After ending a seven-year losing streak against teams from Berks County in 2023, the Kutztown football team is ready to make more positive strides in 2024.
The Cougars’ 32-game losing streak ended last September in thrilling fashion, as Kutztown scored 22 unanswered points and went on a thrilling 16-play, 99-yard drive that lasted nearly eight minutes and ended with a 2-yard touchdown run from fullback Brenden Ackley.
Moments later, a two-point conversion run from now graduated Ethan Lafferty lifted the Cougars to a 35-34 victory over Hamburg in Section 5 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League.
And with a team that lost very little to graduation, the potential for continued progress is alive and well for Kutztown.
“We have about 17-18 guys returning on both sides of the ball so we’re really excited,” Cougars coach Larry Chester said. “The fact that we kind of turned the corner a little bit with our program, now our intention is to go a little bit further. So we have guys that have been involved in the program. They know the system, they know the culture. It makes it easier to prepare.”
A core of Kutztown’s running game is back with leading rusher Brenden Ackley returning at fullback. Ackley rushed for 1,054 yards on 176 attempts in 2023, and also scored seven touchdowns.
Another key returner is leading scorer and junior running back Mason Sherry, who the team in touchdowns with 12 and also rushed for 684 yards on 91 attempts.
David Bates, a senior at running back and cornerback who rushed for 83 yards on 11 attempts last year, will also provide experience in the backfield.
Kutztown had the third most rushing yards in Berks in 2023, gaining 2,586 rushing yards and an average of 258.6 per game.
“It’s very congealed already because we feel good together,” Sherry said of the offense.
“I think as a unit we’re very close,” Bates said.
Six-foot, four-inch quarterback Colten Mathias, who threw 21-for-66 for 365 yards, five touchdowns and six interceptions, will start again, and poses a threat on the ground as well. He scored four rushing touchdowns in 2023.
Mathias’ best option at receiver will be senior tight end and defensive end James Undercuffler. Undercuffler scored three touchdowns, caught seven passes for 97 yards and was second on the team in receiving yards behind Lafferty a year ago.
Years of experience have created a firm understanding of the offensive schemes being run and should prove beneficial for the Cougars.
“We had this playbook for a long time now,” Undercuffler said. “We kind of know what we’re doing and have a lot of older guys now who can make adjustments. We can be a good team.”
The preparation for success has been ongoing for Kutztown since near the end of last season. Through consistent time in the weight room, participating in overnight camps and furthering an already-strong sense of team chemistry, the Cougars have leadership well in place.
Lafferty, who scored nine touchdowns, rushed for 584 yards on 93 attempts and recorded a team-high 129 receiving yards is the main gap to fill.
“The offseason really never stops,” Chester said. “We give them off for a few weeks and then we get right into the weight room. We’ve been lifting four days a week. We also go to an overnight camp for three days at Millersville University, which kind of bonds us together.
“Every coach goes through it across the country. You lose your seniors, you lose your leadership. You have to have a new group coming in, and then see whether or not they take the baton metaphorically speaking from the previous version.
“Our guys did that. We have two new captains. We have a lot of new players in different positions, but yet we still have the old regime that’s keeping everything together. So we’re very excited.”
On defense, Kutztown gave up 359 points a year ago while the offense scored 255. While improvements are ongoing, the offseason preparations combined with established veterans have the Cougars poised for one of their best seasons in a long time.
Kutztown last reached four wins in a season in 2016. The Cougars open the season at home against Fleetwood on Aug. 23.
“Overall game speed comes when you play games,” Chester said. “You can try to prepare as much as you can, but generally folding in those new players with the old players is always going to be a challenge. However, going to Millersivlle will help us out with that, so we expect to kind of be a little bit ahead of the curve.”
A look at the Cougars
Coach: Larry Chester, fifth season, 29-68
Last season: 2-5 Lancaster-Lebanon Section 5, 3-7.
PIAA classification: 3A.
Schedule: Aug. 23, Fleetwood; Aug. 31, at York County Tech; Sept. 6, Octorara; Sept. 13, at Schuylkill Valley; Sept. 20, at Hamburg; Sept. 27 Annville-Cleona; Oct. 4, at Berks Catholic; Oct. 11 Lancaster Catholic; Oct. 18 at Columbia; Oct. 25 Pequea Valley.
