, and I'm excited to see how we actually do against a real opponent up front," Lamper remarked. "We switched coaches, and getting more experience with a new scheme. It was a big change, and just took a while to get everybody switched over to a new format, but I think we're finally getting there as a unit."

Rogers and Lamper hope to lean on their district title winning experience from two years ago as they go into this season.

"Experience is definitely the most important parts," said Rogers. "Being in those tough games like that, and important games, it helps me guide the younger kids; give them someone to look up to, and follow in my foot steps."

Even with last year's stumble Muncy's history shows they don't stay down for long. 

"Everybody wants to show up and plays us hard," Lamper said. "It's fun having everybody wants to beat you bad."

The NTL Small School league adds Canton and Wyalusing this year, too, giving them some new opponents.

"I feel like it's more fun playing a team that you've never played before because it's something new," Rogers said. 

They open again with Warrior Run while they can always expect big games against rivals Montgomery, South Williamsport, and Hughesville. 

Add in Athens and Towanda and Muncy will have some tough tests this year.

"Montgomery and Hughesville, those are our two big rivalries," said Lamper. "With Montgomery, no matter how good your team is, it's a rivalry game, it's going to be close."