Scranton Prep Surges Past Mifflinburg to Reach State Quarterfinals
By: Matt Flanagan | SportzWire | November 15, 2025 | Photo courtesy Jake Speicher
Scranton Prep is moving on in the PIAA Class 3A playoffs after a resilient 28–21 road win Friday night at Milton Alumni Stadium. Mifflinburg struck first — and fast — using two explosive touchdown passes from quarterback Chad Martin to receiver Landen Murray, covering 88 yards and 76 yards on back-to-back possessions. The Wildcats later converted a fourth-and-eight at the Prep 18 for yet another Martin-to-Murray score, sending Mifflinburg into halftime ahead 21–14. Scranton Prep stayed in the fight, responding early with a five-yard touchdown run by senior quarterback Will McPartland, and then tying the game at 14 when defensive end Ricky Dewey stripped Martin and returned the fumble 54 yards for a score.
The second half belonged entirely to the Cavaliers. Scranton Prep’s defense tightened every screw, holding Mifflinburg to just 17 total yards and no points after halftime, erasing the Wildcats’ rhythm and shutting down one of District 4’s most explosive offenses. With the defense locking in, the Prep offense leaned heavily on the run game, stringing together two long, physical touchdown drives: an 11-play, 86-yard march capped by a one-yard score from McPartland, followed by a 14-play, 59-yard drive where McPartland carried nine of the final 10 plays and punched in the go-ahead touchdown with 8:01 remaining. The Cavaliers took the lead for the first time on that drive and never relinquished control.
Behind McPartland’s 123 rushing yards and three touchdowns, plus a defensive effort that completely flipped the game’s momentum, Scranton Prep improved to 8–5 while Mifflinburg closed its season at 10–3. The victory also extends Prep’s strong postseason tradition and sets up a state quarterfinal matchup with District 11 champion Northwestern Lehigh, marking the third straight year the programs will meet in November. Scranton Prep’s ability to respond to adversity, control the second half, and finish long drives proved decisive — and keeps the Cavaliers’ state run very much alive.
