SECTION IV FOOTBALL: WAVERLY'S MILLER SEE A LOT TO LIKE AT THREE-TEAM SCRIMMAGE AT ATHENS (20 PHOTOS) (August 21, 2026)

By TIM BIRNEY
Valley Sports Report
ATHENS — Longtime Waverly football coach Jason Miller said there was a lot to like from his team's performance in the three-team scrimmage with Athens and Bloomsburg here Saturday at Alumni Stadium.

"I think there were a lot of positive things," said Miller. "We executed a lot of different things, and I thought there's a lot of physicality.

"But just getting multiple personnel groupings on and off the field was good for us," noted Miller.

"We're green up front, and that's where we have a lot of work to do," said Miller. "We have a lot of new players who just need reps.

"It's different this year because we have three weeks to get ready for our first game," he noted. "So my perception of things is very different than what it was the last four years where we played after 10 days.

"We've installed a lot up to this point, and these guys are all learning multiple positions," said Miller. "The kids aren't great at anything, but they're pretty good at most things.

"We consistently played on an even rotation, nine different linemen," added Miller. "It's really good we're playing that many guys equal reps; that's going to pay real dividends as we move forward and get in the season, because we don't want to get a situation where one guy goes down, all of a sudden, we don't have anyone."

Miller said his veteran players like Matthias Welles, Ben Shaw, Justin Koenig and Chase Wheeler led the way Saturday.

"A lot of, our older guys executed, the younger guys were trying to get up the speed," said Miller. "We need to get those guys more reps, but we've got two weeks to do it."

Miller was especially pleased with the Wolverine run game, led by Ben Shaw and Bryce LaForest, as well as sophomore QB Cooper Chrystie, who ripped off a 65-yard TD run.

"I saw some really good physical runs," said Miller. "I thought our guys ran really good at running back, get some extra yards."

The passing game provided some big plays, but was a bit erratic on the day.

"I think Cooper (Chrystie) was a little amped up today," said Miller. "He showed flashes, though, of how dangerous he is with his legs and throwing the ball."

Waverly will open the season at home Sept. 5 against Section IX's Port Jervis.

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PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.

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