Mifflinburg Reloads After District Championship With New-Look Offense and Fast, Aggressive Defense
Mifflinburg enters the 2026 season facing a challenge shared by every successful program: replacing the players who helped produce a championship without lowering expectations.
The Wildcats are coming off a memorable 10-3 campaign in which they captured the District 4 Class 3A championship and advanced to the opening round of the PIAA playoffs. Mifflinburg defeated Danville, 56-14, in the district semifinals before earning a 35-12 victory over Montoursville in the championship game.
The season ended with a narrow 28-21 loss to Scranton Prep, but the Wildcats established themselves as one of the strongest Class 3A programs in District 4.
Head coach Cody Botts now begins the process of reshaping a roster that graduated several of the most productive players in program history.
All-State quarterback Chad Martin and All-State wide receiver Landen Murray are gone, along with four starting offensive linemen and major contributors at every level of the defense.
The Wildcats will look considerably different in 2026.
That does not mean expectations have disappeared.
Mifflinburg returns two productive running backs, a pair of experienced tight ends, an All-State nose guard and several athletic players ready to assume larger roles. The Wildcats may need time to develop, particularly along the offensive line and throughout a defense replacing eight starters, but the program believes its returning talent can keep it in the District 4 championship conversation.
Replacing a Historic Quarterback-Receiver Combination
The most visible challenge will be replacing Martin and Murray.
The duo formed one of the most explosive quarterback-receiver combinations in program history and played a central role in an offense that scored at least 35 points in nine games last season.
Martin provided leadership, production and experience at quarterback, while Murray gave the Wildcats a game-breaking threat as both a receiver and return specialist.
Their graduation will force the offense to evolve.
Mifflinburg may not immediately replace their production with one quarterback or one receiver. Instead, offensive coordinator Anthony Threet and the coaching staff will look to build an attack around the strengths of the returning personnel.
The Wildcats expect to vary their approach from week to week, using their experienced backfield, versatile tight ends and athletic receiving corps to create favorable matchups.
The identity may change, but the goal remains the same: play physical football, create explosive plays and keep defenses from becoming comfortable.
Moser and Hartman Give Wildcats Proven Backfield
The most established area of the offense is running back, where seniors Landon Moser and Seth Hartman both return.
Moser carried the ball 104 times for 661 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, averaging 6.4 yards per attempt.
Hartman added 518 yards and seven touchdowns on 90 carries, averaging 5.8 yards per rush.
Together, they give Mifflinburg two experienced runners who have already produced in meaningful varsity games.
Moser brings vision, toughness and the ability to create yards after contact. Hartman provides another physical option capable of handling a significant workload.
The Wildcats will likely lean on both backs early while a new quarterback and rebuilt offensive line settle into their roles.
Their familiarity with the system should help the offense maintain consistency during the transition.
Having two proven runners also allows Mifflinburg to keep both players fresh and adjust the workload based on matchups.
Snyder Adds Another Explosive Weapon
One of the most intriguing additions to the offense is Brennen Snyder.
A three-sport athlete, Snyder brings speed, versatility and the ability to create explosive plays whenever he touches the football.
His athleticism gives the coaching staff flexibility in how it uses him. Snyder could line up in the backfield, in the slot or on the perimeter, allowing Mifflinburg to move him around the formation and create mismatches.
With Murray no longer commanding defensive attention, the Wildcats need another player capable of changing a game in space.
Snyder has the potential to become that player.
The key will be finding consistent ways to get him involved without placing too much pressure on him immediately.
New Quarterback Must Manage Transition
The quarterback position will be one of the most closely watched competitions during camp.
Replacing an All-State player such as Martin is never simple.
The new starter will be asked to manage the offense, protect the football and distribute it to a deep group of athletes.
Mifflinburg does not necessarily need the next quarterback to duplicate Martin’s production right away.
With Moser, Hartman, Snyder and several experienced receivers available, the offense can succeed through balance and efficiency.
The new quarterback must be comfortable making decisions at the line of scrimmage and taking advantage of the opportunities created by the running game.
The development of that position will likely determine how quickly the Wildcats find their offensive identity.
Young Offensive Line Faces Major Challenge
Mifflinburg graduated the majority of its offensive line, including Xzavier Croll, Jack Whittaker, Nate Criswell and Mason Schneck.
The new starters must learn to communicate, handle pressure and execute against some of the most physical defensive fronts in the PHAC.
Their development will be essential.
Mifflinburg’s offensive success has long been built around physicality and execution in the trenches. If the young linemen improve steadily, the offense should become more consistent as the season progresses.
Tight Ends Provide Strength and Stability
One of the biggest advantages for the offense is the return of senior Brady Threet and senior Luke Brubaker at tight end.
Threet caught six passes for 45 yards and a touchdown last season, while Brubaker recorded six receptions for 67 yards and one score.
Their receiving totals tell only part of the story.
Both players were instrumental in setting the edge for a productive running game. Their toughness, blocking ability and willingness to handle difficult assignments make them especially valuable.
The Wildcats can use both tight ends together, giving the offense flexibility without sacrificing physicality.
They can remain in to block, release into the passing game or move around the formation to create matchup problems.
For a new quarterback and young offensive line, having two dependable tight ends should provide considerable support.
Receiving Corps Will Rely on Depth
Mifflinburg may not have one receiver ready to replace all of Murray’s production, but the Wildcats believe their depth can compensate.
Hayden Showalter, Grady Brubaker and Jackson Marr are among the players expected to take on larger roles.
Each brings a different skill set to the offense.
Showalter can provide athleticism on the perimeter, Brubaker adds another dependable option and Marr brings experience as a playmaker on defense.
The Wildcats want the group to develop collectively rather than depend on one player to become the unquestioned No. 1 target.
If several receivers emerge, opponents will have difficulty focusing their coverage on one area of the field.
That depth could become one of the offense’s greatest strengths by the second half of the season.
Threet Ready for Expanded Defensive Role
Brady Threet is expected to take on a much larger role on defense, either at defensive end or outside linebacker.
His physical style, intelligence and versatility allow defensive coordinator Seth Hicks to use him in several ways.
Threet can help set the edge, pressure the quarterback and contribute against the run.
His experience on offense also gives him an understanding of blocking schemes and offensive tendencies.
Mifflinburg needs new leaders to emerge after graduating several defensive linemen and linebackers.
Threet has the ability to become one of those leaders.
Moser Brings Experience to Linebacker Unit
Moser returns at outside linebacker after finishing with 42 tackles, five tackles for loss and three interceptions.
His combination of experience, athleticism and instincts makes him one of the most valuable two-way players on the roster.
Moser plays with effort and consistently finds the football.
His leadership will be especially important in a linebacker group replacing Croll, Kaiden Kmett, Cole Reibsome and Martin.
The Wildcats expect him to help organize the defense and set the standard for the younger players around him.
His ability to contribute in coverage also gives Mifflinburg flexibility when facing spread offenses.
Kurtz and Troup Step Into the Middle
Isaiah Kurtz and Hudson Troup are expected to take on larger roles at inside linebacker.
Both players had productive offseasons, adding more than 20 pounds while improving their strength and physicality.
They fit the downhill style Mifflinburg wants from its linebackers.
The Wildcats need them to read plays quickly, attack gaps and tackle consistently.
Replacing so much experience in the middle of the defense will be challenging, but the coaching staff believes Kurtz and Troup have the toughness and competitiveness needed to succeed.
Their development will be one of the most important factors in the defense’s progress.
Marr Emerges as Secondary Leader
Senior cornerback Jackson Marr gained valuable experience last season and consistently created big plays.
He recorded 26 tackles, two interceptions, three fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one pass deflection.
Marr returned one of his interceptions for a touchdown and accumulated 90 return yards on his fumble recoveries.
His ability to turn takeaways into scoring opportunities makes him a dangerous defensive playmaker.
With JP Marr and Jackson Griffith graduating, Jackson Marr must become one of the leaders of the secondary.
He will be expected to handle difficult coverage assignments, communicate with younger defensive backs and continue creating turnovers.
His experience provides the defensive backfield with an important foundation.
Speed Could Define New Defense
Mifflinburg will be younger and less experienced defensively, but the coaching staff believes the unit could be faster across the board.
That athleticism should allow the Wildcats to pursue the football, pressure quarterbacks and recover from mistakes.
The defense wants to play with great effort and aggression.
The challenge will be pairing that speed with discipline.
Young defenders must learn to maintain proper leverage, avoid over-pursuit and communicate consistently.
As the new starters gain experience, the Wildcats expect the defense to develop into a fast, physical unit that reflects the program’s identity.
The early part of the season may include growing pains, but the potential is significant.
Boyer Returns to Lead Special Teams
Senior Jaden Boyer returns as the kicker after gaining valuable experience during his junior season.
Boyer has continued working throughout the offseason and will be expected to take another step forward.
His consistency could become especially important in close games.
Mifflinburg must replace Murray’s explosive production in the return game, creating opportunities for several young athletes.
Snyder, Showalter, Brubaker, Marr and others could compete for return duties.
The Wildcats may not immediately replace Murray’s ability to change field position, but the coaching staff believes the group has enough speed and athleticism to become productive.
The primary goal will be remaining fundamentally sound, winning the field-position battle and capitalizing on opportunities.
Players to Watch
Landon Moser, Sr., RB/OLB: Two-way standout who rushed for 661 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding 42 tackles and three interceptions.
Seth Hartman, Sr., RB: Experienced runner who produced 518 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 5.8 yards per carry.
Brady Threet, Sr., TE/DE-OLB: Physical and intelligent two-way player expected to take on a larger defensive role.
Luke Brubaker, Sr., TE: Returning tight end whose blocking and toughness are essential to the running game.
Jackson Marr, Sr., WR/CB: Defensive playmaker who recorded two interceptions and three fumble recoveries last season.
Brennen Snyder, ATH: Versatile three-sport athlete capable of creating explosive plays from multiple positions.
Isaiah Kurtz, LB: Young linebacker expected to step into a larger role after a strong offseason.
Hudson Troup, LB: Physical inside linebacker who added size and strength while preparing for an expanded role.
Jaden Boyer, Sr., K: Returning kicker expected to provide stability and experience on special teams.
My thoughts on Mifflinburg
Mifflinburg enters 2026 with the confidence of a defending district champion but a roster that must develop quickly.
The Wildcats lost an All-State quarterback, an All-State receiver, most of their offensive line and eight defensive starters.
Those departures will create significant challenges, especially early in the season.
However, Mifflinburg still returns a strong foundation.
Moser and Hartman give the offense two proven running backs. Threet and Brubaker form an experienced tight end combination. Snyder adds another explosive athlete.
The offense will depend on a new quarterback, a young offensive line and several receivers stepping into expanded roles.
Defensively, Moser provides proven leaders, but the Wildcats must develop new contributors at nearly every position.
The unit may be younger, but its speed and competitiveness give it the potential to improve considerably throughout the season.
Mifflinburg’s path back to the District 4 championship game will not look the same as it did in 2025.
This team will need to grow, adjust and rely on a deeper group of contributors.
If the offensive line develops, the new quarterback protects the football and the young defense matures around Moser, the Wildcats should remain one of the leading contenders in District 4 Class 3A.
Head Coach: Cody Botts
Assistant Coaches:
Anthony Threet- OC and WR’s Coach
Brandon Teichman- Special Teams Coordinator and DB’s Coach
Seth Hicks- DC and DL Coach
Jeff Wagner- RB’s Coach
Tom Parfitt- QB’s Coach
Luke Flickinger- OLB Coach
Jim Hile- ILB Coach
Team Name: Mifflinburg Wildcats
District: 4
Class: 3A
League: PA Heartland Athletic Conference, Division II
2025 Record: 10-3
8/22 Loyalsock Township (2A) 7:00 pm W 47-13
8/29 @ Danville* (3A) 7:00 pm W 42-14
9/05 @ Mount Carmel Area* (3A) 7:00 pm W 48-20
9/12 @ Montoursville* (3A) 7:00 pm W 35-7
9/19 @ Hollidaysburg (5A) 7:00 pm L 14-49
9/26 Milton Area* (3A) 7:00 pm W 49-7
10/03 Southern Columbia* (2A) 7:00 pm L 14-21
10/10 @ Central Columbia* (3A) 7:00 pm W 65-3
10/17 Midd-West (3A) 7:00 pm W 62-0
10/24 Lewisburg (3A) 7:00 pm W 35-0
10/31 Danville (3A) 7:00 pm W 56-14 Dist. 4 Class 3A Semifinal
11/07 Montoursville (3A) 7:00 pm W 35-12 Dist. 4 Class 3A Championship
11/14 Scranton Prep (3A) 7:00 pm L 21-28 PIAA Class 3A 1st Round @ Milton HS
2026 Schedule:
Date Opponent Kickoff
8/22 Southern Columbia (2A) 11:00 am Scrimmage
8/28 Shikellamy (4A) 7:00 pm
9/04 Selinsgrove (4A) 7:00 pm
9/11 @ Bloomsburg* (2A) 7:00 pm
9/18 @ Hughesville* (2A) 7:00 pm
9/25 Loyalsock Township* (3A) 7:00 pm
10/02 Warrior Run* (2A) 7:00 pm
10/09 @ Central Mountain (4A) 7:00 pm
10/16 @ Midd-West* (4A) 7:00 pm
10/23 Montoursville (3A) 7:00 pm
10/30 @ Lewisburg* (3A) 7:00 pm
Key Starters lost:
Chad Martin- QB and LB
Landen Murray- WR
Jackson Griffith- WR and C
Offensive Lineman (Xzavier Croll, Jack Whittaker, Nate Criswell, and Mason Schneck)
Defensive Lineman (Chace Aikey, Nate Criswell, Mason Schneck)
LB’s (Xzavier Croll, Kaiden Kmett, Cole Reibsome, Chad Martin)
DB’s (JP Marr and Jackson Griffith)
Offensive Starters Returning:
Landon Moser- RB
Seth Hartman- RB
Brady Threet- TE
Luke Brubaker- TE
Defensive Starters Returning:
Landon Moser- OLB
Jackson Marr- C
Special Team Starters Returning:
Kicker- Jaden Boyer
Key Newcomers:
Grady Brubaker- WR and Corner
Brennen Snyder- QB and Safety
Isaiah Kurtz- LB
Hudson Troup- LB
Hayden Showalter- WR and Corner
Liam Tressler- OT
Lucas Miller- Center/OG
2026 Returning Player Stats:
Landon Moser- RB
104 carries for 661 yards and 10 TD’s
6.4 avg
Seth Hartman- RB
90 carries for 518 and 7 TD’s
5.8 avg
Brady Threet- TE
6 catches for 45 yards, 1 TD
Luke Brubaker- TE
6 catches for 67 yards, 1 TD
Landon Moser- OLB
42 tackles, 5 TFL
3 INT for 10 yards
Jackson Marr- Corner
26 tackles
2 INT for 35 yards and 1 TD
3 fumble recoveries for 90 yards
1 caused fumble, 1 pass deflection
2026 Outlook:
Offense: Offensively, we’ll certainly have a different look in 2026 after graduating one of the most explosive quarterback-wide receiver combinations in program history with All-State quarterback Chad Martin and All-State wide receiver Landen Murray. Those are two outstanding players that will be difficult to replace, but we’re excited about the talent and athleticism we have returning.
One player we’re excited to add to the mix is Brennen Snyder. As a three-sport athlete, Brennen has the ability to create explosive plays every time he touches the football. His versatility and athleticism give us another dynamic weapon and allow us to be creative in how we get him involved.
We also return both of our starting running backs in Landon Moser and Seth Martin, who each rushed for over 500 yards last season. Having two experienced backs who understand our offense gives us confidence that we’ll continue to be physical and productive in the running game.
Up front, we’ll have some new faces. We graduated the majority of our offensive line, so we’ll be relying on a talented group of young linemen to step into bigger roles. While they’ll gain experience as the season progresses, we’re excited about their potential and believe they’ll continue to develop into a strong unit.
At wide receiver, we may not have one player replacing the production of Landen Murray, but I really like the depth and athleticism of this group. Hayden Showalter, Grady Brubaker, and Jackson Marr are all capable playmakers who I believe will make a significant impact this season. They each bring something a little different to the offense, and we’re excited to watch them continue to develop.
One of the strengths of our offense will be at tight end, where we return both Brady Threet and Luke Brubaker. Those two were instrumental in our success a year ago, especially with the way they set the edge in our run game. Their experience, toughness, and willingness to do the dirty work make them extremely valuable to what we do offensively.
Overall, our offense will definitely look different from a year ago, and you’ll likely see us do some different things from week to week based on our personnel. While we’ve graduated some outstanding players, I feel very good about the group we have returning. They’re a hardworking, athletic group that’s eager to prove themselves, and I’m excited to see what they’re capable of accomplishing in 2026.
Defense: Defensively, we’ll have a much different look in 2026 after graduating eight of our 11 starters from last year’s unit. While replacing that much experience is never easy, I’m excited about the talent, athleticism, and competitiveness of the group we’ll have on the field this fall.
I’m also looking forward to Brady Threet stepping into a much larger defensive role, whether that’s at defensive end or outside linebacker. Brady is an extremely physical player with a high football IQ, and his versatility gives us flexibility in how we use him defensively.
At linebacker, we’re fortunate to return one of the best players in the area in Landon Moser. He plays the game the right way, flies to the football, and brings tremendous leadership to our defense. Alongside him, I’m excited to watch Isaiah Kurtz and Hudson Troup step into larger roles in the middle of our defense. Both have had outstanding offseasons, adding over 20 pounds while continuing to improve their strength and physicality. They’re downhill linebackers who love contact and fit the style of defense we want to play.
In the secondary, Jackson Marr gained valuable experience last season and came up with several big plays in key moments. I’m looking forward to seeing him take another step in his development and become a leader in our defensive backfield.
Overall, I’m really excited about the athleticism we’ll have on defense. While we may be younger and less experienced than we were a year ago, I believe we’ll be faster across the board. We have a group of players who love to compete, play with great effort, and fly to the football. As they continue to gain experience throughout the season, I expect this defense to develop into a fast, physical, and aggressive unit that reflects the identity of our program.
Special Team: We’ll have some new faces on special teams this season after graduating Landen Murray, who was a dangerous playmaker in the return game. While we’ll miss his ability to change a game with the ball in his hands, we’ve got several young, athletic players competing for those opportunities. It’s a group that’s hungry to prove themselves, and I’m looking forward to seeing who emerges throughout camp and the season.
We’re also excited to have Jaden Boyer back for his senior year after a solid junior season. Jaden gained valuable experience last fall, and I expect him to continue building on that this year. He’s put in a lot of work during the offseason, and we’re looking forward to seeing that translate on Friday nights.
As with every season, our goal on special teams is to be fundamentally sound, win the field position battle, and take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves. With a mix of experienced players and young athletes competing for roles, I think this group has the potential to make steady progress throughout the season.