PENNS VALLEY — Despite their 2-8 record in 2025, the Penns Valley Rams do have momentum coming into the 2026 season. The Rams finished last season by winning two of their last three games. They also lost three games by a combined 10 points. With a couple more plays and bounces going Penns Valley’s way, they could have easily been a five- or six-win team.
However, one of the biggest challenges for the Rams this season will be replacing their top playmakers at the quarterback, running back, and wide receiver positions.
The good news for Penns Valley is that they return a great deal of experience on both sides of the ball, with 15 players back for their senior season. The defense returns eight starters, so there should be major improvement on that side of the ball.
Four returning offensive line starters are also back in 2026. Seniors Haydn Townsend, Blake Senator, Quinn Shaffer, and Bryce Dunkle bring experience and leadership in the trenches, which should be one of the strengths of this current Rams squad.
Sophomore Cael Smith is the leading candidate to take under center for the Rams in 2026. Senior Spencer Althouse, who had 46 receptions for 600 yards and two touchdowns, along with Tight End Emery Reed, should be two of the Rams’ main options through the air. Seniors Gannyn Stover and Trip Watson will lead the Rams’ rushing attack. Stover was second on the team in rushing yards per game in 2025.
Because the Rams are so senior-heavy, many of the names on the offensive side of the ball will also be tasked with leading defensively. Linebacker Christian Merrill had 79 total tackles, including 41 solo tackles, in 2025. Linebacker Emery Reed was not far behind, recording 63 tackles, including 31 solo tackles. Both should anchor a much-improved Rams’ defense.
Penns Valley will know where they stand as a team right out of the gate as they travel to play state runner-up Bishop Guilfoyle in Week 1. Head Coach Martin Tobias said that is where the Rams’ focus is. “We’re really focused on Bishop Guilfoyle because that’s going to tell us a lot about who we are. They are an exceptional team, an exceptional program, and if we want to be the best, we have to beat the best,” Tobias said.
Penns Valley’s main goal is to improve from last season. On what would make for a successful season, Tobias said, “Winning more games than we did last year. Performing more consistently overall and eliminating mistakes that hurt us in the past and got in the way of us being able to finish games. We want to win, and that’s our main goal for each week.”
After Week 1, Penns Valley will open its home schedule against Central Cambria in Spring Mills on Sept. 4. The Rams finish the season with three of their final four games at home, giving them an opportunity to build that momentum down the stretch. For Tobias, however, success is about more than just wins. He emphasized the importance of playing the game the rightway.
“The kids play hard and play the game the right way. They play with discipline, they play with composure. They play with class. They play the right way.”
