His left knee heavily wrapped, Derek Gee cut across the end zone, worked himself open and caught a 9-yard touchdown pass Friday against South Williamsport. It was a big play and essentially helped Loyalsock put the dagger into South Williamsport two seconds before halftime in a game it eventually won, 48-12.

But that touchdown simply was a bonus. Simply by playing, Gee has made a difference. By showing up day after day, by never quitting and by continuing to work, Gee has turned what could have been a nightmare season into a memorable one. Against the odds, Gee is flourishing.

Gee is an excellent football player, a well-rounded athlete. At his core, though, the Loyalsock senior captain is a fighter. That has never been more evident than this season. Gee tore his ACL in Week 2 against Danville, but will not let that devastating injury define or end his season. He returned in Week 6 and has provided more value than any stats can measure, helping Loyalsock win its last four games and storm into Saturday’s District 4 Class AAA quarterfinals against Shamokin.

“It’s not some kind of coincidence that since he’s come back we’ve been winning,” Loyalsock coach Justin Van Fleet said. “It’s not only what you do on the field, it’s your presence. It’s your ability to change a team and his stepping onto the field has really helped change us and allowed us to do more things.”

“That’s our brother and it’s a great thing to see. He’s doing everything he can for us and he’s playing for us right now,” standout two-way lineman Malaki Parlante said. “It definitely motivates us. It gives us all hope. You can’t slow down when you see someone doing that. He’s a great player and a great teammate.”

Gee is a three-year starting safety and also was developing into an outstanding wide receiver, catching 10 passes the first two weeks against heavyweights North Schuylkill and Danville. Disaster, however, struck against Danville when Gee was caught in a pile and his knee twisted the wrong way. Others hoped it was not serious, but Gee immediately knew the diagnosis. His left ACL was torn. His season appeared over.

When the doctor confirmed the diagnosis he also left open a possibility. If he was willing to take a chance, Gee might still play. The future engineer had no college sports plans, so the decision was an easy one. Gee would push surgery aside and turn this setback into a comeback. He attacked his rehab the way he did opposing receivers while roaming the secondary and made his return four weeks later against Mifflinburg. That night, Loyalsock snapped a three-game losing streak, won 24-14, and started turning around its season. The Lancers have not slowed down since, outscoring their last four opponents, 138-33.

“I was scared I wasn’t going to be able to play again. I thought I played my last game against Danville in Game 2 and then they said I could work my way back,” Gee said. “Being out just sucked tremendously. Being out here getting hyped up on Friday nights with them, preparing with them throughout the week is awesome.”

Gee had an all-state caliber punting season as a sophomore. That year he also intercepted five passes in the secondary. He is not playing in the secondary now, but is still punting well despite basically being on one leg. He is providing depth at receiver as well. Obviously, planting and cutting remain difficult and the knee sporadically gives out. It is a pain-tolerance issue, but Gee has never let pain defeat him.

Gee’s challenge grew more heartbreaking when his grandfather Albert passed away Oct. 19. Still, he keeps grinding. Gee spent many nights alongside his grandfather last summer before arriving early for football workouts and now he is offering Albert a fantastic tribute.

“When I got hurt, Connor (Watkins) was still in there and it was good to be there for him while he was still playing and then when he got hurt it was tough for the team as a whole losing two captains to injuries which looked like they were going to be season-ending,” Gee said. “It’s good to get in there and help the younger guys and try and lead.”

Gee does that each day. He was one of many starters who suffered early-season injuries. Loyalsock encountered some dark times but when his teammates see Gee overcoming what he has, it is hard to not feel inspired. The ACL injury prevented Gee from putting up the big numbers that might have been coming this year, but it has not taken away his drive and determination. The power of those qualities has been evident the last four weeks.

Gee easily could have packed it in following the ACL tear. Instead, he chose to fight. And now his impact could be felt for years to come. He has set quite an example.

“In the toughest times, character is revealed and in the toughest times for that young man, his character was revealed,” Van Fleet said. “I’m very excited for not only what he is doing now, but for the life I know he’s going to live. He’s going to be a wonderful engineer, he’s going to be a wonderful father, he’s going to be an indiduval who is going to be a staple of the community because when things get tough Derek knows how to bear down and do the right thing.”

BAD MOVE

Although its program’s numbers had steadily been declining, South Williamsport administration officials pulled the team from the Northern Tier League following the 2016 season. It opted to remain in the Heartland Conference. That was despite South being the conference’s only Class A member. Complicating matters, South was placed in the same division as defending Class AA state champion Southern Columbia, fellow state title contender Mount Carmel, and District 4 Class AAA heavyweight Central Columbia. Games against Class AAA Loyalsock and Milton also remained on the schedule.

That decision has proven costly and could prove fatal for the future if the administration does not soon act. Yes, South has built an outstanding program and was one of the top teams in nearly any classification from 2012-17. But the smaller the enrollments have grown, the tougher things have become. South has been ravaged by injuries throughout the season’s second half which has included games against those five previously mentioned teams. The Mounties dressed fewer than 30 players against Loyalsock and suffered more injuries Friday. It is becoming as much a safety issue as a competitive one.

South’s enrollment numbers are not going to suddenly increase. The junior high team is dressing fewer than 20 players and also has endured a brutal schedule. Before critics say that South played schedules like this when it made state final runs in 1993 and ’97, guess again. Those were lined with NTL opponents, and that makes sense since many are smaller schools like South.

The point here is not that things are getting too hard so South should opt out. The point is the Mounties should play a league schedule against schools their size and schedule challenging non-conference games like they did in the past. Good non-conference schedules make programs better. South never ducked competition and should not now. But the administration should be looking at ways to provide a healthy balance.

EXTRA POINTS

Muncy defeated Hughesville for the first time since 2012 and just second time since 2000 in thrilling fashion, rallying for a 13-10 victory. Muncy rallied from a four-point, fourth-quarter deficit midway through the fourth quarter as Kolby Moyer threw for 182 yards and a touchdown. The Indians earned the No. 2 seed in the District 4 Class A playoffs and host Sayre, a team that defeated it two weeks ago … Montgomery captured its first league championship since 2000, blanking Bucktail, 40-0. The Red Raiders went undefeated in league play and will host Minersville in an Eastern Conference playoff game. Rhyle Strausbaugh broke the Montgomery single-season tackle record, Brayden Strouse threw three touchdowns and Hunter Budman scored three times … Warrior Run is headed to districts for the first time since 2007 after defeating CMVT, 22-6. The Defenders (3-7) will play at top-seeded Danville after Hoyt Bower and Denver Beachel combined to run for 192 yards and three touchdowns … Lewisburg quarterback Nick Shedleski went over 1,000 yards for a third straight year, throwing for 161 yards and two touchdowns in the Green Dragons’ 56-18 win against Mifflinburg. Max Moyers added 190 yards and three touchdowns, finishing as the area’s rushing champion with 1,797 yards.

Dr. Masse’s Top 5 Teams

1. Montoursville (8-2)

Before last Friday, Montoursville had not played many close games, so beating Selinsgrove, 10-7, on Colin Gorini’s 32-yard field goal as time expired might have provided a blessing entering the postseason. Take away a 72-yard fourth-quarter touchdown pass and a dominant Montoursville defense surrendered just 47 yards on 44 plays. The Warriors, who host Athens Saturday, added five sacks and won their first game at Selinsgrove since 2000. Gorni has been a special teams weapon, making 41 of 45 kicks, and Jaxon Dalena caught his 10th touchdown pass on a 43-yard throw from Hunter Shearer who won the area passer rating title.

2. North Penn-Mansfield (8-2)

A team that has come a long way since Week 3, North Penn-Mansfield put its stamp on program history by beating rival Wellsboro, 21-14, and capturing its first outright NTL-I championship. The Panthers have won seven straight and capped the regular season with thrilling road wins against Canton and Wellsboro teams that have won 17 games. The defense was fantastic again, allowing just 207 yards and forcing three turnovers. Defensive back Bryan Bogaczyk is having a big season and has six interceptions after adding two more against Wellsboro. Mikah Kolb ran for 159 yards and his 26-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter broke a 14-14 tie. The Panthers have not lost since Bloomsburg defeated it in Week 3 and will try to exact revenge Friday when they meet again in the District 4 Class AA quarterfinals.

3. Canton (9-1)

The Old Shoe Trophy belongs to Canton for the first time since 2011 after it rallied from a six-point fourth-quarter deficit and defeated surging Troy, 26-12. The Warriors scored 20 straight fourth-quarter points and their nine wins is their most in a season since 2008. Levi Gaiotti returned an interception 52 yards for the game-clinching touchdown. Timmy Ward ran for 120 yards and two scores while intercepting his ninth pass. Canton has made a six-win improvement from last season and has six wins against teams that beat it last year. The Warriors have homefield advantage for the District 4 Class A playoffs and playing a smash-mouth, physical team like Troy provided them a glimpse of what they could see against South in Friday’s semifinals.

4. Loyalsock (6-4)

Van Fleet played football with Micai Henriquez’s father Mickey Blackwell and calls him one of the best running backs he has ever seen. Unfortunately, Blackwell passed away a few years ago, but Henriquez is giving his father quite a tribute. The junior moved from wide receiver to running back two weeks ago and in two starts has run for 175 yards and two scores.

“Micai is a kid that was counted out and has come back and become very special,” Van Fleet said. “We went to him and asked about making the move (to running back) and he embraced that role and has worked very hard so it’s very exciting to see him playing well.”

5. Jersey Shore (5-5)

As they have done in each of the last five years, Jersey Shore is surging at the perfect time. The Bulldogs made quick work of rival Central Mountain, winning 40-14. Kyle Tomb ran for 108 yards and four touchdowns and quarterback Tanner Lorson threw for 219 yards as Jersey Shore moved the ball at will behind a strong offensive line. Stanton Westlin caught a 17-yard touchdown and is an emerging weapon while fullback Dawson Sechrist had 94 receiving yards. The defense frequently penetrated the backfield with Ryan Kershner and Karter Peacock recording sacks and Anthony Shaffer intercepting his third pass in two weeks. Top-seeded Jersey Shore hosts CMVT in Friday’s District 4 Class AAAA semifinals.

Players of the Week

Dylan Wilt and Jackson Welliver

Wilt did a bit of everything against Hughesville and would not let the Indians lose. The senior returned a kickoff 74 yards for the winning touchdown and also caught a 39-yard score, his 10th this year. Wilt finished with four catches for 102 yards and added an interception. Welliver is having an outstanding junior season and was a force against CMVT, making a career-high 18 tackles while adding a sack for Warrior Run. Welliver is among area leaders with 119 tackles and four sacks.

Game of the Week

South Williamsport at Canton

Forget the record differential because it does not matter. South has played some of the district’s best teams at any level, so it as prepared to face a strong team like Canton as anyone could be. Both teams are physical and battle-tested. Canton is seeking its first playoff win since the 1990s and the atmosphere at Miller A. Moyer Stadium will be electric.

Masse may be reached at cmasse@sungazette.com. Follow him on Twitter at @docmasse.