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 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-