BRETT R. CROSSLEY/Talk Williamsport
Hughesville’s Landon Henry will have to match Loyalsock and Marcus Williams blow for blow Friday if he hopes to get the Spartans over .500.
BRETT R. CROSSLEY/Talk Williamsport
Loyalsock’s Marcus Williams has rushed for 240 yards in four games. He will be leaned on heavily in Friday’s matchup against Hughesville as the Lancers look to push their winning streak to four games.
By BRETT R. CROSSLEY
Last year’s 14-0 shutout at Hughesville has to be looming large for both teams as they enter Friday’s Heartland Conference Showdown.
The local rivalry always provides highlights, but last year’s dominant performance by Loyalsock should have the Spartans ready to get at it Friday.
It was a runaway victory for the Lancers, who nearly doubled the Spartans in plays (62-36), held them to three first downs, and kept them out of the end zone.
Loyalsock limited a good Central Columbia team to just three points last week. The Blue Jays gained just four first downs in the game, which eventually ended with the Lancers claiming a 28-3 win.
Marcus Williams continued to be one of the area’s top duel threats.
In the win over Central Columbia Williams pulled down three passes for 56 yards and a touchdown. He also added 45 yards on five carries to go with another touchdown.
Williams has six rushing touchdowns on the season and another five receiving to go with 273 yards on just 11 receptions. He has rushed for 240 yards and averages 10.4 yards a clip. He’s basically a first down and more every time he touches the ball.
Williams has also completed a 33-yard pass for a touchdown and run for another 241 kick return yards and 67 punt return yards. He’s responsible for 11 of the Lancers’ 20 offensive touchdowns in four games.
Hughesville’s defense has looked susceptible to strong rushing attacks at times which could spell trouble. Southern Columbia rushed for 148 yards in last week’s 35-19 win over the Spartans.
The Lancers put 168 on Central Columbia in last week’s win. They should be able to move the ball against Hughesville’s defense, but it could take all four quarters. The Spartans looked tough against South Williamsport, but seemed to wear down as the game progressed.
Justin Van Fleet and company have shown a will to stick with the run and with beast like Williams in the backfield who’s going to blame them. Expect a lot of Williams out of the backfield. He could pick up a lot of yards receiving off screen passes, as well.
Hughesville’s counter to Williams will be Landon Henry.
The Spartan passer has completed 32 of 56 passes for 489 yards and six touchdowns. More importantly, he’s only thrown for one interception and that came in a win over Lewisburg. Henry’s also rushed for 100 yards twice and scored two touchdowns.
In last year’s matchup, Loyalsock’s Connor Watkins, in his freshman season, completed seven passes for 55 yards. He did not throw a touchdown, but also did not throw an interception.
The Lancers ran for 270 yards against Hughesville. They also scored both of their touchdowns through the running game.
