“The off-season went well,” says Wright as he enters his third season at the helm, “we started lifting in January and then added more football work this summer. Attendance was improved from last summer, especially with the younger groups .. that was great.”

North Penn went 3-7 a year ago, beating Sayre, Athens and Wellsboro while falling to Wyalusing, Towanda, Canton, Warrior Run, Muncy, Troy and Cowanesque Valley.

The Panthers lost some key players to graduation, most notably the All-Tioga County “Player of the Year’, QB/LB Cooper Shaw. 

“We lost the most experience at quarterback and running back,” says Wright, “ so the plan is to play balanced and try to win up front.”

Among the 45-to-50 players Wright expects to open the season with is a player with All-State credentials .. senior wide out Luke Kreger.

“Luke is great with the ball in his hands,” says Wright, “we’ll try to use him in multiple roles as needed.”

Wright points to other returning players as being keys to the upcoming season, including senior Bryce Route, who Wright says was limited to less than a game last season and is a “physical, athletic offensive and defensive lineman that looks healthy and strong.”

Wright says that returning player Skyler Everetts, a linebacker and offensive lineman, was “one of our hardest workers of the off-season” and that returner Ian Snyder “gained valuable experience last year and got stronger and more confident.”

On possible underclassmen that could contribute to the Panthers right away, Wright points out freshman Jackson Raught .. a “bigger athlete that could fill many different roles” and sophomore Sudan Benner, who Wright says “gained valuable experience last season as a freshman.”

The Panthers will open their 2025 season at home on Friday when they host Wyalusing. 

Wright is confident that his Panthers are ready and says fans can expect to see a team that “has great attitudes .. relentless effort .. incredible commitment and toughness as a group.”