<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0cxkSZ_0w0kawTc00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0cxkSZ_0w0kawTc00" width="1614" height="1046" ><figcaption>Cosmic Fox Media/Matthew Levine Moravian quarterback Jared Jenkins, a Freedom grad, has completed 64.8% of his passes while throwing for 1,333 yards (266.6 yards per game), nine touchdowns and just one interception. (Cosmic Fox Media/Matthew Levine)</figcaption></figure>Jared Jenkins’ first full season as Moravian University’s starting quarterback ended withindividual records but middling team success.Greyhounds coach Jeff Long Jr. and his assistants asked Jenkins for more ahead of his senior season.They pushed Jenkins, a Freedom High graduate, to ramp up his preparation. They asked him to lead with his voice as well as his actions.Five games into the 2024 season, Long likes the trajectory of Jenkins and the Greyhounds.Moravian reached the midpoint of its season at 3-2 overall after opening Landmark Conference play by throttling Keystone College 55-14 on Saturday.Jenkins has played a starring role in guiding Moravian to its current position. He has completed 64.8% of his passes while throwing for 1,333 yards (266.6 yards per game), nine touchdowns and just one interception.His offseason dedication has contributed to his efficiency.“I think he wants to be a coach one day, and it shows with just how he prepares,” Long said by phone Monday. “Against [SUNY] Morrisville a couple of weeks ago, a really stout defensive team, I think he knew their blitzes better than they did.“He was anticipating — that comes with … film study — and he was able to put us in somegreat spots despite some mismatches they may have had.“It’s been a lot of fun to watch,” Long added. “I can’t wait to see him attack it again this week[against Catholic].”<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1wLeMF_0w0kawTc00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1wLeMF_0w0kawTc00" width="1859" height="1047" ><figcaption>Cosmic Fox Media/Matthew Levine Moravian senior quarterback Jared Jenkins has stepped up as a leader for the Greyhounds. (Cosmic Fox Media/Matthew Levine)</figcaption></figure>Jenkins said he frequently talked with Long during the offseason to hone his leadership skills.He read a couple of leadership books Long recommended and participated in leadership meetings.Jenkins also dedicated time to learning more about his teammates, regardless of which class they’re in.“It’s so when I’m vocal with them, they know where it’s coming from,” Jenkins said. “They know it’s all out of love. I just want everyone to be better and bring everyone together.”Despite his efficient play, Jenkins’ current pace would leave him shy of his passing numbersfrom last season, when he set Moravian single-season records of 244 completions, 381attempts and 26 touchdown passes. He doesn’t care whether he reaches those stats as long as the Greyhounds improve their 4-6 record from 2023.Moravian’s defense could play as big a role as Jenkins’ growth in getting the Greyhounds to their first winning season since 2015. They have allowed 18.6 points per game through fiveweeks, tops in the Landmark Conference. They allowed 31.6 points per game last season.Freshman linebacker Malachi McNeil-Harrison (Bethlehem native; team-best four sacks andseven tackles for loss), junior linebacker Clay Basile (Bethlehem Catholic; 30 tackles), seniorlinebacker Chad Newhard (Emmaus; 19 tackles), senior linebacker Chris Cacace (EastStroudsburg South; 28 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2.5 TFL) and senior defensive lineman JeremyMcGuigan (Quakertown; 18 tackles) are among the contributors to Moravian’s defensive progress.Moravian’s ‘D’ will need to maintain its steady play through October and intoNovember for it to reach its potential.Jenkins said the Greyhounds adjusted their offseason prep after they felt they fizzled over thefinal month last season, losing speed and strength. They’re determined not to endure a repeat, starting with Saturday’s game against Catholic.“October in all of football is about finding out who’s a contender and who’s a pretender,” Longsaid. “Consistency is the difference-maker.“When you’re a pretender, it’s easy when things are going well to run up the score and be good to go. Then that next week, as soon as something goes wrong, they put their tail between their legs and they’re not ready to play.“A contender can face adversity, face a tough opponent and is still able to find a way to clawtheir way back and have a shot to win. So, we’ve got to earn that right every day to be acontender.“That’s what we’re going to work for every day.”Here’s a look at this week’s games.Catholic (2-3 overall, 0-1 Landmark Conference) at Moravian (3-2, 1-0)When: Noon Saturday.Taking note: Moravian’s 55 points in last week’s win over Keystone were more than it scored in its first four games. … Catholic has scored a Landmark Conference-low 19.6 points per game. … Moravian wide receiver Jordan Bingham leads the Landmark Conference with 35 receptions.Lock Haven (2-3 overall, 1-1 PSAC East) at Kutztown (5-0, 2-0)When: Noon Saturday.Taking note: Kutztown has allowed 14 or fewer points in four of its five games after limiting Bloomsburg to 10 points Saturday. … Kutztown junior wide receiver Trevor Amorim (NorthernLehigh) established career highs with three catches for 70 yards and scored his first touchdown against Bloomsburg. … Linebacker Izzy Ramos (Bethlehem Catholic) leads Lock Haven with 36 tackles (24 solo). He also has two tackles for loss and a half-sack.East Stroudsburg (4-1 overall, 1-1 PSAC East) at Bloomsburg (3-2, 1-1)When: 2 p.m. Saturday.Taking note: ESU wide receiver Justin Cook became the program’s career leading in kickoffreturn touchdowns with his 99-yard return in a win over Millersville. He now has three careerkickoff return TDs. … Bloomsburg ranks fourth in the PSAC in rushing defense, allowing 88yards per game. ESU leads the PSAC in rushing offense at 194 yards per game. … ESU has a plus-six turnover margin.Muhlenberg (2-2 overall, 0-1 Centennial Conference) at McDaniel (1-3, 0-1)When: 2 p.m. Saturday.Taking note: Muhlenberg has surrendered at least 50 points in three straight games after falling 53-50 to Ursinus. … McDaniel has scored a Centennial Conference-low seven touchdowns and 48 total points. … Mules senior wide receiver Tim Buda (Salisbury) has scored a touchdown in every game this season. He ranks second on the team with 19 catches.Stephen Miller is a freelance writer.</div></body>

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Lehigh Valley college football: Freedom grad Jared Jenkins a leader for Moravian

Jared Jenkins’ first full season as Moravian University’s starting quarterback ended with. individual records but middling team success. Greyhounds coach Jeff Long Jr. and his assistants asked Jenkins for more ahead of his senior season. They pushed Jenkins, a Freedom High graduate, to ramp up his preparation. They...