By Casey Shillabeer ’22, staff writer

The Dutchmen started off on the right foot with a big home opener win over Franklin and Marshall on Sept. 4, 19-14.

With the win over F&M, a great opponent from the Centennial Conference, the football team is now 1-0 for the first time since 2013.

“That turned out to be a very good year,” Head Coach Joe Buehler said.

Along with this accomplishment, this was the first time LVC has beaten F&M since 1981.

“I was a freshman football player at Palmyra Middle School,” Buehler said.

Because of COVID-19, there was no 2020 football season. The team put in a lot of hard work in the offseason.

“We took advantage of our opportunities by getting a number of practices in the fall and then again in the spring,” Buehler said. “COVID-19 has taught our team that EVERYONE needs to be ready to play. At any moment a player could test positive or be a part of contact tracing.”

Coach Buehler has been with the football team for 18 seasons overall, and this being his sixth year as the head coach. Every coach has goals for their teams heading into the season.

“We want to get better every day and compete for the opportunity for post season play,” Buehler said. “It is going to be exciting to see this team develop. I’m glad to be a part of it!”

The Dutchmen are back at home against FDU-Florham Saturday, Oct. 9 at noon.