Joy.
That is what the Muhlenberg football program has brought third-year head coach Rob Flowers heading into 2026.
In just his second season at his alma mater, Flowers led the Muhls to their first winning season in eight years at 10-3, along with snapping a 12-year District 3 playoff appearance drought.
Flowers is overjoyed with what the past two seasons have meant to him.
“I think people forget sometimes, man, there’s a lot of joy in the process of what we’re doing,” Flowers said at the Lancaster-Lebanon League media day in early August. “Take the wins and losses away, it’s been a joy cleaning up our football program. I’m saying our football program because it’s ours. It’s been a joy watching our young men grow from year-to-year.”
The Muhls have sent nine players to play college football over the course of Flowers’ two seasons, while taking pride in their players coming back to support the current team and community.
Prior to Flowers’ arrival, the Muhls suffered losing season after losing season, evident through culture issues along with a lack of love for the game.
Flowers, who threw for 2,220 yards in his high school career as a Muhl while winning the Inter-County League championship and setting a school record with 11 wins as a senior, has walked into the building at Laureldale and flipped a switch.
And talking to the players, it’s clear that he’s made an impact in their lives, not only on the gridiron.
A sense of happiness and enthusiasm lit up their faces when asked to describe Flowers.
“He has played such a good father figure, male role model in my life,” senior lineman Tyler Stoyer said. “He gives a lot of life lessons, whether it includes football, or in life. I know I could call him if I need someone … He’ll motivate you, push you, and make you work harder. That’s why he’s just a great coach, and a great guy.”
Having a players’ coach is exactly what every football player, no matter the level, wants to lead them in a game.
And so far, the Muhls have executed in doing so.
Muhlenberg started 2025 on a six-game winning streak, outscoring opponents 269-73.
They punched their ticket to the District 3 Class 5A playoffs, but fell to Spring Grove 35-0 in the first round.
There were a bunch of takeaways from the loss, but most importantly, the Muhls now know there is more work to do in order to be great while gaining the confidence to compete against teams that have “been there and done that.”
“The culture we had last year was amazing,” junior quarterback Adriel Baez said. “That winning culture we brought, it all started with the work we put in in the summer. We all came together and put our heads down. We knew that had to be done to bring back that winning culture.”
Not only did the team accomplish a lot, players individually did too, highlighted by senior running back Cameron Small.
The current Millersville Marauder rushed for 1,766 yards and 25 touchdowns, a year removed from rushing for more than 2,000 yards as an All-State selection.
And replacing that type of talent is never easy, but there’s hope that one of the horses in the stable will emerge from the group to put his name down as the next great Muhlenberg running back.
Junior Ian Rodriguez, who got carries last season, is one of the backs expected to make some noise.
On the outside, Michael Miller and Fred Lacey also graduated after combining for 72 receptions, 1,093 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.
“You can’t replace a Cam Small. You can’t replace a Mike Miller. You can’t replace a Freddy Lacy. Super explosive dudes, but what you can do is you can use the way that those three young men worked, played and performed as examples of the model of what we wanted to look like,” Flowers said.
The players know it’ll be tough replicating the success of last season, especially after moving up to Class 6A in District 3, but they are ready for the challenge at hand.
Baez, who enters his third season as the starter, has led the charge.
The junior has gotten his receivers together to throw during the summer months while getting in the film room to truly learn how to read defenses pre- and post-snap.
“I’ve definitely improved in my decision making, making my reads, and just being more accurate as a quarterback,” Baez said. “What I’m looking forward to most for this season is completing my passes more, being smarter with the ball, and being more of a leader for my team.”
Witnessing and experiencing what is possible as a Muhl, this year’s squad is more than ready to surpass the heights of 2025 and is eager for kickoff on Friday at Cocalico.
Muhlenberg
Coach: Rob Flowers, third season, 57-96 (Seasons at Reading High and Daniel Boone).
Last Year’s Record: 5-1 Lancaster-Lebanon Section 2, 10-3.
Key Players Lost: RB Cameron Small, WR/DB Michael Miller, WR/DB Fred Lacey
Key Players Returning: QB Adriel Baez, RB/LB Ian Rodriguez, WR/DB Kalib Perez, WR/DB Noel Irizarry Jr., WR/DB Jayden Faulkner, WR/DB Joseph Dabentz, LT/DL Tyler Stoyer, DB Chase Zona, DT Julian Baez, DT Justin Jacquez.
3 Keys to Success
Adriel Baez leads the way: Last year as a sophomore, Baez threw for 1,407 yards and 14 touchdowns in a “Let Cam Small work” offense. Even then, Baez made plays through the air while rushing for 156 yards and four scores. It’s expected that Baez can positively affect the game with his arm in Section 2.
Defense shows up against better opponents: The Muhls’ defense allowed an average of 40 points per game in their three losses last season. That simply won’t get the job done when facing tougher competition in Section 1.
Grind with the same mentality: Sometimes teams can get complacent after experiencing success, and last year’s accomplishments could be enough for some players. To reach their full potential while facing tougher competition in Cocalico and Wilson, the Muhls need to work that much harder in 2026.
Schedule: Aug. 28, at Cocalico; Sept. 4, at Reading; Sept. 11, Wilson; Sept. 18, Solanco; Sept. 25, Lebanon; Oct. 2, at Ephrata; Oct. 9, Conestoga Valley; Oct. 16, at Exeter; Oct. 23, Gov. Mifflin; Oct. 30, at Elizabethtown.
