BRETT R. CROSSLEY/Fox SportsWILLIAMSPORT
Loyalsock running back Marcus Williams carries the ball by a Shamokin defender.
By BRETT R. CROSSLEY
WILLIAMSPORT–Loyalsock’s defense knew as Shamokin lined up for the final play of regulation they couldn’t give up 48 yards.
If they gave up 47 it meant the Lancers would win by a touchdown. Give up 48 and it’s overtime for a second consecutive week.
The Lancers bit hard on a halfback pass, giving up the 48 yards and heading into overtime for a second week.
Once in overtime, it was Marcus Williams turn to shine as he pulled down a nine-yard touchdown pass for a seven-point lead.
The defense kept Shamokin out of the endzone, ending the game when Derek Gee stepped in front of a Collin Bowers pass to give the Lancers a 35-28 win in double overtime.
“Pressure is a heck of a thing,” Loyalsock coach Justin Van Fleet said. “I’m extremely proud of these kids and that pressure is going to turn them into diamonds.”
Loyalsock levels its records at .500 with the win. It drops Shamokin to 0-2.
In the opening week Loyalsock was on the wrong end of an overtime game as Mount Carmel scored 21 points in the fourth quarter. The Red Tornadoes went on to win 42-41.
Friday’s game had the makings of another blown lead late, but the Lancers held strong in overtime.
“We have a lot of room to grow,” Van Fleet said. “I love these kids to death. They work their tails off for us.”
Loyalsock’s opening drive gave the impression it was going to be a quick night.
The Lancers drove the ball down the field in seven plays and capped their opening drive with a 20-yard touchdown run from Marcus Williams on his first carry of the game.
A quick exchange of interceptions from Connor Watkins and Collin Bowers followed the game’s first points.
Williams jumped a route to give the Lancers the ball back after a first down pick from the Indians. On the next play, Mike Breslin stepped in front of a pass from Watkins to get the ball right back.
Shamokin took control in the second half, forcing a missed field goal before romping down the field for its first points of the game.
Devin Pietkiewicz, who finished with 123 yards on 21 carries, capped the drive with a 17-yard run for the Indians’ first points. Pietkiewicz carried the ball four times for 26 yards on the scoring drive.
Shamokin followed the scoring drive with a defensive stand to force a punt, which Pietkiewicz returned 44 yards for a 14-7 Shamokin lead.
Loyalsock opened the second half with a missed field goal and two punts as Shamokin took its first lead of the game.
“To watch these individuals spring forward and act so wonderfully is just a testament to all the coaches on staff,” Van Fleet said. “When things are hard the kids don’t shy away from it. They also don’t lose their cool.”
The offense finally started to get going on its fourth possession of the second half.
Watkins tied the game when he found Brock Hepler for a 15-yard touchdown. Watkins then hit Williams for a 30-yard touchdown on the next possession to give the Lancers a 21-14 lead.
Watkins threw three touchdowns passes in the game on eight completions for 116 yards.
Shamokin forced overtime on a halfback pass from Pietkiewicz to Jake Jeremiah for a 48-yard touchdown. Jeremiah slipped behind the defense and cruised to the endzone for a 21-all end to regulation.
Williams finished with 85 rushing yards and another 67 receiving yards. He also scored the final two touchdowns of the game for Loyalsock, which moved its recored to .500 with the win.
Loyalsock 35, Shamokin 28
Shamokin 0 0 14 7 7 0-28
Loyalsock 7 0 0 14 7 7-35
FIRST QUARTER
L-Marcus Williams 3 run (Andrew Czap kick) 3:03
THIRD QUARTER
S-Devin Pietkiewicz 17 run (Alek Washuta kick) 2:29
S-Pietkiewicz 44 punt return (Washuta kick) 1:26
FOURTH QUARTER
L-Connor Watkins 15 pass to Micai Henriquez (Czap kick) 9:02
L-Watkins 30 pass to Williams (Czap kick) 1:11
S-Pietkiewicz 48 pass to Jake Jeremiah (Washuta kick) 0:00
FIRST OVERTIME
S-Pietkiewicz 5 run (Washuta kick)
L-Williams 8 run (Czap kick)
SECOND OVERTIME
L-Watkins 10 pass to Williams (Czap kick)
SHMK LOY
First Downs 12 18
Total Yards 296 407
Rushes-yards 41-180 42-204
Passing 116 107
Comp.-Att.-Int. 10-15-3 8-18-1
Fumbles-Lost 1-0 0-0
INDIVIDUAL STATS
RUSHING-Shamokin: Mark Wetzel 11-16; Jake Jeremiah 1-5; Devin Pietkiewicz 21-123 (2 TDs); Colin Bowers 5-23; Sam Deptula 1-10; David Stevens 2-3. Loyalsock: Marcus Williams 9-85 (TD); Connor Watkins 7-24; Cole Cavanaugh 24-174; Hunter Webb 1-7; Eric Holtz 1-0.
RECEIVING-Shamokin: Sam Deptula 1-5; Mark Wetzel 2-6; Devin Pietkiewicz 3-6; Matt Knowles 2-12; Marcus Dievert 1-3; Mike Berslin 1-22; Jake Jeremiah 1-48 (TD). Loyalsock: Brock Hepler 2-24 (TD); Marcus Williams 4-67 (TD); Hunter Webb 1-6; Cole Cavanaugh 1-9 (TD).
PASSING-Shamokin: Colin Bowers 10-15 68 yards 3 INTs; Devin Pietkiewicz 1-48 (TD). Loyalsock: Connor Watkins 8-18 116 yards 2 TDs.
INTERCEPTIONS-Shamokin Mike Breslin. Loyalsock Marcus Williams, Derek Gee.
RECORDS: Shamokin 0-2. Loyalsock 1-1.
