OK, as we get ready to face our rivals from the other side of the Lehigh River it strikes me that I have been with this senior class at Moravian for all four years. I watched them enter college here at Moravian and progress to this point.
It becomes clear to me that I have seen this group become fantastic young men and I have watched this whole thing transpire! Pretty neat stuff. Yeah, it hasn’t all been easy, but for the most part it has been a tremendous experience. These guys have a lot going for them after working thru these last four years. I can’t wait to see where the future will lead them.
Muhlenberg has a good solid team this season. Although they have dropped three games this year the team is the usual aggressive and tough squad. They play hard and are well prepared..
Obviously Johns Hopkins is the perennial winner in the Centennial Conference. Before an early season loss to Ursinus they had a 45 game winning streak in the CC. No one likes to concede anything to them, but they are pretty damn good year in and year out.
But by the same token the Mules are generally right there in the thick of the battle. When the two of them play it is obvious that there is respect for Hopkins but Muhlenberg will stand toe to toe with them.
They are always a solid and physical team. A group who finds a way to contend most seasons. With a stout defense and a very well coached offense Muhlenberg gives all of their opponents matchup problems.
This year is no exception – with the second best defense behind Susquehanna and the third best offense they display the power that has propelled them to the 6-3 record they have. Despite a season ending injury to perhaps the CC’s best running back (Nick Savant (#32)) and the insertion of a freshman (not any of that Ivy League FY or First Year bullshit – he is a freshMAN) the Mules have fought their way right back to near the top of the CC.
****Just an aside here – and you know I like my asides! For some reason in the last several years the PC police have decided to neuter the word “freshman”. So as not to hurt anyone’s feelings (and keep attendance up I would suppose) some schools now call first year students just that – First Year or “FY” instead of Freshmen or “FR”. I must be losing my mind – who has the time to think of this BS??****
Mike Hnatkowski (#17) has stepped up and led the Mules with his strong arm. A left handed freshman (again – not First Year) he is a work in progress, but obviously he has all the tools to become a good QB in this league. He is completing a very respectable 61.5% of his passes and has thrown for 1677 yards and 17 TD’s. Although he is obviously still learning the offense he is certainly more than effective for Muhlenberg.
The loss of Savant (#32) – who will lead the Mules in Rushing Yardage at the end of the year – 77 ATT – 562 YDS and 6 TDs) – has thrown the running game at Muhlenberg into a group effort. The versatile Matt Stickney (#6) has taken over the load to some degree (50 ATT – 243 YDS), but Freshman James Diggs (#20) certainly contributes his fair share to rushing yardage.
With the second leading offense in the Centennial Conference the Mules benefit from a strong offensive line. Although not as big as they have been in the past they are certainly effective.
These guys have paved the way for 422.4 yards per game in total offense and have allowed just 17 sacks in the nine games they have played. Naturally as effective as they are – it allows their freshman QB a chance for success.
Over the years the TE position has been a key to the versatility in the Muhlenberg offensive attack. Their top Tight End Ryan Curtis (#11) has missed or been limited in his the last several games. If he remains inactive this week he will be replaced by Stephen Grandoff (#44).
Often the Mule offensive attack will show multiple receivers with Sophomore Max Kirin (#89), senior Kyle Wilezynski (#33) and local product Josiah Wright (#1) from Bethlehem Liberty being their top players.
Kirin (#89) leads all MC pass catchers with 31-381 yards and 6 TD’s. The injured Ryan Curtis (#11) has 21 catches for 245 yards and 3 scores. Muhlenberg has always done a good job spreading the ball around to their perimeter players and that is certainly still part of the plan.
Obviously they will try to limit the difficulty for QB Mike Hnatkowski (#17). It only makes sense to put him in situations that allow him a high degree of success. The coaches have done it to this point and there is no reason why they should change now.
Defensively the Mules are always one of the top teams in the conference and this year is no exception. They allow just 18.7 points per game (3rd in the Centennial) and are leading the conference allowing just 83.7 yards per game on the ground. This sturdy run defense has been the mark of the Mule defense for many years.
Kwasi Ampomah (#8) has 8.5 sacks on the season and is third in the conference and Amir Blair (#23) has force three fumbles. Junior Nate Corvil (#5) is a steady defender in their secondary – he leads all CC defenders with 6 interceptions (1 returned for a TD.)
The Muhlenberg defense is always known for their hard hitting and their disciplined play. As a team they are quick off the ball and are a good team in pursuit.
Obviously we will have our hands full on both sides of the ball.
We are coming off our highest scoring game…..35-18 win over Dickinson College. We played well on both sides of the ball and had some big production on Hall of Fame weekend.
*****The inductees into the Moravian Athletic Hall of Fame included one of the most decorated football players in Moravian history. Jarrod Pence ’03 
played in all but one game over his entire career and was the first ever Moravian AFCA Division III All American. He attained many post season awards over his remarkable career and played in the Division III All Star game in Mexico City. He is noted for his humility and great teamwork throughout his stay at MC.*****
Freshman Doug Erny (#8) had his best day of the season passing….completing 13-19 for 290 yards 
and three TD’s. Those three scores included a 75 yard TD to Captain Aaron Hudson (#1) to open the second half. He also had a 63 yarder to Alex Pierce (#83) and one of 27 yards to the elusive Nick Petros (#7).
Eli Redmond (#11) broke out for 111 yards rushing 
and one score. It was the second one hundred yard game of the season and with one game remaining he continues to regain his form of two seasons ago.
The young offensive line spearheaded by center Brett Polling (#75) continues to show progress and growth. They have worked hard all season and this group will be the foundation on which we will build next year’s offense. It is a great base to start with – young, strong, tough and big!
Steve Ewald (#45) and junior Captain Nick Zambelli (#24) – both of Parkland – led a strong defensive effort. Ewald (#45) made 13 tackles – knocked down a pass and picked off a Red Devil throw. The interception had the markings of a TD return but the old turf monster grabbed his foot and yanked him down before he could get away!
Zambelli (#24) – you can’t say enough about him. His leadership in the secondary and his ability to direct the defense is something you can’t say enough about. The six tackles he chipped in didn’t hurt either.
Up front freshman Shane Mastro (#92) had a breakout game creating several big plays including a sack. Captain Fouad Haddad (#40) continued his steady play that has marked his remarkable career which has seen him contribute in every phase of the game (including our goal line offense).
The entire defensive group put together one of their best efforts of the year. The Hounds got a lot of mileage out of a nicked-up Vinny Caporrino (#52) who played his usual steady game. An unfortunate injury to Joe Milano (#22) will sideline him for the rest of the year. He was on his way to a tremendous game with 7 tackles before he was hurt.
We will need all of these guys and everyone else we have to step up this weekend. This is a big game and as the saying goes “BIG PLAYERS MAKE BIG PLAYS IN BIG GAMES!”