Cody Scherer of Lehighton, now in Kutztown

Cody Scherer played four sports while at Lehighton High School.

Although he plays one sport at Kutztown University, he has added another role this football season, that of a senior leader.

After an injury-interrupted 2021 season, Scherer returned to provide a steady presence for the Golden Bears. Kutztown has given up just 37 points during its four-game hitting streak, which it looks to extend Saturday when it visits Millersville.

Scherer enters the Marauders matchup fifth at Kutztown in singles tackles (19) and total tackles (30), having played in all eight games this season. He was limited to three games last season after suffering a broken hand in preseason camp. This injury required surgery.

“I think things are going pretty well,” Scherer said by phone Tuesday. “We started off pretty slow as a team as a whole. Individually, I think I’m having a pretty good season, just doing my job week in and week out, trying to do my job as well as possible for the team.

“We’re getting better every week and it shows.”

Scherer credited spring football and time in the gym for allowing him to enter this season ready to return as a starter. He played in 12 of 13 games and made three starts as a sophomore in 2019, tying for third on the PSAC East championship team in tackles. His season included a 14-tackle game in the NCAA second round against Notre Dame College and a 10-tackle game (eight solo) in the NCAA first-round game against Tiffin.

The combination of COVID-19, which canceled the 2020 season, and Scherer’s broken hand last season have meant that he has seen few games over the past two years. His experience, however, still outweighed that of many of his fellow minor leaguers prior to this season.

“He brings leadership to the back end and communicates well with the guys,” Kutztown coach Jim Clements said. “He does a very good job for us. He made a big pick for us two weeks ago against Bloomsburg.

“He’s in the best shape since he’s been here,” Clements added. “He works very hard in the gym. Our strength coach, Scott Hobbs, works really well with our guys. He has really responded to his workouts and training and it shows. His measurables in terms of speed and quickness were improved coming into camp.”

With two solid months under his belt, Scherer now wants a strong finish for the Golden Bears. Kutztown has three guaranteed games left this season and hopes to return to the postseason.

The Golden Bears’ first task is to beat an improved Millersville team. Freshman quarterback Robert Footman Jr. has gone 3-1 since becoming the Marauders’ starting quarterback. He helped them beat Shippensburg last week for the first time since 2000.

Scherer is looking forward to the task of leading the Kutztown defense.

“You can tell every game we’re getting a little better, a little more experienced,” Scherer said. “It definitely helps as we get further into the season.”

Here’s a look at this week’s games.

Next: in Millersville at noon Saturday.

It should be noted: Redshirt senior Darryl Davis-McNeil needs 128 yards to reach 1,000 yards this season. He topped 100 yards four times in eight games. … Redshirt senior linebacker Tyler Wary (Upper Perkiomen) recorded his first sack of the season in Saturday’s win over Lock Haven.

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Next: at Shippensburg, 1 p.m., Saturday.

It should be noted: ESU junior kicker Devin Bartholomew (Parkland) was named the PSAC East Special Teams Athlete of the Week for the second time this season after making all four kicks (two field goals, two extra points) in Saturday’s win over Bloomsburg. He also booted two touchdowns. … Freshman Tahir Mills had career highs with 24 carries and 116 yards on Saturday. … Shippensburg redshirt sophomore Bryce Hampton (Pleasant Valley) has appeared in all eight games this season.

Next: Franklin and Marshall, 1 p.m., Saturday.

It should be noted: Muhlenberg scored a season-high 57 points in last week’s win at Huniat. Sophomore Joe Repetti set a school record with six touchdown passes. … The Mules scored a touchdown on 71 percent of their trips into the red zone, ranking second in the Centennial Conference. … Junior wide receiver Andrew Darneau (Notre Dame-Green Pond) has caught at least one pass in four straight games. He also had a 19-yard run last week.

Next: McDaniel, 1 p.m., Saturday.

It should be noted: Moravian dropped to 0-5 on the road with last week’s 44-17 loss to Ursinus. … Greyhounds receiver Jordan Lewis (Parkland) caught at least three passes for the third time in seven games this season. His 49 receiving yards were the second-most in 2022. … Moravian junior running back Nate Boyle (Tamaqua) ranks second in the Centennial Conference with 100.3 rushing yards per game.

Stephen Miller is a freelance writer for The Morning Call.