Muhlenberg football has had its struggles in recent seasons and last year’s move into Lancaster-Lebanon Section 2 continued that trend.
However, fourth-year head coach John Lorchak said he has seen a change in culture this offseason that he hopes helps turn the program back to its winning days.
“What I have seen as far as just the locker room is a more business-like mentality with a focus of getting work done at practice,” Lorchak said. “You need to get work done and anything that we are doing it’s going to relate to the upcoming season. No question we’ve made great strides in building. The culture of having to make the commitment to make yourself better and the focus has improved drastically.”
Muhlenberg went 1-5 in Section 2, 2-8 overall last season and is 3-24 under Lorchak. The Muhls were 0-7 in 2020 and 1-9 in 2021. They are looking for their first winning season since going 6-5 in 2017.
“It’s a process of trying to build and trying to become better over the years,” said senior Kyle Archie, a wide receiver and cornerback. “Coach Lorchak, it’s his fourth year here and he’s improved every year. So we’re just building right now.”
Building certainly will be a process, but the Muhls said they feel like they have taken a step in the right direction this offseason.
“I think we’re in the process of trying to rebuild and form a brotherhood,” senior lineman Tucker Bellanca said. “I think we’ve improved a lot in building each other up instead of, you know, being angry at each other. I think that’s been a huge help for us.”
From hearing the players talk, it seems the locker room has grown together this offseason, with hopes that will translate to the field this season.
“This is my second year in the program, but I felt as though we’re all trying to build a brotherhood,” said sophomore Michael Miller, a wide receiver and safety. “We’re trying to come together as one. And like Kyle said, ‘It is a process,’ but I feel like the process is starting to become one. Once we do that, great things are ahead of us.”
Miller figures to be a huge part of writing a new chapter in Laureldale.
In his first season, Miller had 12 rushes for 122 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 6 yards. He is expected to get the majority of the touches this season following the graduation of Gio Cavanna.
Cavanna was essentially the Muhls’ offense as he ran for 1,001 yards on 147 carries and caught 12 passes for 169 yards. He scored 15 of the Muhls’ 21 touchdowns.
It is no easy task to ask Miller to fill that role, but he said he is ready.
“So last year, I didn’t really get to show what I really could show on the offensive end on the field,” Miller said. “I feel as though the only way I’m gonna succeed is if my linemen succeed and everybody else around me succeeds. So that’s the only way I’m gonna be able to carry the program, carry the load that I’m expected to carry.”
Lorchak said he sees the similarities in the abilities of Cavanna and Miller.
“He’s going to play a very prominent role on our offense and defense,” Lorchak said of Miller. “Mike is a very mature individual for his age and grade level. Mike through basketball has experienced times when he was put in situations in games. … Mike is experienced from that standpoint with some very competitive situations. Mike enjoys that competition and enjoys the competitiveness that is evident.”
Lorchak said he also expects quarterback Aaden Lopez to take a step forward this season.
Lopez backed up the since-graduated Drew Fidler last season, but got valuable time on the varsity field. He completed 14-for-34 passes for 174 yards with two interceptions.
According to Lorchak, Lopez will have a strong receiving corps this season that includes Archie and senior Isaiah Dodson.
This likely will lead to a more pass-heavy spread offense, which would be a change at Muhlenberg. The Muhls had triple the amount of yards on the ground than in the air last season.
On defense, the Muhls will continue to run a 4-3 front.
Lorchak said he is expecting his sophomore class to also take a step up, but knows growing pains will come with that.
“We have a strong sophomore class coming up,” he said. “A very talented group.”
Even the upperclassmen know how much the younger classes can help them succeed.
“Obviously we lost a couple of guys, but we got a young group and we’re looking to go out there and win some games, build off the last season, and get things done,” said senior Wes Clemison, a tight end and linebacker.
“I think this group here is just excited about getting started and moving on from the summer,” Lorchak said. “And getting out of that summer mode and getting into the preseason work for the upcoming season.”
A look at the Muhls
Coach: John Lorchak, fourth season, 3-24.
Last year: 1-5 Lancaster-Lebanon Section 2, 2-8.
PIAA classification: 5A.
Schedule: Aug. 26, at Octorara Area; Sept. 2, Reading; Sept. 9, Daniel Boone; Sept. 16, Lebanon; Sept. 23, Gov. Mifflin; Sept. 30, at Manheim Central; Oct. 7, at Exeter Oct. 14, Warwick; Oct. 21, at Ephrata; Oct. 28, at Conestoga Valley.
