Things couldn't have gone any better for Towanda (1-0) last week as they roll into their home opener against NP-Mansfield (0-1) with plenty of momentum.

"I thought overall we played a really good game," Towanda coach Jamie Wecker said about their big win over Sayre last week. "I thought we played with a lot of excitement. You know we brought a lot of energy, and after we break the game film down you always see the things that we can do better, but, overall, I was really happy with how our kids performed. Both sides of the ball, and special teams played well, and I thought one of the real impressive things for me was how selfless we were. Watching receivers blocking the way they blocked when they weren't involved in the play themselves. I'm watching the line just dominate on both sides of the ball. That was really, really good to see. Now we know we've got to crank that up for the rest of the season, but for a first game, I was really happy with that."

They take on a North Penn-Mansfield team that lost 48-0 to South Williamsport in their season opener.

"I think they've got some playmakers," Wecker said about the Panthers. "Their quarterback is definitely a good passer, and he can really hurt you with his legs, too. They've got some skill kids there that, if we're not disciplined and stuff, they can break a big play and score a touchdown really, really quickly, so we have to do our job every play. We've got to be very disciplined, we've got to make sure that we understand our fundamental responsibilities, and play out for the entirety of the game. Defensively, I think they have some really active linebackers, some skills in the back, and other linemen. I think they're going to keep improving. One thing is they played South Williamsport where we scrimmaged South Williamsport, so both of us know that is a talented team, and I think you know people who are going to say that North Penn isn't a tough team based on one game. I think that's an unfair assessment of them. They have some talent. They're going to do some things this year so we've got to protect ourselves against that by playing fundamentally sound."

After two weeks on the road the Knights finally get to show off at home, and Wecker believes they'll excited to get out there.

"They understand this is the only home game we have for the next month, so I think they really are excited to play in front of their fans, playing in front of their fellow students," Wecker said. "I know it's a special thing to walk out of that locker room and down the black top to our stadium, so I think the kids are going to be really excited about it, but I also hope that they understand that we've got to play a game once we get down there."

KEYS TO THE GAME

NP-Mansfield - Slow down the Towanda running game. The Knights ran all over Sayre, and did it with a few different backs, so the Panthers have to stop that at the point of attack.

Towanda - Watch out for the passing game. While the Panthers didn't connect much last week, when they did they averaged 10.5 yards per catch.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Keaton Manikowski, NPM, WR - Manikowski was their leading yardage getter last week, and Towanda will need to pay special attention to him.

Jazick Brown, Towanda, RB - Brown ran for over 100 yards a week. He's one of the fastest kids in the districts, and is probably excited to get on some turf.