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Loyalsock featured three all-state players last year. It also possessed three linebackers who topped 90 tackles. The Lancers put together another quality season, won seven games, reached districts for a 10th straight season and advanced to the district semifinals.
There is reason to believe 2022 could be even better. A lot of that optimism is based on the one thing Loyalsock often lacked last year -- experience.
Whether because of numbers or injuries, Loyalsock has been pretty young the past two seasons. Several first-time starters and/or contributors were tasting varsity action for the first time last fall. Now, many of those players are back, experienced, improved and hungry.
"Last season we had some wonderful seniors, but not a tremendous amount of them and some of them had been first-year starters. Therefore, the experience of the underclassmen then was quite vast," Loyalsock coach Justin Van Fleet said. "But now, every kid who is an established starter has at least 1-2 starts, if not 20-30 under their belts. It's very exciting to have a lot of experience because it's the only thing you really can't teach. Being in the fire hardens everything."
That means Loyalsock could possess some mighty sharp edges this season. That is good, too, because the schedule is again demanding, starting with the opening night contest at Berks Catholic. Unlike last year, however, the Lancers enter those challenging games armed with having been through them before.
Combine that with the talent this team features, and Loyalsock looks like it again could be a District 4 Class AAA title contender after splitting two games a year ago against defending champion Danville. The Lancers actually were reclassified as one of the larger Class AA teams this season, but with large student numbers the next few years, it would only be a two-year stay. Loyalsock wanted to maintain the rivalries it has built over the years, so it will again be playing in the Class AAA field.
A lot of how Loyalsock performs there will come down to the success it enjoys up front. It appears, the Lancers could be in good hands there. Dom Cellini returns at center after missing most of last season with an injury and provides a big boost. Ian Hornberger is coming off a breakout season and provides strength and size. Carter Secora and Ethan French also started and put together strong seasons. Van Fleet said there are players pushing those starters as well and there could be as many as 8-10 players who can be rotated into the mix.
"We have a lot of experience up front. Every position could be a returning starter," Van Fleet said. "I really feel like our line can be a strength."
If so, then Loyalsock could become really dangerous because it is loaded at the skill positions. Junior quarterback Tyler Gee shined in his first season starting and earned all-state honors after topping 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns in 10 starts. Running back Davion Hill has gone over 1,000 yards in his two years playing and was named all-state as an athlete, while wide receiver Rian Glunk also was an all-state selection who produced one of the best seasons in program history.
Gee's experience also provides an asset. He is more comfortable in Loyalsock's system now and could be even more adept at reading defenses. His emergence last season gave Loyalsock not just a valuable starter then but someone it could grow around these next two years.
Glunk went over 1,100 yards and caught 13 touchdown passes a year ago. He was flanked by talented receivers JerVal Weeks-Shuler and Naz Smith, but both graduated. Replacing those playmakers is a priority to loosen up pressure on Glunk. The good news for Loyalsock is depth has not been an issue at that position in years past. There are several candidates who can make the leap to playing key roles and make teams pay for double teaming Glunk.
"On paper, there's a lot familiarity with the concepts, but it's up to everyone to prove that we're ready to go," Van Fleet said. "But with that being said, we also have individuals who were are high on and who we believe in. We lost some great players at wide receiver, but I like the players we have filling in those roles and we're really excited to see how they fit into the offense."
Loyalsock has some nice pieces on defense, too, and is eager to see how they all fit together. The linebacking unit is especially strong with Gavin Rice, Cy Cavanaugh and Logan Bastian all coming off seasons in which they made 97 or more tackles. And, as on offense, many of defensive linemen have both talent and experience. That should help a lot as Loyalsock tries doing a better job this season slowing down powerful running games.
Defensive end David Boring enjoyed a big breakout season and led the team in sacks, while Secora flanks him on the other edge and also made massive strides. Malachi Coleman is an exciting player to watch and having Cellini back along the interior is a major plus. French played well inside last fall, making eight tackles for loss, and is one of several underclassmen who could play big roles. Glunk helps fuel the secondary and made seven interceptions last season.
"Each level of defense has individuals who are big names," Van Fleet said. "We want to structure ourselves so that we can put ourselves and the kids in situations to slow down versatile and powerful offenses. We want them to be able to dictate to an offense what we want them to do, rather than the other way around."
Obviously, Loyalsock will tested early and often. It plays two defending district champions in the first four weeks and also has games against Troy and Montoursville teams which defeated it last year. Each week brings a new challenge but Loyalsock is looking inward at this point. Experience has taught these Lancers that is how it must go about things.
"Our biggest challenge is getting better every day. We're striving to not look forward and to focus on each week while looking for opportunities for success in the film room, the weight room and in everything we do," Van Fleet said. "We know what we've bitten off and that it is a rigorous schedule and we realize we have to be strong to make a good effort. This year, there's a large amount of leadership, not just on the field, but off the field and hopefully we can continue to push the ball forward."
Loyalsock Players to Watch
Tyler Gee, QB/DB:
Rian Glunk, WR/DB:
Ian Hornberger, OL/DL:
Gavin Rice, LB/RB:
äby CHRIS MASSE
Loyalsock Schedule
2021 Results
Loyalsock 34, Bloomsburg 14
Loyalsock 42, Shikellamy 13
Loyalsock 15, Southern Columbia 51
Loyalsock 26, Danville 21
Loyalsock 21, Montoursville 26
Loyalsock 14, Troy 42
Loyalsock 41, Mount Carmel 60
Loyalsock 41, Hughesville 14
Loyalsock 48, Lewisburg 24
Loyalsock 49, Warrior Run 0
District 4 Class AAA Quarterfinals
Loyalsock 47, Cowanesque Valley 7
Semifinals
Loyalsock 21, Danville 42