NTL FOOTBALL: WYALUSING OPENS SEASON ON THE ROAD AT NORTH PENN-MANSFIELD (2025-08-21)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
Wyalusing opens the season on the road as they head west to take on North Penn-Mansfield at Island Park at 7 p.m. Friday.

Rams coach Rich Rogers is happy with how his players did during the preseason.

“The kids pushed through an ‘old school’ hot and strenuous summer camp, and kept a positive attitude,” he said. “They came away from the scrimmage feeling really good about their conditioning, having success on both sides of the ball against Montrose.”

One area of emphasis was in the trenches and Rogers likes how his team responded.

“Film showed us how much work we need to do across the front line, and they have done everything they needed to take strides towards getting better,” he said.

Rogers was able to see the Panthers in person last week, and knows it’ll be a fight for them.

“We drove down to Lewisburg to see North Penn,” he said. “The Wright brothers have them working hard. They should be a more physical team, and they have good numbers to work with. We look forward to the trip to Island Park Friday, and can’t wait to get the 2025 season started.”

KEYS TO THE GAME
Wyalusing - Keep the ball in front of them. Wyalusing had a tough time with the big play last season and NPM has some athletes that can bust one. The Rams will need to need to stay tight on receivers, and not let them get into space.
North Penn-Mansfield - Get their defense off the field. They had a hard time with that last year in their loss at Wyalusing, and the Rams would love to turn the game into a ball control contest. Rogers won’t hesitate to go for it on fourth-and-short so the Panthers better be ready.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ethan Vanderpool, Wyalusing, FB/LB - Vanderpool will be tasked with slowing down the Panther rushing attack, and not letting anybody loose into the secondary will be key in stopping the NP-Mansfield offense.
Luke Kreger, NP-Mansfield, WR - An all-state receiver, Kreger didn’t get going until late in the game last year, but expect the Panthers to try and unleash him early and often to stretch the Wyalusing defense.



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