RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Lycoming’s Terrence Oliver (7) runs a play during a football game against Keystone College at David Person Field on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. Lycoming won 31-28.

While it wasn’t the most assuring or resounding of wins, the Warriors did manage to get back on track by the skin of their teeth Saturday at Girardi Stadium, ending a two-game skid in conference play with a 31-28 win over Keystone.

That win saw Lycoming go down 21-0 against a Keystone squad that hasn’t won a game since September before rattling off 31 unanswered points to completely take control of the game late. But at the end of the day, a win is a win. And one win is often all it takes to reestablish momentum.

With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the victory.

LATE-GAME GRIT

Slow starts have become an unfortunate part of Lyco’s identity, with it seeing a multi-score deficit in the second quarter through five of its seven outings. But with those issues, a more positive aspect of it has started to see development.

Through the past two games against Catholic and Keystone, the Warriors have first found a way to make the final minutes of the first half count, closing it with a field goal to make it a one-score game against the Cardinals and narrowing the gap to 14 before holding firm against the Giants.

More notably, its grit has shined in the second half.

Building off a performance where Lyco came one two-point conversion away from an 11-point comeback to force overtime, it would come out of the break a completely different team against Keystone.

Defensively, it was 37 seconds away from securing back-to-back scoreless second halves, intercepting a pass and forcing back-to-back turnovers on downs through three straight drives. All the while, outside of a missed field goal and kneel down, the offense scored on every drive, erasing its deficit early in the fourth.

While its early-game struggles remain a point of concern moving forward, being able to operate well down the stretch is certainly a great trait to have. If it can find a way to start the way it did against Widener and finish the way it has over the past two games, it could find a way to turn this season around.

ONE-MAN SHOW

After operating as more of a two-man committee through last season and the early goings of this one, the Warrior backfield has steadily shifted into more of a one-man show.

Sophomore running back Terrence Oliver has posted a career-high in touches in each of the last two games, totaling 22 against Catholic and a monstrous 36 against Keystone. In that latter game, he was the driving offensive force in Lyco’s comeback win, turning those touches into 213 yards and scoring two of the three touchdowns that helped erase its 21-point deficit, including a 51-yard one early in the third.

As it stands, Oliver is ranked fourth in the Landmark in rushing yards and is one of four backs in the conference averaging over 100 yards per game. Though a rushing title isn’t likely at this point, with Wilkes senior Elijah Jules (146 rushes, 957 yards) appearing primed for it, it isn’t outside the realm of possibility.

Either way, he’s 43 yards away from surpassing last year’s total (757) and continues showing progress by the game.

AGGRESSION PAYS OFF

Though the defense wasn’t perfect throughout the day, evident by the scoreboard, the unit consistently made plays that added up to the team going home with the win.

Many of those involved tackles in the backfield. Led by defensive back Zannder White, Lyco attributed eight tackles for loss on the day, many of which came in big-time moments.

Three came with the Giants leading 14-0, with one forcing a third-and-long and eventual punt late in the first quarter and two forcing a fourth-and-longs in Lyco territory early in the second, one of which Keystone came one yard short of converting.

With Keystone in field goal range with a chance to go back up by two scores, White and Adam McCafferty sacked the quarterback on third-and-long and Keystone’s kicker went on to miss the field goal. And lastly, with the score tied and Keystone approaching Lyco territory, two tackles-for-loss effectively killed the drive.

As I mentioned, those plays ultimately added up, consistently costing the Giants points and helping the Warriors steadily get back in the game. A field goal in the third could’ve ultimately led to overtime and a touchdown at any point could’ve meant doom.

GROWING PAINS

After an up-and-down debut start against Catholic, sophomore quarterback Jay Huber’s growing pains continued in his second, playing a role in the Warriors falling into an early role.

A second-possession interception set the Giants up in Lyco territory, which they capitalized on five plays later to make it 14-0. And on two great opportunities to narrow the gap in the second quarter, those issues continued.

After starting a possession at the Keystone 35, he threw four straight incompletions to turn the ball over on downs with the Warriors still down by three scores. And though he’d start off a two-minute drill well, getting the team in enemy territory with plenty of time left to score, his second interception killed the drive.

On the day, he went 13-for-32 (41%) for 179 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions, adding a touchdown on the ground to give the team its first lead. And prior to his 76-yard touchdown toss, he started 4-for-14.

It’s worth noting that he’s shown flashes, particularly against Catholic where he led two incredible two-minute drills. He’s also already developing a great connection with star receiver Dawson Debebe, who’s had 14 receptions for 240 yards and two touchdowns in Huber’s two starts.

But if the team hopes to win either of its last two games, more progress has to be made.

ONE MORE GET-IT-TOGETHER GAME

As I mentioned earlier, a win is a win. And for a team that needed a spark, it’s assuring for it to have a third under its belt, most notably one in conference play. But while Keystone (1-7, 0-4 Landmark) is better than Hilbert, it isn’t that much better.

Fortunately, the Warriors have another chance to get it together, make some progress and figure more of their issues out before their schedule skyrockets in difficulty. Though they’re forced to travel and have yet to win a game on the road this season, their next bout comes against Juniata (1-6, 0-3 Landmark), a team they beat 56-10 last season.

With a quarterback that’s still developing, continued issues with setting the tone early, continued issues with penalties and continued issues with special teams, this is a great opportunity to alleviate some of the concerns that have plagued them in recent weeks. Then, they cap off their season against the two top teams in the Landmark – Moravian and Susquehanna.

If Lycoming ends up stumbling against the Eagles, those two games will be rough to say the least.