Chris Masse on football: Loyalsock is making its critics believers | News, Sports, Jobs

Chase Wright of Loyalsock celebrates his interception against Warrior Run late in the game at Warrior Run High School. Loyalsock won 24-23.
DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Loyalsock coaches kept hearing the same noise. So did the players.

When others talked about the 2024 season, it was mostly doom and gloom. The focus was on who Loyalsock graduated, not who was returning and/or arriving. Yes, area all-time leading passer Tyler Gee graduated as did all-time receiving yardage leader Jaylen Andrews and all-state linebacker Logan Bastian among other decorated players and created large voids.

But coach Justin Van Fleet believed as did his assistant coaches as did the players. Now, the Lancers are making the critics believe as well.

Loyalsock improved to 5-2 Friday in Turbotville, staging an impressive late comeback and erasing two nine-point deficits while edging Warrior Run, 24-23. Jalil Coates caught two Nick Avalos passes for 90 yards and a touchdown on a game-winning drive before Chase Wright helped seal victory with an interception.

A lot of the names have changed and some of the scores might be closer than in recent years. But the results remain the same as Loyalsock continues winning.

“A lot of these kids have been questioned for a long time. I’ve heard the echoes,” Van Fleet said. “This was going to be the end of all types of things. I’ve been confident in this group and I’ve trusted this group from the beginning.”

Van Fleet’s belief rubbed off on the players and Loyalsock continues showing its toughness as well as its talent. The Lancers have overcome fourth quarter deficits in two of the last three weeks and also made two late stands to edge Mifflinburg, 28-27 in their season opener. That win especially stands out after Mifflinburg defeated Southern Columbia last Friday.

Loyalsock coaches have adapted to their personnel. Instead of going with a system, the staff builds around its teams strengths, going from a high-flying offense a year ago to a ground and pound squad this year. Dolan Harman (101 yards) topped 100 yards rushing for a fifth straight game and Loyalsock jump started its second quarter offense in the second quarter by throwing in some misdirection wrinkles.

That allowed Coates to run for 50 yards on two straight scoring drives before hauling in the two passes for 90 yards on the game-winning drive. There are no style points attached to victories and Loyalsock keeps doing whatever it takes to produce them.

“We don’t get down on each other. We believe in each other. We know if we keep playing hard good things will happen,” two-way starting lineman Jeremiah Johnson said. “We showed it (Friday). There’s not a better feeling than winning a game like that.”

Indeed, Warrior Run repeatedly had Loyalsock sized up for a knockout blow. The Defenders built a 23-14 lead late in the third quarter and when the Lancers stood 90 yards from the end zone with 3 minutes, 9 seconds remaining, they had produced minus-11 yards on 12 second-half plays.

But like Rocky Balboa, these new-look Lancers would not back down. The defense made three straight stands and the offense cashed in when Coates absorbed two hits and caught Avalos’s 57-yard touchdown. It was not one or two players coming together, but all the Lancers doing so. It was all those players who many doubted delivering when the pressure was highest and letting everyone know the program remains in good hands.

“We’re definitely underdogs. That’s especially after losing a lot of big players from last year, like Jaylen and Tyler and all those guys, but we have to get it done,” Coates said. “Every week we’re getting better. A lot of guys are coming up big when we need them most.”

Avalos replaced injured quarterback Danny Dowell against Warrior Run. Coates cramped up on his game-winning touchdown. Two-way lineman Isaiah West held ice on an injured shoulder following the game. Nothing came easy there and nothing has come easy this season. Still, this Loyalsock team is creating quite an identity.

Every team is different. Following all of last year’s starters graduating, that is especially true. This team is proving itself resilient, hard-working and unflappable. Above all else, they are proving themselves winners.

The schedule remains demanding with games against undefeated Danville and Shamokin coming up before the annual grudge match against Montoursville. Obviously, those are challenging games but a team which already has exceeded expectations many in the community had, has shown it likes a good battle.

“It hasn’t been easy and it’s not going to get any easier. The truth of the matter is that’s OK,” Van Fleet said. “We’re going to continue to grow, we’re going to continue to fight, we’re going to continue to scrap and we’re going to continue to be comfortable in periods where most should be uncomfortable.”

QUICK LEARNER: Loyalsock kicker Evan Summers came up huge against Warrior Run, making it a one-score game late in the third quarter when he drilled a 22-yard field goal before providing the game-winning point with the extra point following Coates’s touchdown. He finished 4 for 4 on his kicks as well in a game where every point made a huge difference.

That’s pretty impressive for someone who never kicked before this season. A terrific swimmer, Summers appears to have a bright future in that sport but he wanted to give football a try. Not wanting to hinder Summers’ swimming opportunities, Van Fleet discussed possibly kicking.

“Evan wanted to play football but it was kind of late in the process and he has a chance to take this sport ( swimming) which he’s been passionate about since he was 5 and run with it,” Van Fleet said. “We talked in spring and I said what about kicking? He said I’ve never kicked a ball before, so I said let’s go out and try it.”

Summers proved a rapid study. With the help of Loyalsock graduate and Lycoming kicker Chris Cooley, Summers quickly honed his skills and made an immediate impact, going 4 for 4 on extra point tries in a season opening 28-27 win against Mifflinburg. It was a similar story against Warrior Run with Summers being perfect making a seismic difference in the game’s outcome.

Despite having no experience prior to last spring, Summers is 2 for 2 on field goals and 11 of 12 on extra points this season. His late third quarter field goal provided a lift and cut the deficit to nine and he embraced the moment to put Loyalsock ahead following the Coates touchdown, driving through the winning point.

“Chris Cooley did a great job mentoring him. Chris was similar in that he had to learn and grow,” Van Fleet said. “Evan stepped in with time winding down and drilled the ball through and that kick and his field goal were huge.”

EXTRA POINTS: South Williamsport (4-3) played its best game of the season and won its third straight game, hammering Sayre, 55-7. The starting defense did not allow a point and Isaiah Snyder returned a fumble for a touchdown. Quarterback Tadd Lusk topped 100 passing and rushing yards, totaling 256 yards and three touchdowns. Freshmen running backs Cade Lusk and Eli White both went over 70 yards and scored for a third straight game while Dylan Scheller caught three passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns. Standout lineman Paxton Gephart carried the ball twice for 18 yards and scored his first high school touchdown … Montgomery (4-3) continued its resurgent season, imposing the mercy rule by halftime and thumping Northwest, 45-8. Sophomore Trace Furman ran for a touchdown and returned an interception for another score, helping the Red Raiders score the game’s first 42 points. Coy Bryson ran for 109 yards and two touchdowns, Parker Persing ran for a score and threw another to Hayden Wilt and Abe Childs drilled a 38-yard field goal as Montgomery improved to 3-0 on the road … Cowanesque Valley mounted a late 11-play, 55-yard scoring drive, scoring in the final two minutes and edging CMVT, 29-24. Graham Hess ran for three touchdowns and scored the game-winner from two yards out with 82 seconds remaining. Dave Hess ran for 109 yards with a touchdown and the defense contained a powerful running game as CV continued making nice strides … Samir Williams intercepted two passes and Williamsport hung tough with state-ranked/undefeated Shamokin, losing, 28-16. Tevin Williams hit Kyreek Bradshaw with a touchdown and Parker Johnson kicked his district-best ninth field goal … Hughesville receiver Conor Knight went over 100 yards for a third straight game, catching nine passes for 108 yards in a 39-7 loss against Bloomsburg. Knight also intercepted his fourth pass and leads District 4 with 53 catches. Blake Davis threw for 159 yards and added his 18th touchdown pass … Izayah Minium threw for 188 yards and found Lucas Ditty (127 yards) three times for touchdowns in Milton’s 42-36 double overtime loss at Central Columbia. Milton (2-5) rallied from down 14 in the first quarter, taking an eight-point lead in the first overtime … Ben Fitch ran for 112 yards, threw for 97 and produced three touchdowns in Canton’s 54-28 loss against Wyalusing … Wellsboro became the first team to score 20 points against the state’s top ranked 2A team Troy in a 50-20 loss. Ryder Bowen ran for 167 yards.

Chris Masse covers high school football and can be reached at cmasse@sungazette.com. Follow him on Twitter at @docmasse.

DR. MASSE’S TOP 5 RANKINGS

1. Lewisburg (7-0): Lewisburg made quick work of Midd-West, building a 41-point halftime lead and winning, 41-7 while capturing the outright HAC-III championship, the program’s first league title since 2010. Most of the starters played just the first quarter but that was enough as Lewisburg built a 35-0 lead. Jeremiah Davis ran for 133 yards and two touchdowns, while topping 1,000 yards for a second straight season. He also returned a punt 58 yards for a score, giving him six punt or kick return touchdowns in his high school career. The starting defense did not allow a point and Midd-West was limited to minus-23 yards before an 85-yard fourth quarter touchdown pass. That stifling defense also intercepted five passes and linebacker Danon Alabakoff recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown.

2. Jersey Shore (5-2): A fumble at the 1-yard line in the closing seconds spoiled a super comeback effort as Hollidaysburg edged Jersey Shore, 27-25. Still, the Bulldogs fought back from eight down, then moved from their own 8-yard line to the 1, so there is a lot to be said of the team’s grit. Jersey Shore has lost two games by four combined points and it’s the little details which loomed large in both games, including eight penalties for 75 yards against Hollidaysburg. Clean those up and Jersey Shore has a shot at reaching its largest goals this season. Wide receiver Evan Snyder dazzled again, catching nine passes for 112 yards and three touchdowns. Snyder has gone over 90 yards in all seven games, topping 100 in three straight. Slate Sechrist made 13 tackles, three for loss and added a sack. Bo Sechrist and Owen Vandruff each collected 10 tackles.

3. Montoursville (5-2): Montoursville has picked up defensively in a big way the last two weeks and the starters have not allowed a point. They also have achieved that feat four times this season, adding to it in Friday’s 44-7 win against Central Mountain. Ethan Bloom set up a touchdown with an interception, while Landon Morehart and Gabe Vanderwall added sacks. The offense surged as well, topping 40 points for a second straight game and showing strong balance. Jimmy Mussina and Elijah Eck combined for 137 yards and three touchdowns, while Christian Banks went over 100 yards, Hayden Harvey broke off a 90-yard touchdown run and Alex Felver also scored. Michael Reeder scored his fourth touchdown of more than 30 yards on a 60-yard scoring strike from Mussina and Williams became the sixth different Warrior to catch a touchdown. The Warriors close the regular season with big games against Southern Columbia, Lewisburg and Loyalsock.

4. Muncy (6-1): Muncy kept rolling and starting strong, piling up 45 first-half points while winning its sixth straight game via mercy rule, defeating North Penn-Mansfield, 59-20. Muncy has imposed the mercy rule by halftime in five of those games and the offensive line paved the way for 466 rushing yards. Landyn Wommer ran for and caught a touchdown from Stiles Eyer and Muncy built a 39-point halftime lead. Nick Delany intercepted a pass and Muncy clinched its eighth straight winning season. The Indians head to South Williamsport Friday in a game with huge NTL-II championship ramifications. Both teams are undefeated in league play and Muncy can win a fourth straight title with a victory in a rematch of last year’s District 4 Class A championship.

5. Loyalsock (5-2): Coates had played running back most of his football life, but moved to receiver in the offseason and has made a huge impact there. The junior also is playing well at cornerback and on special teams, intercepting two passes and returning a punt for a touchdown.

“It’s great to see someone encapsulate the effort he’s been putting in. He’s been a great player for us for many years,” Van Fleet said. “He and Jaylen are really close and he wears his number for a reason and they trained together and worked hard. He’s come a long way. Obviously, we’re very happy for him and his progress.”

Players of the Week

Elijah Jordan, Jersey Shore and Austin Johnson, Muncy: Jordan continued his stellar senior season, totaling 324 yards against Hollidaysburg, a team with three shutouts this season. Jordan threw for 232 yards and four touchdowns, while running for 92 yards and making five tackles. Jordan leads the area in both passing yards (1,528) and touchdown passes (18). Johnson keeps raising the bar at Muncy and became the first player in area history to top 1,000 yards in four consecutive seasons, rushing for 334 yards and five touchdowns against North Penn-Mansfield. By halftime, Johnson already had 301 yards and five touchdowns, becoming the first Muncy player in the 2000s to reach 300 yards in a game. He also reached 70 career rushing touchdowns, becoming just the second player in area history to do so and joining South Williamsport legend Dominick Bragalone.

Game of the Week

Lewisburg at Shamokin: It does not get much better than two undefeated teams facing off this late in the regular season. Friday’s game also is a showdown of league champions with Lewisburg winning the HAC-III title and Shamokin the HAC-I crown. Lewisburg and Shamokin have split the last two games in this series, Shamokin winning by four and Lewisburg by three in overtime last year. Buckle up.