BRETT R. CROSSLEY/Talk Williamsport
Loyalsock’s Cole Cavanaugh breaks away from Montoursville’s defense for a 48-yard touchdown. Cavanaugh finished with 161 yards and two touchdowns.
BRETT R. CROSSLEY/Talk Williamsport
Loyalsock’s Marcus Williams runs after a catch during a game against Montoursville. Williams scored a touchdown and played outstanding defense as Loyalsock defeated Montoursville 27-14.
BRETT R. CROSSLEY/Talk Williamsport
Montoursville’s Nolan Ott runs through a hole against Loyalsock. Ott posted 101 rushing yards.
By BRETT R. CROSSLEY
WILLIAMSPORT–The Bridge firmly rests in the hands of the Loyalsock after yesterday’s 27-14 win over Montoursville.
The players and students celebrated the win at the center of the field. Each student and player got pictures with the trophy to celebrate one the Lancers best wins of the season.
“This group of kids is a very special group,” Loyalsock coach Justin Van Fleet said. “They knew this was going to be a tough year.”
Loyalsock stopped Montoursville on a run from inside the five on the Warriors’ second possession of the game. The stop also came on the heels of Loyalsock’s first touchdown, which came about when Connor Watkins hit Marcus Williams for 10-yard touchdown.
“That was extremely important for us to score there,” Montoursville coach JC Keefer said of the stand by Loyalsock. “We had to keep it score-for-score there. Loyalsock had the ball and ran a lot plays and that was huge. We needed to execute and get in there and we didn’t. Credit them.”
Loyalsock would score two possessions later to take a 14-0 lead over the Warriors at halftime.
Cole Cavanaugh broke off a 43-yard run for Loyalsock’s second touchdown. Cavanaugh finished with 28 carries for 161 yards and two touchdowns.
Montoursville scored to open the second half, but Loyalsock refused to let up.
The Lancers scored on two of their five second half possessions with one ending when Watkins took consecutive knees to end the game.
“Loyalsock is not an easy place for coaches and players and the expectations are extremely high,” Van Fleet said. “Since last year we’ve been saying leaders have to lead in clutch situations and that’s what you saw out on the field.”
As good as the offense was for Loyalsock the defense was even better.
Montoursville rushed for only 127 yards against a Lancer front that caused mayhem throughout the night.
Brycen Mussina looked unsure at times thanks to a strong pass rush that finished with four sacks and numerous quarterback hits.
Nolan Ott, who finished with 101 rushing yards, scored the Warriors first points with a one-yard run through the middle of Loyalsock’s defense.
Montoursville scored again when Mussina hit Tommy Shea for a 48-yard touchdown pass.
Loyalsock 27, Montoursville 14
MTV 0 0 14 0-14
LOY 7 7 7 6-27
FIRST QUARTER
L-Marcus Williams 10 pass Connor Watkins (Andrew Czap kick) 3:20
SECOND QUARTER
L-Cole Cavanaugh 43 run (Czap kick) 2:29
THIRD QUARTER
M-Nolan Ott 1 run (Ethan Lazorka kick) 7:02
L-Alden Mileto 4 run (Czap kick) 2:36
M-Tommy Shea 48 pass from Mussina (Lazorka kick) 11.4
FOURTH QUARTER
L-Cavanaugh 2 run (kick failed) 2:37
Team Statistics MTV LOY
First downs 13 17
Totals Yards 238 392
Rushes-Yards 28-127 52-255
Passing 111 137
Comp-Att-INT 9-24-0 10-15-1
Fumbles-Lost 1-1 0-0
Individual Statistics
Rushing: Montoursville: Torin Lewis 6-26, Nolan Ott 22-101. Loyalsock: Cole Cavanaugh 28-161 2 TD, Marcus Williams 9-27, Connor Watkins 9-38, Eric Holtz 2-7, Alden Mileto 4-22 TD.
Passing: Montoursville: Brycen Mussina 10-24-1 159 TD. Loyalsock: Connor Watkins 10-15-0 137 TD.
Receiving: Montoursville: Tommy Shea 3-84 TD, Mitchell Rothrock 3-39, Riley Conboy 1-12, Nolan Ott 2-19, Keegan Leahy 1-5. Loyalsock: Marcus Williams 6-68 TD, Brock Hepler 3-42, Hunter Webb 1-26.
Interceptions: Montoursville: none. Loyalsock: Nolan Ott.
Records: Montoursville 8-2. Loyalsock 8-2.
