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2023 Sun-Gazette football offensive all-star team

By Chris Masse 12 min read

QB--Tyler Gee, Loyalsock: Despite playing wide receiver as a freshman, Gee took a blowtorch to the area record book and it could be quite a while until someone threatens the new record holder. Gee became the first player in District 4 history to top 2,000 yards in three straight seasons, throwing for 2,884 yards and 32 touchdowns, while adding 551 yards rushing and seven more scores. The three-year starter produced the second-most single-season passing yards in area history and his 32 touchdowns are sixth. He totaled 3,435 yards and 39 touchdowns and likely will soon be a three-time all-state selection. Gee's best season yet helped him become the area's all-time leader in passing yards (7,508) and touchdown passes (81), besting those previous records by 542 yards and 12 touchdowns, respectively. Smart, accurate and poised, Gee also is the area's highest-rated passer of the 2000s and his 8,993 total yards are the second-highest in area history. Gee completed 60.3 percent of his passes last fall, topped 200 yards eight times, set a District 4 record with 528 yards and six touchdowns at Montoursville and threw touchdown passes in all but four games the past three seasons. Statistically, no area quarterback has ever done it better than Gee.

RB--Fletcher Good, Cowanesque Valley: Good was even better than his last name during a fantastic junior season. Another player who spent his freshman season at wide receiver, Good was the area's version of Marshall Faulk, piling up both rushing and receiving yards. The versatile junior ran for 1,081 yards and nine touchdowns, while adding 28 catches for 622 yards and eight more scores. He averaged 8.3 yards per carry, 22.2 yards per catch and helped CV make a five-win improvement. Good twice topped 100 yards rushing and receiving in the same game and went over 100 rushing yards five times. He is one of only three area players in the 2000s to go over 2,000 career rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards, totaling 3,063 yards and 31 touchdowns his first three years. Good also shines on special teams and defense, intercepting five passes.

RB--Austin Johnson, Muncy: Another three-year starter who has excelled since he first hit the high school football field, Johnson won the area regular-season rushing crown and became the first player in area history to top 1,000 yards as a freshman, sophomore and junior. A bulldozer with speed, Johnson ran for 1,422 yards and 18 touchdowns, averaging a whopping 9.3 yards per carry. He also was a receiving threat, catching 15 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns for a total of 1,655 yards and 20 scores. An excellent linebacker as well, Johnson already has run for more career yards and touchdowns than any Muncy player in the 2000s, producing 3,673 yards (15th among area rushers of the 2000s) and 52 scores. Despite twice spraining his ankle, Johnson still topped 100 yards six times and 200 yards twice, while scoring in all 12 games and helping Muncy win a third straight NTL-II championship. Johnson has produced touchdowns in 17 consecutive games going back to his sophomore season and is one of only 14 area players in the 21st century to reach 50 rushing touchdowns.

RB--Tate Sechrist, Jersey Shore: The Sun-Gazette Back of the Year and second runner-up for Player of the Year put a hurting on defenders nearly every time he touched the football. One of the state's premier defensive ends, too, Sechrist ran for 1,345 yards and an area-best 25 touchdowns in 10 games, totals which would have been even higher had he not been sidelined with an injury for two weeks. His 25 touchdowns tied Hadyn Packer for the most by a Jersey Shore player this century. An all-state defensive lineman the past two years, Sechrist could earn those honors at a new position after scoring multiple touchdowns in every game, going over 300 yards once, 200 yards twice and 100 yards eight times. Sechrist often ran over multiple defenders and turned shorter gains into huge plays while averaging eight yards per carry. His blocking also helped Elijah Jordan run for 938 yards and 15 touchdowns. Sechrist also generated 124 receiving yards and returned a kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown. He was equally devastating defensively and in his three years starting, Sechrist collected 228 tackles, 21 sacks, 56 tackles for loss and 187 hurries.

FB--Ryan Casella, South Williamsport: The Sun-Gazette runner-up for Player of the Year spent his entire football life playing guard until his junior season when South moved him to fullback. What a move it was. Casella developed into one of the state's top Class A running backs, rumbling for 1,481 yards and 24 touchdowns. An outstanding blocker who helped Kaiser Kistner run for 1,000 yards, Casella imposed his well on defenses and never went down easy. He averaged 6.4 yards per carry, went over 100 yards six times and 90 yards 10 times. Casella was at his best in two games against district finalist Muncy, running for 404 yards and five touchdowns. He topped 90 yards in all four playoff games and scored in all but one game this season. During his two years in the backfield, Casella ran for 2,265 yards and 31 touchdowns. He also excelled at linebacker, starting there for four years. He was second on the team in tackles this season, adding three interceptions, three sacks, nine tackles for loss and a forced fumble.

WR--Sam Hall, Warrior Run: A year ago, Hall became the first area sophomore to ever produce a 1,000-yard season. He kept making history as a junior, becoming the first underclassmen to go over 2,000 career receiving yards. Hall caught 61 passes for 937 yards and 12 touchdowns, tying for the area-high in regular season touchdown catches. An excellent runner with hands of glue, Hall averaged 15.4 yards per catch and frequently produced yards after the catch. He caught touchdowns in eight of 12 games and collected five 100-yard games, giving him 11 over the past two seasons. Hall already is eighth on the area's career list for catches during the 2000s and fifth in yards with 121 receptions for 2,177 yards. He also already has broken program records for yards and touchdown catches (20). Hall has helped Warrior Run make a huge turnaround the past two seasons, going over 2,000 yards during that time. The junior also returned an interception for a touchdown and had five catches for 112 yards and a touchdown in a playoff win at Mifflinburg.

WR--Dathan Tyson, Jersey Shore: Despite battling injuries throughout the season's second half, Tyson still produced one of the best receiving seasons in program history. Much like Hall, Tyson consistently turned short to intermediate throws into something big, catching 71 passes for 936 yards and eight touchdowns. His 71 catches are the second-highest by a Jersey Shore player and the fifth most by an area receiver during the 2000s. Tyson also tied an area record for catches in a game when he shredded Montoursville for 16, along with 265 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-21 victory. That was one of two games in which Tyson went over 150 yards and his consistent play prevented teams from loading up the box to try and slow a powerful running game. Tyson also was one of the area's top defensive backs the past two seasons and intercepted three passes for a defense which led the area in both points and yards allowed per game.

WR--Jaylen Andrews, Loyalsock: The Jerry Rice to Tyler Gee's Joe Montana, Andrews concludes one of the best receiving careers in area history by winning Receiver of the Year for a second straight season. The senior broke several of his own records set last year, including area yards in a season, career yards and single-game yards. Tall, fast, strong and able to frequently win battles while well covered, Andrews produced an area-best 73 catches for a record 1,465 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging 20.1 yards per catch. Andrews became the first area receiver to ever reach 3,000 career yards, finishing with 144 catches (2nd all-time), 3,020 yards and 35 touchdowns (2nd). Andrews was unstoppable in a Week 10 win at Montoursville, catching 12 passes for a record 310 yards and two touchdowns. He set single-season yardage records in consecutive seasons, catching 132 passes during that time, and his 73 catches this year are the fourth highest by an area receiver in the 2000s. Andrews also intercepted six passes, returning two for scores, while taking two punts and a kickoff for touchdowns.

TE--Hayes Campbell, Wellsboro: Wellsboro's only senior this season, Campbell set quite an example and shined in all facets. He played H-back at times, but Campbell's prowess at tight end resulted in 32 catches for 510 yards and a touchdown. He averaged 15.9 yards per catch despite playing offensive line his first three years at Wellsboro. Campbell was among the area's top 10 in catches throughout the season and had a reception in every game. The four-year starter also totaled at least three catches nine times in 10 games. His 91-yard performance played a big part in Wellsboro handing Muncy its only regular-season loss over the last two years and he had a career-high 105 yards in an overtime loss against Towanda. Campbell also was an effective blocker and one of the team's defensive MVPs, finishing second with 73 tackles.

OL--John Dammer, Jersey Shore: One of the area's best breakthrough players this season, Dammer helped fortify a new-look line which featured three new starters. The senior leader was a workhorse who helped Jersey Shore average 48.8 points and 479 yards per game in a no-huddle offense run so fast Usain Bolt would have trouble keeping up. Dammer provided a steady influence up front and played a key role in the team producing both a 2,000-yard passer and 1,000-yard rusher. With Dammer helping lead the way, Jersey Shore scored at least 21 points in all 12 games while capturing a sixth straight HAC-I championship.

OL--Dyson Delaney, Jersey Shore: Right along with Dammer was Delaney providing super blocking week after week for a second straight season. One of the two returning starters, Delaney helped anchor the line which helped Jersey Shore remain one of the state's most explosive offenses. Jersey Shore has put up some video game numbers the past two years and it starts up front with blockers like Delaney growing stronger as games progress. Tall, physical and strong, Delaney could overpower defenders and he helped Jersey Shore top 500 points in consecutive seasons with it producing a staggering 1,294 yards per game. In addition to having a 1,000-yard rusher and 2,000-yard passer, Jersey Shore also featured another 900-yard rusher and Delaney was a major reason why.

OL--Chris Confer, South Williamsport: Honestly, one can make a case for any one of South's linemen because they operated as one with machine-like efficicency throughout the year. Confer was especially a difference-maker and after missing the regular season game against Canton with an injury, he returned in the district semifinals to help South dethrone the two-time defending champions. Confer is athletic, quick and strong, using those skills to often punish opposing lines and help South average 276 rushing yards per game. His textbook blocking was critical in South producing two 1,000-yard rushers as well as two quarterbacks who totaled 1,206 yards and 21 touchdown passes.

OL--Hunter Zettlemoyer, Milton: A repeat first teamer, Zettlemoyer has been at the heart of Milton's fantastic transformation the past three years. A starter each season, Zettlemoyer helped Milton go 25-7 during those years after the program had never won more than two games in a season since 2013. When the Black Panthers needed yards, they often ran Zettlemoyer's way and he helped them average more than 30 points and 300 yards per game for a second straight season. Zettlemoyer consistently exploded off the ball and helped Milton win its first league title since 2001. His leadership was critical for a new-look line and Zettlemoyer helepd Milton score at least 27 points in seven of its nine wins.

OL--Brayden Trostle, Muncy: Muncy was ravaged by injuries up front, losing three multi-year starters, including 2022 all-state selection Ken Hampe, to injuries of seven weeks or longer. Trostle, however, was a huge reason the team never missed a beat and his effort earns him the Sun-Gazette Offensive Lineman of the Year. In addition to providing superb leadership and helping three underclassmen settle in, Trostle helped Muncy average 35.4 points and 360 yards per game as it captured a third straight NTL-II championship and finished 10-2. Muncy has built its tradition upon stellar line play and Trostle followed in the footsteps of great linemen before him, often helping Muncy take games over up front. Trostle helped Muncy feature three running backs who went over 600 yards and averaged more than nine yards per game. He also provided Stiles Eyer with quality protection, helping him go over 1,000 passing yards as Muncy scored at least 20 points in 11 of 12 games.

Athlete--Brody Pentz, Bucktail: The Bucks reached districts for just the second time in program history and Pentz may have been its MVP, excelling in all three phases. The dynamic quarterback was in the hunt for the area rushing title, finishing second during the regular season. He ran for 1,366 yards and 17 touchdowns, while throwing for 650 yards and six scores. Pentz totaled 2,017 yards and 23 touchdowns in 10 games, topping 250 yards rushing twice. Pentz's 1,366 yards were the second most produced by a Bucktail player in the 2000s and he also excelled on special teams, returning a kickoff for a touchdown. Pentz played a big role defensively as well and was one of the team leaders in tackles and sacks. His offensive explosiveness helped Bucktail average more than 400 yards for most of the season.

K--Cohen Hoover, Lewisburg: Hoover opened the season with one of the best all-around performances a kicker only has ever produced and never really slowed down. The junior with the big leg led District 4 with nine field goals and also missed just two of 28 extra point attempts. In that opener at Shamokin, Hoover produced all 16 points in a 16-13 overtime win. He kicked three field goals, including the game-winning 39-yarder, three extra points and also ran for 101 yards and a touchdown on two carries. Hoover provided Lewisburg a valuable weapon, all but ensuring points once it reached the red zone. He also was one of the area's top punters, averaging 37.3 yards with a long of 60.

SECOND TEAM

QB--Jerrin Loomis, Jersey Shore; Caleb Williamson, Williamsport; RB--Elijah Jordan, Jersey Shore; Rocco Serafini, Central Mountain; Kaiser Kistner, South Williamsport; WR--Jamaire Harden, Loyalsock; Aiden Barlett, Hughesville; Carter Marr, Warrior Run; TE--Jack Blough, Lewisburg, Tanner Smith, South; OL--Paxton Gephart, South; Johnny Green, Bucktail; Owen Vandruff, Jersey Shore; Mason Harold, Canton; Jeremiah Johnson, Loyalsock; Athlete--Braylon Fantaski, Bucktail; Landyn Wommer, Muncy; K--Connor Poole, Williamsport

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