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Many 2021 starters graduated, but one look at Montoursville's offseason workouts and one could hardly tell this team is replacing so many players. The holes are vast, but those sessions show how eager these Warriors are to replace them.
Between 40-50 players frequently attended every offseason workout, showing this group is determined to not let the program slip. Montoursville has reached four straight District 4 Class AAA finals, winning gold in 2018-19, and this new-look team is eager to prove those wrong who think all the graduation losses may end that run.
"The kids are dedicated and we're proud of the turnouts we had," Montoursville coach Mike Boughton said. "I think they feel overlooked. After the season I sat down with some of the guys that were going to be seniors this season and they said, 'People are saying we're not going to be much, but we're going to surprise some people.' I said that's good because that's the attitude you have to have."
It is a mentality past Montoursville teams have shared when faced with similar situations. Yes, Montoursville must fill some gaping voids but that does not mean these returnees cannot play. Often, it means that they are quality players who have been stuck behind older, more experienced players. Now, given the opportunity to shine, the Warriors are embracing the challenge.
"They're getting after it and having fun. That's the most important thing," Boughton said. "I feel like we have better leadership than last year. The kids are really excited about being leaders."
Montoursville graduated all-state lineman Hunter Hanna, two-time 1,000-yard passer Maddix Dalena, two-time all-state running back Rocco Pulizzi and leading receiver Isaiah Fenner. Yes, that is a lot to compensate for, but the Warriors do have some good building blocks, in addition to exciting, young prospects.
Running back James Batkowski and wide receiver Marco Pulizzi are two of the most experienced players returning and each did damage last season. Both also can be used in various ways, giving Montoursville different ways to attack.
Pulizzi likely will be utilized in the backfield at times as well and each player has been working hard for the opportunities they will have this year. Tristan Stelene is a player to watch in the backfield and Ben Conrad could be a playmaker in the slot, who also carries the ball in certain formations.
Pulizzi also could be utlized as a passer at times. Montoursville has consistently produced some of the top quarterbacks in the area, but will be breaking in a new starter this season. Junior Bryce Eberhart looks like the frontrunner with sophomore James Mussina backing him up.
As young as Montoursville is at the skill positions, it is even greener up front. The Warriors are thin on experience with Ethan Wanner and Tyler Lepley having the most starting time. Wanner enjoyed a breakthrough season last year and could be a difference-maker on both sides of the ball. Ditto for Lepley. Keep an eye on Cole Yonkin as well. He also played key minutes up front for a team which featured a 1,000-yard passer and rusher, and could rotate into the backfield.
"We're kind of back to square one up front, but we like the guys we have," Boughton said. "We usually don't have one of the biggest lines around but we've had tough players who do their jobs well."
That goes up front defensively as well. Nate Fisher enjoyed a strong season and will be joined on the line by players like Lepley and Yonkin. Blaise Alexander finished tied for the team lead with four sacks. He collected two of those sacks in the district quarterfinal win against Athens.
Montoursville could be strong at linebacker where Wanner and Matthew Conklin return. Conklin is the team's leading returning tackler and Wanner is right behind, with that duo combining for nearly 12 per game. Wanner can play either line or linebacker and averaged more than five tackles last season, while adding 1 1/2 sacks. Fogelman was called upon during the postseason and responded well, playing some of his best football.
The Warriors look especially strong in the secondary where Pulizzi, Batkowski and Stelene all return and are coming off good seasons. Prospects in the secondary and at the other defensive levels are plenty, but it's a matter of getting them more experience until Montoursville can get a better feel for who will see the most time.
Montoursville plans on using different fronts and formations to mix things up this year and keep teams guessing. Doing so also gives Montoursville a chance to best utilize its athletes' abilities.
Playing one of the most demanding district schedules again means Montoursville needs to coax as much out of those abilities as possible. There is no easy opponent on that schedule with only one team posting a losing record last season. The Warriors also play three defending district champions, including defending AA state champion Southern Columbia and AAAA state semifinalist Jersey Shore.
The second half schedule is particularly loaded, but the expectations have not changed for a program which has reached a district final in seven of th past eight years. If Montoursville qualifies for districts it knows it will be battle-tested and ready.
That showed last year when the Warriors started 3-4, went 5-5 during the regular season but still came within a touchdown of winning a district title, losing a 35-28 heartbreaker at Danville. All five regular-season losses a year ago were close ones as well, including when Jersey Shore (14-1) rallied in the final minute to beat it, 27-20 in overtime.
Those close losses, obviously, we're not what Montoursville wanted, but the Warriors learned from those defeats, grew and again peaked at the right time. That season-long improvement again is the goal this season.
"We just keep telling the kids to not worry about the record and just get in and let's see what we can do from there. The kids are excited and turning out and that's the best thing you can ask for," Boughton said. "We're going to just keep working and plugging away."
2022 Football Players to Watch
James Batkowski, RB/DB: Injuries have limited Batkowski to nine games the past two seasons and he missed his entire sophomore campaign, but has proven a versatile threat whenever on the field. As a freshman, Batkowski shined when given the opportunity, running for 232 yards and two touchdowns, while averaging 7.5 yards per carry. It is his hands and ability to make plays in space, though, which makes Batkowski equally effective as a receiver. Despite missing three games last season, Batkowski was a change of pace player who was second on the team with 24 catches for 395 yards and three touchdowns. Batkowski produced 112 yards and two touchdowns against Lewisburg and caught a long touchdown which helped make the difference in a 17-14 district semifinal win against Milton. Batkowski also is a good defensive back who broke up six passes last season.
Matthew Conklin, LB/RB: Part of a new-look linebacking unit last season, Conklin played a big role turning what looked like could be a weakness into a Montoursville strength. The senior leader was third on the team in tackles and averaged 6.5 per game. Conklin showed how valuable he is against Class AAAA state semifinalist Jersey Shore, making three tackles for loss in a game which went to overtime. A physical player with good burst, Conklin also intercepted a pass, broke up three more and recovered a fumble. With Dylan Blackwell, Kayden Frame and Bradyen Brown having graduated, Conklin will be the leader of this year's linebacking core. He also could see some time in the backfield and provide depth as the Warriors trying replacing their top two leading rushers.
Nate Fisher, DL/OL: A player who burst onto the scene as a sophomore, Fisher made a sudden impact and played a prominent role in helping Montoursville reach a fourth straight district final. Whether coming off the edge or playing inside, Fisher can deliver and he made 40 tackles in 10 games. Fisher's season was cut short in Week 10 against Selinsgrove but he had proven his value by that point, making five tackles for loss and adding two sacks. He also caused a fumble in a convincing win against Midd-West. Fisher could make an impact on both sides of the ball this season and is one of three returning linemen who delivered multiple sacks in 2021.
Marco Pulizzi, WR/DB: Another player who made huge strides last fall, Pulizzi developed into one of the area's top defensive backs and also emerged as a vertical threat in the passing game. Pulizzi can provide blanket coverage in one-on-one situations and helped contain some of the district's top playmakers. He intercepted two passes, broke up nine and forced a fumble. Pulizzi also is an effective tackler who made 50 tackles, including 10 solos against Mount Carmel. Pulizzi can stretch the field at wide receiver and averaged 17.5 yards per catch. He caught touchdowns in five different games and closed the year strong, going for a career-high 120 yards and a touchdown in the district final at Danville. On both sides of the ball, Pulizzi likely will be a big part of what Montoursville builds around.
--by CHRIS MASSE