Dayton Stauffer ’30, staff writer
LVC’s first-year punter is ranked ninth in all of Division III in average yards per punt.
After senior starting punter Max Wisensale went down with a knee injury in the team’s scrimmage against Thaddeus Stevens, backup punter Jake Musselman stepped up and became the team’s starter. Musselman was recruited as a kicker and punter out of Boyertown High School.
“This guy goes down next man up, right? I think the best way to deal with it is to know that you’ve been recruited here.” Musselman said.
Musselman knows his spot in the top 10 isn’t completely locked up and knows he must continue this level of play. Musselman averaged 30.5 yards per punt in his junior season of high school, but stepped it up, averaging 35.1 yards per punt during his senior season. While only in his first year of college, Musselman increased his average once again as he averages 41.43 yards per punt for the Dutchmen.
“You got to put that work in every day, every week just to keep getting better, and it’s never going to stay the same.” Musselman said. “It definitely is still a motivation. There’s eight people ahead of you and it’s a week-to-week thing”
Jake Musselman and the Dutchmen will look to recover during their bye week in preparation for the school’s homecoming game against Stevenson on Saturday, Oct.10.