After missing playoffs last season, the Mounties are ready for a fresh start with their new coaching staff, led by head coach Ryan Long. The team is made up of a mixture of both West Branch and Philipsburg students. This year the varsity starting eleven is made up of 8 PO students and three West Branch students. The Mounties are off to a great start to their season, winning their first three games. The Mounties didn’t allow their opponents to score once in any of those games. They opened their season on August 29th against Clearfield. The Mounties took down the Bison 4-0. The team then traveled to Bald Eagle on August 31st. They took down the Eagles 5-0. The Mounties played their third game of the season against Johnstown on September 5th. They won with an outstanding score of 14-0. PO’s Carson Long led the way, scoring 5 goals and having 6 assists. West Branch’s Matt Eirich also added two of his own goals. West Branches ‘s Hunter Bell had a great night in the net, saving four of Johnstown’s shots on goal. With a great start to the season, the Mounties and their new staff are looking forward to having a very successful season. When asked about the new coaching staff, Junior Carson Long said, “I think it was a great choice for him to be the new coach. I enjoy him being our coach and how he coaches the team. I can also say with him as the coach we will be doing really good and will make it far as a team.” Senior Matt Eirich also added, “Ryan and the new staff have been great, they’ve pushed us to be better in a way we haven’t been before.”