Football Fever 2023

We’rebackforthe11th installmentofFootball Fever,theaward-winningannualhigh schoolfootballpreseasonpreviewbythe WilliamsportSun-Gazette.Itsmost recenthonorwasahonorablemention(top8)specialsectionawardin itscirculationcategoryfor2019by theAssociatedPressSportsEditors.

Thisyear’seditionagainfeatures in-depthlooksatall17teams,plus playerstowatchthisupcomingseasonforeachteam.

Alsoincludedinthemagazineisa lookathowsuccessfulSouth Williamsport’soffensivelinehas beenthelastfewseasons,andathow JerseyShore’sup-tempo,no-huddle offensehasbeenkeytoitssuccess.

Wearealsopleasedtocontinue EndZoneExtrathisfall,whichwill runinsidetheSun-GazetteeveryFridayduringtheseasonandpreview eachweekend’saction.

FEATURES

4 NOTIMETOBLINK: Blinkandyoucouldmissaplay.Thatʼs howfastJerseyShoreʼsoffenseruns withitsup-tempo,no-huddlespeed.A lookathowtheBulldogscontinueto runitwithsuccesseachyear.

6 PRESEASONALL-STARS: Throughoutthearea,teamsareloaded withoutstandingplayersandtalent. Takealookatwhomadethe2023SunGazettePreseasonall-starteam.

11 PAVINGTHEWAY:

SouthWilliamsportʼsoffensivelinehas keptupatraditionofhaving1,000yard rushersyearafteryear.TheMounties takeprideinthattalentupfront.

80 MUST-SEEFOOTBALL: Whatgamesthisyearareonesfans needtogetoutandsee?Alookatthe topgameseachweekfromaroundthe areafor2023.

DAVEKENNEDY/Sun-Gazette SouthWilliamsportʼsEvanTortellet,PaxtonGephart,OwenBird,MaxwellWilton andElijahHarveyposetogetherforthe magazinecover.Thefivearepartof SouthWilliamsportʼsoffensiveline.

Copyright©2023byTheWilliamsportSun-Gazette, adivisionofOgdenNewspapers,Inc.

Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthismagazinemaybe reproducedortransmittedinanyformorbyany means,electronicormechanical,includingphotocopying,recording,orthroughanyinformationorretrievalsystem,withoutpermissionfromthepublisher.

ISBN:978-0-615-67312-7

Publisher BobRolley

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AnthonySegraves

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JohnLeeser

Editor JonGerardi

Editorialmanagers

KarenVibert-Kennedy

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SUN-GAZETTEFILEPHOTO

B By y Z ZAACCH H P POOWWEELLL L Special to the Sun-Gazette

If there was one reason Jersey Shore has dominated locally over the past decade, it would be because of its offense. The Bulldogs have perfected a hurry-up offense that began during Shore coach Tom Gravish’s first-year tenure in 2012 and has grown to become an identity for the team.

Linemen often change the trajectory of a game with their blocking — setting up a hole for their running back to burst through or protecting the quarterback. Speed is also just as important to keep fast edge rushers from sacking the quarterback. But Shore’s offensive linemen focus on their speed during and after plays.

“I’ve got to give our linemen a lot of credit, most of them play both ways,” Gravish said.

Getting the ball to officials and making sure they’re in line to snap the ball quicker than defenders are ready to react is a skill practiced daily.

“We just thought that if we were practicing, working on it and had the skillset, it would all come down to our linemen,” Gravish said. “They have to be bought in on it and they’ve been key on it. They’re strained on plays but they’re keen on it. Our offensive line needs to know how the plays are coming in. Our defense pounds people down and getting first downs continues to pound people down.”

Teaching high schoolers to continue pounding defenses down hasn’t always been as forceful as it looks today. As a West Virginia University graduate who played baseball, Gravish first took the initiative to learn football schemes from WVU coach Rich Rod. Rod coached at the university in multiple stints during the 1980s and then early 2000s.

“I went to college at West Virginia (University), so I made some connections with Rich Rod when I was there,” Gravish said. “Rod had ‘spot the ball’ as a signal to

get the ball lined up. I also picked up some good advice at Penn State in the offseason.”

“It’s all about trying to get the ball to the referees as fast as possible and our coaches do a good job with it in practice,” Gravish continued. “We probably run it more times in practice with the kids and coaches than anything.”

Early on in his coaching career in 2004 and 2005, coach Gravish ran the hurry-up offense for a Bellefonte squad that was able to sneak into the playoffs in the former year. In the latter year, Gravish’s team didn’t see much success but saw opportunities with the offense running it with a dual threat quarterback.

In his coaching stint at Williamsport in 2009 and 2010, Gravish’s offensive scheme veered away from the high-powered offense, but the team still ran it during most of its games.

Just last season Jersey Shore finished with a 12-1 record, including a perfect 7-0 in district play. Up until Shore’s lone loss in the final game of the season in a playoff loss to Allentown Central Catholic, 38-31 , in overtime in states, the Bulldogs were steamrolling teams.

Between four regular season shutouts and 11 of 12 victories coming by allowing under 30 points, the Bulldogs high-powered offense shut teams down early on. Additionally, it kept teams out of reach all game.

“We’ve just been fortunate to have a lot of good kids that work hard during the summer and are in great shape to do it. We try to get five yards on first down, and it puts us in second down and manageable situations. We run the ball a lot some years and some years we’re more pass oriented in it,” Gravish said.

Figuring out which system will work best for the team during the season is figured out many months before the season. Last season was a run-heavy season, as running back Hayden Packer rushed for 93.6 yards per contest and Bulldogs quarterback Brady Jordan rushed for 77.8 yards per game as the top two on the roster. The two also combined for 47 rushing

touchdowns on the season.

With Shore’s two most efficient players on the team graduating last season, the Bulldogs will be looking elsewhere for their success to continue. Elijah Jordan emerged as the team’s third-best rushing leader with 48.2 rushing yards per outing, but no other underclassmen ranked top three on the team in the stats category.

Jersey Shore now looks for its next players to step up. Guys such as Tate Sechrist in the backfield and Jerrin Loomis behind center will be among the guys leading the charge. Making trips to see teams throughout the region and different states is a priority, and building the team repertoire in the eight-month layoff is how Shore will make sure they’re ready come the start of the season.

“We work a lot on our communication and how we get a play into the field. We work hard on that with all personnel whether it’s wideout signals, running backs or a combination of the two. You’ve got to have some masks out there. We went to Pitt and Penn State’s 7-on-7 camps and played teams from the DC, Maryland and Virginia metro area. We go against good teams and learn a lot.”

Jersey Shore was a top-rated defense a year ago, doubling the national average in interceptions and tripling that average in interception yards and fumble recoveries. The defensive line plays a critical part in that.

Shore’s Slate Sechrist, Owen Vandruff, John Dammer and Dyson Delaney, to name a few, will return and play a pivotal role in the offensive scheme.

Among those returners, Shore will be looking at its up-and-coming stars to help replicate — and go even further than last year. Those are tough shoes to fill, but Shore has the roster to do it.

“Our goal on defense is to hold them inside the 20-yard line, get three downs and make a punt. Some of our defensive players are physical bodying up on people,” Gravish said. “We like our depth. There will be some new faces, but we like what we’ve got.”

SUN-GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

Earning an all-star selection is an excellent honor. It signifies players establishing themselves among the area’s top players. But there is a catch with this one. This is a preseason all-star team. The panel which selected this team understands things could drastically change once the season begins and progresses.

The endgame is what matters most. So, at its core, the following squad provides a look at some standout players and a peak at what could develop as the 2023 season unfolds. The toughest decisions, though, come after all the smoke has cleared come December.

OFFENSE

Tyler Gee, QB, Loyalsock

A two-time all-state selection, Gee has won consecutive area passer rating area titles and led District 4 in yards last year (2,637), while finishing second in touchdown passes (27). The three-year starter is an excellent dual threat who was second on Loyalsock in rushing a year ago, running for 588 yards and nine touchdowns. He totaled 3,225 yards and 36 touchdowns as Loyalsock went 11-2. Smart and accurate, Gee has become a good team leader and completed 62.4% of his passes, topping 300 yards twice and 200 yards seven times. He also threw multiple touchdown passes seven times and has thrown a touchdown in all but one of his varsity starts. His passing yards last year placed Gee third on the Lycoming County singleseason record list. It says a lot that Gee has done something no other quarterback in Loyalsock’s rich history has done, topping 2,000 yards in consecutive seasons. During that time, the senior has thrown for 4,654 yards and 49 touchdowns.

Austin Johnson, RB, Muncy Johnson became just the second player in Sun-Gazette history to go over 1,000 yards as both a freshman and sophomore last fall, needing just nine games to surpass that milestone again. A heavyweight state champion wrestler, Johnson is strong like a bull and fast like a deer. He produced 1,072 yards and 18 touchdowns, averaging a whopping 9.7 yards per carry. Johnson added 122 yards receiving and three touchdown catches, finishing with 1,194 total yards and 21 touchdowns. Over his first two seasons, Johnson has run for 2,251 yards and 34 touchdowns and has started drawing some Division I interest. The junior running back went over 189 yards four times last season and scored at least one touchdown in eight of his nine games. During Johnson’s two years, Muncy has captured consecutive NTL-II championships.

Elijah Jordan, RB, Jersey Shore

Another running back who made an immediate impact as a freshman two years ago, Jordan has topped 500 yards in each of first two years. During that time, the

junior has accumulated 1,357 yards and 13 touchdowns. Jordan is a player who can be utilized several ways and has done some damage as a receiver as well, setting up a game-tying touchdown in the closing minute with a long catch in his third high school game against Montoursville. Jordan is durable and a hard-nosed runner who also has some good moves. He also likely will start in the secondary and can be a special teams asset. Jordan came up big in the District 4 Class AAAA championship against Selinsgrove last November, running for 97 yards. Jordan finished the season with nine touchdowns.

Ryan Casella, FB, South Williamsport

After playing guard throughout his football life, Casella made a seamless transition and became one of the area’s top fullbacks. The senior, a four-year starting linebacker, was one of three players to go over 500 yards rushing. He finished the season with 784 yards and eight touchdowns, producing 6.9 yards per carry.

Casella finishes runs hard and is tough to bring down, especially when he gets a head of steam. He wore out Wellsboro in a key late-season win, running for 216 yards and two touchdowns in a 20-0 win. Casella went over 100 yards twice and also is an excellent blocker. Amir Kemrer also had a

strongseasonand,combininghimwith Casella,givesSouthanicethunderand lightningpackage.

JaylenAndrews,WR,Loyalsock Lastyear’sSun-GazetteReceiverofthe Yearearnedall-statehonorsaftertakinga blowtorchtothearearecordbook.Andrewsbrokebothsingle-seasonrecordfor yards(1,403)andtouchdowns(22),while catching59passesinhisfirstyearasa starter.Highlightinghowexplosivehe was,Andrewsbestedtheprevioustouchdownrecordbyfiveandalsosetasinglegamerecordwith284yardsagainst Montoursvillewhiletyingthesingle-game touchdownrecordwithfiveagainstMifflinburginaDistrict4ClassAAAsemifinalvictory.Overhisfinalninegames, Andrewswentover100yardssixtimes andproduced244yardsinthatMifflinburgvictory.The22touchdownshe caughtarethirdhighesteverproducedby aDistrict4receiver.Healsoexcelledon specialteams,returningthreekickoffsfor touchdownsandaveraging93yardson thosereturns.Addinginhis613return yards,Andrewswentover2,000all-purposeyards.

SamHall,WR,WarriorRun

WhileAndrewswasmakinghistory, Markwasalsoleavingabigmark.Andno otherareasophomoreeverhadaseason quitelikeHalldidlastfall.Allhedidin hisfirstfullseasonstartingatreceiver wascatch52passesfor1,136yardsand eighttouchdownswhilehelpingWarrior Runstartingturningthingsaround.He ledtheareainreceptionsduringtheregularseasonandreached1,000yardsin10 games.Hallgeneratedsix100-yardgames andaveraged21.9yardspercatch.Hall wentover100yardssixtimesand80 yardseighttimes.Alsorunningfor152 yards,HallshreddedNorthwestfor222 yardsinaseason-changingwinandalso topped100yardstwiceagainstMifflinburg.

ConnorFoltz,WR, CentralMountain

Alreadyoneoftheprogram’sall-time leadingreceivers,Foltzisanexcellent playmakerwhoalsocandodamagecarryingthefootball.Theseniorisathree-year starterwhohascaught82passesfor1,239 yardsandfivetouchdownsthepasttwo seasons.Heisaplayerwhocanbeatadefensedeep,butwhocanalsocatchashort passandgainalotofyardsafterthecatch. Foltzhadabiggameagainstthedistrict’s top-rankeddefense—JerseyShore—last season,offeringaglimpseofwhatcouldbe cominginthatseasonfinale.Foltzneeds 18catchestobecometheprogram’sfirst playerwith100careerreceptions.

JackBlough,TE,Lewisburg

Noareatightendcaughtmorepassesor producedmoreyardsthanBloughdidduringhisjuniorcampaignlastyear.The6foot-4tightendcaught18passesfor299 yardsandthreetouchdowns.Havingthe sizeandstrengthtogooverthemiddle, Bloughalsohasthespeedtooutrunde-

fendersandaveraged16.6yardspercatch. Theseniorcameupespeciallybigina late-seasonwinatBloomsburg,catching fourpassesfor88yardsandtwotouchdowns.

DysonDelaney,OL,JerseyShore

Big,strongandpowerful,Delaneywas oneoftwonewstartersupfrontlastseasonwhohelpedJerseyShoreenjoyoneof themostdominantoffensiveseasonsin areahistory.Theseniorwasabigpartof theoffensescoringarecord708points, whileaveraging54.5pointsand435yards pergame.Delaneyhastheabilitytopunishdefensivelinemenandopenupbig holesandhavingayear’sstartingexperienceunderhisbeltshouldonlyhelphim continueflourishing.Afterbeingoneofthe newkidsontheblock,Delaneynowisone oftheteam’smostexperiencedlinemen andwilltakeonaleadershiprolethisseason.

EvanTortellet,OL, SouthWilliamsport

Whetherplayinginsideorattightend, Tortelletwasadifference-makerlastseasonandplayedakeypartinSouthproducingthree500-yardrushers.A three-yearstarterandfour-yearcontributor,Tortellethelpssolidifyaunitwitha blendofexperience,sizeandstrength. Alsoatoughdefensivelinemen,Tortellet waspartofalinewhichhelpedSouthaverage7.7yardspercarrylastseason.The Mountiesfinishedthirdintheareain rushingandTortelletcouldbepoisedfor hisbestseasonyet.

ColeYonkin,OL,Montoursville Aversatileplayerandteamleader, Yonkinisadifference-makeronbothlines andconsistentlyperformedwellwhile Montoursvillefacedoneofthestate’smost rigorousschedules.DespiteMontoursville beinghithardbyinjuries,Yonkinconsistentlymadeanimpactandhelpedthe teamhavebothan1,100-yardpasserand 900-yardrusher.Yonkinalsoisdangerous alongthedefensiveline,finishinglastseasonwithfoursacksandseventacklesfor loss.

HunterZettlemoyer,OL,Milton

Abigpartofthewinningfoundation Miltonhaslaiddownthepasttwoyears, Zettlemoyerclosedhisjuniorseasonasa first-teamSun-Gazetteall-starafterhelpingMiltonfinish9-2.Miltonhadthree runnersgoover400yardsandfivetop300 asZettlemoyeroftenimposedhiswillup front.TheBlackPanthersaveraged30 pointsand320yardspergamewith Zettlemoyerhelpingleadtheway.Afouryearstarter,ZettlemoyeroftenhelpedMiltonweardownopponentsasitenjoyedits bestseasonsince2001.

KenHampe,OL,Muncy

Anall-stateselectionlastseason, Hampehasbeenananchoronconsecutive physicallineswhichhavehelpedMuncy win20of23games.Puttingtogetheranotherstrongoffseason,Hampeisoneof fivereturninglinemenandhastheability tooverpowerdefenders.Hewasoneof onlytwostartersbackayearago,but helpedMuncynotmissabeatoffensively

SUN-GAZETTEFILEPHOTO CentralMountainbringsbackConnorFoltzatwidereceiver,whohascaught82 passesfor1,239yardsthelasttwoseasonswiththeWildcats.

asitaveragedmorethan40pointsper game.Hampe’sblockingwascriticalin Muncyalsogeneratingbotha1,000-yard rusherandpasser.TheIndiansranthe ballatwillattimesandoftendidsomeof theirbestrunninginHampe’sdirection.

ConnorPoole,K,Williamsport Alsoanelitepunter,Poolehasreceived someDivisionIoffersandhasshinedat variousprestigiouskickingcamps throughouttheoffseason.Theseniorisa difference-makerbeyondfieldgoalsand extrapoints,oftenpinningoffenseswith hisboomingkickoffs.Pooleproduced seventouchbacksinonegamelastseason whileaddinga42-yardfieldgoal.Poole hasproduced84pointsthepasttwoseasonsandgivesWilliamsportagoodchance atatleastgettingthreepointseverytime itreachestheredzone.

FletcherGood,athlete, CowanesqueValley

CowanesqueValley’sMr.Everything, Goodexcelledinallthreefacetslastseason.Thejuniorledtheteaminrushing andreceiving,producing1,242yardsand 12touchdowns.Goodaveraged8.7yards percarryand19.7yardspercatch,finishingwith956yardsandeighttouchdowns. Headded15catchesfor286yardsand fourtouchdowns,whilereturningakickoff foranotherscore.Goodwentover100 yardsrushingfourtimesandalsointerceptedtwopasses.

DEFENSE

EvanBloom,DL,Montoursville Aplayerwhofilledabigvoidand helpedMontoursvilleagainreachdistricts,Bloomsurgedinhisfirstyearstarting,totaling13tacklesforlosses.Healso

finishedthirdontheteamintackles,making40solos,whileaddingtwosacks.The senioroftenhitball-carriersnearorbehindthelineofscrimmage,makingat leastonetackleforlossinallbutoneof Montoursville’s11games.Bloomcollected 11tacklesagainstTroy,forcedafumble andalsobrokeupapass.Hewasinona career-high11tacklesinthatTroygame.

MichaelDavis,DL,Canton

Davismadeamovetothelinelastseasonandimmediatelyprovidedajolt.Part ofadefensewhichrecordedfiveshutouts, Davisconsistentlyharassedthepasser andalsowastoughagainsttherun.The seniormadeninetacklesforlossandreturnedafumbleforagame-changing touchdownagainstSouthWilliamsport duringthedistrictsemifinals.Davishas goodspeedofftheedgeandalsolikelywill

SUN-GAZETTEFILEPHOTO

MuncyreturnsoffensivelinemanKenHampe(70)ontheoffensiveline.Hampeisoneoffivereturninglinemanandisone ofonlytwostartersbackfromayearago.

playamajorroleoffensivelyafteraveraging8.1yardspercarryasarunningback lastseason.

TateSechrist,DL,JerseyShore

Oneofthestate’stopdefensivelinemen thepasttwoseasons,Sechristhasledthe areainsacksbothtimesandhelpedJerseyShorego26-2.Aplayerwhocanbea game-wrecker,Sechristcollected10sacks and22tacklesforlosslastseasonandwas partofastartingdefensewhichdidnot allowapointuntilWeek10.Duringhis twoseasonsstarting,Sechristhasproduced181/2sacksand39tacklesforloss. Theseniorendalsomadeateam-high95 tacklesdespiterarelyplayinginthesecondhalfofmanyblowouts.Anotherplayer whocouldplayakeyoffensiverole, Sechristbringssomeoffensetodefense andhasthreedefensivetouchdownsthe lasttwoyears.

GaryVerdinelli,DL,Milton

AbigpartofMilton’sresurgencethe pasttwoyears,Verdinellihasledhisteam insackseachtimeandistoughagainst therunandpass.Theseniorthree-year startersetsaphysicaltoneandhelped Miltonshutouttwoopponentslastfall whileholdingfourotherstosevenorfewer points.Verdinelliplayedoneofhisbest gamesinatone-setting28-0openingwin againstSouthWilliamsportlastseason, helpingstuffapotentrunninggame.

LoganBastian,LB,Loyalsock

Afour-yearstarter,Bastianwaspartof anexcellentunitlastseasonwhichhelped theLancersbecomeoneofthearea’spremierdefenses.Bastianistheonlyreturningstarterbuthastheleadershipfrom experiencetohelpthenewstartersflourish.Bastian,whoalsocouldbeoneofthe team’stoprunningbacks,hasmade18 tacklesforlossthepastthreeseasons whiletopping200tackles.Thattotalis doublyimpressiveconsideringthe2020 seasonwasacondensedoneandaninjury limitingBastiantoninefullgamesayear ago.Hesetcareer-bestswithninetackles forlossandthreesackslastseason.

NyriqBurks,LB,Williamsport

OnlySechristhasmoresacksthan Burksoverthepasttwoyears.Burkshas playednoseguard,defensiveendandlinebackerduringthattime.When Williamsportmovedhimtolinebackerlate lastseasonitsdefenseplayeditsbestfootballastheMillionairescapturedtheEasternConferencechampionship.Burksisa terrificleaderwho,alongwithfellowseniorAlonzoRice,wasnamedacaptainas anunderclassman.Thethree-yearstarter recordedsevensacksasasophomoreand helpedayoungteammakebigstridesa yearago.

MichaelCasale,LB,Lewisburg

Anotherthree-yearstarter,Casalealso waspartofadefensewhichcamealive latelastseason,helpingLewisburgreach thedistrictplayoffs.Casaleledtheteam intackles,goingover100inhisfinal game.Casalehasanoseforthefootball andrarelyletsplayersslipfromhisgrasp.

Theseniorlinebackermade25tacklesin consecutivelate-seasonwinswhichhelped Lewisburgreachthepostseason.Heis partofawell-roundedlinebackingunit whichreturnseverystarterandCasale helpssetaphysicaltonefortheentiredefense.

HudsonWard,LB,Canton Wardburstontothesceneasajunior lastseason,leadinganastydefensein tacklesandhelpingitallowfewerthan10 pointspergame.Anotherinalonglineof excellentathletesinthefamily,Ward made141tackles,81ofthosebeingsolos. Healsomade11tacklesforlossand helpedCantonnotallowapointuntil Week6.Wardplayedhisbestfootballin theplayoffsandwentover10tacklesinall fourpostseasongames.Wardisactive,has goodspeedandisastrongwrestlerwho translatesthoseskillsintosoundtackling.

AIdenBarlett,DB,Hughesville

Lastyear’sSun-GazetteDefensiveBack oftheYearalsoearnedall-statehonors andispartofoneofthedistrict’spremier safeties.BarlettledDistrict4withseven interceptionsandpickedoffmultiple passesinagametwice.Healsoreturned oneofthoseinterceptionsforatouchdown. Barlettisasuretacklerwhoaveraged8.8 tacklespergame,topping10tacklesfour times.Hispresenceinthesecondary playedavitalroleinHughesvilleshutting outthreeteams.Healsomadeabigoffensiveimpact,catching37passesfor586 yards.

PeytonRearick,DB,Milton

RearicktiedBarlettforthedistrictinterceptiontitle,alsopickingoffseven passes.Hewasattheheartofthatunit’s successandfliesaroundthefield,disruptingboththerunningandpassinggames. Hewasaforceinaclosewinagainst Bloomsburg,interceptingtwopassesand returningoneforagame-changingtouch-

down.Thatwasoneoftwopick-6’s Rearickproducedandhealsohadinterceptionsinfourofhisteam’s11games. Rearickwasoneoftheteam’sleading tacklersaswell.

YazhirSlaughter,DB,Williamsport Apotentialshutdowncornerback, Slaughterhasmadebigstridesthelast twoseasonsandhadhisbestcampaign yetayearago.Slaughterinterceptedtwo passesbutitwasmoreaboutthepasses hedidn’tintercept.Teamsoftendidnot throwinSlaughter’sdirectionastoavoid himmakingpotentialgame-alteringplays. Thatistheultimatecomplimentforacornerback.Slaughteralsowillplayakey roleoffensivelyaftercatchingfivetouchdownslastfall.

TylerWetzel,DB,Hughesville

TeamingupwithBarlett,Wetzelhelped Hughesvillehaveoneofthearea’stop safetytandemslastfall.Anoutstanding hitter,Wetzelmade86tacklesandhad18 inadoubleovertimecontestagainstSouth Williamsport.Wetzelalsowasamongthe area’sleadersininterceptions,pickingoff fivepasses.Hedidsoinfivedifferent gamesandopenedtheyearwiththree picksinhisfirstthreegames.Wetzeloften wreakedhavocdefensivelyandrecovered fourfumbles.Addingthosetohisinterceptions,Wetzelwasinvolvedinnine turnoversforced.

AshtonBennett,P, CentralMountain

Ajackofalltrades,Bennettwillhelp CentralMountaininallthreefacets.The seniorlineman/tightendbecameaspecial teamsweaponlastseason,averaging35.5 yardsperpuntinhissixgames.Bennett hadalongof47yardsandplacedthreeinsidethe20-yardline.Hehasimproved overtheoffseasonandcouldmakeakey differenceintermsofflippingfieldposition.

SUN-GAZETTEFILEPHOTO HughesvilleʼsAIdenBarlettreturnsasadefensivebackandgivesHughesvillea solidplaymaker.Hehadsevenpicksin2022.

B By y J JOON N G GEERRAARRDDI I jgerardi@sungazette.com

Twelve years ago, South Williamsport coach Chris

Eiswerth stepped foot on the Mounties’ field for the first time as their coach and when he did, he wanted his team to have an identity.

He assessed what he had at South Williamsport back then and one thing stood out to him: there were an array of guys who loved to lift.

So Eiswerth, being the footballminded guy he is, thought about it and realized it would be a natural fit to transition that into a philosophy of running the football.

Ever since, that’s become the identity of South Williamsport: hardnosed, in-your-face offense that

primarily relies on running the ball. And all of that begins and ends with the five guys up front on the offensive line.

Those five standouts on the offensive line for South Williamsport never stop training. It starts in January with weight lifting and goes through the spring and summer.

“We’ll start three days a week where we come in and lift, we do field work and we speed train. So we are working June, July and August on offensive line play,” Eiswerth said.

That training and dedication to having an outstanding line is evident year in and year out.

Last year marked the 11th consecutive season in which South Williamsport had a running back eclipse 900 rushing yards and from

2012 through 2021, the Mounties had a 1,000-yard rusher every year.

“I think there’s quite a bit (of pride). I really think myself and the staff, we kind of like to use that as a motivation. The guys that came before you, it’s important that you guys continue on that road,” Eiswerth said. “It’s worked well for us and it’s not always easy because you take five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten guys and try to find a position for them and mastering all the different fronts we see. ... A lot of schools may play a certain front, but we may see something completely different.

I think along the way here they’ve really taken a great ownership to the line.”

Chris Confer, Tanner Smith, Evan Tortellet, Paxton Gephart, Owen Bird,

DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

From left, South Williamsportʼs Maxwell Wilton, Paxton Gephart, Evan Tortellet, Owen Bird and Elijah Harvey pose together for a photograph. The five are part of South Williamsportʼs offensive line.

MaxWiltonandElijahHarveyareall guyswhocanhelpmakeanimpacton thatoffensiveline,amongahandful ofothers.Andhavingdepthatthe line,especiallydepthwithreturning experience,isextremelybeneficialfor Eiswerthandhisstaff.

“Iremembersomeyearswewere takingguysthatweretightendand puttingalineman’snumberonthem. Themoreguys,themorenumbers youhave,makesitalittlemoresettlingespeciallywhenyoutrytosleep atnight,”Eiswerthsaidwithalaugh. “Butifyoucancomeupwithfive,six, sevengoodones,guysthatare durableandliketoliftandtheycan

learnandaregoodstudents...that’s whatwe’rereallylookingfor.”

Lastyear,SouthWilliamsport’s AmirKemrerranfor929yardsand 10touchdowns,comingjustshyofextendingSouth’sstreakof1,000-yard rushersto11straightseasons.But despitethat,theoffensivelinestill continuedtopavethewayforKemrer andotherballcarriersthroughoutthe season.

“Wetakealotofprideinthefact thatwecanhelpthoserushersgetto wheretheyneedtogo,”Gephartsaid. “Whenwegofortheblocks,weallow themtogoandhitthosemarks.It’s verypridefulwhenwehavegreat

runningbackslikethat.”

It’sasentimentHarveyalso echoes.

“ItakesomuchprideinthatbecauseI’moutthereworkingashard asIcansothoseguyscanshowupon thestatlineandgetallthecredit theyneed,”Harveysaid.“I’mjust theretodomyjob.”

AnddoingtheirjobiswhatSouth’s linemandobest.Theguysontheoffensivelinedon’thavestatisticsshow upintheboxscoreeveryweek,and generallydon’theartheirnames calledoftenonthePAsystemduring gamesonFridaynights.

Buttheydon'tcareaboutanyof

SUN-GAZETTEFILEPHOTO SouthWilliamsportʼsCadenHarrisrunsagainstMuncyduringagamelastyear.SouthWilliamsportʼsoffensivelinehas routinelypavedthewayforitsrunningbacksyearafteryear.

that.Allthedownedlinemancare aboutisseeingtheoffenseexceland runningbackshittingperfectseams thattheycreate.

“It’sgreat.Thelineisalwaysamazing.It’sonekeypartoftheteam.We alwayshavetobetherefortherestof theteamdefendingthem,andjustalwaystryingtomaketheplaysfor themtorunthrough.

Makethegap,”Wiltonsaid.“We takealotofpridebecauseitmight

notshow,likeusstat-wise,butweall knowthatwe’redoingourjoband withoutusthere'snoteam.”

There’snoroomformistakeson theoffensiveline.Allfiveplayersnot onlyneedtobeinunisonandonthe samepage,butalsoknowexactly what’sgoingonwithwhotoblockand assignments.

Sowhenaperfectseamishit,the backsloveeverysecondofit.

“Alotoftimesrunningbackscome

uptousandthankusandcongratulateus,”Confersaid.“Thatkindof makesuswanttodoitmore.”

Onemissedblockoradelaybya secondortwo,andadefenderiseasily inthebackfieldblowingupaplayand causingissues.

AndallfiveofSouthWilliamsport’s linemanknowthat.

“Everyonehastobecauseifsomeone’soffkeyalittlebit,theneveryone elseisgoingtobeoffkeybecauseone

SUN-GAZETTEFILEPHOTO

SouthWilliamsportcoachChrisEiswerthtalkstohisteamduringagamelastyear.SinceEiswerthtookoveratSouth Williamsportin2011,theMountieshavehadasimiliarlinkeachyear:astrongoffensivelineupfront.

personcangooneway,everyoneelsetheotherwayand thenthatpersonwillblowupthewholeplay,”Harvey said.

AndgivenSouthWilliamsport'srun-heavyoffense,it’s perhapsevenmoreimportantfortheirsuccessthanmost teams.

“Allthetime.We’vebeensayingforawhilenow,it’sone heartbeat.Wehavetobethinkingthesameanddoitall together,”Birdsaid.

PlayerslikeLaneLusk,ZachMiller,LukeWinner,GannonGuerrisky,GideonGreen,NateKoletar,formergreat DominickBragaloneandBrandonStongeallknowhow keythatoffensivelineistothesuccesstheyputup.

It’swhySouthWilliamsport’soffensehashadatopball carrieraverageatleast5.5yardspercarryeveryyear since2010.

“Wealltakesomuchprideinitandjustblocking,” Tortelletsaid.“Wealltakeprideinit,everyoneofus.”

“Everybodyontheteam,notjustO-line,hastobein perfectunison,”Tortelletcontinued.“Weliveanddieby theO-linehereatSouthSide.SoiftheO-lineisn’tgetting agoodpush,goingforward,gettingmomentum,wecan’t domuch.”

So,whatisitthatmakesanoffensivelinesosuccessful? TakeitfromSouthWilliamsport’slinemanthemselves.

“Probablyjustcommunication,that’sabigpartofit,” Confersaid.“Ifwe’renot(onthesamepage),sometimes stufgetsmessedupandsomeonewon’tgetblockedorthe holewon’tbethere.”

“Ithinkit’smostimportantthatyourlineisworkingtogetherandyou’reallonthesamepagebecauseeveryone hastorelyoneverybodyelseandyouallhavetomake

blockswitheachothertohelpeachotherwin,”Gephart said.“Ithinkit’sareallybigpartwhenyou’reallworking asaunitratherthanjustfiveorsixindividualpeople.”

“ThebiggestkeytoanO-line’ssuccessIfeeliscooperationandbeingabletotalktooneanother,”Birdsaid.“Also ourstrength,likeworkingintheweightroom.”

Oh,andtakeitfromTortelletaswell,yourwristsare goingtohurt.Alot.

“Justtapeyourwrists,”Tortelletsaidwithalaugh. “Yourwristsaregoingtohurt,sotapeyourwrists.”

SouthWilliamsport’ssuccessupfronttranslatestonot onlytheindividualsuccessofitsrunningbacks,butthe teamsuccessaswell.

WhenEiswerthtooktheprogramover,theprogram missedthepostseasonin2011.Sincethen,South Williamsporthasnevermissedthedistrictplayoffs.

Thatincludesastringoffour10-winseasonsinafiveyearspanfrom2012-16,andatleastsixwinseachofthe pasttwoyears.

Andyoucanbelievethatallstartswiththefiveguysup fronthelpingpavethewayfortheiroffense.

“Ithinkitallcomesfromjustsuccessthatweget,”Confersaidofthepridehimandhisteammatesontheline have.

Andwiththetalenttheoffensivelinehasyetagainthis year,there’sgoingtobemoresuccessonthegroundthis season.

Andthenext...

Andthenext...

B By y C CHHRRIIS S M MAASSSSE E cmasse@sungazette.com

Williamsport turned around its season a year ago, rebounding from a 1-4 start and capturing the Class 6A Eastern Conference championship. The Millionaires did that while learning a new system under first-year coach Mike Pearson.

Now the players and Pearson know each other much better. Time will tell how the 2023 season unfolds, but Williamsport has momentum and a better understanding. That could provide a nice springboard.

“They’ve been working very hard and it’s nice to be with them for a full year now. The offseason was a lot more like what we and the kids are used to,” Pearson said. “Playing the high caliber of opponents that we do, we know we have to stay on top of things, but the fact that we know the kids and they know us helps a lot going into Year 2.”

Williamsport made big strides throughout Pearson’s first season and scored 126 points in its last two games, mercy ruling both Tunkhannock and then Boyertown on the road for the Eastern Conference title. Some excellent players, like 1,000-yard rusher Nasir Hennigan, 1,000-yard quarterback George Whaley and leading receiver Jamaire Harden

SEASON SNAPSHOT

2023 SCHEDULE

Aug. 25—vs.State College

Sept. 1—at Pittston

Sept. 8—at Dallas

Sept. 15—vs.Berwick

Sept. 22—vs. Crestwood

Sept. 29—vs. Central Mountain

Oct. 6—at Wyoming Valley West

Oct. 13—vs. Wilkes-Barre

Oct. 20—vs. Hazleton

Oct. 27—at Tunkhannock

need replaced but Williamsport is eager to try and take the next step.

“We are really thankful for the kids that we have and the kids that graduated and moved on,” Pearson said. “We again have some great kids to work with. They’re really focused on wanting to take things to the next level and raising the bar.”

Obviously, that will not be easy considering Williamsport’s schedule strength but the Millionaires are excited about the challenge. That includes some exciting playmakers like quarterback Caleb Williamson who split time with Whaley last season. Williamson threw for 669 yards last season and completed more than 50% of his passes. Elijah Way and freshman Zion Hughes are pushing Williamson and both are exciting

prospects as well.

Hennigan was a four-year starter at running back and helped make the offense go. He is not the type of player a team easily can replicate, so the Millionaires may try using multiple backs to handle the bulk of the carries. Devon Harris is eager for the opportunity and versatile leader Nyriq Burks also could figure heavily in that role. Kahyear Whaley is another player to watch.

Yahzir Slaughter has developed into quite a big-play threat the past two seasons and leads what could be a deep receiving core. Slaugther also is a team leader who is coming off a standout track season. He has continued improving throughout the offseason and seems poised to become the team’s top target.

Kyreek Bradshaw came on strong in basketball last winter and Williamsport believes he could be on the verge of a breakout football season as well. Alonzo Rice is a versatile team captain who also could bolster the receiving group or help in the backfield. Aiden Everett, Caden Holt and Trey Damschroeder also have produced quality work throughout the offseason and both could add depth and speed.

“We do have some depth and one thing I learned coaching Lycoming is when you can have balance, you can make it harder on the defense,” Pearson said. “It’s harder to defend when you can spread the ball

SUN-GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

aroundbetweenalotofgoodplayersratherthanjustrelyingonone ortwo.”

Theoffensivelinefeaturesa mixofexperienceandpromising youth.SeniorsWaylonDauber andMakhiHarrisbothstarteda yearasdidsophomoreBrady Neenan.DallasBrockwayand JasonRitcheyalsoreceivedexperienceupfrontandfirst-time playerKyahStreetandJayden Ransomareplayerstowatch.

Allthoseplayersalsomayplay crucialrolesalongthedefensive line.Ransomhasexcitedcoaches overthepastfewmonths,ashave KyaireParkerandKalebWay. Thelinemenhaveflourishedin theweightroomaswell,sothey couldhelpfortifyboththeoffense anddefenseiftheycantranslate thatsuccesstothefield.

BurksandRiceareboththreeyearstarterswhoheadlineastout linebackingunit.Burksalsocan playnosetackleordefensiveend. HeandRicehavehelpedsetthe defensivetoneoverthelasttwo seasons,finishingamongthe team’stoptacklersbothtimes. Harrisbolstersthelinebacking groupaswellwhilebothBurks andRiceagaincanbetonesetters.Keepaneyeonsophomore LucasNaughtonaswell,aplayer whocouldbereadytobustout.

Slaughterisanotherthree-year starterandanchorsthesecondary.Hewasoneofthearea’spremiercornerbackslastyear. Lookingatthestatistics,some mightbemisled,butthatwasbecauseopponentsoftenthrewaway fromSlaughter.Everettalsocould figureprominentlyinthesecondaryasmayKyianMimsfollowing

•••••••

2022 RESULTS (5-6)

Williamsport 14, State College 42

Williamsport 29, Pittston 12

Williamsport 20, Dallas 41

Williamsport 10, Berwick 34

Williamsport 13, Crestwood 51

Williamsport 48, Central Mountain 16

Williamsport 38, Wyoming Valley West 7

Williamsport 14, Wilkes-Barre 46

Williamsport 14, Hazleton 28

Williamsport 69, Tunkahnnock 7 Eastern Conference Championship

Williamsport 57, Boyertown 21

aproductivesummer.Khanif CarterandDeaconBrownmay havevitalrolesandGrantViello showedwhathecandolatelast season,helpingchangetheEasternConferencefinal’scomplexion whenheblockedapunt.

Speakingofspecialteams, Williamsportfeaturesanall-state candidateatbothkickerand punterthere.ConnorPooleisreceivingDivisionIinterestatboth positionsaftershiningoverthe pasttwoseasons.Poolehas boomedasmanyasseventouchbacksinonegameandalsohas beenoneofthearea’smostreliableandaccuratefieldgoalkickerssincejoiningthefootballteam asasophomore.Poolehasturned headsatvariousprestigiouskickingcampssincelastwinterand couldbeapossiblegamechanger whenitcomestofieldposition.

Williamsportagainfacesa dauntingschedule,openingthe seasonagainstStateCollege,a teamfreshoffaClass6Astate semifinalappearance.TheLittle Lionsandmanyotherspresent challengesbutgoingthroughthat grindofaschedulehelped Williamsportkeepprogressing lastseason.

2022LEADERS

•••••••

PASSERATCMINYDSTD

GeorgeWhaley101645107211

CalebWilliamson814236693 RUSHERATYDSTD

NasirHennigan151107219

GeorgeWhaley632206

JamaireHarden81130

RECEIVERRECYDSTD

JamaireHarden375694

JakihaKline152443

GeorgeWhaley142341

YazhirSlaughter132955

NajirDixon7900

2023 FOOTBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH

Nariq Burkes, LB/RB: One of the areaʼs premier pass rushers the past two seasons, Burks provides experience, leadership and production. He has played three positions the last few years, giving Williamsport production at each one. He likely will be a middle linebacker again this season after excelling there late last season when Williamsport made its run. Burks played mostly defensive end and nose guard before his move to linebacker last year. He has more than 10 sacks the last two seasons and finished among the top three as a sophomore two years ago. He also has been one of the teamʼs top tacklers and helps provide the juice for a defense which made big strides throughout the second half of last season. Burks also could play an offensive role this season, whether blocking at fullback, being a hard-nosed runner or both.

Waylon Dauber, OL/DL: Part of a new-look offensive line last season, Dauber played a key role in that unit surging down the stretch. Dauberʼs play up front helped Williamsport score 38 or more points in each of their final four wins. He and his fellow linemen dominated up front in the Eastern Conference championship win at Boyertown, paving the way for 57 points and a season-high 58 yards. Dauber, a 5-foot11, 270-pound senior also can help defensively and was part of an offensive line that frequently imposed its well throughout the seasonʼs second half. Together, the line helped Williamsport feature both a 1,000-yard rusher and 1,000-yard passer.

Alonzo Rice, LB/RB: Like Burks, Rice burst onto the scene as a sophomore and was a key player for a unit that helped Williamsport come within a field goal of that yearʼs district championship. He and Burks also were voted captains as juniors, highlighting their qualities which go beyond the numbers. Rice was a rock at linebacker last season and is a frequent playmaker who can help stuff the run and/or get after the passer. Rice established himself as a sophomore when he made a touchdown-saving tackle on a game-changing goal-line stand in an overtime win against Central Mountain and has been making good plays ever since.

Yazhir Slaughter, WR/DB: A big-play receiver, Slaugther likely will be the go-to weapon in the passing game this season. He averaged 22.7 yards per catch last season and five of his 13 catches resulted in touchdowns. The senior caught three touchdowns of 24 or more yards, including a 77-yarder in a comeback win against Pittston and also hauled in two scores against Hazleton. Over the past two seasons, Slaughter has done a nice job stretching the field averaging 26.3 yards per catch and scoring six times. He also is a valuable cornerback who played especially well late in the season last year. He was part of a defense which forced four turnovers against Wyoming Valley West and intercepted a pass against Central Mountain which helped snuff out any hopes it had of making a comeback.

B By y C CHHRRIIS S M MAASSSSE E

cmasse@sungazette.com

Montoursville did not win as many games as it would have liked last fall. But in the grand scheme, the Warriors won pretty big.

Tragedy rocked Montoursville when coach Mike Boughton was diagnosed with cancer in July and passed away in November. The Warriors honored their coach the best way they could, competing hard every game. Ultimately, costly injuries and a nasty schedule combined to derail Montoursville but not before it reached the district playoffs for the 10th time in 11 years, finishing 4-7.

From an adversity standpoint, it’s a season Montoursville would like to forget. From a learning perspective, it’s one that the Warriors always can remember and one which could help them pull through this season as a fairly young team against competes against one of the district’s most grueling schedules.

“Our season wasn’t a success in terms of wins and losses, but the kinds handled everything really well,” Montoursville coach

SEASON SNAPSHOT

2023 SCHEDULE

Aug. 25—at Wellsboro

Sept. 1—vs. Troy

Sept. 8—at Lewisburg

Sept. 15—vs. Central Columbia

Sept. 29—vs. Southern Columbia

Oct. 6—at Danville

Oct. 13—vs. Jersey Shore

Oct. 20—at Selinsgrove

Oct. 27—vs. Montoursville

Joe Hanna said. “It puts things in perspective with sports and life.”

Hanna became the team’s interim coach after Boughton was diagnosed with cancer and became the official coach early in the offseason. It was a season of constant changing last year and the assistant coaching staff had multiple vacancies. Now, all those have been filled and Montoursville has done everything it can since last November to hit the ground running when it opens the 2023 campaign at Wellsboro.

“It’s been really good. We had some real

good turnaround in the weight room and a lot of players working on speed training. I’ve been really happy with the turnout,” Hanna said. “The kids are pretty resilient, and the things they learned on and off the field last year makes them tougher individuals.”

That provides a strong foundation for a team with five starters back on both sides of the football. The Warriors faced a similar situation last year when they were replacing the majority of their starters and still started 4-1 before injuries started taking their toll. Replenishing the line, backfield and receiving core are priorities but Montoursville has a good centerpiece in quarterback Bryce Eberhart.

The senior signal caller flourished in his first season, going over 1,100 yards and showing good command of the offense against some ferocious defenses. Eberhart threw for 1,136 yards and 11 touchdowns, finishing among the area’s top 10 in both categories. That included a 182-yard, twotouchdown performance at six-time state champion Southern Columbia.

“Bryce is back and looking for big things. He had a great offseason,” Hanna said. “His arm strength has improved and having a

SUN-GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

yearunderbelthelpsalot.He’s goingtobebigforus.Italways helpstohaveyourquarterback back.”

LeadingrusherMatthewConklinandreceiverMarcoPulizzi bothgraduated,soMontoursville likelywillbeleaningonacommitteetohelpatbothpositions.SophomoreChristianBanksplayed wellasafreshmanandcouldbe oneofthefeaturedball-carriers whileMichaelReederisoneof manyyoungplayerswhocould makeanimpactatwidereceiver.

ColeYonkinanchorswhatcould beastoutlineandiscomingofan outstandingseason.NateFisher missedtimewithinjurieslastyear butisavaluableguardwhocan alsoplayfullbackandwhohada bigsophomorecampaigntwoseasonsago.EvanBloomhadabig defensiveyearlastfallandalso couldhelpalongthelineorattight end.

ThosethreeplayersandBanks alsowillbedefensiveleadersand allplayedwelltherelastseason. Yonkinisanactivelineman,while BanksandFisherformastrong linebackingtandem.Thesecondaryisaworkinprogressbutadefensewhichshinedthroughoutthe season’sfirsthalflastfallhasthe potentialtoagainhelppavethe wayforsuccess.

“Weneedtobereallygooddefensively.I’mhappywithwhere weareatupfront,”Hannasaid. “Wejustneedtoworkontheback enddefensivelyandtheskillpositionsoffensively.Wejusthaveto playrealstrongdefenseandbe physical.”

Montoursvillefeaturesaspecial teamsweaponinkickerWyatt Fry.Theseniorhasbeenoneofthe area’stopkickersthepasttwo yearsanddrilledfivefieldgoals lastyear,includinga40-yarder.

•••••••

2022 RESULTS (4-8)

Montoursville 21, Wellsboro 14

Montoursville 7, Troy 28

Montoursville 24, Lewisburg 21

Montoursville 35, Central Columbia 21

Montoursville 29, Bald Eagle Area 21

Montoursville 16, Southern Columbia 34

Montoursville 0, Danville 42

Montoursville 0, Jersey Shore 58

Montoursville 7, Selinsgrove 21

Montoursville 14, Loyalsock 48

District 4 Class AAA Quarterfinals

Montoursville 7, Athens 37

Frywasadifference-makerina 29-21winagainstBaldEagle Area,makinganarea-bestthree fieldgoalsthatnight.

Montoursvillewonitsfinal gamethatnight,startingameat grinderofasecond-halfschedule thefollowingweek.Thatschedule isthesamethisyearwithgames againstSouthern,three-timedefendingDistrict4ClassAAA championDanville,five-timedefendingDistrict4ClassAAAA championJerseyShore,SelinsgroveandLoyalsock.

Obviously,itpresentsabigchallenge.ButMontoursvillehasbeen throughalotmorethanadauntingschedulebefore.Nobodyknows howtheseasonwillunfold,butthe Warriorsfightingonseemslikea guarantee.

“Thekidsknowthekindof teamsweareplaying,soyoujust kindoftakeitweekbyweek.You setgoals,andtheymaynotbeultimatelywhatyouwantinthewinlosscolumn,butyousetgoalsof gettingbettereachweek,”Hanna said.“Theturnouthasbeenfantastic.Wehaveasmallsenior classbutprettygoodleadersand we’rehappywiththeleadership we’regettingoutofthem.”

“OurkidsatMontoursvillehave greatattitudesandworkhard. That’sallyoucanask,”Hanna said.

2022 LEADERS

•••••••

PASSERATCMINYDSTD

Bryce Eberhart1697811113611

Jimmy Mussina14 41 590

RUSHERATYDSTD

Matthew Conklin1919547

James Batkowski462111

Christian Banks421321

Marco Pulizzi201180

Nate Fisher23841

RECEIVERRECYDSTD

Marco Pulizzi265826

James Batkowski121051

Matthew Conklin11570

2023 FOOTBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH

Christian Banks, LB/RB: As a freshman last fall, Banks immediately stepped into the starting lineup and emerged as one of the teamʼs most valuable players. Banks excelled at linebacker, finishing second on the team in tackles, averaging 5.9 per game. He added 2 1/2 sacks, including one against powerhouse Jersey Shore. Banks made at least five tackles in all but one game and 41 of his 65 tackles were solos. He provides the defense a strong foundation to build upon and was the only player who intercepted a pass against Danvilleʼs Zach Gordon during the regular season. Banks also brings some muscle to the offensive backfield. Banks also brings some physicality to the offensive backfield and ran for 132 yards, scoring against Selinsgroveʼs stingy defense in Week 9. Having a yearʼs experience under his belt now, could make Banks one of the areaʼs premier players the next three years.

Evan Bloom, DL/LB/OL: Another player who burst onto the scene last season, Bloom enjoyed a breakout year and established himself as a valuble weapon up front. The defensive lineman finished third on the team in tackles and piled up 13 tackles for loss. Equally impressive, Bloom made at least one tackle for loss in 10 of Montoursvilleʼs 11 games. He made 40 solo tackles and added two sacks. The numbers are doubly impressive, considering Montoursville played against one of the districtʼs toughest schedules. Bloom made a career-high 11 tackles against 10-win Troy, including eight solos. He also forced a fumble against Selinsgrove and broke up a pass. Bloom could help fill a void at tight end if called upon. He did not see much receiving action last season, but did haul in a 24-yard pass against Jersey Shore, the districtʼs top-ranked defense.

Nate Fisher, DL/RB/OL: He was limited to eight games, but Fisher still made his presence felt on both sides of the ball and could be one of the teamʼs top players if he is full strength again. A three-year starter, Fisher helps complement Bloom up front on defense. Over the past two seasons he has made 66 tackles, including 10 for loss, while adding 2 1/2 sacks. Fisher made multiple tackles for loss in consecutive wins against Lewisburg and Central Columbia last season and also moved to the backfield where he provided some quality power running. The senior ran for a career-high 33 yards on six carries in the Lewisburg victory and scored his first touchdown in the Central win a week later.

Cole Yonkin, OL/DL: Another player who made big strides last season and provides both experience and production, Yonkin developed into one of the teamʼs top players. Starting along both lines, Yonkin collected four sacks and made seven tackles for loss. He was a big reason Montoursville defeated Bald Eagle Area in Week 5, registering two sacks and adding two tackles for loss that night. Yonkin averaged 4.9 tackles per game and had at least five six times, an impressive number for a defensive tackle. Yonkin also started the past two seasons up front, offensively, helping Montoursville produce 1,000-yard passers and 900-yard rushers both seasons. He also played a key role in Matthew Conklin running for 150 yards against sixtime defending Class AA state champion Southern Columbia in a game Montoursville led in the third quarter.

SUN-GAZETTEFILEPHOTO

LoyalsockquarterbackTyler Geewilllooktobuildofflast yearʼs2,600-yardpassing season.

B By y C CHHRRIIS S M MAASSSSE E cmasse@sungazette.com

Loyalsock graduated several starters the previous June. Then multiple, decorated starters suffered seasonending injuries. And yet

Loyalsock kept winning.

The Lancers spent most of the season ranked among the state’s Top 10 Class AAA ranked teams, reached the district final and won more games in a season (11) than since 2007. Again, Loyalsock must fill some big voids this season, but it knows what whatever this journey holds, it can navigate it. Above the wins, that might have been the most important aspect of that outstanding campaign.

“After last season we really got that feeling of what it’s like when things are clicking at a high level. We’re very much fighting to get back to that place,” Loyalsock coach Justin Van Fleet said. “Every year is different; every team is different but we’re excited to get after it.”

Loyalsock has plenty to be excited

SEASON SNAPSHOT

2023 SCHEDULE

Aug. 25—vs. Berks Catholic

Sept. 1—at Hughesville

Sept. 8—vs. Southern Columbia

Sept. 15—at Danville

Sept. 22—vs. Williams Valley

Sept. 29—at Central Columbia

Oct. 6—vs. Lewisburg

Oct. 13—at Wyalusing

Oct. 20—vs. Troy

Oct. 27—at Montoursville

about. All-state quarterback Tyler Gee and all-state wide receiver Jaylen Andrews both return as do some stalwarts in all position groups. They are boosted by some exciting prospects. The bonus is that even those who did not start last season saw a lot of playing time.

Because Loyalsock was hit so hard by injuries, many underclassmen earned prominent roles ahead of schedule. They often excelled in those facets as well, giv-

ing them both experience and confidence. Three-time defending district champion Danville swept two games from Loyalsock and the schedule again is challenging, but Loyalsock likes the position it is in as the season approaches and it goes about attacking its goals.

“Last season we had an incredible group of seniors, but also a small group of individuals in terms of numbers who made huge impacts,” Van Fleet said. “The current seniors and last year’s juniors have had a large amount of success throughout their time playing football and have worked diligently to continue that success. Everyone is in a race and it’s about the time and energy that you put forth and not being satisfied with what you did yesterday. If we continue to do that we should be in a good spot. We’re looking to develop a group into a bunch of leaders and see how it comes together.”

Loyalsock has an excellent leader in Gee, a three-year starter who has earned all-state honors in both his seasons starting. He led District 4 in passing yards

SUN-GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

lastseason,throwingfor2,637 yardsand27touchdowns.He alsoisamobilethreatwhowas secondontheteaminrushing with588yardsandninetouchdowns.

“ThebiggestthingTyler bringsoutsideoftheexperience ishavinganindividualwhois passionateaboutlearningthe gameoffootball,”VanFleet said.“Iamabletotrusthim completelyandhe’salways doingwhat’sinthebestinterest oftheteam.”

Andrewsputtogetherwhat mayhavebeenthebestsingleseasonbyawidereceiverin areahistorylastfall.AfterallstatewidereceiverRianGlunk wasinjuredinWeek2,Andrews steppedintothego-toroleand wasaforce,catching59passes foranarea-record1,403yards and22touchdowns.

IfformerWilliamsportstandoutJamaireHardencanplay thisseason,Loyalsockcould haveoneofthestate’spremier tandems.Hardenhasreceived DivisionIinterestandhas1,242 yardsoverthelasttwoseasons despitemissingsevengames withinjuries.GagePatterson alsoiscomingoffastrongseason andLoyalsockisexcitedabout WillBurdett,DannyDowelland LJLee.Burdettwasafactoron bothsidesoftheballlastseason, whileDowellandLeehaveimpressedthroughouttheoffseason.JaydnWagneralsohas beenworkinghardandcouldreplaceCyCavanaughandprovide Loyalsockaweaponattightend forasecondstraightseason.

•••••••

2022 RESULTS (11-2)

Loyalsock 34, Berks Catholic 21

Loyalsock 27, Hughesville 0

Loyalsock 27, Southern Columbia 10

Loyalsock 14, Danville 17

Loyalsock 35, Williams Valley 29

Loyalsock 48, Central Columbia 0

Loyalsock 41, Lewisburg 7

Loyalsock 47, Wyalusing 0

Loyalsock 36, Troy 35

Loyalsock 48, Montoursville 14

District 4 Class AAA Quarterfinals

Loyalsock 48, Lewisburg 23

Semifinals

Loyalsock 69, Mifflinburg 42

Championship

Loyalsock 20, Danville 41

Loyalsockmustalsoreplace all-staterunningbackDavion Hill,atwo-timeall-stateselection.Hillwasauniqueathlete andonethatishardtoemulate. Notsurprisingly,Loyalsockmay relyonmultiplebackstohelpfill thatvoid.StandoutLoganBastiancouldplaythefeaturedrole, butfreshmanDylanHarmanis aprospectshowingoffsomeimpressiveskillsaswell.Braden Vincenzesrippedoffan83-yard touchdownagainstCentralColumbiaandalsoisinthemix.

Althoughall-statelineman IanHornbergerandstandouts CarterSecoraandJackAckermangraduated,Loyalsockstill remainsexperiencedupfront. ThatisbecausetheLancershad tokeepshufflingthelineayear agoandthenextmanupcontinuedperformingwell.Ethan FrenchandJeremiahJohnson helpanchortheunitwith MalachiColeman,IsaiahWest andJoshBomboyalsostarting attimesandhelpingpavethe wayforanexplosiveoffense.

2022 LEADERS

PASSERATCMINYDSTD

Tyler Gee2261418263727

RUSHERATYDSTD

Davion Hill247187720

Tyler Gee1265889

Gavin Rice291401

RECEIVERRECYDSTD

Jaylen Andrews59140322

Davion Hill163372

Gage Patterson222811

Cy Cavanaugh212571

Alec Kulp81011

Logan Bastian, LB/TE: An injury ended his season in Week 10 against Montoursville, but Bastian again put together a strong year and was part of a deep, strong linebacking unit which helped spark a resurgent defense. Bastian is the lone starter back and is a fouryear starter who provides skill and all the intangibles a coach could want. He has topped 20 career tackles, averaging 5.7 or more each season, while adding 18 tackles for loss. Bastian reached career-highs in both tackles for loss (9) and sacks (3) last season, playing a big role in Loyalsock becoming one of the areaʼs top defenses. Bastian made 11 tackles in a 27-10 win against Class AA state champion Southern Columbia and also provides some offensive depth, averaging five yards per carry last season.

Ethan French, OL/DL: Loyalsock put up some big offensive numbers again last season with quarterback Tyler Gee, running back Davion Hill and wide receiver Jaylen Andrews all earning all-state honors. But helping all those players shine was a physical, talented offensive line and French played a major role there. A three-year starter, French was a reliable blocker who helped Loyalsock finish second among area teams in yards per game, averaging 416 yards per game and doing equal damage on the ground as through the air. His leadership, strength and experience makes French a good leader on the defensive line as well. The tackle enjoyed his best season there last fall, making 19 solo tackles and adding three tackles for loss, while freeing up the linebackers to make plays. French also recovered two fumbles.

Gage Patterson, WR/DB: He might fly under the radar, especially with Andrews and Jamaire Harden forming a dynamic receiving duo, but Patterson provides Loyalsock another dangerous receiver. He was a dependable target last year, catching 22 passes for 281 yards. Patterson caught a game-changing, long touchdown in a season-opening win at Berks Catholic which helped set the seasonʼs tone. Patterson might be even more valuable in the secondary where he develped into one of the areaʼs premier defensive backs last season and can play either cornerback or safety. The senior finished second on the team with three interceptions and returned one for a touchdown in a district quarterfinal win against Lewisburg. Patterson also snuffed out a Hughesville drive in Week 2 with an interception, preventing Hughesville from making it a one-score game and helping Loyalsock start breaking things open.

Blake Phillips, LB/RB: As a sophomore last fall, Phillips stepped up a big way when Bastian was injured against Montoursville. A converted defensive end, Phillips immediately settled in and averaged nearly six tackles a game in three starts, helping Loyalsock reach the district final. Phillips was all over after replacing Bastian in the Montoursville game, collecting eight tackles, including six solos. He added eight more tackles in a district semifinal win against Mifflinburg and returned a fumble for a touchdown in the quarterfinal win against Lewisburg. Phillips had tackles for losses in three consecutive games and can help fill the void after standout linebackers Cy Cavanaugh and Gavin Rice graduated. He only carried the ball twice last season, but Phillips could also be one of the players Loyalsock looks at in the backfield.

SUN-GAZETTEFILEPHOTO

JerseyShoreʼsdefensewas phenomenalin2022,andthe Bulldogslooktohaveatough defenseyetagainin2023.

B By y C CHHRRIIS S M MAASSSSE E cmasse@sungazette.com

Perception often is reality. And whether it’s true or not, Jersey Shore players believe many are counting them out this season.

The Bulldogs have captured five straight District 4 Class 5A championships, while reaching three state Final Fours and the 2020 state championship. But they also are taking their biggest graduation hit during the last six years, so it’s understandable why some might think this dominant run could be running out of steam.

What a great time then to test the program’s motto which is, “Tradition Never Graduates.” Jersey Shore has proven that repeatedly since 2013, winning seven district titles and competing in the district final all but one of those years. Now the Bulldogs are being tested again and are excited about the latest challenge.

“They’re hungry. We’re leaning on some of our leaders that played a lot last year,” Jersey Shore coach Tom Gravish said. “They’re chomping at the bit to make a name for themselves.”

They certainly have that opportunity. While most of the starters graduated, Jersey Shore mercy-ruled all but one regular season opponent and 10 of its 13 opponents overall. Most of those games reached that point by halftime, so nearly every returning Bulldog took the field quite a bit. And be-

SEASON SNAPSHOT

2023 SCHEDULE

Aug. 25—at Pottsville

Sept. 1—vs. Lewisburg

Sept. 8—at Selinsgrove

Sept. 15—vs. Shikellamy

Sept. 22—at Mifflinburg

Sept. 29—at Executive Charter

Oct. 6—at Shamokin

Oct. 13—at Montoursville

Oct. 21—vs. Capital Prep

Oct. 27—vs. Central Mountain

cause Jersey Shore was so senior-loaded last season, that meant a lot of underclassmen were waiting their turn.

It did not mean those athletes could not play. It simply meant their opportunity had not come yet. Now it has, and all the Bulldogs have put in a lot of work throughout the offseason. Jersey Shore played various lineman camps, 7 on 7s and hit the weight room hard. The goal now is putting all that effort and determination into a winning mix.

“We’re looking forward to the challenge with those guys. We feel confident in them. They can only get better every day and we feel they will,” Gravish said. “I have a lot of confidence in our assistant coaches, too, and feel like together we can mold them into what we need on the field.”

Jersey Shore has done just that the past 10 seasons, going 96-32 during that time, a

winning percentage only topped in District 4 by six-time defending Class AA state champion Southern Columbia. Still, this program has thrived because it has never looked at the past achievements. The team embraces the the three H’s philosophy— healthy, humble and hungry—so it’s only focus now is getting better each day. Achieve that goal and everything else could fall into place.

While Jersey Shore has many voids to fill, it also has exciting players eager to step in. That includes at quarterback where Jerrin Loomis looks like the likely starter after playing well in limited action last season when he was not excelling at tight end. Sophomore Paul Hale also is a versatile threat who could push Loomis and/or be used in different packages. The same goes for running back Elijah Jordan who shined throughout his freshman and sophomore seasons.

Jordan and Tate Sechrist from what could be an explosive backfield combination with both going over 500 yards last season. Brodie Herr, Talon Mauck and Bo Sechrist also ran well last year and have nice blends of power and speed. Herr averaged 10.2 yards per carry and is, pound for pound, one of the team’s strongest players. Dathan Tyson is a Swiss Army Knife player who can be used as a rusher and/or receiver after totaling five touchdowns last season.

While standout wide receivers Kooper Peacock and Connor Griffin graduated, Jersey Shore has plenty of weapons who could help the quarterback keep the offense bal-

SUN-GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

anced.PaytonSamar,AshtonSweeley,EvanSnyder,CarsonWatkins, PeytonWhitmanandTrentSeverinoallareplayerswhoareexcitingprospects.WhatJerseyShore especiallylikesaboutitsplaymakersisthatsomanycanbeutilizedin differentways.Somemaylineupin thebackfield,intheslot,atreceiver orattightend.Theflexibilitythe playersprovidegivestheBulldogsa lotofalternativesandcouldbeespeciallycrucialifsomeoneisinjured.

“Ourgoalforthesummerhas beentofigureouthowtousethem all.Ifeellikeitgivesusmoreoptionsthanwehadlastyear,”Gravishsaid.“Insomeregards,we’lllook similar,butinsomeregards,we mightlookdifferent.”

JerseyShorewilllookabitdifferentupfront,althoughitreturnstwo standoutsinall-statetackleDyson DelaneyandguardOwenVandruff. TheBulldogsmadeconsecutive FinalFourappearanceswithfairly youngoffensivelinesin2021-22and havesomestrongprospectstofill thestartingroles,includingTravis Blackburn,PrestonBeatty,Mason Larson,BraydenSwalesandsenior leaderJohnDammer.

Thoseplayersalsolikelywillplay keyrolesdefensively.Itsurehelps havingaplayerlikeSechristtobuild aroundupfront.Thetwo-timeallstatedefensiveendledtheteamin tackleslastyearandhasledthe areainsacksthepasttwoseasons. MaxEnglealsoplayedwellatdefensiveendlastseasonandreturns, whileSlateSechristwasstrongonin theinteriorlastseason.Blackburn stoodoutinweightroomandSwales cuthisteethbattlingagainstallstatenoseguardZachRooneyall lastfallatpractices.Herrcansquat 505poundsandalsocouldbeabig factoralongthedefensiveline.Severinoalsoisanotherplayertowatch.

•••••••

2022 RESULTS (12-1)

Jersey Shore 55, Pottsville 12

Jersey Shore 70, Lewisburg 6

Jersey Shore 63, Selinsgrove 0

Jersey Shore 49, Shikellamy 6

Jersey Shore 63, Mifflinburg 24

Jersey Shore 65, Executive Ed. 12

Jersey Shore 62, Shamokin 0

Jersey Shore 58, Montoursville 0

Jersey Shore 23, Canton 0

Jerey Shore 71, Central Mountain 12

District 4 Class AAAA Semifinals

Jersey SHore 63, Shamokin 12

Championship

Jersey Shore 35, Selinsgrove 7

PIAA Class AAAA tournament

Jersey Shore 31, Allentown CC 38 (OT)

Samarreturnsandanchorsthe linebackingunitafterenjoyinga strongjuniorcampaign.Luke Thompsonhasexcitedcoaches throughouttheoffseasonandBo Sechristcouldbethenextlinebackerfromhisfamilytomakeabig impactatJerseyShore.Tysonexcelledduringhisfirstyearplaying cornerbackandgivesthesecondary agoodfoundationtobuildupon.

AshtonSweeleystartedinthestate tournamentasdidJordanandplayerslikeWhitman,SnyderandHale alsocouldplaykeyroles.

“Eachteamhasitsownpersonalityandwelikedthisteam’spersonalityandlastyear’s,althoughinsome regardstheyaredifferent,”Gravish said.“Ourcoachesarehavingablast tryingtofitthepuzzletogetherand findingouthowtomakeitwork.”

Eventhoughsomanyplayerswill bestartingforthefirsttimethey bringinalotofconfidence.Thatgoes beyondtheprogram’swinningways overthelastdecade.Itismorebecausethesearetheplayerswhocompetedagainstthosestartersevery dayatpracticelastseason.Theyare thereasonthosestarterswereso goodcomeFridaynightsandsince theywerepushedsohardeveryday.

2022 LEADERS

PASSERATCMINYDSTD

Brady Jordan136725125015

RUSHERATYDSTD

Hadyn Packer134124225

Brady Jordan111101221

Elijah Jordan1046328

Tate Sechrist565558

Brodie Herr222254

Gabe Andrus23178

RECEIVERRECYDSTD

Kooper Peacock295079

Connor Griffin254953

Elijah Jordan91251

2023 FOOTBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH

Dyson Delaney, OL/DL: One of two underclassmen who started full-time up front last year, Delaney played a pivotal role in Jersey Shore setting an area record by scoring 708 points and averaging 54.5 per game last season. A punishing blocker, the senior tackle frequently pushed back defenders last season, clearing big running lanes and/or giving the quarterback time to look downfield. Delaney and Owen Vandruff made a quick transition and jelled with an experienced line to give Jersey Shore a 1,000-yard passer and 1,000-yard rusher for the ninth time in 10 seasons. A 6-foot-4, 290-pounder, Delaney can overpower defenders but also has quick feet and has no problem playing fast in Jersey Shoreʼs no-huddle offense.

Elijah Jordan, RB/DB: Part of a three-headed monster his first two years at Jersey Shore, Jordan could see an even bigger role this season. The quick but strong junior running back has topped 500 yards in each of his first two seasons, producing 1,357 yards and 13 touchdowns. He is able to break big plays but also slippery and tough enough to gain hard-earned yards. Jordan averaged six yards per carry last season and scored eight touchdowns and could be part of a thunder and lightning duo with Tate Sechrist. Jordan also could see more targets in the passing game after catching nine passes for 125 yards last fall. An experienced safety, Jordan also has seen quality time in the secondary these past two seasons. Keep an eye on Jordan on special teams as well. An effective returner, he could play a role similar to Kooper Peacock the past two seasons and become a field position weapon.

Payton Samar, LB/WR: One of the few underclassmen who started on a senior-laden defense, Samar made a quality impact and was part of a dominant unit which did not allow a touchdown until Week 10. Samar rotated with Stone Sechrist, who graduated, and now is the unitʼs most experienced linebacker. Because Jersey Shore so often mercyruled opponents by halftime, Samar did not play a lot in the second half, but still made 62 tackles, including four for loss. He is the teamʼs second-leading returning tackler and made eight tackles against state semifinalist Allentown Central Catholic. The offense also was senior-laden, so Samar did not get a lot of playing time there.

Tate Sechrist, DL/RB: A two-time all-state defensive end, Sechrist has been the areaʼs best pass rusher the last two seasons, leading it in sacks both times. Sechrist has produced 18 1/2 sacks the past two seasons and added 10 more last fall. He also has 39 tackles for loss during that time and has been equally impressive against the run. Sechrist led Jersey Shore in tackles a year ago, making a career-high 95 and has both the strength, speed and smarts to be a game-changer. Even when he does not make the sack, Sechrist often is disrupting things and had 73 hurries last season, while forcing three fumbles and recovering three more. He has three defensive touchdowns the last two years and returned a fumble for the first touchdown in a district championship win against Selinsgrove.

B By y C CHHRRIIS S M MAASSSSE E cmasse@sungazette.com

Several starters are back from last season. They just look a lot different now.

So many South Williamsport players were either starting and/or contributing for the first time at the varsity level last season. While entering the 2023 season, those players feel more comfortable they also are much bigger and stronger. Putting all those qualities together has South feeling good after going 6-4 and reaching districts for a 12th straight year last fall.

“If you took these guys and stood them next to their selves from last year they look like 12-year-old kids compared to now,” South coach Chris Eiswerth said. “That makes it exciting.”

South has produced exciting teams throughout Eiswerth’s tenure and this team has the potential to build on the tradition. The Mounties won their last three regular season games a year ago before giving state semifinalist Canton a battle throughout the first half in the district semifinals. The difference this season goes beyond the strength so many players have added. Where so many players have experienced the most growth since last summer is between the ears.

The entire offensive backfield included first-time starters last August and South

SEASON SNAPSHOT

2023 SCHEDULE

Aug. 25—vs. Milton

Sept. 1—vs. Montgomery

Sept. 9—at CMVT

Sept. 15—vs. Cowanesque Valley

Sept. 22—vs. Canton

Sept. 29—at Sayre

Oct. 6—at Muncy

Oct. 13—at Wellsboro

Oct. 20—at Hughesville

Oct. 27—vs. Northwest

also was young up front and in the secondary. Now all those units are stacked with returning starters, while some exciting newcomers join the mix. Time will tell how it plays out, but the Mounties certainly are ahead of the curve in terms of development entering the season opener against Milton.

“We’re light years ahead of where we were at this time last year. People don’t realize that when we went down to Milton a year ago, 80% of our defense was new,” Eiswerth said. “These guys have a lot of goals. They would like to have a successful campaign. If that entails making a run or doing some things we haven’t done the last couple of years, that’s the goal.”

South has done quite a lot over the last decade, becoming a perennial title contender and capturing five league champi-

onships. The Mounties, though, are seeking their first district title since 2014 after coming close in 2020 and reaching the semifinals the past two seasons.

They have a good group with which to pursue those goals. That backfield which was so green around the edges last year now has all but one starter back. Amir Kemrer, built like a tank, nearly reached 1,000 yards last season and fullback Ryan Casella made a fabulous transition from guard, topping 700 yards.

Garrett Cooley made some nice strides in the backfield late in the season and Kaiser Kistner is a player who could make a key impact. Kistner is a threeyear starter at linebacker but may be poised to assume a more offensive role this season as well.

Quarterback Radley Knapp also is a returning starter and held his own against some strong teams last season, not throwing an interception in 95 attempts. Knapp concluded his season by completing 11 of 18 passes against Canton’s nasty defense and developed a good chemistry with returning receivers Landyn Gephart and Dylan Scheller. Tadd Lusk backs up Knapp and also is a quality playmaker who South could use at other positions as well.

“Radley and Tadd both got some time last year and Rad started and now we’re working on the finer points,” Eiswerth said. “We’re doing things now that we couldn’t do at this time last year. We

SUN-GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

SUN-GAZETTEFILEPHOTO

Afterrushingfor929yards lastfall,AmirKemrer(22)will looktobreak1,000onthe groundthisseason.

couldn’tgettothosethingsuntil laterintheseasonandthen thingsreallystartedfallinginto place.”

Gephartbecameaneffective playeratmovingthechains, whileSchellershowedsomebigplayabilityasasophomore,averaging21.4yardspercatch. South’sbacksoftenplayakey roleinthepassinggameaswell andCalebNeidigcouldbeanintriguingplayertowatch.

Ithelps,too,havingalotof friendspavingthewayupfront. Southhasbuiltitswinningtraditionuponstellaroffensiveline playandhasapotentblendofexperience,strengthandsizethis season.ChrisConfer,Paxton Gephart,EvanTortelletand OwenBirdallreturnupfront afterhelpingSouthaverage268 rushingyardspergame.Max WiltonandElijahHarveyareexcitingyoungplayerswhocould playprominentrolesascould CadenHamm.

BenFerriscouldseesome timeupfrontoffensivelyand helpsanchorthedefensiveline, comingoffabreakoutseasonup front.Most,ifnotall,thepreviousoffensivelinemenmentioned alsohaveand/orcouldplaykey rolesdefensivelythisfall.

Casella,KistnerandCooley bringaloadofexperiencetothe linebackingunitwithCasella beingafour-yearstarter.Kistner returnedaninterceptionfora touchdownamonghishighlights andCooleydevelopedintoa weaponagainstboththerunand thepass.

Schellerdevelopedintoanexcellentcornerbackandhisend zoneinterceptionclinchedadra-

•••••••

2022 RESULTS (6-4)

South Williamsport 0, Milton 28

South Williamsport 59, Montgomery 14

South Williamsport 72, CMVT 6

South Williamsport 54, Cowanesque 14

South Williamsport 0, Canton 50

South Williamsport 14, Muncy 21

South Williamsport 20, Wellsboro 0

South Williamsport 16, Hughesville 10 (OT)

South Williamsport 55, Northwest 6 District 4 Class A Semifinals

South Williamsport 13, Canton 42

maticdoubleovertimewinin Week9againstHughesville. LandynGephartalsoplayedwell inthesecondaryandispartofa well-roundedunitwhichcouldbe bolsteredbysomefirst-timecontributors.

AleighaRieppelandPiper Minierbothkickedwelllastyear buttheygraduated.Southhas turnedtoanothersoccerplayer, EvanOgden,andhehasimpressedthroughouttheoffseason. Ogdencouldhelpnotonlyon extrapointsandfieldgoals,but alsowithfieldpossession,showcasingabiglegthusfar.

Southimmediatelywillbe testedinitsopeneragainstMiltonwhichiscomingoffa9-1season.Still,asmuchasSouth wantstowineveryregularseasongame,thereisabiggerpictureinmind.Itcomesinsmall incrementsandtheyknow addingthemupisthewaytoproducesomethingbig.

“Wewanttoimproveandkeep movingforwardeveryday.Every yearsincewe’vebeenhere,we takewhatwehaveandtryto makeittheverybestwecan,” Eiswerthsaid.“It’snoteasybut it’ssuregratifyingwhenyoucan dothat.We’veseengoodgrowth andleadership.That’swhatit’s about,growthandmentoring.”

2022 LEADERS

2023 FOOTBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH

Ryan Casella, LB/RB: An impact player since the first time he took the field at South, Casella is a fouryear starting linebacker who made a smooth transition from the offensive line to fullback last year while helping South continue its winning ways. Casella sets a physical tone on defense and is as effective in pass coverage as he is stuffing the run. The senior leader made 49 solo tackles last season and added three interceptions. He came up especially big in a 16-10 overtime win against Hughesville, intercepting two passes. Casella excelled while starting in the backfield for the first time, running for 784 yards and eight touchdowns, while averaging 6.9 yards per carry. An outstanding blocker, too, Casella was at his best in a 20-0 win against Wellsboro when he ran for a career-high 212 yards and two touchdowns.

Garrett Cooley, LB/RB: Like Casella, Cooley so often appeared to be in the right place at the right time, making things happen against both the run and pass. One of the teamʼs top tacklers, Cooley also intercepted three passes during his breakout junior season and was the only player to intercept Muncy quarterback Branson Eyer, doing so in a Week 6 contest. The senior finished third on the team in tackles and also broke up five passes. His versatility makes Cooley a valuable weapon defensively and he also started earning more offensive carries as the season continued. He came up big in the Hughesville victory, scoring on the gameʼs first series. Over the last three games, Cooley averaged more than five yards per carry, adding depth to a potentially deep and talented backfield this season.

Landyn Gephart, WR/LB: Although South long has featured a run-heavy offense, Gephart helped bring some spice to the passing game during his first year starting. The senior forms a potentially strong duo with Dylan Scheller and caught a team-high 25 passes for 361 yards and four touchdowns. Gephart has some soft hands and made some impressive catches, including against Canton during the playoffs. He caught 10 passes in two games against one of the stateʼs top defenses and South was 3-0 when Gephart caught a touchdown. With he and Scheller leading the team in catches last year, South has a duo which can help loosen up defenses against the run. Gephart also settled in defensively and can play either linebacker or in the secondary.

•••••••

PASSERATCMINYDSTD

Radley Knapp955407018

RUSHERATYDSTD

Amir Kemrer8492910

Ryan Casella1137848

Caden Harris766837

Kaiser Kistner5710

RECEIVERRECYDSTD

Landyn Gephart253614

Dylan Scheller91921

Caden Harris7861

Amir Kemrer, RB/LB: Had he not missed one game and Sayre not postponing its season and costing him another, Kemrer likely would have extended Southʼs streak of producing at least 1,000-yard rusher to 11 seasons. The senior averaged more than 100 yards per game, running for a team-best 929 yards and 10 touchdowns. Kemrer is a home run type player, capable of busting a big run whenever he touches the football and also possesses some power. Kemrer showed that in a regular season finale win at fellow district playoff qualifier Northwest, running for a career-high 260 yards and three touchdowns on just 10 carries. He went over 100 yards four times with South winning each game. Kemrer also ran for 95 yards against NTLII champion Muncy and its stingy defense.

Good Luck!

By y C CHHRRIIS S M MAASSSSE E cmasse@sungazette.com

Hughesville came a long way last fall, winning five games, reaching the District 4 Class AA semifinals and capturing its first playoff victory since 2015.

Looking at the big picture, Hughesville did something even more powerful. The Spartans created belief. After winning four games the previous four seasons combined, Hughesville came in from the cold and felt the glow of victory. While doing so, the Spartans cleared a mental hurdle, gained confidence and created optimism entering 2023.

A strong core is back from last season and Hughesville is eager to keep progressing as it tries producing the program’s first winning season in eight years.

“A lot of the kids are starting to buy into the program. They’re seeing that we can win games and the weight room has finally been full this year,” Hughesville coach Howard Rainey said. “We always had the regulars in there but now all the guys are lifting and that shows their excitement.”

The players are not the only ones excited. Rainey said he and his staff are as eager to start the season as when they took over two years ago. They know Hughesville laid an important brick in a winning foundation last season and are eager to keep building.

SEASON SNAPSHOT

2023 SCHEDULE

Aug. 25—vs. Montgomery

Sept. 1—vs. Loyalsock

Sept. 8—at Bloomsburg

Sept. 15—at Warrior Run

Sept. 22—vs. Midd-West

Sept. 29—vs. Milton

Oct. 6—at Mount Carmel

Oct. 13—at Towanda

Oct. 20—vs. South Williamsport

Oct. 27—at Muncy

Hughesville went 5-7 a year ago, losing a heartbreaker at home against Bloomsburg and a double overtime thriller at South Williamsport. Basically, the Spartans were a few plays from going 7-5, but they avenged the Bloomsburg defeat with a defensive gem in the district quarterfinals, winning 12-3 on the road. Mount Carmel ended Hughesville’s season a week later but that game was tied 7-7 in the first quarter and experiencing two playoff games gave this team an important taste.

“To win one in the playoffs on the road showed the kids that if you keep working hard, you can win,” Rainey said. “The seniors are believing and the juniors are starting to do so. Now we just have to get the whole team believing like those guys and we’ll be in good shape.”

Stingy defense was Hughesville’s calling card last season as the Spartans produced three shutouts and held every opponent to six points or fewer in their victories.

The good news for Hughesville is that most of those starters return, although standouts like all-state linebacker Mason Hoppes and defensive end Gabe Wagner need replaced. The secondary looks especially stout with all-state safety Aiden Barlett, hard-hitting safety Tyler Wetzel and tenacious cornerback Conor Knight all returning. All three helped Hughesville led the area in turnovers produced and Knight averaged nearly seven tackles per game while adding two interceptions. Angelo Ferrigno, one of the team’s leading tacklers, also will see some time in the secondary. He and Barlett both can play a hybrid linebacker/safety position, providing both production, depth and match-up opportunities.

Losing Hoppes hurts, but Hughesville is excited about what junior Brenden Fisher can do at middle linebacker. Fisher played well in five games last year and could solidify the middle of Hughesville’s defense. Outside linebacker Luke Stutzman is a three-year starter and could be poised for his first 100-tackle season. Ferrigno and Barlett also can slide in at linebacker and combined for 202 tackles last season.

Hughesville looks strong up front as well. Bryce Burkhart can play inside or outside and is coming off an impressive junior season in which he helped stuff the run, made five tackles for loss and added two sacks. If healthy,

SUN-GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

LandenKingcanbeagame-wrecker. Theseniordefensiveendmade11 tacklesforlossinjustthreegames lastseason,includingfiveinaseasonopeningwinatMontgomery.King alsohadtwosacksagainstLoyalsock andhasfivesacksinjust11games thepasttwoseasons.JakeCharles couldbepoisedforabigseasonatdefensiveendaswell.Thesophomore hasimpressedcoachesthroughout theoffseasonandcouldbecomea weaponofftheedge.

“We’vegotalotofourstartersback ondefenseandthatshouldagainbea strongpoint,”Raineysaid.“Wehave somereallygoodplayersthatare readytostepupthisyear.”

Theoffenseisaworkinprogress butHughesvilleisdoingitsbestto modifysomethingstogettheballin thehandsofitstopplaymakersas muchaspossible.Ferrignoledthe teaminrushingandalsocanbea dangerousreceivingthreatafter startingthereasafreshman.Barlett isanotherSwissArmyKnifeandwas oneofthearea’sreceptionleadersa yearago.StutzmanalsocanbeafactorinthebackfieldandJedAbernathahasthesizeandspeedto becomeadangerousreceiver.

TylerWetzelandBlakeDavisboth sawtimeatquarterbacklastseason andwillcompeteforthestartingjob. WetzelisamobilethreatandHughesvillemayusehimindifferentways ifDavisbecomesthestarter.Either way,theSpartansfeelcomfortable withwhoeverwillberunningtheoffense.ThatgoesdoublesinceHughesvillewillhaveoneofitsmost experiencedandpotentiallybestoffensivelinesinthelastfiveyears.

Hughesvillereturnsallbutone starterupfrontandalsoisexcited aboutsomeofitsyoungerprospects. Burkhart,RussellDewire,JDLunger andBrendenFisherallstartedlast seasonandhavebothagoodchem-

2022 RESULTS (5-7)

Hughesville 42, Montgomery 0

Hughesville 0, Loyalsock 27

Hughesville 14, Bloomsburg 18

Hughesville 34, Warrior Run 6

Hughesville 28, Midd-West 0

Hughesville 7, Milton 47

Hughesville 20, Mount Carmel 46

Hughesville 21, Towanda 0

Hughesville 10, South Wpt. 16 (2 OT)

Hughesville 16, Muncy 44 District 4 Class AA Quarterfinals

Hughesville 14, Bloomsburg 3 Semifinals

Hughesville 13, Mount Carmel 48

istryaswellasdecentsize.Hunter Whipplecouldtakeoveratcenter afterstandoutJoshApplemangraduatedandhasshinedthroughoutthe offseason.Charlesalsocouldplaya keyroleandBurkhartmaybeused inthebackfieldwhennotplayingat guard.Deceptivelyfast,Burkhartisa strong220-pounderandcouldbeespeciallytoughinshort-yardagesituations.

TheSpartansplayanidentical scheduletolastseason,justflipping thelocations.Hughesvillewillbe openingforathirdstraightseason withMontgomerybeforefacingabig testagainstLoyalsock.Although Hughesvilledidnotwinlastyear’s gameatLoyalsock,itgavethe Lancersoneoftheirtougherregular seasongamesandthatboostedthe team’sconfidence.

Buildingupthatconfidencewas oneofthehardestpartsforRainey andhisstaffwhentheytookovertwo yearsago.Alltheworkstartedpayingdividendslastseason.Andnow Hughesvillewantstomakeeveryone throughoutDistrict4believe,too.

“Wehaveagreatcorecomingback, sowejusthopewecangetthemall workingtogetherandbelieving,” Raineysaid.“Theywonthatplayoff gameatBloomsburg,sotheysee whatwecandoandwewanttokeep gettingbetter.”

2022 LEADERS

•••••••

PASSERATCMINYDSTD

Luke Kaiser1788298976

RUSHERATYDSTD

Angelo Ferrigno894100

Kelby Gordner942962

Mason Hoppes602914

Aiden Barlett211321

Tyler Wetzel15841

RECEIVERRECYDSTD

Aiden Barlett375863

Justin Fowler232300

Conor Knight7782

Chaz Neidig9740

2 200223 3 F FOOOOTTBBAALLL L P PLLAAYYEERRS S T TO O W WAATTCCH H

Aiden Barlett, DB/WR: Last yearʼs Sun-Gazette Defensive Back of the Year, Barlett earned all-state honors and helped Hughesville experience a big turnaround season. The senior safety led District 4 with seven interceptions and returned one for a touchdown. Barlett was a ball hawk who averaged 8.8 tackles per game and who also returned a fumble for a score. Three times last fall, Barlett intercepted two passes in a game. Barlett is a sure tackler who topped 10 tackles four times and was part of a defense which shut out four opponents and held another to six points. Barlett is equally dangerous offensively and caught a team-high 37 passes for 586 yards while averaging 15.8 yards per catch. Barlett is a versatile player who also ran for a score and has played as both a running back and wide receiver during his scholastic career.

Angelo Ferrigno, RB/LB/DB: Ferrigno is the top returning tackler from last yearʼs stingy unit and he helps anchor a strong linebacking unit. Ferrigno has played and/or started all four seasons at Hughesville and made a career-high 105 tackles last fall, including 76 solos. Ferrigno also made 10 tackles for loss and showed off his playmaking ability when he returned an interception for a touchdown against Mount Carmel in the district semifinals. He made 11 tackles in the game and went for a career-high 13 against South Williamsport. Ferrigno topped 10 tackles four times in 12 games and also was the teamʼs leading rusher, producing 410 yards and three touchdowns.

Luke Stutzman, LB/RB: A three-year starting linebacker, Stutzman has been at the center of Hughesvilleʼs defensive resurgence. The junior has made 155 tackles the past two seasons, including seven for loss. He also forced a fumble, recovered two more and broken up five passes. Stutzman made an immediate impact as a freshman but really broke out last season. An outside linebacker, who also can move inside if necessary, Stutzman made 91 tackles, 63 which were solos, while averaging 7.6 tackles per game. Stutzman really surged down the stretch, making 49 tackles in his last five games and topping 10 three times. He was all over the field in the Bloomsburg playoff win, producing a career-high 10 solo tackles and breaking up a pass. Stutzman added a sack in a shutout win at MiddWest and adds depth to the offensive backfield.

Tyler Wetzel, DB/QB: Another valuable member of a well-rounded secondary, Wetzel brought both speed and sound tackling a year ago, making 86 tackles and intercepting five passes. Wetzel averaged 7.2 tackles per game and picked off passes in five different games. He made a career-high 18 tackles, including 12 solos, against South and displayed a keen nose for the football, recovering four fumbles. Taken together, Wetzel had a hand in nine of the area-high 31 turnovers Hughesville forced last season. Wetzel intercepted passes in each of Hughesvilleʼs first three games and also will compete for the starting quarterback job. Wetzel played there are times last season and is a dual threat who ran for a touchdown and 52 yards on his two carries in a 28-0 win at Midd-West.

SEASON SNAPSHOT

B

By y C CHHRRIIS S M MAASSSSE E cmasse@sungazette.com

Travis Thompson has come home.

Thompson once played football at Central Mountain, from 2001-04. He then coached the ninth-grade team for a few years before joining the Loyalsock coaching staff and flourishing as a defensive coordinator the past two seasons.

Now he is back where the football journey started. Thompson is Central Mountain’s new coach and, in some ways, he feels like a kid again.

“This was one of those things that as you’re playing football when you’re younger, you dream about one day doing,” Thompson said. “It’s a blessing to get the chance to be at a place where I know we can be and where the kids know we can be.”

And where Central Mountain wants to go is upward. The Wildcats reached consecutive District 6 Class 5A championships in 2020-21 and enjoyed their first winning season in 12 years during that 2021 campaign. But a young team experienced growing pains last year, finishing 0-

2023 SCHEDULE

Aug. 25—at Mifflin County

Sept. 1—vs. Bloomsburg

Sept. 8—at Shikellamy

Sept. 15—vs. Mifflinburg

Sept. 22—vs. Shamokin

Sept. 29—at Williamsport

Oct. 6—vs. Selinsgrove

Oct. 13—vs. Garden Spot

Oct. 20—vs. Midd-West

Oct. 27—at Jersey Shore

10.

But rather than looking back, Central Mountain is charging forward. Most of those players who were starting for the first time are back. After having only five seniors last fall, the Wildcats now have 24. The numbers are there and so is the ability. Now it’s about making sure the right mindset is there, too.

“We have the kids and the talent there, but for some reason there has been that disconnect where we hadn’t been able to put it together,” Thompson said. “They’re hungry for it. We have all the pieces and now it’s working on the mentality, the

winning attitude and changing the culture.”

Thompson and his staff certainly have a lot of winners with which to work. Most of these players have experienced big success in sports like wrestling, basketball and baseball. Combine that with talent, experience and desire, and Central Mountain has a strong foundation it can build upon this season.

Quarterback Thomas Sprague made a few starts last season and saw time in nearly every game. He has worked hard throughout the offseason and appears poised to have a breakout season. Leading rusher Rocco Serafini returns and is coming off a strong season, helping Central Mountain in all three facets. Junior Austin Lindsey has come on strong throughout the offseason as well and could complement Serafini.

Connor Foltz already is the program’s all-time receptions leader and went over 1,000 career yards last season. He is a dynamic weapon which Central Mountain can implement in the running game as well. Kevin Grenninger can fly and had a 100-yard game last season, while Dominic Slota, Kai Fravel and Ben Temple also could play key roles.

SUN-GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

PavingthewayforCentral Mountain’splaymakerswillbe alinewithablendofexperienceandstrength.Giovanni Tarantellaisathree-year startingcenterwhoalsomakes abigdefensiveimpactand DylanBakeriscomingoffa promisingseason.Brayden Diehlcouldmakeabigimpact attackleaftermissinglastseasonwithaninjuryandispart ofapotentiallystoutunit whichalsocouldhelpthedefenserebound.

Thompsonalsoisbringing withhimhisownoffensivesystem.Andthatsystemiswhateverittakestowinthatweek’s game.TakingacuefromlegendaryNewEnglandPatriots coachBillBelichickThompson mayhaveCentralMountain airitoutoneweek;berun heavythenextandbalanced theweekafter.It’sallabout seeingwhatthedefensepresents,reactingandcomingup withastrategywhichcanconsistentlyproducepoints.

“WhatIliketodoisletmy athletesbeathletes.Wehave theabilitytopackitinand playsmashmouth,butifwe cangetathletesintospace,we willdothataswell.Ifwehave mismatches,wewanttoexposethem,”Thompsonsaid.

“Youhavetoadapt.That’swhy wehaveHudlwherekidshave 24/7accesstofilm.Thekids watchthatandbecomeminicocahesthemselves,sothey understandwhatwe’regoing totryanddo.”

Thatincludesdefensively.

•••••••

2022 RESULTS (0-10)

Central Mountain 7, Mifflin County 14

Central Mountain 21, Bloomsburg 42

Central Mountain 3, Shikellamy 23

Central Mountain 7, Mifflinburg 35

Central Mountain 28, Shamokin 47

Central Mountain 16, Williamsport 48

Central Mountain 6, Selinsgrove 42

Central Mountain 6, Garden Spot 45

Central Mountain 6, Clearfield 21

Central Mountain 6, Jersey Shore 71

Thelinelooksparticularly strongandAshtonBennett couldhelpanchorthatunit. SerafiniandLindseycould formastronglinebackingtandemandGrenningermaybe poisedforabreakthroughdefensiveseasoninthesecondary.

KickerPeytonJohnsonis oneofthearea’spremierkickersandspecialteamslookparticularlystrong.Johnson missedjustonekickin13 tries,drillingtwofieldgoals alongtheway.FoltzandSerafinibothreturnedkickoffsfor touchdownslastseasonand CentralMountainhasseveral otherqualityreturnoptions.

Thompsonlikeshowthings lookonpaperandhasbeenimpressedbytheworkhehas seenthisoffseason.Buthealso understandsthattheopener August25againstMifflin Countyoffersthefirstproving groundforthisteam.Thepast isgoneandCentralMountain isonlyfocusingonthechallengeswhichawait.

Despitetherecord,Central Mountaincreatedsomemoral victorieslastseason.Nowthis teamwantstoturnthoseinto realones

2022 LEADERS

•••••••

PASSERATCMINYDSTD

Brady Myers1135675241 RUSHERATYDSTD

Rocco Serafini1175335

Brady Myers671951

Jake Weaver361862

Connor Foltz28940

Carnell Noone14810 RECEIVERRECYDSTD

Connor Foltz322891

Dominic Longworth121892

Kevin Grenninger131380

Xavier Persun101300

2 200223 3 F FOOOOTTBBAALLL L P PLLAAYYEERRS S T TO O W WAATTCCH H

Ashton Bennett, DL/TE: Despite being limited to six games, Bennett still displayed his explosiveness and produced three sacks. A likely two-way starter, Bennett recorded a sack in three different games, and nearly had two others in the season opener against Mifflin County. If Bennett builds off that performance and can stay healthy he provides Central Mountain with a potential disruptive weapon coming off the edge at defensive end. He also helps against the run and all but one of Bennettʼs tackles last season were solos. The senior also has shown the ability to become one of the areaʼs top tight ends. Bennett has played on the line in the past but has the size and improved speed to become both a good blocker at that position as well as someone who can help Central Mountain move the chains.

Connor Foltz, WR/DB: Speaking of playmakers, Foltz has been quite a big one the past two seasons. The senior has been one of the areaʼs top receivers during that time, catching 82 passes for 1,239 yards and five touchdowns. Foltz nearly reached 1,000 yards as a sophomore and did damage as both a receiver and rusher last year. Foltzʼs speed and versatility allows Central Mountain to use him in different ways to attack defenses. Foltz closed his season strong last year, catching six passes for 111 yards against Jersey Shoreʼs stout defense. He also provides a boost on special teams, returning a kickoff 83 yards for a touchdown a year ago. Foltz totaled 482 yards last fall, a number which likely will improve since the team will be much more experienced this season. Foltz also brings experience to the secondary and is coming off a season in which he averaged nearly four tackles per game while also recovering a fumble.

Rocco Serafini, RB/DB: Possessing a nice combination of speed and power, Serafini started excelling as the teamʼs go-to running back in his first season starting, gaining a team-high 533 yards and scoring five touchdowns. The senior workhorse played his best game against nine-win Mifflinburg, running for 160 yards. A week later he ran for two touchdowns at Shamokin and generated 71 yards receiving. Serafini continue making plays in all facets the following week, returning a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown against Williamsport. He scored touchdowns in all but one of his final five games and gives Central Mountain a strong running option to complement what players like Foltz can do in the passing game. Serafini is dangerous defensively as well, able to play safety or linebacker. He was one of the unitʼs best disruptors last fall, collecting three sacks and making eight tackles for loss. Serafini also recovered two fumbles, forced another and added an interception.

Kevin Grenninger, WR/DB: Grenninger played football for the first time last year and made an immediate impact. A player who potentially could blow by defenders and loosen up coverage against Foltz, Grenninger caught 13 passes for 138 yards as he learned the game. With that expeience under his belt, Grenninger could take a giant step forward. He offered a potential preview against Bloomsburg last season when he caught six passes. Grenninger, who was never caught in 18 stolen base attempts on last springʼs district championship baseball team, also has worked hard on becoming a good defensive back throughout the offseason.

SUN-GAZETTEFILEPHOTO Lewisburgwilllooktobuild offlastyearʼs2-9campaign.

By y C CHHRRIIS S M MAASSSSE E cmasse@sungazette.com

It was not just Lewisburg making big strides late last season which stood out. It was how the Green Dragons made their improvement.

A young team was hit hard by injuries and started 0-7, but Lewisburg grew closer together rather than breaking apart. Lewisburg won consecutive games against Midd-West and Bloomsburg before giving Mifflinburg a battle in the regular-season finale and reaching the District 4 Class AAA playoffs. Now, most of the players who sparked that progress are back, armed with experience, belief and trust.

Put it all together and Lewisburg feels like what happened late last season is something it could now stretch out for the entire year.

“We built a lot of camaraderie by the end of the season. We were able to get stronger and develop together and build a good team environment,” Lewisburg coach Eric Wicks said. “That transitioned well into the summer.”

In addition to building quality team chemistry, Lewisburg players gained ample playing time last season, partly because of youth and partly because of injuries. At least half of the team’s roster gained varsity playing time, including five

SEASON SNAPSHOT

2023 SCHEDULE

Aug. 25—at Shamokin

Sept. 1—at Jersey Shore

Sept. 8—vs. Montoursville

Sept. 15—vs. Southern Columbia

Sept. 22—at Central Columbia

Sept. 29—vs. Danville

Oct. 6—at Loyalsock

Oct. 13—at Midd-West

Oct. 20—vs. Bloomsburg

Oct. 27—vs. Mifflinburg

freshmen.

The Dragons also feature several threeyear starter/four-year contributors. The schedule is the same this season and the challenges many, but Lewisburg feels like it is come a long way and is much further along than it was at this point last season.

“That puts us in a position where they have the experience and it’s not something that’s new to them when they get out on the field,” Wicks said. “All those guys have played a lot of football. Having that experience is a big-time bonus.”

So, too, is the team’s work ethic. Instead of buckling when times grew tough last season, Lewisburg kept showing up eager to improve each Monday. Combine that

with Wicks and the coaching staff to help the team experience super growth throughout the second half of the last two years and the Dragons believe that they can start stronger this time.

Lewisburg had its chances in multiple early-season games a year ago, holding leads twice and losing two of the first three by seven combined points. It was back to the lab following those defeats and throughout the offseason. Lewisburg now hopes it has found the right formula to turn those defeats into wins.

“The games that we did lose, we understood why by watching film and seeing the mistakes we made,” Wicks said. “Those tight games we ended up losing is where the guys saw that it was a lot of the little things, holding penalties, an offsides penalties or guys missing blocks, things like that. The guys are very eager to see with the discipline that we have grown, how that correlates on the field.”

Lewisburg improved offensively as last season continued and quarterback Chase Wenrich made some good plays in two starts. He also flourished as the team’s JV quarterback. Above the talent, Wicks said what he really likes is the poise in tough spots which Wenrich displays.

Complementing Wenrich is a deep backfield which returns leading rusher Ryan Opperman, Sean Field, Michael Casale and Nick Coleman. The Dragons also receive a major boost as junior Jeremiah

SUN-GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

Davisreturnsaftermissinglast yearwithatornACLsuffered duringthesummer.Davisreturnedtwokickoffsfortouchdownsasafreshman,whilealso runningandcatchingtouchdowns.DaviscanbeutilizedseveralwaysandgivesLewisburga homerunthreatwheneverhe touchestheball,especiallyinthe returngame.

“Hechangedthegameforusa fewtimes,”Wickssaidabout Davis’sfreshmanyear.“Justto gethimbackgivesyouthatexcitement.”

Lewisburg’sreceivingunitalso bringssomeexcitement.Charles Landisplayedwellayearagoand isanexcellentrouterunner.SuddipYenireddyandTylerKitchens alsohaveimpressedthroughout theoffseasonandColemancould playarolethereaswell.Witha lotofweaponsatbothrunning backandwidereceiver,Lewisburgishopingitcanspreadthe ballaround.Doingsocouldkeep playersfreshandalsobuildgood depthifakeyplayerisinjured.

LewisburgmustreplacestandoutDylanCromeralongtheoffensiveline,buthasmoreexperience enteringthisseasonasopposedto lastfall.NateMelusisisathreeyearstarter,HayesSchumacher istoughonbothsides,Garret Glatherplayedwelllastseason andAndrewSmithcamealong waythroughouttheyear.Lewisburgisespeciallyexcitedabout whatitcouldgetfromBenCrane, a6-foot-4,250-pounderwhowill beplayingthereforthefirsttime. Hecouldbeapotentialanchor andhelpLewisburgpavetheway foritsmanyplaymakers.LewisburgalsohashighhopesforMatteoCasale.

Thoseplayersalsowillberotat-

2022 RESULTS (2-9)

Lewisburg 9, Shamokin 13

Lewisburg 6, Jersey Shore 70

Lewisburg 21, Montoursville 24

Lewisburg 0, Southern Columbia 54

Lewisburg 8, Central Columbia 20

Lewisburg 0, Danville 51

Lewisburg 7, Loyalsock 42

Lewisburg 41, Midd-West 7

Loyalsock 21, Bloomsburg 16

Lewisburg 13, Mifflinburg 18

District 4 Class AAA Quarterfinals

Lewisburg 23, Loyalsock 48

inginupfrontdefensivelyas Lewisburgtriesimprovingitsrun defense.Lewisburgisparticularly strongatlinebackerwhere Casale,FieldandQuinMichaels havestartedthepasttwoseasons. Allthreehaveperformedwell duringtheirscholasticcareers andhelpformthebackbonefor thisdefense.JackBloughhada bigyearatoutsidelinebackeras wellayearagoandcouldmoveinsideifnecessary.TylerDowd,Ben Redding,DanonAlabakoffand TylerDownsalsocouldplaykey rolesandprovidevaluabledepth.

Thesecondaryalsofeatures plentyoftalentandexperience. Opperman,LandisandColeman arereturningstarters.Davisalso couldhelpinthesecondaryas Lewisburgtriesbuildingoffa stretchinitsfinalthreeregularseasongameswhereitallowed just41points.

Havingthatphysicalmindsetis somethingWickslikedmostabout theteam’sdevelopmentlastseason.Buildingonthatcouldleadto moregoodtimesforanentireseasonthistime.

“We’retryingtogetsomeguys towanttohavethatsenseofdominance,”Wickssaid.“We’retrying tobuildsomemorecharacter there.”

Wade Young1175757547

Chase Wenrich291321130

RUSHERATYDSTD

Ryan Opperman834501

Wade Young792402

Sean Field601492

Michael Casale191082

RECEIVERRECYDSTD

Cam Michaels242603

Jack Blough182993

Charles Landis71241

Shea Girton3560

Jack Blough, TE/LB: A starter on both sides last year, Blough excelled in those roles and all area tight ends in catches. The 6-foot-3 tight end has quality hands and caught 18 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns. Blough has the height to catch jump balls and/or make tough catches over the middle and averaged 16.6 yards per catch. He came up huge in a late-season win against Bloomsburg, catching four passes for a career-high 88 yards and two touchdowns. A strong outside linebacker as well, Blough also had a career-high 12 tackles, produced a sack and recovered a game-clinching fumble in that win. He averaged more than five tackles per game and came on strong down the stretch, closing with 19 in Lewisburgʼs final two regular season games.

Michael Casale, LB/RB: Providing the heart beat for a defense which came on strong in the closing weeks of the regular season, Casale reached 100 tackles and led the team while averaging more than nine per game. A hard-nosed player who always seems to be around the ball, Casale topped 10 tackles three times and made a career-high 15 against Central Columbia. In victories against Midd-West and Bloomsburg, the senior linebacker made 25 tackles. He was a force in that Midd-West victory, also returning an interception 20 yards and forcing a fumble. Casale has 133 tackles over the last two seasons and is a three-year starter who also plays well at fullback. He ripped off a 31-yard touchdown against Midd-West and averaged 5.7 yards per carry.

Quin MIchaels, LB/TE/RB: Injuries have limited him to 13 games the his first two seasons, but Michaels is another three-year starting linebacker who has made strong contributions. Has averaged seven tackles over his two years and was also good at harassing the quarterback last year, producing three sacks. Michaels opened his season with a 10-tackle performance against Shamokin a year ago before coming back strong from injury and making 12 tackles in the Bloomsburg victory. It is not a coincidence that Lewisburgʼs defense played its best football after Michaels returned from a three-game absence in Week 7 as the Dragons surrendered just 41 points the next three games. Michaels has a strong skill set and defends the pass well, intercepting three passes, including two against Mifflinburg.

Ryan Opperman, RB/DB: When Lewisburgʼs running game came alive during the seasonʼs second half, Opperman was the player doing most of the damage. Given a shot at being the teamʼs go-to running back, the senior embraced the opportunity and ran for at least 59 yards in five straight games, while topping 100 yards in consecutive contests. Opperman has good outside speed and made a run at 500 yards despite not getting his first carry until Week 4. He also averaged 5.4 yards per carry and caught nine passes. Opperman also helps quarterback the secondary and the safety made 63 tackles. He broke up a potential touchdown pass at Montoursville and also recovered a fumble. Opperman made a career-high 12 tackles against Central.

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SEASON SNAPSHOT

B

By y C CHHRRIIS S M MAASSSSE E cmasse@sungazette.com

Cory Tice is not making any predictions as he enters his first season coaching the Montgomery football team. But he is making a promise.

“We’re going to show up and be prepared and we’re going to work. We’re going to compete and work and get after it,” Tice said. “We’re excited as a staff, we’re excited as a school and, hopefully, the kids are excited as well.” They should be.

Montgomery fielded one of the district’s youngest teams last season, after most of the previous starters from a 2021 team which was a two-point conversion from reaching the Class A final graduated. There was a steep learning curve for those firsttime starters, several who were freshmen and sophomores. The blessing in all that was that all those players received ample experience.

Combine that with players arriving from an undefeated junior high team and Montgomery has the look for a team which could surprise some in both the NTL-II and District 4. Time will tell how it plays out, but while the Red Raiders adjust to a new system and a new staff, they also are ahead of the curve in the sense that they all know what to expect at the high school level.

2023 SCHEDULE

Aug. 25—at Hughesville

Sept. 1—at South Williamsport

Sept. 8—vs. Cowanesque Valley

Sept. 15—vs. Muncy

Sept. 22—at Wyalusing

Sept. 29—vs. Northwest

Oct. 6—vs. Canton

Oct. 13—at Warrior Run

Oct. 20—vs. Sayre

Oct. 28—at CMVT

Coming off a 1-9 season, Montgomery put together a quality offseason and Tice liked what his players showed him. This is a hungry team and, while it remains young from a grade standpoint, Montgomery also has been through the fire and is eager to try and exact some payback.

Tice was part of an outstanding coaching staff at Troy for a decade before becoming Montgomery’s junior high coach last year and helping that team go 9-0. While at Troy, Tice was part of a program which was in the hunt for league and district titles just about every year.

It may take some time, but building that kind of winning mentality is the end game

as Tice approaches his first head coaching campaign.

“Football in Troy is big. It’s a football town, so we’re going to try and build that kind of culture here,” Tice said. “As soon as they all commit and buy in, which they’re starting to do, they can do great things.”

Montgomery certainly has produced some excellent teams in other sports. The softball team captured a 2022 state championship, the wrestling program has become outstanding and the baseball team is a perennial playoff contender, among others. Yes, the football team has not won more than six games in a season since 2000, but winning has permeated throughout the Montgomery community.

The goal now is to carry that success, which several of the current football players have experienced, onto the football field. It helps, too, that the upcoming freshmen were part of teams which went undefeated last season and 15-2 over the last two years.

“There are winners walking all around that school. They can be winners on the football field, too. It’s just going to take some work,” Tice said. “We’re young but we’re just going to do everything we can to compete as a team. I’m not sure what the scores will look like, but we’re going to be physical and going to do everything we can to take care of the little things. We’re going to get back to fundamentals and doing our

SUN-GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

besttoexecuteatahighlevel.”

Troybuiltitswinningfoundation uponsuperlineplay,adominant runninggameandhard-noseddefense.ThatisthegoalnowatMontgomery.Thejuniorhighteam excelledinthoseareaslastseason asbothincomingfreshmenBriar PersingandTraceFurmantopped 1,000yardsrushing.Theteamcollectivelywentover3,200yardsas well.

JuniorCoyBrysonalsocameon strongforthevarsityteamlatelast seasonandisoneofseveralother playmakerswhocouldmakeanimpact.QuarterbackParkerPersing startedasafreshmanandwidereceiverHaydenWilthadabigbreakoutseasonasasophomorelastfall. LandynRineisanup-and-coming linemanwhocouldhelpsolidifythat unitandPeytonHartmancouldbe anassetalongthelineand/orinthe backfield.

“Whatwe’vepushedonthese boysiswe’regoingtoruntheball. Wemightnotalwaysbesuccessful runningtheball,butwe’regoingto doit,”Ticesaid.“Wewanttoget goodatthesimplethingsandexecuteatahighlevelandputtheboys intopositiontomakeplays.”

Allthoseplayersmentioned abovehaveproducedsomegood numbersoverthelastfewyears, whetherinhighschoolorjunior high.WhatTicelikedbestabouthis juniorhighteam,however,isthat nobodycaredabouttheirpersonal numbers.

Itwasthesamethingdefensively.Thedepthchartonboth sidesisaworkinprogressbecause thestaffisnewandbecausethey wantthoseplayerstoearntheirpositions.Butwhoeverisonthefield, theintendedexpectationisidentical.Asmuchashewantsgoodplayers,Ticealsowantsselflessones.

“Theteamwehadinjuniorhigh

2022 RESULTS (1-9)

2023FOOTBALLPLAYERSTOWATCH

wasveryteam-oriented.Wedidn’t haveanyselfishplayers,”Ticesaid. “Wereallypreachthat.Alotofpeoplegetcaughtupinthenumbers. Soandsodidthat,andthisguydid this.It’sreallyonlyhowmanywins youhave,though,thatmatters.”

Montgomeryplaysthesame scheduleaslastyearandimmediatelywillbetestedinitsfirsttwo gamesagainstHughesvilleand SouthWilliamsportteamswhich bothreachedthedistrictsemifinals andreturnthemajorityoftheir starters.

Obviously,Montgomery’sgoalis totryitsbesttowinthosegames. Ultimately,though,it’saboutgettingbettereverypracticeandevery game.IftheRaiderskeepachieving thatgoalonadailybasisallthe movingpartscouldstartfallinginto place.

AsMontgomerytriesbuilding thatwinningfoundation,itisfocusingonthoselittletaskswhichcan providethosefirstbigbricks.

“Myfathersaidit’sareallysimplegame.Youblockandtacklewell; youdon’tcommitpenaltiesandyou playwithgreateffortandyouwill beineveryfootballgame,”Tice said.“It’sreallythatsimpleinmy mind.Keepitcloseandgiveyour kidsachancetowin.Coachescan’t wingames.Theplayersdothat,but wecanlosethegames.So,wewill doourbesttokeepourkidsingood positionsandletthemmakeplays.”

PASSERATCMINYDSTD

ParkerPersing14668135563

WestonPick712542380

RUSHERATYDSTD

WestonPick1032875

NevinBeachel692132

CoyBryson531661

RECEIVERRECYDSTD

HaydenWilt434151

EthanTupper151091

WestonPick7890

CoyBryson11501

PeytonHartman3370

CoyBryson,RB/LB: Oneofseveralyoungplayerswhosettledintohisfirststartingrole,Brysonaveragednearlysixtacklespergameandclosedhis seasonwithastrong11-tackleperformanceagainst CMVT.ThateffortincludedBrysonmakingeight solotacklesandrecoveringafumble.Thejunior linebackeralsoplayedastronggameagainstWyulusing,matchinghiscareer-highwith11tacklesand addingtwotacklesforloss.Brysonisoneofmany startersreturningtohelpbolsterthedefense.He alsoprovidesdepthinthebackfieldafterrunningfor 166yardsandatouchdown.Brysonisaversatile offensivethreatwhoalsocaught11passesaswell asatouchdown.

ParkerPersing,QB/DB: Notalotoffreshmen quarterbacksstartfromDay1,butPersingdidso andthatexperiencecouldprovideabigconfidence boostenteringthefall.Persingwasthrownintothe firelastseasonandfacedatoughtaskasdefenses frequentlyputpressureonhim.Still,Persingfought throughitallandproducedsomestrongperformanceswhilethrowingfor558yards.Thethree-sport sophomoreplayedhisbestgameinMontgomeryʼs victoryatCV,completing11of16passesfor71 yardsandtwotouchdowns.Healsoheldhisground againstaheavyrushinthefinalgameatCMVT, throwingforaseason-high195yardsandatouchdown.Persinghasaquickreleaseandheldhisown againstoutstandingteamslikeClassAstatesemifinalistCanton,NTL-IIchampionMuncyandDistrict4 ClassAAsemifinalistHughesville.

PeytonHartman,LB/RB: Oneoftheteamʼsmost experiencedplayers,Hartmanisathree-yearstarter andfour-yearcontributorwhohelpsanchorwhat couldbeastronglinebackingunit.Theseniorleader averaged6.1tacklespergameand43ofhis55 tacklesweresolos.Hartmanwasabigpartofthe 2021teamwhichwasaplayfromreachingthedistrictfinalandhetwicetopped10tackleslastseason.Hartmanclosedhisseasonwithan11-tackle effortagainstCMVT,producingeightsolotackles. Healsomadeninesolotacklesintheseason openeragainstHughesville.Healsomadethree tacklesforlossandaddedafumblerecovery.Hartmangivesthebackfieldsomedepthandcouldbecomedangerousinshort-yardagesituations.

HaydenWilt,WR/DB: Onlytwoareaplayers caughtmorepassesduringtheregularseasonthan Wiltdidduringhisbreakoutsophomorecampaign lastseason.Wiltcaught43passesfor415yards andatouchdownandwasespeciallydangerous downthestretch.Quickandshifty,Wiltcaught24 passesoverhisfinalfourgamesandclosedthe yearwithsixcatchesforacareer-high103yards andatouchdownagainstCMVT.Wiltreeledineight passesagainstWarriorRunandaddedseven catchesagainstNTL-IchampionCanton.HedevelopedanicechemistrywithPersingandthatisan encouragingsignforMontgomeryenteringaseason inwhichmanystartersareback.

SUN-GAZETTEFILEPHOTO WarriorRunbrings back1,000-yard receiverSamHall.

B By y C CHHRRIIS S M MAASSSSE E cmasse@sungazette.com

Something is spreading throughout Turbotville. It popped up last year when Warrior Run broke through and snapped a 19-game losing streak. Now it has reached high levels and, really, permeated all male athletic teams at Warrior Run.

It’s excitement.

Like the basketball and baseball teams last academic year, the football team also started experiencing a big turnaround. Like those teams it will return nearly every starter this season. Many might look at Warrior Run going 3-8 last year and brush it off as not a big deal. Considering where the program was the previous few years, though, it was an enormous improvement. Warrior Run went 3-4 down the stretch, reached the District 4 Class AAA playoffs and gained both playoff experienced,

And it may have just been the start. Warrior Run has tasted success and wants more. Having all but one starter on both sides of the ball back sure gives the Defenders belief that another big step forward is coming this season.

“They kids are definitely excited. We’re seeing an uptick in numbers at summer workouts which is one of many positive things we’ve seen, along with the numbers

SEASON SNAPSHOT

2022 SCHEDULE

Aug. 26 — vs. Muncy

Sept. 2 — at Hamburg

Sept. 9 — vs.Mount Carmel

Sept. 16 — at Hughesville

Sept. 23 — vs. Northwest

Sept. 30 — vs. Bloomsburg

Oct. 7 — at Midd-West

Oct. 14 — at Montgomery

Oct. 21 — at Mifflinburg

Oct. 28 — vs.Milton

increasing from last year,” Warrior Run coach Derrick Zechman said. “A lot of people are talking about the team, from family members and fans. They saw a difference last year and we got some wins and we got some momentum.”

Warrior Run took that momentum into the offseason and Zechman said he saw progress being made there. A big commitment was put forth as Warrior Run now understands what its potential is. Changing the culture is never easy, but beating previously undefeated Northwest at midseason started reversing it, as did putting up some big numbers and having wide receiver Sam Hall earn all-state honors.

Warrior Run had ability last year, but

the the belief may have been lacking. That is not the case now and a hungry team is eager to turn the rest of District 4 into believers.

“Winning is contagious. We had everything clicking against Northwest and it kind of built from there,” Zechman said. “The kids had been beat down for a while and they got a taste of the playoffs and competed and fought in that game. We had some bright spots and that gave us momentum going into the season.”

In terms of the grades many players are in, Warrior Run remains young. But a stark contrast between this year and last is that Warrior Run has so much experience. That includes the coaching staff. Zechman became a coach for the first time a year ago, so there was a lot of learning on the fly for everyone in the program.

Now, Warrior Run is ahead of the game in terms of development. The players understand the system, the coaches understand their players strengths well and everyone is on the same page. Several challenges await but Warrior Run feels light years ahead of where it was last year and that provides a big boost.

“Our first few games are against some top-ranked programs, but we’re in a better situation going into this year with one year under our belts,” Zechman said. “It was tough last year, trying to get accustomed to everything. There’s a sense of continuity

SUN-GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

andwe’reexcitedaboutthat.”

WarriorRunalsoisexcited aboutalltheplayersreturning.In additiontoeverystarterreturning,IsaacSherman,aplayerwho wasprojectedtostartbeforesufferingapreseasoninjurylast summer,alsoisback.QuarterbackRyanNewtonisathree-year starterwhomadearunat2,000 yardslastseasonandhassome outstandingweaponsathisdisposal.Halltopped1,000yardsas asophomoreandCarterMarr alsohadabigseason.EliButler andTylerUlricharealsoplayers whocouldbepoisedforquality seasons.

TheDefendersarehopingto improvetheirrunninggameand havesomegoodprospectsthere withplayerslikeColbyLeBarron, StoneAllison,ThomasRoyles,Eli ButlerandRomanPierceallhavingexperience.WarriorRunhas nothadarusherreach200yards inthelasttwoseasons,butthe experiencegainedlastseason couldhelpstopthatstreak.

Still,forWarriorRuntotake thenextstepforward,itwillneed improvementupfront.TheDefenderssawthataslastseason continuedandarehopingtopick upwheretheyleftoff.Evan Doreskyistheonlystarterlost fromthatunitasPeytonSnyder, ColeShupp,KalebNicholas,ConnorParkerandAustinBrysonall rotatedinthroughouttheseason. ShermanandIsaiahBetzcould providealiftattightendaswell, helpingasbothblockersandreceivers.

“Morelinemenhavecomeout andareworkinghard,”Zechman said.“Weneedtoruntheballbetterandbemorephysicalonoffenseanddefenseforsure.”

Mostofthoseplayersalongthe offensivelinewilltryandreach

2022 RESULTS (3-8)

Warrior Run 6, Muncy 56

Warrior Run 21, Hamburg 75

Warrior Run 7, Mount Carmel 55

Warrior Run 6, Hughesville 34

Warrior RUn 33, Northwest 19

Warrior RUn 14, Bloomsburg 28

Warrior Run 27, Midd-West 7

Warrior Run 41, Montgomery 6

Warrior Run 7, Mifflinburg 35

Warrior Run 7, Milton 63

District 4 Class AAA Quarterfinals

Warrior Run 13, Mifflinburg 49

thosegoalsdefensivelyaswell. Improvementatstoppingtherun willgoalongwayingivingapotentiallydangerousoffensemore scoringopportunities.Betzisa three-yearstarterwhohelps sparkthedefensivelineand LeBarronshinedasafreshman linebacker.Roylesisafour-year contributoratlinebackerandUlrichwasamongtheteam’sleadingtacklersinthesecondary. PierceandShermangiveWarrior Runsomeflexibilitywithboth beingabletoplaylinebackeroras defensivebacks.Marrplayedwell atcornerbackaftermovingthere lastyearandDominickShuey providessomegooddepth.

WarriorRunwillimmediately betestedagainsttwo-timedefendingNTL-IIchampionMuncy initsopener.Muncyhaswonthe lasttwoopenersagainstitbig, butWarriorRunhasadifferent mentalitynow.Timewilltellhow muchthattranslatesintowins buttheDefendersfeelalotdifferententeringthiscampaign.

“Wehavethenewfieldand newfieldhouseandthatgotthe excitementupandwinningsome gamescertainlyhelps,”Zechman said.“We’retakingbabysteps, butwe’regoingintherightdirection.”

••••••• 2022 LEADERS •••••••

PASSERATCMINYDSTD

Ryan Newton2149320190815

RUSHERATYDSTD

Colby LeBarron701893

Samuel Hall491522

Thomas Royles421391

Stone Allison361232

Eli Butler16650

RECEIVERRECYDSTD

Samuel Hall5211368

Carter Marr276416

Tyler Ulrich7971

Stone Allison4781

2022 FOOTBALL P LAY ERS TO WATCH

Isaiah Betz, DL/TE After closing his freshman season in a big way, Betz picked up where he left off last year and helped anchor Warrior Runʼs defensive line. The junior end led the team with three sacks and 12 tackles for loss, while averaging 5.7 tackles per game. A three-year starter, Betz produced two tackles for a loss three times, including four in victories against Midd-West and Montgomey when the defense allowed just 13 combined points. Betz has good speed off the edge and has 6 1/2 sacks in his first two seasons. He also made eight tackles in the district quarterfinals against Mifflinburg. Betz came on strong down the stretch as a freshman and his evolution as a player followed the trajectory of several of his teammates who also started as freshmen.

Sam Hall, WR/RB/LB Speaking of weapons, few were more explosive in this area than Hall was last year. In fact, no other area sophomore ever produced receiving numbers like Hall did. In his first season playing wide receiver full time, Hall caught 52 passes for 1,136 yards and eight touchdowns. He led the area with 47 regular season receptions and reached 1,000 yards before the playoffs started. Hall can turn short catches into long touchdowns and averaged 21.9 yards per catch while topping 100 yards six times and 80 yards eight times. Hall ravaged Northwest for 222 yards and also was among the teamʼs leading rushers, producing 152 yards and two touchdowns. Hallʼs 1,136 yards were the second highest produced in Warrior Run program history.

Carter Marr, WR/DB If opponents choose to double team Hall, Marr can make them pay. The senior receiver also enjoyed a big season a year ago and made massive strides during a breakout season. Marr caught 27 passes for 641 yards and six touchdowns. He also averaged an impressive 23.7 yards per catch and twice topped 100 yards with Warrior Run winning both games. Marr produced 265 yards and three touchdowns in those wins and caught multiple passes in eight of Warrior Runʼs last nine games. He has 38 catches over the last two seasons and is closing in on 1,000 career yards. Marr also helps provide stability in the secondary. He made 41 tackles last season and also broke up eight passes.

Ryan Newton, QB/DB Newton is the player feeding passes to both Hall and Marr. Like those two, he has grown better each season and enjoyed a big junior campaign, nearly reaching 2,000 yards. Newton really took off during the final seven weeks and finished his season throwing for 1,909 yards and 15 touchdowns. The 6-foot-4 senior has a big arm and went over 3,000 career yards last season as he topped 1,000 yards for a second straight time. Newton was as dialed in as any area quarterback during one four week stretch last season, topping 200 yards each time. He threw for a District 4-high 401 yards and four touchdowns in a season-changing win against Northwest before producing at least 219 yards in each of the next three games.

THROUGH EVERY RUN, PASS, AND KICK.

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B By y C CHHRRIIS S M MAASSSSE E cmasse@sungazette.com

Canton features a strong football tradition, so when one says the past two teams there may be the best ever, that says something big.

And Canton sure did some big these last two years, going 25-4, capturing consecutive NTL-I and District 4 Class A championships while reaching the state’s Final Four both times. There is a good chance, many of those seniors who graduated the past two seasons will someday find themselves in the Canton football Hall of Fame.

“After coaching in the (District 4) all-star game and watching them play one more time, I was in awe of what they could do,” Canton coach Tyler Sechrist said.

Now comes the hard part: replacing those graduates.

Most of last year’s starters graduated last June after helping Canton come within a play or two of reaching its first state final last fall. That is the bad news. The good news is that Canton has established a winning culture and has hungry players eager to establish themselves and continue the program’s winning ways.

SEASON SNAPSHOT

2022 SCHEDULE

Aug. 25—at Sayre

Sept. 1—vs. N.P.-Mansfield

Sept. 7—vs. Wellsboro

Sept. 16—vs. Towanda

Sept. 22—at South Williamsport

Sept. 29—vs. Wyalusing

Oct. 6—at Montgomery

Oct. 13—at Athens

Oct. 20—at Milton

Oct. 27—vs. Troy

Canton has been a juggernaut the past two seasons, so it would be foolish to think the 2023 will dominate as thoroughly as those squads did. But it’s certainly not a stretch saying that Canton could still achieve a lot of the same things. Wins don’t come with style points, so while the Warriors might not be mercy ruling teams by halftime on a regular basis, they could still pile up some wins and get where they want to by November while trying to three-peat as district champions.

“We have some good kids back. We lost a

lot, but we expect to be right there competing for the NTL,” Sechrist said. “I expect us to be competitive in district championship hunt and be right there with a chance to win it. We have good enough players to do it. We have some younger guys who have to grow early but we have the team to do it.”

It sure helps that all those players have grown accustomed to winning. Success often breeds success and this group not only has seen it, but seen how those players before them achieved it. Canton has produced five straight excellent seasons, playing in the district final each time. While those teams were talented, the winning foundation was built upon hard work.

“Winning is contagious and those previous guys set a great example about how to do things,” Sechrist said. “They have to try and model what those guys did and if they do, that will continue to help us this season and into the future.”

Canton has some strong players to build around, especially in the backfield. Quarterbacks Holden Ward and Ben Fitch likely will split time there this season. Canton used five different quarterbacks at times last season and has employed a twoquarterback system multiple times in the past. Both Ward and Fitch are dual

SUN-GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

threatsandbotharequalityathleteswhowillbeusedatotherpositionswhentheyarenotunder center.Cantondidmostofitsdamagerunningbutitsvarioussignal callersstillproduced819yards lastseason.

Asaduo,WardandFitchboth reach300rushingyardslastseason,combiningfor641yardsand ninetouchdowns.Usingmultiple quarterbacksalsomeansCanton willbeutilizingdifferentformationsanddoingitsbesttokeepdefensesoff-balanceasitdidlast season.MichaelDavisandHudson Wardweredefensivestandouts lastseasonandcouldformastrong runningbackduo.

Davishasexcelledwhengiven opportunitiesinacrowdedfield thepasttwoseasonsandWard rippedoffabigtouchdownrunin thestatequarterfinalwinagainst NorthernCambria.AydinHolcomb isanotherversatilethreatCanton couldimplementasittriesspreadingtheballaroundthewayithas overthelastfiveyears.

Thebigquestionmarkentering theseasonsurroundstheoffensive line.StandoutMasonHaroldisthe onlyonebackwhohasmuchstartingexperience,makinganimpact onbothoffensiveanddefensive linethepasttwoseasons.Hewill beananchorupfrontandhow Cantonfillsinthegapsaround Haroldwillplayabigroleinhow faritgoesthisyear.

MichaelBeersalsohassome valuableexperienceupfrontand CantonwillbebankingoncontributionsfromplayerslikeRaiden Lyon,RylanSakersandReedTayloramongothersonbothsidesof theball.

Davisshinedatdefensiveend lastseason,consistentlypressuringpassersandcouldbecomplementedontheotheredgebyZach Colton,aversatilethreatwho

•••••••

2022 RESULTS (12-2)

Canton 31, Union 18

Canton 53, N.P.-Mansfield 0

Canton 35, Wellsboro 0

Canton 63, Towanda 0

Canton 50, South Williamsport 0

Canton 51, Wyalusing 13

Canton 73, Montgomery 6

Canton 21, Athens 0

Canton 0, Jersey Shore 23

Canton 28, Troy 14

District 4 Class A semifinals

Canton 42, South Williamsport 13

Championship

Canton 42, Muncy 7

PIAA Class A quarterfinals

Canton 42, Northern Cambria 13 Semifinals

Canton 21, Steelton-Highspire 28

couldalsoplaywidereceiver and/orlinebackerthisseason.

HudsonWardwasoneofthe state’spremierlinebackerslast seasonandbothFitchandHolden Wardplayedwellinthesecondary. Holcombalsocouldplayakeydefensiverole.

HowCantonalignsitselfonboth sidesoftheballoftenwillbedictatedbythekindofmatch-upit hopestoexploitagainstitsopponent.TheWarriorshavebeenlike achameleonthelastfewyears, movingplayersaroundandchanginguponthefly.

TheoneaspectCantonwantsto keepunchangedisonthescoreboard.Thesenew-lookWarriors willgofrombeinglabeleddistrict andleaguetitlefavoritestounderdogs.Thatisfinewiththem,too. Thatprovidesextraincentivefora teamdeterminedtokeeptheprogrammovingforward.Alothas changedthisseason,buttheexpectationshavenot.

“We’regoingtobedangerous,” Sechristsaid.“It’satoughdistrict, butIfeellikeifwecangetourline todevelop,we’llberightthere.”

2022 LEADERS

2022FOOTBALLPLAYERSTOWATCH

MichaelDavis,RB/DL: Hehasflownunderthe radarsomethepasttwoseasonssinceCantonhas beensodeepacrosstheboard,butDavishasplayed amajorroleinitwinningconsecutivedistrictchampionships.Whetherplayinginthesecondaryin2021or atdefensiveendlastyear,Davishasmadekeyplays atbigtimesandlikelywillplayamajorroleonboth sidesoftheballthisseason.Lastyear,Davisproducedninetacklesforloss,recoveredtwofumbles andreturnedoneforatouchdowninadistrictsemifinalwinagainstSouthWilliamsport.Healsoisahardnosedrunnerwithspeed,breakingoffan81-yard touchdownagainstNorthPenn-Mansfieldandcatchingan18-yardtouchdowninthestatesemifinals againstSteelton-Highspire.Davisranfor284yards, averaging8.1yardspercarry.

MasonHarold,OL/DL: Anotherplayerwhohas beenabig-timecontributorbutmayhavegoneoverlooked,HaroldwillplayacriticalpartalongbothCantonlines.Heisthemostexperiencedlineman offensivelyandhelpedtheWarriorsimposetheirwill throughoutlastseasontothetuneof268rushing yardspergame.Big,strongandphysicalHaroldfollowsinthelineofmanyCantonqualitylinemenover theyearsandcouldanchortheunitthisseason.He alsocanplayabigpartdefensively.Cantonhasbeen abletorotatelinemeninandoutbothwaysoverthe lasttwoseasons,butHaroldhasmadeanimpact whenonthefield.

HoldenWard,QB/RB/DB: Oneoftheteamʼsmost versatileathletes,WardcanmirrorWestonBellowsin awaysinceCantoncanconceivablylinehimupanywhere.Asasophomore,Wardplayedquarterbackat times,mostlyinoptionsets,anddiddamagethere. Cantonmaychoosetogowithmultiplequarterbacks againandifso,Wardcouldseetimethere,atrunning backorwidereceiver.Hedidmostofhisworkonthe groundlastseason,runningfor300yardsandfour touchdowns.Wardalsoisavaluabledefensiveback andwhomadethemostofhisfirststartingactionlast seasoninthesecondary.Heinterceptedpassesin consecutivegamesearlyintheseason,whilealsorecoveringfumblesinbacktobackgames.

•••••••

PASSERATCMINYDSTD

Austin Allen382423523

Bailey Ferguson251522492

RUSHERATYDSTD

Riley Parker153147124

Weston Bellows955794

Hayden Ward584569

Ben Fitch303415

Holden Ward473004

RECEIVERRECYDSTD

Weston Bellows172911

Hayden Ward121683

Hudson Ward61200

HudsonWard,LB/RB: SpeakingoftheWardfamily,HoldenʼsolderbrotherHudsoniscomingoffa sensationalseasoninwhichhefinishedasoneofthe stateʼsleadingtacklers.Theseniorlinebackerleda ferociousdefensewith141tackles,including81 solos.Wardmade11tacklesforloss,addedthree sacksandfrequentlymadeplaysbehindornearthe lineofscrimmage.HisplaywasabigpartofCanton producingsixshutouts,includingfivestraighttoopen theseason.Wardhad14tacklesandthreeforlossin aNTL-ItitleclinchingwinatrivalTroyandaveraged 12.5tacklesinfourplayoffgames,topping10each time.Wardproducedatleast10tacklesninetimesin 14games,doublyimpressivesinceheoftendidnot playmuchinthesecondhalf.Healsomayhavea prominentroleoffensivelythisseasonafterrunning for156yardsandfivetouchdownslastseason.

B By y C CHHRRIIS S M MAASSSSE E cmasse@sungazette.com

Milton has produced one of the district’s biggest turnarounds the past two seasons. A program which snapped a 16-game losing streak in its 2020 season finale is 16-7 since then and enjoyed its first nine-win season since 2021 a year ago.

Obviously, expectations are high entering the 2023 campaign. And while Milton has big goals, it knows it cannot skip any steps along the way. It’s a long road to the district summit and Milton knows there is only way to navigate it.

“This group is really very grounded, very process driven,” first-year Milton coach Curt Zettlemoyer said. “They know it’s a long season, and while that’s the end goal, they know they have to take it one week at a time and work toward that. They know they have to get

SEASON SNAPSHOT

2023 SCHEDULE

Aug. 25—at South Williamsport

Sept. 1—vs. Towanda

Sept. 8—at Midd-West

Sept. 15—vs. Mount Carmel

Sept. 22—vs. Holy Redeemer

Sept. 29—at Hughesville

Oct. 6—vs. Bloomsburg

Oct. 13—at Mifflinburg

Oct. 20—vs. Canton

Oct. 27—vs. Warrior Run

better every week.

“That’s the mantra. Every day we want to take the next step forward,” Zettlemoyer said.

Zettlemoyer has a strong senior class pounding those words into the players’ heads each day and that helps. So does

having some excellent starters returning as well as some promising newcomers. Milton also receives a boost with running back Chris Doyle returning. Doyle ran for an area freshman record 1,174 yards before missing last year with a torn ACL suffered in Milton’s first preseason scrimmage.

Add in the brilliant new stadium which opened up last season and both the program and, really the entire town, are bursting with optimism as the season approaches. That is a big change from the previous decade and Milton is embracing it.

“It’s within the walls of the school and it’s within the community. Right now, we have some students who have really bought in with all the sports. With the new complex, too, that’s bound to generate some excitement. Our teams are having success and kind of seeing the fruits of their labor.”

Those fruits produced quite a season

SUN-GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

MiltonʼsPeyton RearickisaSwiss ArmyKnifetypeof playerfortheBlack Panthers.

lastyearasMiltonwonitslastsix regularseasongamesandsuffered itsonlyregular-seasonlossagainst MountCarmel,agamewhichit heldahalftimelead.Selinsgrove thumpedMiltonintheDistrict4 ClassAAAAsemifinals,butthat hasonlyaddedmorefueltothe BlackPanthers’collectivefireenteringthisseason.

Thoseflamesroseespeciallyhigh afterMiltonfollowedupasix-win improvementin2021withanother two-winbumplastseason.The Pantherspoundedmostoftheiropponents,oftencontrollingtheline whiledisplayingmorebalancethan thepreviousyear.Thedefensealso enjoyeditsbestseasonindecades.

Therearesomebigvoidstofill thisyear,butMiltonhaschanged itsculturethepasttwoseasons. Thatisahugestepintherightdirectionand,onceatransitionlike thathappens,itmakesiteasierfor alltheotherpiecestofallintoplace. ItalsofostersbeliefandZettlemoyerwitnessedstrongoffseason numbersasMiltonattackedthe weightroomandotherareas.

“Comingofflastyear’sseason, thekidskeepworkinghardand makingprogress,”hesaid.“Last year’sseniorsandthisyear’sseniorsaregreatleadersonandoffthe field.They’regreatrolemodelsfor theyoungerkidsandhopefullythat paysdividendsdowntheroadas well.”

HavingCaleBastianbackat quarterbackshouldhelpMilton, too.AfterplayingatSelinsgrovethe previoustwoseasons,Bastianfit likeagloveatMilton,nearlythrowingfor1,000yardsinhisfirststartingexperience,whileadding561 rushingyards.Miltonalsowillbe

•••••••

2022 RESULTS (9-2)

Milton 28, South Williamsport 0

Milton 21, Towanda 7

Milton 42, Midd-West 0

Milton 19, Mount Carmel 41

Milton 42, Holy Redeemer 13

Milton 47, Hughesville 7

Milton 21, Bloomsburg 13

Milton 29, Mifflinburg 26

Milton 50, Cowanesque Valley 6

Milton 63, Warrior Run 7

District 4 Class AAAA Suarterfinals

Milton 0, Selinsgrove 0

tweakingitsoffensethisseason and,combiningthatwithBastian’s comfortlevel,couldbemorepotent vertically.

Miltonmustreplaceatremendousplayerandleaderinrunning back/widereceiverXzavierMinium buthassomeexcitingoptions. Doylemayneedsometimetoget backintotheflowfollowinglast year’sinjurybutcouldbepotentas hedoes.MasonRoweandMonty Fisherdidexcellentjobshelping negateDoyle’slosslastseason,combiningfor802yardsandeight touchdowns.Bothreturnasdoes fullbackTreyLocke.

PeytonRearickgivesMiltona dangerousreceivingoptionand tightendLukeGoodwincouldplay akeyroleaswell.Helpingmake theentireoffensegowillbeanoffensivelinewhichmustreplace threestartersbutwhichhastwoexcellentbuildingblocksinHunter ZettlemoyerandGaryVerdinelli whowillhavesevenyearsstarting experiencebetweenthem.Alex KrallandConnorSnyderaretwo playerswhocouldhelpfillthose holesandMiltonhastwoexcellent linecoachesinTravisKralland MikeBergey,sothatgroupisexcitedaboutthechallenge.

2022 LEADERS

2023 FOOTBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH

Cale Bastian, QB/LB: Milton turned its program around two seasons ago with a run-heavy offense, but Bastian added a bigger passing element last season and his continued growth in his second year with the program could provide a big boost. Bastian made a run at 1,000 yards, throwing for 952 yards and 10 touchdowns. He threw for a career-high 195 yards and two touchdowns in a win against Holy Redeemer and also gives Milton a mobile threat who can gash teams with his legs. Bastian was outstanding on read option plays and led the team in rushing throughout the first half of the season. The senior finished with 561 yards and seven touchdowns. He topped 100 rushing yards three times. Bastian put on an exciting display against Mount Carmel, running for 168 yards and two touchdowns.

Peyton Rearick, DB/WR: One of the areaʼs top safeties, Rearick also is a Swiss Army Knife on offense, using his athletic ability to give Milton multiple ways to utilize his strengths. Rearick intercepted seven passes last season and quarterback a stout secondary as Milton enjoyed its best regular season since 2001. Rearick really stood out in a hard-fought win at Bloomsburg, returning an interception for a touchdown before sealing the victory with another last-minute pick. Rearick intercepted passes in four of 11 games and returned two for scores. He also is a dangerous receiver who can lineup in the backfield or be effective running jet sweeps. Rearick was tied for the team high with three touchdowns and totaled 359 yards with four touchdowns as a sophomore.

Gary Verdinelli, DL/OL: Excelling on both sides of the ball, Verdinelli helped Milton impose its will along each line. He has been the teamʼs leading sacker over the last two seasons and also is tough against the run. Verdinelli set a dominant defensive tone in a season-opening shutout against South Williamsport and played a vital role in Milton in shutting two opponents and holding four others to one score. Verdinelli gives Milton a quality matchup on the edge and is good at containing the outside run while also consistently getting after the quarterback. Verdinelli also is a three-year starter along the offensive line.

•••••••

PASSERATCMINYDSTD

Cale Bastian10653695210

RUSHERATYDSTD

Xzavier Minium8184414

Cale Bastian955617

Mason Rowe684316

Monty Fisher513712

Jaeden Canelo291993

RECEIVERRECYDSTD

Xzavier Minium183493

Peyton Rearick142673

Dylan Reiff122343

Hunter Zettlemoyer, OL/DL: Verdinelli forms a potent combination with Zettlemoyer on the left side of Miltonʼs line and the Black Panthers often could run at will behind those two. Zettlemoyer overpowered opponents and was a first team HACII and Sun-Gazette all-star. Even without injured Chris Doyle who had gone over 1,000 yards as a freshman in 2021, the running game did not miss a beat with the 250-pound senior helping set the physical tone. Zettlemoyer helped three rushers go over 400 yards while averaging 30 points per game. Milton averaged 320 rushing yards per game and Zettlemoyer was part of a unit which frequently wore down defenses.

Branson and Ross Eyer graduated after shattering Muncy the passing and receiving record books. Fellow all-state linebacker Jason Shuda, four-year starter Elijah Weikle and reliable defensive back Brady Ryder are among other stellar Muncy graduates.

And even if outsiders are not focused on the players Muncy lost, the current players believe they are. Perception often is reality and the two-time defending NTL-II champions feel slighted.

Now they are eager to do something about it.

“The kids are chomping at the bit, ready to go. Everyone is working hard and they’re excited to get out there and show what they can do,” Muncy coach Sean Tetreault said. “They’re adamant about it. They know we lost some great players, but we have guys willing to step up and are eager to keep the tradition going.”

That tradition includes four District 4 Class A championships, six championship appearances and three league titles in the last seven years. Canton defeated Muncy in the finals the past two seasons, but the Indians enjoyed the best regular season in program history last season, going 9-0 there before finishing 10-1. They also extended their regular season winning streak

SEASON SNAPSHOT

2023 SCHEDULE

Aug. 25—vs. Warrior Run

Sept. 1—vs. Wellsboro

Sept. 9—vs. Sayre

Sept. 15—at Montgomery

Sept. 22—at N.P.-Mansfield

Sept. 30—at CMVT

Oct. 6—vs. South Williamsport

Oct. 13—at Cowanesque Valley

Oct. 20—at Northwest

Oct. 27—vs. Hughesville

to 18 games.

Now the goal is building on that success. The Indians are 20-3 the past two seasons, winning league championships each time, but want more than another second-place district finish.

“Single A football in District 4 been tough for years. Our kids are excited to hopefully get back and compete at the highest level,” Tetreault said. “They are itching to get back on the field. They’re not happy to have silver medals. They want chance to have the opportunity to get back to gold.”

And while Muncy may have taken some big this at the skill positions, it is loaded up front and that is a quite a place to build a strong foundation. Every starting lineman

is back from a unit which cleared the way for more than 40 points and 300 yards last season. They also helped Muncy produce a 1,000-yard rusher and a 1,000-yard passer.

All-state junior Ken Hampe and Eli Harris are three-year starters, while Brayden Trostle, Gabe Stark and Braydon Kamerer all excelled as well last season. Cam Kamerer and Nick Delany both played well at tight end, so Muncy has a strong blend of size, experience and agility. This unit proved that at Lycoming’s Lineman Challenge over the summer, taking second place and coming within one point of toppling sixtime defending Class AA state champion Southern Columbia.

“It’s great to see them come together and have the confidence in themselves and the techniques they use,” Tetreault said. “Our offensive and defensive lines love the mantra that the game is won in the trenches. They are excited to show how hard they have been working and what they can do because of the work they have put in.”

Those linemen also are excited to block for some exciting playmakers like all-state fullback Austin Johnson. The state’s heavyweight wrestling champion, Johnson has gone over 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons and is tough to bring down at 6-foot-1, 215 pounds and running a 4.5 40yard dash. Jacob Fowler produced two 100yard games last year and Landyn Wommer is a player who also could make a nice im-

SUN-GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

SUN-GAZETTEFILEPHOTO MuncyʼsAustinJohnsonranfor1,000yardslast yearandwilllooktorepeatthatfeatthisfall.

pact.

WhileBransonEyergraduated,anEyerwillremainat quarterbackashiscousinStiles takesover.Heisanotherversatilethreatwhohasputtogethera strongoffseason.BecauseMuncy blewoutmanyofitsopponents lastseason,Eyeralsowasableto getsomequalityplayingtimeand possessesbothagoodarmand quickmind.BrysonBarrowsand NateRogersbackupEyerand bothhaveimpressedthecoaches throughouttheoffseason.

“Stilescansteprightinfor Branson.Hehasallthetalent andthetools,”Tetreaultsaid. “He’sbeeninthesystemfortwo years.He’sexcitedtogethisshot andexcitedtoshoweverybody thatit’snotjust(hisbrother)Ross thatisgoodinthefamily.”

SpeakingofRossEyer,Noah Conferissimilarinheightand speedandcouldbecomeoneof StilesEyer’sfavoritetargets. Thosetwoalsowillplaykeyroles inthesecondarywhichmustreplaceallfourstartersfromlast year.

ForplayerslikeEyerandConferwhohavenewoffensiveroles thisseason,ithelpshavingthat experiencedlineoutinfront. Muncyhasbuiltitssuccessover thelastdecadearoundstrongline play,sowhoeverisbehindthem, theyareconfidenttheycanhelp themflourish.

“Welostsomegreatplayers andwehadagoodseniorclass,” Tetreaultsaid.“Butit’sgreatto havethefoundationpiecesup frontwherecantakesomepressureoffaguylikeStilesatquarterback.”

Manyofthelinemenwhowill helpMuncyoffensivelyalsowill dosodefensively.TheIndiansfrequentlyrotatedlinemeninlast yearanddoingsobothkeptthat

2022RESULTS(10-1)

Muncy 56, Warrior Run 6

Muncy 30, Wellsboro 22

Muncy 56, Montgomery 15

Muncy 49, N.P.-Mansfield 19

Muncy 48, CMVT 16

Muncy 21, South Williamsport 14

Muncy 46, Cowanesque Valley 21

Muncy 48, Northwest 21

Muncy 44, Hughesville 16

District 4 Class A Semifinals

Muncy 54, Northwest 6 Championship

Muncy 7, Canton 42

2023 FOOTBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH

unitfresh,whilealsogiving youngerplayersvitalexperience.

ReplacingShudaisnoteasyat linebacker,butbothFowlerand Wommerhadbigseasonswhile startingforthefirsttimeayear ago.Long-timeLycomingassistantcoachMikeWeberandZach Burrowshavedoneagoodjob buildingastronglinebackingcore eachseasonandhavingFowler andWommertobuildaroundprovidesabigboost.

WarriorRunisateamwhich receivedabigboostlastseason, comingonstrongastheyearprogressed.Muncyopenswiththe Defendersagainthisyearand WarriorRunreturnsnearlyevery starter.TheIndiansmercyruled WarriorRunbyhalftimelast year,buttheyknowbothteams aremuchdifferentthisseason.

AndwhileWarriorRunishungryforredemptioninthisseries, Muncysurehassomethingto proveaswell.

“WarriorRunisgoingtosneak uponalotofpeople,”Tetreault said.“Thosekidsareworking hard.They’relookingtoexact somerevenge,soourkidshaveto bereadytoanswerthecall.”

BransonEyer88492116619

RUSHERATYDSTD

AustinJohnson111107218

EliWeikle625238

JacobFowler444066

DominicGuardini462711

BransonEyer282265

RECEIVERRECYDSTD

RossEyer2976515

NoahConfer61671

AustinJohnson51223

BenRobinson5540

Jack Fowler, LB/RB: One of two linebackers who was starting for the first time last season, Fowler made quite an impact, helping Muncy complete its first ever undefeated regular season. Fowler came on strong as the season progressed and made 109 tackles, including 60 solos. Fowler was in on 11 tackles in each of his last six games and also made five tackles for loss. A good hitter with quality speed, Fowler was in on 29 tackles in two playoff games. Along with Landyn Wommer, Fowler will be one of the team leaders this season and also provides valuable offensive backfield depth. Fowler displayed that when leading rusher Austin Johnson was sidelined last year. The senior ran for 112 yards and two touchdowns against North Penn-Mansfield and also topped 100 yards against Warrior Run. He finished with 406 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 9.2 yards per carry.

Ken Hampe, OL/DL: Only halfway through his high school career, Hampe has become one of the districtʼs top linemen and is receiving significant college interest. The strong 300-pound junior often overwhelmed defensive linemen and helped Muncy average more than 40 points per game. Hampe has started since Day 1 at Muncy, helping it repeat as NTL-II champions and go 20-3 the past two seasons. Both seasons, Muncy featured a 1,000-yard passer and 1,000-yard rusher. Although only a sophomore last season, Hampe emerged as a leader up front because he was the only starter back from the 2021 unit. Hampe and the line frequently imposed their will last year and Hampe played a major role in Muncy running for 799 yards in its last two victories.

Austin Johnson, RB/LB: A state champion wrestler, Johnson also is quite a football player and has done some mighty impressive things the past two years. The 200pound tank with speed can play either backfield position and has topped 1,000 yards in both his seasons. The junior workhorse ran for 1,072 yards and 18 touchdowns in just nine games last season, averaging 9.7 yards per carry. Johnson can run over and by defenders and added 122 receiving yards with three scores, totaling 1,194 yards and 21 touchdowns. He has run for 2,251 yards and 34 touchdowns the past two seasons, scoring 34 touchdowns. Johnson went over 100 yards four times and 180 yards four times last season and scored a touchdown in all but one game.

Landyn Wommer, LB/RB: Wommer filled a big void at linebacker last season and excelled as a sophomore, finishing among the areaʼs leading tacklers. Wommer was second on the team in tackles, making 117 and adding five for loss, as well as an interception. Wommer seemingly was everywhere against Class A state semifinalist Canton in the district final, making 18 tackles. Wommer produced at least 10 tackles in seven of his last 10 games and attacks the run, while also being effective dropping into coverage. Muncy has produced a steady pipeline of all-state caliber linebackers over the last decade and Fowler and Wommer could be next in line. Wommer stood out in a hard-fought win against South Williamsport as well, being in on 18 tackles as Muncy won, 21-14.

BraylonFantaskihelped Bucktaillastyearatwhatever positionwasneeded,beinga standoutwidereceiver,runningbackanddefensiveback.

B By y C CHHRRIIS S M MAASSSSE E cmasse@sungazette.com

Bucktail introduced both a new coach and several first-time starters last fall. It was a transition season, but also a fun one.

While the Bucks finished 2-7, that was a twowin improvement over the previous campaign. Just as encouraging, the state’s smallest football program which does not co-op with another school was highly competitive in several other games. It was a good stepping stone and Bucktail is ready to climb the next rung as it enters the 2023 season.

Coach Frank Sutliff and his staff are back as are nearly all the starters from last season. The Bucks have found a nice home in District 9’s Region 3 League, playing times with similar roster sizes and are eager to establish themselves

SEASON SNAPSHOT

2022 SCHEDULE

Aug. 25—at Sheffield

Sept. 1—vs. West Branch

Sept. 8—vs. Elk County Catholic

Sept. 15—at Otto_Eldred

Sept. 22—vs. Sheffield

Sept. 29—vs. Cameron County

Oct. 6—at Elk County Catholic

Oct. 13—vs. Otto-Eldred

Oct. 20—vs. Coudersport

among the league’s premier teams. Numbers are always a battle, so staying healthy is the top priority, but Bucktail could have the right ingredients to cook up the program’s first winning season since 2012.

“There’s some optimism and a lot of expectations. We have to fight the injury

bug but we have some potential,” Sutliff said. “In our community and our town, there’s excitement. A lot of that comes from knowing we were a breath from winning four or five games and were right there with a lot of teams last year.”

There also is a comfort level change permeating throughout the team. Sutliff now has a year under his belt and has been able to install more plays and schemes than he did last year when a young group was learning on the fly. This time, Bucktail is ahead of schedule, has experience and has tasted success.

More than 30 players signed up and the junior high numbers are strong. Put it all together and both the present and future are looking pretty good.

“The players knowing the system should bode well for us. We can mix it up a little bit because that first year, you don’t get everything in that you want to get in,” Sutliff said. “Now you get all the

SUN-GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

extraplaysinandwehavea goodgroupofathletestowork with.Wecompetedinalloflast year’sgamesandhopefullywe cankeepgoingforward.”

Bucktailuseditsrunning gametokeepmovingdefenses backwardayearago.QuarterbackBrodyPentzandrunning backsTannerPettingilland BraylonFantaskiallwentover 500yards.Pentz,ajunior,flourishedinhisfirstyearstartingat quarterbackandcouldalsomove torunningbackindifferentpackages.ThatisbecauseBucktailis highonfreshmanPatrickTarantellawhoalsocouldplayasimilar dualroleashegrowsaccustomed tothehighschoolgame.

Pettingillisabatteringram typefullback,possessingquality speedfora220-pounder.With Bucktailhavinga10-game scheduleforthefirstduringthe 2000s,a1,000-yardseasonisa possibilityafteraveraging86 yardspergamelastseason.

BraylonFantaskicanbeusedat halfback,tailback,intheslot andatwidereceiver.Anexcellentall-aroundathlete,Fantaski nearlyreached1,000totalyards lastseason,whilescoring12 touchdowns.BrettMasonand freshmanGavinPickalsocould havestrongseasonsandprovide theBuckssomegooddepth. Havingthreebackswho topped500yardsalsohelped Bucktailutilizedifferentpackagesayearago.Bucktailranthe TripleOption,ransomeWishboneanddiditsbesttokeepdefensesguessing.Bucktailis hopingtokeepdoingthat,while alsoworkingonitspassing game.Pentzhadsomebiggames lastseasonandcontinued

•••••••

2022 RESULTS (2-7)

Bucktail 42, Sheffield 12

Bucktail 16, Elk County Catholic 30

Bucktail 32, Otto-Eldred 52

Bucktail 42, Cameron County 38

Bucktail 24, Elk County Catholic 33

Bucktail 36, Otto-Eldred 42

Bucktail 6, Coudersport 55

Bucktail 8, CMVT 32

progressinthethrowingdepartment,combinedwiththe weaponsBucktailhas,could forcedefensesintoapickyour poisontypescenario.

“That’swhatwestrivefor.You wanttokeepteamsoff-balance. Ifyouarerelyingonjustoneor twoguysthatcanmakeyoueasiertocontrol,”Sutliffsaid.“With thethreebackswehadlastyear itmadeitharderfordefensesto justpintheirearsbackandgo. Oursuccessthisyearisgoingto bedictatedbythrowingtheball alittlemore.We’recapableofit andIjusthavetofindwaysto airitoutalittlemoreandkeep defensesoffbalance.”

Helpingmaketheoffensego willbealinewhichalsoreturns severalstarters.LefttackleJon Greenisoneoftheleague’sbest andsophomoreEvanRansom andDanielGavlockbothmade positiveimpactsintheirfirst seasonsstarting.EvanHillyeris agoodcenterandColten Fleisherisaplayerwhocould burstontothescene.Allthose playerslikelywillplaykeyroles alongthedefensivelineaswell. SowillplayerslikeTalonDitty (6-foot-4,240pounds)andBrian Dwyer.KeepaneyeonDwyerin theoffensivebackfieldand/orat widereceiveraswell.

2022 LEADERS

PASSERATCMINYDSTD

Brody Pentz713085528

RUSHERATYDSTD

Tanner Pettingill1277717

Brody Pentz895927

Braylon Fantaski615767

Brett Mason211291

Brian Dwyer121010

RECEIVERRECYDSTD

Braylon Fantaski203905

Brett Mason71381

Gavin Yachymiak2291

Brody Pentz3230

2023 FOOTBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH

Braylon Fantaski, WR/RB/DB: Itʼs really not fair to limit by Fantaski by what positions he can play. Because, essentially, Fantaski can play them all. He is Bucktailʼs Swiss Army Knife and put together and outstanding junior campaign as Bucktail made some massive strides. At one point in the season, Fantaski was ranked among the areaʼs top 15 in receiving and rushing yards. The senior finished the year, totaling 966 yards and 12 touchdowns in eight games. Fantaski also returned an interception for a touchdown and was one of the teamʼs leading tacklers. Fantaski has led Bucktail in receiving the last two years and was second on the team in rushing a year ago. He put on an explosive show in a victory against Sheffield, topping 100 yards rushing and receiving and totaling 295 yards and six touchdowns. Fantaski also intercepted a pass in that game. He produced two 100-yard rushing games and has 37 catches over the last two years.

Brett Mason, RB/LB: Bucktail has several dangerous running options, so Mason did not have a lot of carries last season. Still, he is a dangerous weapon who can provide Bucktail a threat as both a rusher and a receiver. Mason ran for 129 yards and a touchdown, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. He also went over 100 yards receiving, totaling 138 yards and a touchdown on seven catches while averaging 19.1 yards. Mason ran for 73 yards in that Sheffield victory and also caught three passes for 77 yards. He also caught a 20-yard touchdown against Otto-Eldred in a highscoring 52-32 defeat. Mason provides help on defense as well and is one of several starters back on a unit which forced nearly two turnovers per game.

Tanner Pettingill, RB/LB: Part of Bucktailʼs threeheaded backfield monster a year ago, Pettingill led Bucktail in rushing with 771 yards and seven touchdowns. He was one of five players to top 500 yards and also caught a touchdown. Pettingill had shown flashes his first two years and put it all together as a junior last fall. A physical runner, Pettingill went over 100 yards three times and gouged Otto-Eldred for 203 yards and four touchdowns in a lastsecond 42-36 loss. Pettingill averaged 6.1 yards per carry and came up big against Cameron County when he produced 150 yards and a touchdown. Pettingillʼs emergence allowed Bucktail to keep teams off-balance with Fantaski and Brody Pentz also having strong rushing seasons. With Bucktail playing 10 games this season, a 1,000-yard season could be a possibility.

Brody Pentz, QB/DB: After making his presence felt as a wide receiver his freshman year, Pentz moved to quarterback as a sophomore last fall and became a versatile dual threat. Pentz totaled 1,165 yards and 15 touchdowns. Pentz helped the passing game become much more explosive than the previous season, throwing for 552 yards and eight touchdowns. He made the most of those completions as well, averaging 18 yards on them. Pentz is as dangerous running as he is throwing and gained 592 yards, good for second on the team. He also tied Pettingill and Fantaski for a team-high seven rushing touchdowns. Pentz went over 100 yards twice and also had a 95-yard rushing game. He displayed his passing prowess against Sheffield, throwing for a career-high 214 yards and three touchdowns.

SEASON SNAPSHOT

B

By y C CHHRRIIS S M MAASSSSE E cmasse@sungazette.com

Hayes Campbell again stands alone. He does so for the final time after playing this role the previous three seasons.

Campbell is Wellsboro’s lone senior. He also was its lone freshman when his high school football began before becoming its lone sophomore and junior. It has not been a case of Wellsboro losing players in Campbell’s grades. It simply has been a unique scenario where the versatile threat has been the only Hornet in his classes eager to play football.

Whatever his grade, Campbell has made an impact. So, having Campbell provide a foundation to build upon certainly helps what may be the district's youngest team.

“We knew this year was coming. It’s just one of those things. We’re going to use him, that's for sure,” Wellsboro coach Matt Hildebrand said. “He will take on a little different role and he’s looking forward to it.”

That role goes beyond being the undisputed team leader. Campbell also

2023 SCHEDULE

Aug. 25—vs. Montoursville

Sept. 1—at Muncy

Sept. 7—vs. Canton

Sept. 15—at Athens

Sept. 22—vs. Towanda

Sept. 29—at Troy

Oct. 6—at Wyalusing

Oct. 13—vs. South Williamsport

Oct. 20—vs. Cowanesque Valley

Oct. 27—at N.P.-Mansfield

will move from the offensive line to playing various skill position roles. He will be utilized as a receiver as well. Basically, however Wellsboro can implement Campbell to help the team, it will use him in that area.

“We’re going to utilize him a lot more,” Hildebrand said. “His blocking ability and moving him around makes him more dangerous.”

As young as Wellsboro is, it could still become dangerous. Several of the large junior class started last season and there are several promising potential first-time starters and/or contributors

mixed in among the 31 players who signed up. Obviously, Wellsboro has to grow up fast. It was kind of a similar story last season when Wellsboro welcomed in several new starters. That team went 1-9 but held leads in each of its first three games and lost four games by eight or fewer points.

Throughout that experience, Wellsboro learned a lot. And if there is a word to describe the big goal this season, learning could be it. That includes the coaches as much as the players.

“I learned a lot last year as a coach. It was the first time we were dealing with the numbers we did and I learned that we might have to take a different approach offensively and do a better job saving kids where we can a little bit and run somethings a little different,” Hildebrand said. “We were up in a lot of games and kind of puttered out in the second half.”

To combat that, Wellsboro is pushing its conditioning program hard. Wellsboro has done so in the past, but with the numbers where they are, and the youth being what it is, embracing that hard work is imperative. The Hornets want to be the team wearing down the opponent come late in the game this sea-

SUN-GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

SUN-GAZETTEFILEPHOTO Wellsborocouldbe adangerousteam thisfall.

sonandnottheotherway around.

Asmuchasanystrategyit canuse,Wellsborobeinginexcellentshapemayholdthe biggestkeytothedirectionthis seasongoes.

“Youcanrunthemasmuch asyouwant,butultimately,it’s onthemandthat’ssomething weharpon.Thiscomestoyou havingtofindthatdrivebecausetherearetimesingames whenyou’regoingtoneedit,” Hildebrandsaid.“Wetellthem you’regoingtobetired,sowe wanttomakeitharderinpracticesthanitisinthegame.It’s gettingthekidstorealizethat it’satoughsportandifyoucan beinbettershapethantheopponent,you'regoingtoput yourselfatabigadvantage.”

Wellsborohopesitcancreate anadvantagewithsomeofits returningplayersaswell. QuarterbackWilGastrock playedwellinhisfirststarts lastseasonandshouldbegood togofollowingawrestlinginjurysufferedlastwinter.SophomoreMarekMaschowasthe JVquarterbackandcouldtake somesnapsaswell,whilealso helpingatbothrunningback andwidereceiver.Hisyounger brother,Maxwell,alsoisinthe mix.

LeadingrusherRyder Bowenisbackafterenjoyinga breakthroughsophomorecampaign.SilasMickeymissedlast yearwithabrokenlegsuffered inthefirstpreseasonscrimmageandalsocouldmakeabig impact,asbothrunnersmixin

2022 RESULTS (1-9)

Wellsboro 14, Montourosville 21

Wellsboro 22, Muncy 30

Wellsboro 0, Canton 35

Wellsboro 13, Athens 23

Wellsboro 19, Towanda 41

Wellsboro 3, Troy 45

Wellsboro 41, Wyalusing 6

Wellsboro 0, South Williamsport 20

Wellsboro 7, Bald Eagle Area 35

Wellsboro 21, N.P.-Mansfield 24

withCampbellaswell.

JacobDeanisanexciting prospectatwidereceiverand canstretchadefense,while MarekMaschocouldalsobecomeareliabletargetifheis notplayingquarterback.

JonathanCarlandDylanCopp alsoareplayerstowatchinthe passinggame.

Wellsborohassomesizeup frontandalsosomeexperience withLeviStone,Hayden StevensandJacobThurstinall startedand/orplayedsignificantamountslastseason. Thurstinisa6-foot-4,300pounderandcouldbecomeespeciallydangerous.Lincoln DeCourseymissedlastseason withatornACLandisastrong playerwhocouldalsoplaya keyrole.

Manyofthoselinemenalso likelywillbecountedondefensively.Withthesmallnumbers, thatreallyisthecaseinall facets,soWellsborowilldoits besttorotateinsomeplayers atdifferentspotswhenthey can.Doingsoservestwopurposes,bothpotentiallykeeping theplayersfresher,whilealso lettingmoregainvaluableexperience.

ConnerAdams935355485

WillGastrock843654634 RUSHERATYDSTD

RyderBowen1204762

WillGastrock641613

ConnerAdams801384

JoeBrown24590

RECEIVERRECYDSTD

JackPoirier192873

SpencerWetzel272402

JoeBrown191840

ConnerAdams91733

2023 FOOTBALL P LAY ERS TO WATCH

Ryder Bowen, RB/LB: Although he is a junior, Bowen still will be one of the more experienced players on this year's team and showed how valuable he is thorughout his sophomore campaign a year ago. Bowen led the team in both rushing and tackles and starting last year gives him a lot of upside entering 2024. Bowen ran for 476 yards and topped 100 yards twice. He gained a career-high 128 yards in a victory against Wyalusing and closed his season strong, rushing for 103 yards against North PennMansfield. Bowen brings a defensive mentality to running and that is a good thing since he shined as a first-time starting linebacker. Bowen made 100 tackles last season and averaged 10 per game. He also made a season-high 13 tackles against South Williamsport and had 12 more against Troy.

Hayes Campbell, RB/OL/DL/LB: That's a lot of position possibilities and that is exactly why Wellsboro is excited about the team's lone senior. Campbell has been a standout offensive lineman the last three years, but is an excellent athlete who has some speed and power. Because of that, Wellsboro likely will use Campbell in an HBack role, utlizing his strengths as a runner, blocker and receiver. He also provides defensive flexibility, able to play along the defensive line or at linebacker where he was last year. He is a four-year starter who is receiving college interest and who is one of the district's best long snappers. Campbell finished tied for the team lead in sacks, collecting three, while making 64 tackles. Campbell produced a season-high 13 tackles in a close loss against Athens. Campbell has five sacks over the past two seasons and also has an interception.

Will Gastrock, OL/LB: As a sophomore last season, Gastrock moved to starting quarterback late in the season and excelled in that role at times, throwing for 453 yards and four touchdowns. Gastrock was at his best in the Wyalusing win, torching the Rams and throwing for 182 yards with four touchdowns. Gastrock also was not intercepted in that game and should benefit from the experience he gained down the stretch. gained starting. Gastrock is a mobile threat who ran for 161 yards. He used his legs to hurt North Penn-Mansfield in the final game, gaining a career-high 94 yards and scoring three touchdowns. A quality defensive back as well, Gastrock finished third on the team with 69 tackles, averaging 6.9 per game.

Marek Mascho, WR/QB/DB: Wellsboro will be one of the district's youngest teams this season, and will need big contributions from players like Mascho. After putting up impressive numbers as a freshman on the baseball team last spring, Mascho has the potential to be a breakthrough football player this fall. He played well when given the opportunity last season, finishing ninth on the team in tackles with 38. Mascho made an impact when he it players as well, forcing two fumbles, and recovering another. Mascho made a strong contribution late in the season, producing 13 tackles in his last two games. He also caught a 19-yard touchdown against Athens and added two catches for 32 yards against Towanda. A versatile athlete, Mascho could play either quarterback or wide receiver and provide Wellsboro a boost.

B By y C CHHRRIIS S M MAASSSSE E

cmasse@sungazette.com

Jed Wright did not become North Penn-Mansfield’s coach until June. But he is familiar with his players, having been an assistant coach there from 2018-21 and being a teacher at Blossburg Elementary School.

It also helps that his seniors are becoming such strong leaders. In that sense, Wright has a group of players who are pseudo-coaches to help ease the transition. Last year’s coach Chris Olson is still there as the associate head coach, too, so Wright has a lot of help. And after a young team made big strides as last season continued, there are high hopes.

“The excitement is building. The nerves are building for me, but that comes with the excitement with getting ready for the season,” Wright, who quarterbacked Troy to a district championship in 2013, said. “We have been leaning on the leaders who have been here and are in their third and fourth years playing and they have been

SEASON SNAPSHOT

2023 SCHEDULE

Aug. 6—vs. Towanda

Sept. 1—at Canton

Sept. 8—at Troy

Sept. 15—at Northwest

Sept. 22—vs. Muncy

Sept. 29—vs. Cowanesque Valley

Oct. 6—at Athens

Oct. 14—at Sayre

Oct. 20—vs. Wyalusing

Oct. 27—vs. Wellsboro

awesome. When the older kids buy in, it seems like everyone else follows. I cannot ask for more from the senior class in terms of making the transition go smoother.”

North Penn-Mansfield was one of the area’s youngest teams last year, playing mostly first-time starters, so it was not always a smooth ride. But the Panthers started flattening those bumps as the season progressed, reaching the District 4

Class AAA playoffs. North Penn-Mansfield won its last two regular season games in exciting fashion to earn that seventh district berth in eight seasons before earning valuable playoff experience against top-seeded Mount Carmel.

The hope now is that North PennMansfield can pick up where that progress left off. The Panthers return a quality nucleus from that team and are adding some promising newcomers as they try building on the team’s stellar tradition established throughout the 2000s.

“They have high expectations for themselves,” Wright said. “A lot of kids that played smaller roles last year are excited to show what they can do, whether that’s in a different role as far as playing time or a different position. We think we have a lot of players that will surprise some people this year.”

North Penn-Mansfield features a good mix of returning starters with those upand-coming younger players. That includes at all the different position groups which can help in a lot of ways numbers cannot be measured. Add it all together and North Penn-Mansfield is hoping those

SUN-GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

intangiblesleadtomorewins.

“Thatexperiencewillhelpus maintainourfocusthisyear.They keepthehighsfromgettingtoo highandthelowsfromgettingtoo lowandalotofplayersplayother sports,soIdon’tthinkit’saneasilyshakengroup,”Wrightsaid. “Otherkidshavebeenoutthere andwhenthoseotherplayerscan lookoverandseethemonFriday night,thatcanhelpthemstay comfortableandconfident.”

NorthPenn-Mansfieldcertainly hasalotofconfidenceinitsquarterback.KarsonDominickwillbea three-yearstarterandhasputtogetherconsecutivestrongseasons, topping1,400yardsayearago. Theseniorisamulti-yearstarter infootball,basketballandbaseball,givinghimthesavvytocomplementhistalent.

“Karsonhasseenitall,really. He’sawell-roundedathleteanda leader,too,”Wrightsaid.“He’s amongthatgroupofseniorswho havereallyboughtinandlisten andlearn.Ithelpshavingthatexperienceatquarterback.”

NorthPenn-MansfieldmustreplaceleadingrusherKohen Lehman,butitalsohassomeexperienceinthebackfieldwithEthan Dickabletoplaytailbackorfullback.CaleWagnerandGabeBellowsbothareexcitingprospectsas well.Thosetwoalsocanbeutilized asreceivers,givingNorthPennMansfieldsomeniceoptions.The Panthersalsocombineexperience withyouthupfrontandwilltryto turnallthoseingredientsintobalance.

Asteamsoftendo,NorthPennMansfieldhaditsmostsuccess whenitwasbalancedlastseason. Attimes,though,thePanthers wereforcedtorelyonmostlythe aerialattack.Whilethatproduced

2022 RESULTS (3-7)

N.P.-Mansfield 13, Towanda 34

N.P.-Mansfield 0, Canton 53

N.P.-Mansfield 14, Troy 56

N.P.-Mansfield 21, Northwest 35

N.P.-Mansfield 21, Muncy 49

N.P.-Mansfield 40, Cowanesque Valley 15

N.P.-Mansfield 0, Athens 55

N.P.Mansfield 21, West Perry 49

N.P.-Mansfield 20, Wyalusing 14

N.P.-Mansfield 24, Wellsboro 21

District 4 Class AA Quarterfinals

N.P.-Mansfield 20, Mount Carmel 60

somebignumbers,keepingteams guessingaboutwhat’scomingis theprimarygoal.

“Thatwillbeoneofourbigfocuses,”Wrightsaid.“Karson’sarm canopenalotofthingsforrunning theball,andrunningtheballcan openupKarson’sarm.”

Thedefensecameonstrongin winsagainstWyalusingandWellsboroandwillbeanchoredbysome oftheplayersmentionedabove.

GeorgeValentinehadabigyearat linebacker,DickenjoyedabreakoutseasonandDominickanchors thesecondary.

NorthPenn-Mansfieldfacesthe samescheduleitdidlastseason andwillopenathomeagainst Towanda.ThePanthersarehoping tomakesomenoiseintheNTL, buttheirimmediategoalismore simple.Whileitisabasicone,itis agoalwhichifattainedeveryday couldmakeNorthPenn-Mansfield mightydangerousthisseason.

“We’rejustgoingtofocusonone practiceatatime;onegameata time,”Wrightsaid.“We’rejusttryingtobebettereachdayandthen trytocontinuetotryandbeatour besteachday.Theleagueisgoing tobetough,weknowthat.but we’llbealotbetteroffifwe’refocusedonmakingourselvesbetter, thatwillhelpalot.”

••••••• 2022 LEADERS •••••••

PASSERATCMINYDSTD

Karson Dominick3021416146913

RUSHERATYDSTD

Kohen Lehman1888296

Ethan Dick291391

Easton Pequignot10581

George Valentine7410

RECEIVERRECYDSTD

Sammy Lawrence395428

Alex Davis343331

Kohen Lehman262882

Cooper Shaw252143

2023 FOOTBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH

Ethan Dick, DL/OL/RB: One of several first-time starters who made outstanding progress throughout the season, Dick now returns as a team leader for his senior year. The senior defensive end solidified the line last season, collecting a team-high 3 1/2 sacks and averaging more than five tackles per game. Dick made eight or more tackles three times and had 15 tackles in regular-season ending wins against Wyalusing and Wellsboro when North PennMansfield allowed just 35 points and earned a playoff spot. He continued making plays a week later against Mount Carmel in districts, returning a fumble 42 yards for a touchdown. At 210 pounds, Dick can play has played along both the offensive line and in the backfield during his high school career.

Karson Dominick, QB/DB: One of the NTLʼs top quarterbacks, Dominick is a three-year starter who has effectively run the offense in each of the past two seasons. The 6-foot-4 three-sport standout has thrown for 2,420 yards and 22 touchdowns during his scholastic career and nearly reached 1,500 yards last season. Mobile and possessing a strong arm, Dominick can pick apart a defense in different ways and threw for a career-high 330 yards and two touchdowns against Northwest. Dominick did not throw an interception in 54 attempts that night. Dominick topped 100 yards in each of his last four starts and went over 200 yards twice, while also running for five touchdowns. The senior also intercepted three passes in the first four weeks. Dominick added 30 tackles, including 25 solos and broke up two passes.

George Valentine, LB/OL: He made a nice arrival as a freshman, but Valentine really broke out during his sophomore season a year ago, leading North Penn-Mansfield with 95 tackles, including 69 solos. Valentine made at least 10 tackles five times and was outstanding down the stretch. The junior middle linebacker made 12 or more tackles in three of his last four games, including a career-high 16 in a close win against Wyalusing. He made 14 more in a playoffclinching victory against Wellsboro the following week and produced 23 solo tackles in those final two regular season games. Valentine averaged 9.5 tackles per game and also returned two fumbles for 48 total yards. Valentine made at least seven tackles in every game and also averaged 5.6 yards per carry.

Cale Wagner, WR/RB/DB: A senior leader throughout the offseason, Wagner could have a prominent role this season after showing flashes last year. Wagner can be utilized as a running back, slotback or at wide receiver and North Penn-Mansfield likely will do all it can to capitalize on that versatility. He was limited to eights games, but Wagner averaged nearly an interception a game and had put a couple productive games together before his injury. Wagner also likely will help in the secondary after making six solo tackles in his first game against Towanda and also breaking up two passes. A special teams weapon as well, Wagner averaged 16.8 yards per kick return.

B By y C CHHRRIIS S M MAASSSSE E cmasse@sungazette.com

Cwanesque Valley did not win a game last season, but no opponent ever broke its will.

CV faced a tall order entering 2022 after most of the starters from the previous team which enjoyed one of the best seasons in program history graduated. The Indians were one of the district’s youngest teams and coach Joe Lenard did not take over until June.

SEASON SNAPSHOT

2023 SCHEDULE

Aug. 25—vs. Northwest

Sept. 1—vs. Athens

Sept. 8—at Montgomery

Sept. 15—at South Williamsport

Sept. 22—vs. Sayre

Sept. 29—at N.P.-Mansfield

Oct. 7—at CMVT

Oct. 13—vs. Muncy

Oct. 20—at Wellsboro

Oct. 27—vs. Coudersport

A lot, however, has changed in the last year. Now, CV is a much more seasoned team and Lenard has had an entire offseason to work with his players. Put it all together and CV could be poised for a

bounce-back season.

While the team is still relatively young in terms of what grade players are in, many are returning starters. So, as CV prepares for the upcoming season it is not thinking about what could be a year or two from now.

It is focused on just one thing.

“We had shirts made this off season that say ‘The Time is Now,’” Lenard said. “And the time really is now to take what we’ve learned and continue to grow and compete as a team and a program.”

Although the record might not show it, CV generated plenty of building blocks last season. The young players received on-the-job training and are not a lot fur-

SUN-GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

theraheadfromhavinggained thatexperience.FletcherGood hadabigyear,totalingnearly 1,300yardsandTimFreeman wentover500yardsaftertopping1,000asafreshman.That juniorbackfieldduopacksquite apunch.AddinjuniorquarterbackGrahamHesshaving startedlastseasonandCVhas bothexperienceandexplosivenessinitsbackfield.

Three-yearstarterAspyn DennisandfellowseniorPete Wendellpavethewayupfront. Bothhavebeenstrongleaders throughouttheoffseasonand theyarecomplementedbybotha strongsetofplayerswhoflourishedattheJVandjuniorhigh levelsthepasttwoseasons.

Havingallthoseplayersknow thesystemgoinginprovidesa boostaswell.

“Theupsideofhavingthe youngteammyfirstyearisthat theylearnedtheoffenseandcan continuetoexpandonitthis year.”

Inaway,lastyearwasa trainingground.CVknewitwas facinganuphillbattlebutitkept fightingandkeptimproving.The Indiansneverbackeddownand keptcompetingharduntilthe game’sfinalwhistleblew.

Therewerealotofmoralvictorieslastseason.Now,CVis confidentitcanturnalloflast year’sexperiencesintovictories inthestandings.

“Lastyearwasdefinitelychallengingwithsomanyyoung players,buttheylearnedalot alongtheway,”Lenardsaid. “Theydidn’tgiveupandthey

2022 RESULTS (0-9)

Cowanesque 19, Northwest 51

Cowanesque 0, Athens 48

Cowanesque 20, Montgomery 36

Cowanesque 14, South Williamsport 54

Cowanesque 14, Wavery 47

Cowanesque 15, N.P.-Mansfield 40

Cowanesque 30, CMVT 38

Cowanesque 21, Muncy 46

Cowanesque 6, Milton 50

competedwhichiswhatweplan tocontinuetodothisseason.”

CVputupsomebigoffensive numbersattimeslastseason, butwillbelookingformoredramaticimprovementondefense. Atasmallschoolwhichtraditionallyfieldsrosterssizesinthe upperteenstolow20s,mostof theoffensivestarterswillbe doingsodefensivelyaswell.And manyoftheplayersmentioned earlieralsoplaybigrolesthere, especiallyFreemanwhowillbea three-yearstarteratlinebacker.

Notonlyaretheplayersand Lenardbackthisseason,butalso assistantcoachesJacobLane, TuckHess,MattSottolano,Dave WoodwardandChuckHarlow. Theexperience,thechemistry andtheexpectationsarealldifferentthisseason.

Weightliftinghasimproved andplayersandcoacheswere abletoattendvarious7on7 camps.Comparinglastyearto thisone,the2023Indiansarefar aheadof2022intermsofdevelopment.

Nowitistimetoshowwhat thatdevelopmentcando.

Andthetimeisnow.

2022 LEADERS

PASSERATCMINYDSTD

Graham Hess602753352

RUSHERATYDSTD

Fletcher Good1109568

Tim Freeman1145705

Carter Ackley291061

Ean Bump6170

RECEIVERRECYDSTD

Fletcher Good152864

Carter Ackley7550

Tim Freeman5190

2023 FOOTBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH

Carter Ackley, LB/RB: A three-year starter, Ackley brings experience and talent to CVʼs linebacking unit and played a key role on the team which went 6-4 and reached the District 4 Class AAA playoffs two years ago. Ackley has more than 100 tackles the past two seasons and averaged nearly five per game as a freshman two years ago. He had five tackles for loss that season and added a sack last fall for what was one of the districtʼs youngest teams. Ackley is a versatile three-sport athlete and also provides offensive depth, able to be used as a runner or passer. With Fletcher Good and Tim Freeman doing most of the running last year, Ackley didnʼt have a lot of carries but still managed 106 yards and a touchdown. He also was second on the team with seven catches.

Tim Freeman, RB/LB: Speaking of making plays, Freeman has been doing that since arriving as a freshman two years ago. He became one of just six area running backs to ever eclipse 1,000 yards as a freshman that season, finishing with 1,136 yards and 12 touchdowns. Both numbers were highs for CV running backs in the 2000s and Freeman topped 100 yards seven times this season as the Indians enjoyed one of their best years ever. Freeman was part of a thunder-and-lightning duo with Good last season and gained 570 yards while scoring five touchdowns. A tough runner who does not go down easy, Freeman also averaged five yards per carry. The three-year starter ran for 158 yards and a touchdown against NTL-II champion Muncy and also threw two touchdowns last season. Freeman could become the first CV back of the 2000s to eclipse 2,000 career yards this season.

Fletcher Good, RB/DB: As a freshman, Good played primarily as a receiver but became an explosive running back last season and was among the areaʼs top 10 in rushing and receiving yards at different points in the season. Had CV not been limited to nine games, Good likely would have become its second consecutive 1,000-yard rusher, finishing with 956 yards while averaging a robust 8.7 yards per carry. Good also was the teamʼs top receiver, hauling in 15 passes for 286 yards and four touchdowns. Whatever he was doing last year, Good did well. That included on special teams where he ripped off an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and on defense where he intercepted two passes.

Graham Hess, QB/DB: It was not an easy task for Hess, taking over a new offense as a sophomore last year but the experience gained should help him a lot as he enters his junior season. Hess threw for 335 yards and two touchdowns, and also ran for a score. More important, he developed chemistry with several of the other returning starters and that could pay big dividends this season. Hess played an excellent game against South in Week 4, completing all five of his passes for 112 yards and a touchdown.

B By y C CHHRRIIS S M MAASSSSE E cmasse@sungazette.com

Every game is magnified. Yes, no matter what the sport is, each game is important, but it feels like football games provide the greatest sense of urgency. And that is because games are played just once a week. It’s not like most other sports where multiple games are played each week.

With one game a week there is a big buildup; suspense is created and the weekend turns into a community event as much as a football game. With only 10 regular season games, every game feels big ... and with such a small window, they all are.

Taking all that into consideration here are some of the biggest games to watch as the Sun-Gazette takes one through all 10 weeks.

WEEK 1

W Wiilllliiaammssppoorrtt: Both teams are coming off quality seasons and return the majority of their starters. Milton enjoyed its best season since 2001 and South reached districts for an 11th straight season. South likely has not forgotten about losing 28-0 at Milton in last year’s opener, so it may be extra motivated for this showdown against a strong Class AAAA team. This is a good immediate test for two squads with big expectations this fall. South also could gain a boat load of playoff points with a win, while Milton can take momentum into its home opener the following week with a victory.

Muunnccyy: Yes, State College is a powerhouse and Williamsport is a decided underdog against the 2022 Class 6A state semifinalist. Still, if Williamsport can stay competitive, that will be an encouraging sign moving forward. Keep an eye on the cheerleaders as well that night because it is Alumni Night and cheerleaders from the past several decades will join the cur-

rent ones along the sideline.

Warrior Run and Muncy have swapped roles from last year. This time, Warrior Run is the experienced team returning the bulk of its starters, while Muncy is much younger and breaking in several new players. It will be a good measuring stick for both teams as Warrior Run started turning things around last season and Muncy ran its regular season winning streak to 18 games while repeating as NTL-II champions. There also will be a 1,000-yard passer (Warrior Run’s Ryan Newton), 1,000-yard rusher (Muncy’s Austin Johnson) and 1,000-yard receiver (Warrior Run’s Sam Hall) on the field.

WEEK 2

G Gaamme e o of f t thhe e W Weeeek k L Looyyaallssoocck k a at t H Huugghheessvviillllee: Although Loyalsock won last year’s game, 27-0, it was a two-score game deep into the contest and offered a glimpse of the resurgence the Spartans created last season en route to winning their first playoff game since 2015. Both

teamsreturnalotofstrongplayersfrom thoseteamswhichwonthreecombined playoffgamesandthisshouldbeaphysicalcontestfromstarttofinish.Hughesvillefeaturesoneofthearea’stop secondarieswithConorKnight,Aiden BarlettandTylerWetzelcomingoffbig seasons.Thatpresentsquiteamatchup againstLoyalsock’sdynamicreceivingtrio ofJaylenAndrews,JamaireHardenand GagePatterson.

: Troy started last season 8-0 and reached the District 4 Class AA semifinals. Included in that eight-game winning streak was a 287 victory against Montoursville. The Trojans look powerful again, so the Warriors will have their work cut out for them in their home opener. Troy can run the ball at will, so this will be a game which should have the Montoursville linemen excited. This one is all about the trenches and who wins there is all but guaranteed to get a good win here.

L Leewwiissbbuurrg g a at t J Jeerrsseey y S Shhoorree: : Obviously, Jersey Shore was a juggernaut last year, so forget the 70-6 win it produced at Lewisburg. The Bulldogs administered beatings like that to opponents all season, but they are replacing most of their starters. Conversely, Lewisburg is returning a lot of exciting players from a team which played well down the stretch and also has explosive running back Jeremiah Davis returning from an ACL injury. This one could get exciting.

WEEK 3

G Gaamme e o of f t thhe e W Weeeek k J Jeerrsseey y S Shhoorre e a at t S Seelliinnssggrroovvee: : No doubt, Selinsgrove has had this one circled for a long time. Jersey Shore has won eight straight in this series and defeated Selinsgrove, 35-7, to capture a fifth straight District 4 Class AAAA championship last November. On paper, Selinsgrove looks like the favorite this team after going 9-3 and returning an impressive core from that team. But games are won on the field and this will be a true test of Jersey Shore’s “Tradition Never Graduates” slogan. Either Jersey Shore or Selinsgrove has won each District 4 Class AAA or AAAA championship since 2011.

T Thhe e U Unnddeerrccaarrd d S Soouutthheerrn n C Coolluummbbiia a a at t L Looyyaallssoocck k a annd d H Huugghheessvviilllle e a at t B Blloooommssbbuurrgg: A year ago, Loyalsock became the first District 4 team to defeat Southern since 2014 when it went to Catawissa and won, 27-10. The Lancers finished 11-2, proving the win was no fluke despite Southern capturing a sixth straight Class AA state championship. While Southern won the state’s ultimate prize, it no doubt remembers the Loyalsock game and would like some payback. There will be some big-time

playersonthefieldforthisonewhich wouldlikelybetheGameoftheWeekin mostotherweeks.

HughesvilleandBloomsburgsplittwo closegameslastfall,theroadteamwinningeachtime.TheSpartansdefeated Bloomsburg,12-3,inthedistrictquarterfinalsandthedefenseallowedjust15points inthetwogames.Theseteamshave playedsomemightycompetitivegames thepastthreeseasonsanditfeelslikethis onewillfollowthatformulaaswell.

WEEK4

G Gaamme e o of f t thhe e W Weeeek k M Muunnccy y a at t M Moonntt-g goommeerryy: It’s the Old Shoe Game and this one could be much more entertaining than the one played last year when Montgomery was one of the district’s youngest teams. The Red Raiders have done a lot of growing since then, so expect this rematch to be closer to the exciting games these rivals played in 2021 than last fall. Muncy has dominated the series throughout the 2000s, winning 18 of the 19 games played. Montgomery last won the Old Shoe in 2018 and getting it back would be quite a highlight if it can pull it off.

at t W Wiilllliiaammssppoorrt t a annd d L Looyyaallssoocck k a at t D Daannvviillllee: With Williamsport moving to the HAC-I for the 2024 season, this will be the last time these long-time rivals played a Wyoming Valley Conference game. Berwick and Williamsport have played some excellent games over the years and Williamsport has some especially impressive wins against Berwick in 1994, 2002 and 2016. The home team has won the last two in this series, a trend Williamsport would like to continue.

Loyalsock’s grind of a schedule continues as it gets another shot against the only team which defeated it in 13 games last year. Danville edged Loyalsock, 1714, in Week 4 before winning the district championship in convincing fashion. Here’s thinking coach Justin Van Fleet won’t have to say much in the pregame speech to get his players pumped up.

WEEK 5

G Gaamme e o of f t thhe e W Weeeek k C Caannttoon n a at t S Soouutth h W Wiilllliiaammssppoorrtt: Canton has captured consecutive District 4 Class A championships and swept the season series from South a year ago, beating it in the district semifinals for a third time since 2018. South would love making a statement here as it tries asserting itself as one of the district’s top dogs. This will be a new look Canton team after most of last year’s starters graduated, but it remains dangerous. These teams are built in similar fashions and the over/under on combined passes thrown might be placed at 9 1/2.

f flliinnbbuurrg g a annd d W Waarrrriioor r R Ruun n a at t N Noorrtthhwweesstt: : When Jersey Shore and Mifflinburg met last year in Week 5, both entered undefeated. Time will tell if that is true again but this is one which looks like it should be fun. Both teams feature exciting offenses and Mifflinburg quarterback Troy Dressler is coming off a 1,700-yard season. In a recurring theme, Jersey Shore will be facing yet another team chomping at the bit to exact a measure of revenge following last year’s blowout.

Warrior Run started making its turnaround in Week 5 last fall when it downed then-undefeated Northwest, 3319. The Defenders played like a different team from that point forward and will try rekindling those good times in the rematch. Quarterback Ryan Newton threw for a district-best 401 yards last year and Sam Hall produced 222 receiving yards.

WEEK 6

G Gaamme e o of f t thhe e W Weeeek k C Ceennttrraal l M Moouunnttaaiin n a at t W Wiilllliiaammssppoorrtt: This will become a league game starting next season, adding more intrigue to a series which has featured some exciting games over the years. They have been especially compelling when played at Millionaire Stadium. Williamsport defeated Central Mountain, 21-14 in overtime there two years ago. In Central Mountain’s two previous victories at Williamsport, the Wildcats have rallied

fourth-quarter deficits.

l luummbbiiaa: : Milton and Hughesville both look like up-and-coming teams, so this should be a better contest than a year ago when Milton won, 47-7. Hughesville featured a stingy defense a year ago but Milton dominated the line of scrimmage, so this will be a challenge for the offensive line, as well as a shot at redemption.

Montoursville led Southern Columbia in the third quarter last season before Marco Pulizzi, who already had topped 100 receiving yards, tore his ACL. Southern took control from there and pulled away for a 34-16 victory. Still, Montoursville likely generated confidence from being in that game. When playing Southern that is key because that mental hurdle can sometimes be as daunting as the physical ones.

WEEK 7

G Gaamme e o of f t thhe e W Weeeek k S Soouutth h W Wiilllliiaammssppoorrt t a at t M Muunnccyy: Throughout the 2000s, this has been one of the area’s premier small-school rivalries. South had controlled the series throughout the 2010s, but Muncy has taken over the last few years and won three straight. All three games have been close, including last year’s when Muncy won a physical battle late, 21-14. Between them, South and

Muncyhavereacheddistrictsthepast19 yearscombined.Buckleupforwhatlikely willbeanotherintenseshowdown.

T Thhe e U Unnddeerrccaarrd d L Leewwiissbbuurrg g a at t L Looyyaall-s soocck k a annd d M Moonnttoouurrssvviilllle e a at t D Daannvviillllee: Loyalsock defeated Lewisburg twice last season, ending its season in the District 4 Class AAA quarterfinals. Lewisburg likely carried that memory with it throughout the offseason and should be excited for the rematch. The Dragons have several playmakers returning and if the line holds up, this game could feature a lot of points.

Before last season, Montoursville and Danville faced off three times in four years for the District 4 Class AAA championship. As with South and Muncy, the roles have been reversed recently with Danville winning the last four games in this series. If Montoursville can break that streak, it would bode well for its postseason chances.

WEEK 8

G Gaamme e o of f t thhe e W Weeeek k J Jeerrsseey y S Shhoorre e a at t M Moonnttoouurrssvviillllee: It’s not surprising that Montoursville keeps appearing each week. Once again, the Warriors face one of the state’s tougher schedules, so each week presents another tough opponent. This time it’s the five-time defending District 4 Class 5A champions. Montoursville

is one of the last teams to beat Jersey Shore during the regular season, doing so in Week 3 of 2019. At one point Montoursville had won 28 straight in this series, but Jersey Shore has won the past two games and the rivalry is tied 4-4 since the streak ended in 2014.

caarrd d M Miillttoon n a at t M Miifffflliinnbbuurrg g a annd d M Moonnttggoommeerry y a at t W Waarrrriioor r R Ruunn: Milton and Mifflinburg have played consecutive thrillers the past two seasons with Milton coming from behind in the second half each time. The Black Panthers erased 14 and 13-point second-half deficits but both those games were at home. Now, they find out if they can keep the streak going at Mifflinburg’s house.

Montgomery and Warrior Run have split the past two games in a series between schools separated by a few miles. Both also have exciting, young cores, so this is a rivalry which could become especially fun to watch unfold the next few years.

WEEK 9

G Gaamme e o of f t thhe e W Weeeek k S Soouutth h W Wiilllliiaammssppoorrt t a at t H Huugghheessvviillllee: These two played a fantastic game last year with South edging Hughesville, 16-10, in double overtime. The game was 7-7 in the first

quarter and stayed tied until Caden Harris scored a touchdown and Dylan Scheller made a game-clinching interception. It was one of the year’s most hard-hitting games and many of the players who were involved will be back for the rematch. Expect another game whose outcome is in doubt until late.

yaallssoocck k a annd d C Caannttoon n a at t M Miillttoonn: Troy and Loyalsock entered last year’s Week 9 game with a 15-1 combined record and both appear dangerous again this season. Troy thumped Loyalsock at Ken Robbins Stadium two years ago before Loyalsock exacted revenge last year, winning a riveting game 36-35 by stopping a last-minute two-point conversion attempt. Troy features a power running game and big offensive line. Teams know what is coming but stopping it has proven difficult over the years. Expect Round 3 in this series to be more like last year than two years ago.

Canton and Milton both went 9-1 during the regular season last year and, while many might be writing Canton off, the Warriors remain dangerous. Last year in Week 9, Canton played Jersey Shore and despite losing that game helped it surge toward the state semifinals. Playing another good Class AAAA team could provide a boost again, regardless of the outcome.

WEEK 10

G Gaamme e o of f t thhe e W Weeeek k L Looyyaallssoocck k a at t M Moonn-t toouurrssvviillllee: It’s hard to beat the Battle for the Bridge Game in this spot. That goes double since both are seemingly always in the district championship hunt. Either Loyalsock or Montoursville has played in a district final for nine consecutive seasons. Loyalsock snapped a six-game losing streak against Montoursville last season, pulling away for a 48-14 win. Now, the Lancers will try winning their first game at Memorial Stadium since 2017.

T Thhe e U Unnddeerrccaarrd d H Huugghheessvviilllle e a at t M Muunnccy y a annd d W Weellllssbboorro o a at t N Noorrtth h P Peennnn--MMaannssffiieelldd: Hughesville owned the rivalry with Muncy until 2017, but the Indians have since taken control and won four straight. Time will tell, but based on experience, Hughesville might be a slight favorite this time. Either way, this game looks like it should be much more competitive than last year when Muncy won, 44-16.

Wellsboro and North Penn-Mansfield have played one of the more competitive area rivalry series over the last decade. They have split the last two games and homefield advantage has simply been a myth. In fact, the road team has won six straight in this series. That includes last year when North Penn-Mansfield won an 24-21 finale to edge out Wellsboro for the final District 4 Class AA playoff spot.

185-POUNDBENCHPRESS

Name schoolREPS

GavinCrebsSouthernColumbia20

LoudenMurphySouthernColumbia18

DillynRiebsomeBloomsburg15

BlakeZiesloftBloomsburg15

TravisWegrzynowiczSouthernC.15

CarterMaddenSouthernColumbia15

DominicFetterolfSouthernColumbia15

BrendanGillilandTroy15

CharlesOldroydTroy15

MichaelCosakLewisburg14

JaydenRansomWilliamsport13

ElijahWayWilliamsport13

CamdenCoyleTroy13

GajeGombertCentralColumbia12

ZavienAllenMontoursville12

TroyRaupDanville12

JoshWorthingtonCentralColumbia12

LandynGephartSouthWilliamsort12

RyanOppermanLewisburg12

ClaytonSmithLewisburg12

RaidenLyonCanton12

DerekTurberShikellamy12

EvanOsgoodTroy12

HayesCampbellWellsboro12

KoleHummerCentralColumbia12

BenCraneLewisburg12

ThomasKlingermanBloomsburg11

EvanSlaterTroy11

IanBatesLineMountain10

AidenHidlayCentralColumbia10

XzavierCrollMifflinburg10

JoshuaMcCrackenBloomsburg10

RyanShumanBloomsburg10

GabrielStarkMuncy10

LukeStutzmanHughesville10

EvanBloomMontoursville10

KylerTroupMifflinburg9

GrantSnavelyCentralColumbia9

MasonMordanHughesville9

JackBurbageTroy9

ShaunWoodTroy9

NoahEllisTroy8

BarronOyarCentralColumbia8

BysaireBaezShikellamy8

HakeemMcClainLoyalsock8

BROADJUMP

Name school DISTANCE

MaxEngleJerseyShore9-8

BlakeWiseSouthernColumbia9-7

IsaacCarterSouthernColumbia9-5

AustinJohnsonMuncy9-5

TateSechristJerseyShore9-4

LoudenMurphySouthernColumbia9-4

MichaelCosakLewisburg9-4

CharlesOldroydTroy9-4

BlakeDavisHughesville9-3

KyleChristmanSouthernColumbia9-3

LukeSnyderShikellamy9-2

ClaytonSmithTroy9-2

JacksonTaylorTroy9-2

BenReitzMifflinburg9-1

MichaelDavisCanton9-1

BraylonFantaskiBucktail9-1

LandynGephartSouthWilliamsport9-0

IanBatesLineMountain8-11

KahyearWhaleyWilliamsport8-11

LandenMurrayMifflinubrg8-11

BrendanGillilandTroy8-11

LandynWommerMuncy8-10

DylanKeyteMontoursville8-10

GrantSnavelyCentralColumbia8-10

CarterMaddenSouthernColumbia8-10

GabeBellowsN.P.-Mansfield8-9

FletcherGoodCowanesqueValley8-9

EvanWoodwardTroy4.39

TylerGee Loyalsock4.40

BoSechristJerseyShore4.40

HayesCampbellWellsboro4.40

ClaytonSmithTroy4.40

RyanNewtonWarriorRun4.40

40-YARDDASH

Name schoolTIME

LukeSnyderShikellamy4.68

LoudenMurphySouthernColumbia4.69

KyleChristmanSouthernColumbia4.73

LandynWommerMuncy4.81

CarterMaddenSouthernColumbia4.92

DathanTysonJerseyShore4.94

BenReitz Mifflinburg4.94

BrendanGillilandTroy4.94

DillynRiebsomeBloomsburg4.95

JaxsonHoffmanCentralColumbia4.96

UmarStarksWilliamsport4.96

DominickRosiniBloomsburg4.97

ClaytonSmithTroy4.97

MaxEngleJerseyShore4.98

EliBookCentralColumbia4.98

CamrynHarwickTroy4.98

NoahEllis Troy4.98

JoeyWilliamsSouthernColumbia5.00

GajeGombertCentralColumbia5.01

DylanKeyteMontoursville5.02

PeytonWhitmanJerseyShore5.02

BenWarburtonTroy5.03

TreyDamschroderWilliamsport5.03

JacksonTaylorTroy5.03

BlakeZeisloftBloomsburg5.06

KameronSmithMontoursville5.06

AshtonSweeleyJerseyShore5.06

BraydenAndrewsSouthernColumbia5.06

LukeThompsonJerseyShore5.08

BraylonFantaskiBucktail5.09

JacobHinmanTroy5.09

GavinKrebsSouthernColumbia5.10

GrantSnavelyCentralColumbia5.10

KahyearWhaleyWilliamsport5.10

GabeBellowsN.P.-Mansfield5.10

MikeVadersShikellamy5.10

EvanWoodwardTroy5.10

MichaelDavisCanton5.11

FletcherGoodCowanesqueValley5.11

PaxtonDerr Muncy5.12

BlakeWiseSouthernColumbia5.12

IsaacCarterSouthernColumbia5.15

TravisStokerSouthernColumbia5.15

LukeKeallyShikellamy5.15

RyderBowenWellsboro5.16

ColbyLeBarronWarriorRun5.17

TylerGee Loyalsock5.18

TravisWegrzynowiczSouthern5.18

PaytonSamarJerseyShore5.19

LukeKregerN.P.-Mansfield5.19

LandenMurrayMifflinburg5.21

JosephFrye Troy5.21

LandynGephartSouthWilliamsport5.21

PaulHaleJerseyShore5.23

JerrinLoomisJerseyShore5.25

THE ALMANAC: TEAM LEADERS, 2000s LEADERS

2022 Whaley101641,072115114.8

Rushers AttYdsAvgTD

2009 Lewis1751,3907.916

2010 Miller1811,1346.38

2011 Miller2281,0814.78

2012 Miller1561,0236.69

2013 Foust1596504.15

2014 Fletcher734325.95

2015 Potts938949.713

2016 Potts1872,01710.634

2017 Jackson1076205.85

2018 Potts665748.712

2019 Freeman744416.03

2020 Hennigan773634.74

2021 Hennigan1277285.75

2022 Hennigan1511,0727.119

Receivers NoYdsAvgTD

2009 Jar.Fagnano2838113.67

2010 Jar.Fagnano5798217.28

2011 Person1624815.53

2012 Burkholder1017717.72

2013 Hoffman131259.60

2014 Reeves521,02219.613

2015 Reeves6292210.79

2015 Walker4175518.413

2015 Simmons7193413.211

2018 Simmons3349715.15 2019 Jones2745016.71

Jones3548813.96

Harden3367320.46

2000sAREA CAREER LEADERS

Gee,Loy3902554,5744910200.2

B.Eyer,Mun4152334,3465215178.2

Whaley,Wil1821151,888198176.0

Pietropla,Wel5913296,1716826172.8

Forseman,Hgh163851,5662612170.8

La.Henry,Hgh4102233,8895212170.1

Hankins,Wil6544016,2926416169.5

Egli,Mun2981522,6404010163.0

Watkins,Loy6563746,1466927162.2

Dehaven,NP2761552,3553614160.7

C.Cassls,Lew3301853,0633322153.7

Fagnano,Wil5173264,0634310152.7

Br.Burlgh,NP5293134,2565024152.0

Q.Henry,Wel4092273,4554319151.9

Kitchen,Can140681,140186150.8

Bartlow,Mun3611632,7732626150.7

B.Barth,CM1971021,8942117150.5

Dalena,Mtv3692023,1863414150.1

Bratton,Bkt133661,105167148.6

Wheary,JS2661502,008242148.1

Keiser,Wil3171802,7072818147.7

Shearer,Mtv5843214,8335324146.2

BoBurlgh,NP5282774,0915212145.5

Burleigh,NP4272543,1224014145.3

Parr,Wil3862013,6003224145.3

Tressler,Wil160841,270144143.1

Dunklebrgr,SW139701,166136143.1

Cavangh,Loy4722603,9413317141.1

S.Carey,Loy4742354,1663925140.0

Morgan,Bkt4062343,3233022139.9

Dunne,Mtv151771,275138139.7

Flick,SW3591792,6074221137.8

Bogaczyk,Loy2951362,4152914137.8

Mann,CM165971,35485137.7

Gerlach,CM3221982,3991910137.3

Jankwski,Mtv167811,4591310135.6

Mussina,Mtv8754446,9666936135.4

Gower,Lew4532413,3864124135.3

B.Jordan,JS4111983,3933417135.3

Boone,Mtg/SW4592503,3933513135.1

Morrone,Wil3612092,6762618134.0

Marr,WR2461131,9102211131.7

Brooke,WR2531302,0371814131.4

Lo.Henry,Hgh3721793,1222620130.9

P.Carey,Loy8184336,4145543130.3

Brant,NP2661372,1401917129.9

THE ALMANAC: TEAM LEADERS, 2000s LEADERS

2000sAREA CAREER LEADERS

T. Lorson, JS7253885,2284825129.0

Dulak, Loy4532313,5422718128.4

Holmes, Can5062393,9064534128.0

Walker, CM2211161,9511015128.0

Connor, Mun3851762,9213015127.4

Shemory, JS6162904,3955432125.6

Cole, Mtv 184971,292127125.6

Bailie, Can3811792,8832818125.4

Jacobson, Mtv3211452,5802216125.3

Costglila, Lew4172152,8742712125.1

Datres, Loy5572604,2124130124.2

House, SW3001582,0322418124.0

D. Smith, JS188991,340 94 124.0

Murphy, Mun4472183,2033321123.9

Litzelman, NP4122422,520217123.5

Moyer, Mun146761,188913122.7

Walters, Mtv2301001,7601813122.3

Rogers, Wil3821703,0612420122.1

Bell, Lew 164831,139129122.1

Person, Wil166921,1741011121.5

Paloskey, Bkt3801782,7943026121.0

L. English, JS4442253,2003232120.6

Schmitt, CV3251772,1182218120.5

Co. Good, Mun5502643,9174032120.2

C. Martin, WR3311512,4672115120.1

Probst, CM5242773,5932721119.8

Cordermn, WR3761912,6372523119.4

Chappell, Mil5212434,0373539118.9

Hillson, NP210971,5581514118.8

Badman, WR156751,055129118.7

C. Jones, Wel3241432,4222421118.4

Shedlski, Lew7623505,4574121118.3

Bowman, Can3641692,7402017118.0

James, WR1871011,156117117.9

Ring, Mun 4161822,9962615117.7

Young, Lew3011562,0651919117.7

Dolan, CM2831452,2571323117.1

S. Hanna, CM4011982,8212118116.8

Almeida, Mtg6573654,5493244116.4

Barberio, Mun4342163,1192528116.2

J. Jones, Mtv3321782,2781416115.5

Eberhart, Mtv176831,1951211114.1

THE ALMANAC: TEAM LEADERS, 2000s LEADERS

Passing AttComYdsTDIntRat.

Forseman9552937195193.1

Foresman643160276144.8

Lambert64222402657.4

Lambert59182673858.2 2013 Henry168799386698.6 2014 Henry164861,430138142.1 2015 Henry1831042,163275199.3 2016 Henry2001091,535226149.3 2017 Shaner1105382665120.2

2018 Corson52212091369.0

2019 Corson153781,12477121.4

2020 Swink76334957285.1

2021 Kaiser76333263636.4

2022 Kaiser178828976951.6

Rushers AttYdsAvgTD

2009 Butler8999711.29

2010 Butler1621,5419.527

2011 Hunter1921,1496.010

2012 Walter1565263.44

2013 Yeager1336644.94

2014 Yeager1168036.911

2015 Derhammer1487324.910

2016 Henry1677904.78

2017 Wright744866.64

2018 Wright1486104.13

2019 Yocum1093042.83

2020 Yocum1407655.54

2021 Knight1426144.32

2022 Ferrigno894104.63

Receivers NoYdsAvgTD

2009 Pardoe1934918.49

2010 Oden2536314.55

2011 Potts2025712.91

2012 Snyder1529719.83

2013 Warg2426611.10

2014 Poust3564918.513

2015 Fry461,01121.912

2016 Gardner3461318.08

2017 Rogers181568.71 2018 Wright1113712.50 2019 Snyder2945515.73

2020 Swank1314811.40

2021 Swink1525016.71

2022 Barlett3758615.43

2000sAREA CAREER LEADERS

L.Lorson,SW4031862,3142917109.7

Griess,Wil171811,14388109.6

T.English,JS4392062,7212621109.0

G.Smith,WR7524294,4012839108.5

Kibbe,Mtg2651471,5481114107.7

Smithers,Can3321452,3241821107.7

Dominick,NP4592382,3672210106.6

Davis,Mil5892414,1033537106.5

Barnhart,JS209871,3011817106.1

Kurtz,Mil3041512,0721425105.7

Spooner,SW3171421,9081916105.0

R.Moore,Can2561271,6181217104.9

Caroway,SW2171061,400917101.1

Perry,Bkt2911411,7131317101.0

Moser,WR4422012,7302233100.2

B.Pepper,Can4482002,9132641100.1

Light,Mil3371342,119212399.5

Newton,WR4481973,125244898.8

Neff,CM196981,11471297.3

Bitner,CM2871081,927182695.9

Strouse,Mtg4972092,935263395.6

Carson,CM3041481,84982095.3

Shnyder,Mtg3021211,803141694.1

D.Cassls,Lew205961,117101594.1

Corson,Hgh2701231,58481692.8

K.Trchtta,CM2581021,44410992.4

Huyler,CV6973093,969295091.6

Simon,Bkt3781612,000233190.7

J.Miller,Mtg218821,332122286.9

B.Shaw,Wel5542352,876224184.3

Kaiser,Hgh2591121,21291483.2

T.Shaw,Wel3411281,834132580.6

E.Jarrett,JS3861511,851143971.2

Kulago,Mtg6102172,722155264.1

Rushers

AttYdsAvgTD

Bragalone,SW6728,74913.0120

Blackman,Wil6686,77110.168

Green,SW8495,3046.263

Moyers,Lew6784,5566.753

Lorson,JS8474,4765.341

Clark,Loy/Wil5254,4468.554

Hauser,Wel5124,4278.657

Batkowski,Mtv6784,4046.548

D.Hill,Loy6794,1076.052

Walker,CM5264,0207.645

Budman,Mtg5473,8827.144

Datres,Loy5013,8717.963

Moscarello,Lew4973,8637.736

ATHENS

Aug.25—atLineMountain

Sept.1—atCowanesque

Sept.8—vs.Wyalusing

Sept.15—vs.Wellsboro

Sept.22—vs.Troy

Sept.29—atTowanda

Oct.6—vs.N.P.-Mansfield

Oct.13—vs.Canton

Oct.20—atCentralColumbia

Oct.27—atSayre

BLOOMSBURG

Aug.25—atDanville

Sept.1—atCentralMountain

Sept.8—vs.Hughesville

Sept.15—vs.Midd-West

NON-AREA DISTRICT 4 SCHEDULES

Sept.22—atMountCarmel

Sept.29—vs.WarriorRun

Oct.6—atMilton

Oct.13—vs.Shikellamy

Oct.20—atLewisburg

Oct.27—vs.CentralColumbia

CENTRALCOLUMBIA

Aug.25—vs.Shikellamy

Sept.1—atMifflinburg

Sept.8—vs.Danville

Sept.15—atMontoursville

Sept.22—vs.Lewisburg

Sept.29—vs.Loyalsock

Oct.6—atSouthernColumbia

Oct.13—atShamokin

Oct.20—vs.Athens

Oct.27—atBloomsburg

CMVT

Aug.25—atShenandoahValley

Sept.1—atNorthwest

Sept.9—vs.SouthWilliamsport

Sept.15—atRenaissanceAcad.

Sept.22—atHolyCross

Sept.30—vs.Muncy

Oct.7—vs.CowanesqueValley

Oct.14—vs.Montrose

Oct.21—atGeorgeSchool

Oct.28—vs.Montgomery

DANVILLE

Aug.25—vs.Bloomsburg

Sept.1—vs.LineMountain

2000sAREA CAREER LEADERS

Sept.8—atCentralColumbia

Sept.15—vs.Loyalsock

Sept.22—atSouthern

Sept.29—atLewisburg

Oct.6—vs.Montoursville

Oct.13—atBerwick

Oct.20—atHollidaysburg

Oct.27—vs.ExecutiveCharter

LINEMOUNTAIN

Aug.25—vs.Athens

Sept.1—atDanville

Sept8—vs.Tri-Valley

Sept.15—atMiddletown

Sept.22—atSusquenita

Sept.29—vs.Newport

Oct.6—vs.Halifax

Oct.13—atJamesBuchanan

THE ALMANAC: YEAR-BY-YEAR LEADERS

DISTRICT 4 SCHEDULES

Oct.20—vs.Juniata

Oct.27—atUpperDauphin

MIDD-WEST

Aug.25—vs.Mifflinburg

Sept.1—atHalifax

Sept.8—vs.Milton

Sept.15—atBloomsburg

Sept.22—atHughesville

Sept.29—vs.MountCarmel

Oct.6—atWarriorRun

Oct.13—vs.Lewisburg

Oct.20—atCentralMountain

Oct.27—vs.Selinsgrove

MIFFLINBURG

Aug.25—atMidd-West

Sept.1—vs.CentralClumbia

Sept.8—vs.Shamokin

Sept.15—atCentralmountain

Sept.22—vs.JerseyShore

Sept.29—atSelinsgrove

Oct.6—vs.Shikellamy

Oct.13—vs.Milton

Oct.20—atWarriorRun

Oct.

MOUNT

2000sAREACAREERLEADERS

THE ALMANAC: YEAR-BY-YEAR LEADERS

Passing AttComYdsTDIntRat.

2009 Murray87373416293.6

2010 Chappell731926031042.1

2011 Chappell122541,02287118.9

2012 Chappell143731,2241111133

2013 Chappell177971,5311311139.2

2014 Snyder71252351845.1

2015 Snyder92363692764.8

2016 Davis133426534673.7

2017 Davis2461122,1201918128.8

2018 Davis185811,2121012103.7

2019 Rowe92394318538.8

2020 Young65292954739.1

2021 Minium86516993487.3

2022 Bastian1065395210689.3 RushersAttYdsAvgTD

2009 Murray1224934.03

2010 Anderson1198016.79

2011 Anderson1341,1788.814

2012 Fogelman1477815.37

2013 Brown1781,1286.322

2014 Stokes1487945.45

2015 Stokes1851,1646.313

2016 Wilt681932.81

2017 Garcia1365964.43

2018 Valladares1566584.23

2019 Boyer703254.63

2020 Valladares1012892.90

2021 Doyle1721,1746.818

2022 Minium8184410.414

Receivers NoYdsAvgTD

2009 D.English231868.12

2010 Shaffer69315.51

2011 Shaffer1230725.62

2012 Wargo2031815.94

2013 English3340012.11

2014 Bennett151338.90 2015 Stokes1215412.31

2016 Garrison1316512.70

2017 Rice2954318.74 2018 Rice3748613.17 2019 Minium1921311.23

Minium1426518.92 2021 Rearick1424017.12 2022 Minium1834919.43

2000sAREA CAREER LEADERS

Walters,Mtg711,09915.59

B.Smith,JS711,01414.313

Harden,Wil701,24217.710

Wilt,Mun701,40220.018

B.Smith,Lew691,19317.310

Walker,Wil691,05815.315

Ch.Good,Mun6982812.03

Nash,SW6791113.610

Christman,NP6785412.711

Co.Kriner,Mtg6775911.35

Renninger,CM661,29819.79

Ko.Peacock,JS661,04315.814

Rice,Mil661,02915.612

Barber,CV6673711.25

K.Roupp,NPM665448.25

Machmer,Loy651,11017.18

Hall,WR6584713.07

Knight,Mun641,15018.018

Budman,Mtg6474111.65

S.Martin,WR6386813.88

Jackson,Wil6384913.56

B.Zaparzynski,NP6188214.511

Delgado,NP6186614.211

S.Hall,WR601,24020.78

Cioffi,Loy5684215.06

Hepler,Loy5576713.95

J.Rohm,WR5555310.16

Young,Mtv5495217.614

Passing AttComYdsTDIntRat.

2011 B.Shaw1978491121074.7

2012 Pietropola180791,12761195.3

2013 Pietropola1871182,757396249.3

2014 Pietropola2151292,164238172.4

2015 Henry1941001,373168129.9

2016 Henry10457846147154.1

2017 Henry110691,207134186.6

2018 Witmer742957972130.7

2019 Keane142751,0181410131.5

2020 Keane101426397661.5

2021 Keane137591,02511681.3

2022 Adams93535485569.7

Rushers AttYdsAvgTD

2011 Johnston1556324.110

2012 Brooks1306795.25

2013 Brooks1161,0208.810

2014 Mack1258606.911

2015 Henry1791,0455.817

2016 Henry1131,0749.517

2017 Henry301,32010.227

2018 Hauser1921,5788.217

2019 Hauser1881,7919.526

2020 Callahan603926.54

2021 Callahan843323.92

2022 Brown1204764.02

Receivers NoYdsAvgTD

2011 D.Saniga2127713.21

2012 D.Saniga2543417.42

2013 Owlett451,12725.017

2014 Marple4693120.27

2015 Jones4057714.48

2016 Jones1925113.24

2017 Hauser2430012.54

2018 Wagaman2748518.07

2019 Wagaman2129614.12

2020 Callahan1318314.11

2021 Sweet1133430.74

2022 Poirier1928715.13

DISTRICT 4 SCHEDULES

Oct.27—vs.Shamokin

NORTHWEST

Aug.25—atCowanesque

Sept.1—vs.CMVT

Sept.8—atTowanda

Sept.15—vs.N.P.-Mansfield

Sept.22—vs.WarriorRun

Sept.29—atMontgomery

Oct.6—vs.Sayre

Oct.13—atTroy

Oct.20—vs.Muncy

Oct.27—atSouthWilliamsport

SAYRE

Aug.25—atCanton

Sept.1—vs.Wyalusing

Sept.8—atMuncy

Sept.15—atMarianCatholic

Sept.22—atCowanesque

Sept.29—vs.SouthWilliamsport

Oct.6—atNorthwest

Oct.13—vs.N.P.-Mansfield

Oct.20—atMontgomery

Oct.27—vs.Athens

SELINSGROVE

Aug.25—vs.DelawareValley

Sept.1—atJuniata

Sept.8—vs.JerseyShore

Sept.22—atShikellamy

Sept.29—vs.Mifflinburg

Oct.6—atCentralMountain

Oct.13—vs.Hollidaysburg

Oct.20—vs.Montoursville

Oct.27—atMidd-Wet

SHAMOKIN

Aug.25—vs.Lewisburg

Sept.1—atSouthernColumbia

Sept.8—atMifflinburg

Sept.15—vs.Selinsgrove

Sept.22—atCentralMountain

Sept.29—atShikellamy

Oct.6—vs.JerseyShore

Oct.13—vs.CentralColumbia

Oct.20—atNanticoke

Oct.27—vs.MountCarmel

SHIKELLAMY

Aug.25—atCentralColumbia

Sept.1—vs.MifflinCounty

Sept.8—vs.CentralMountain

Sept.15—atJerseyShore

Sept.22—vs.Selinsgrove

Sept.29—vs.Shamokin

Oct.6—atMifflinburg

Oct.13—atBloomsburg

Oct.20—vs.MountCarmel

Oct.27—atSouthernColumbia

SOUTHERN COL.

Aug.25—vs.Berwick

Sept.1—vs.Shamokin

Sept.8—atLoyalsock

Sept.15—atLewisburg

Rushers AttYdsAvgTD

2009 S.Stiner1094954.55

2010 Dinger1548355.414

2011 S.Stiner2411,61016.719

2012 Hillson974204.38

2013 Zaparzynski1841,1586.311

2014 Zaparzynski1781,0676.014

2015 Pequignot1676103.69

2016 Hill1369186.812

2017 Hill1731,0085.87

2018 Kolb1738474.97

2019 Bogaczyk1466634.59

2020 Lehman463617.94

2021 Lehman1608445.311

2022 Lehman1888294.46

Receivers NoYdsAvgTD

2009 G.Zaparzynski4062815.77

2010 S.Stiner25400166

2011 Delgado3553315.25

2012 Rotella2634513.32

2013 Zaparzynski3033811.12

2014 Christman5970411.97

2015 Bickhart5983514.111

2016 Whitteker3966317.07

2017 Wesneski3643712.17

2018 Meyer2943114.96

2019 Roupp433919.15

2020 Spencer1722213.11

2021 Fabian403829.64

2022 Lawrence3954213.98

THE ALMANAC: YEAR-BY-YEAR LEADERS

Passing AttComYdsTDIntRat.

2009 Morgan95475584895.9

2010 Morgan149901,17287134.8

2011 Morgan152911,518185176.3

2012 Bratton133661,105167149.6

2013 Risley1267277837122.6

2014 Gavlock146621189.3

2015 Casper874458474124.3

2016 Perry77393431579.4

2017 Perry1115975586123.3

2018 Perry103436314694.4

2019 Cross1073950021455.7

2020 Cross53182401516.2

2021 Cross111517515564.8

2022 Pentz71305528867.7

Rushers AttYdsAvgTD

2009 Tripp1095114.76

2010 Peck1838634.712

2011 Stewart1077887.412

2012 Ransdorf935816.38

2013 Risley1368446.513

2014 Ransdorf2101,0485.011

2015 Intallura944514.86

2016 Cannon913173.52

2017 Riggle1249687.89

2018 Riggle1056336.04

2019 Sutliff2161,3326.28

2020 Sutliff1246475.24

2021 Cross974284.41

2022 Pettingill1277716.17

Receivers NoYdsAvgTD

2009 Hyser1420514.62

2010 Stewart4561613.75

2011 Stewart4155613.63

2012 Probst1933417.62

2013 Hopkins3038812.94

2014 Knauff79012.61

2015 Knauff1731418.43

2016 Intallura1217214.31

2017 L.Long3355416.88

2018 Dwyer2431513.11

2019 Dwyer1227931.01

2020 Pick917419.31

2021 Fantaski1736921.71

2022 Fantaski2039019.55

2000sAREA CAREER LEADERS

Pagana,Loy501,23624.716

Thomas,SW5088917.814

Stark,CM5059611.93

Schneider,Mun491,14823.414

Bradley,Mil4992418.95

Boone,CM4989018.25

Entz,Mtv4889818.79

Peterson,Can4792319.612

Shellenberger,CM4792219.613

X.Minium,Mil4783717.87

J.English,Mil4765614.03

Owlett,Wel451,12725.017

M.Pulizzi,Mtv4593520.811

Kickers

FGMFGAEPMEPAPts

Miller,JS1928158171215

Griffin,JS1924147167204

Girardi,Wil78148166169

Hutchins,Loy223691114157

Gaines,Lew68131152149

Lazorka,Mtv1316106112145

R.Miller,Mtv1319101120140

Reed,Lew1016103110133

W.Smith,Mtv716109117130

Person,Loy814105120129

Chambers,Wel35117131126

Gorini,Mtv589498109

Ingerick,Wel2499115105

E.Wilston,NP4582102104

Ferguson,Can3495115104

Alexander,NP1112637596

Woolcock,Hgh410829794

Liscum,Lew912668093

Deitrick,Loy33839392

Betz,SW12879990

Conway,CM79689089

I.Boring,Mun66718689

Janonne,Can36799388

Allison,JS138511488

Czap,Loy04889488

Clark,Mtv1018576187

Z.Singer,Wel55708685

Poole,Wil79636984

Skinner,JS1111495982

L.Boring,Mun33728281

Champion,Loy13759478

Heffner,Mun12759878

Mensch,Mun23718577

Carson,CM917495876

THE ALMANAC: YEAR-BY-YEAR LEADERS

Rushers AttYdsAvgTD

2009 Haupt2561,7516.818

2010 Stoner955666.03

2011 Stoner945185.54

2012 Stoner1701,3297.816

2013 Ott1411,3379.514

2014 Batkowski3662,2346.120

2015 Batkowski2831,9176.723

2016 Lewis1458135.68

2017 Bonner1587164.56

2018 Ott1547685.09

2019 Pulizzi1571,1857.613

2020 Pulizzi881,04011.812

2021 Pulizzi1671,1857.118

2022 Conklin1919545.07

Receivers NoYdsAvgTD

2009 B.Carey1415511.11

2010 Yeagle2436915.40

2011 Karschner4870414.75

2012 Karschner4357713.44

2013 Erb2850217.04

2014 Entz4778319.67

2015 Seha3146114.94

2016 Shea631,34721.314

2017 Washington3545212.92

2018 Dalena551,03518.814

2019 Dalena3354916.67

2020 Young2349921.78

2021 Fenner3248115.02

2022 Pulizzi2658222.46

Sept.22—vs.Danville

Sept.29—atMontoursville

Oct.6—vs.CentralColumbia

Oct.13—atMountCarmel

Oct.20—atWyomingArea

Oct.27—vs.Shikellamy

TOWANDA

Aug.26—atN.P.-Mansfield

Sept.1—atMilton

Sept.8—vs.Northwest

DISTRICT 4 SCHEDULES

Sept.16—atCanton

Sept.22—atWellsboro

Sept.29—vs.Athens

Oct.6—vs.Troy

Oct.13—vs.Hughesville

Oct.20—vs.Tunkhannock

Oct.27—atWyalusing

TROY

Aug.25—vs.Juniata

Sept.1—atMontoursville

L.Wein,SW00728872

K.Miller,CM77505371

Plankenhrn,Mtv1010404370

Anderson,Loy11678170

C.Gould,CM1119363969

C.Titman,Mun56546169

McNear,Mtg66505468

M.Rockwll,Can33576966

Sept.8—vs.N.P.-Mansfield

Sept.15—vs.Wyalusing

Sept.22—atAthens

Sept.29—vs.Wellsboro

Oct.6—atTowanda

Oct.13—vs.Northwest

Oct.20—atLoyalsock

Oct.27—atCanton

WYALUSING

Aug.25—vs.Nativity

CAREER LEADERS

Sept.1—atSayre

Sept.8—atAthens

Sept.15—atTroy

Sept.22—vs.Montgomery

Sept.29—atCanton

Oct.6—vs.Wellsboro

Oct.13—vs.Loyalsock

Oct.20—atN.P.-Mansfield

Oct.27—vs.Towanda