Sonic and Knuckles sounds fun, but this is more Thunder and Lightning than anything. Sechrist the thunder and Herritt the lightning, although both he and Sechrist provide a bit of both. The duo proved it again Friday at Thompson Street Stadium.

Sechrist and Herritt combined for 344 yards and five touchdowns as Jersey Shore dominated the second half and pulled away in a showdown between teams who entered 3-1. Sechrist ran for a career-high 220 yards behind a strong line and Herritt 124 in just his fifth game as a starter.

“I have full trust in my backfield. We would be nothing without them,” Lope said after he and the line helped Jersey Shore gain 515 yards. “If they were average running backs, we wouldn’t be able to do half the things we do.”

As the line surged throughout the second half, Sechrist and Herritt took turns showing off their skills. Sechrist scored three touchdowns, two on runs of 63 and 60 yards, while Herritt scored twice, sealing victory with a 52-yard scoring burst. In that second half alone, Sonic and Knuckles produced 252 yards and five touchdowns.

Kash Herritt of Jersey Shore runs for a third quarter touchdown against Shikellamy at Jersey Shore High School Friday evening. Shore won the game 42-14. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

As individuals both backs are strong. Together, they have become quite a handful. Sechrist leads area rushers with 657 yards and nine touchdowns, while Herritt, a sophomore, has burst onto the scene, adding 411 yards with seven scores.

Sechrist is a punishing runner who emulates bruisers with some kick like Hadyn Packer and Tate Sechrist the last few years. Herritt is a bit more explosive, but Sechrist has shown that big-play ability and Herritt has shown he can gain the tough yards as well.

The way Sechrist and Herritt complement each other is making a strong offense more dangerous. Jersey Shore has topped 40 points in five straight games and Herritt’s emergence is providing it a new weapon while opening up other opportunities.

“Against Dallas (in the season opener), you could tell they were keying on me. Now Kash has two 100-yard games and you can’t just focus on one guy. You have to focus on Kash, too,” Sechrist said. “It helps so much.”

An all-state linebacker the last two years, Sechrist is building off his offensive breakthrough from last fall when he ran for 604 yards and a team-high 13 touchdowns. The 5-foot-10, 200-pounder is like a bowling ball often knocking down defenders while gaining extra yards after contact.

Bo Sechrist of Jersey Shore scores a touchdown in the 4th quarter against Shikellamy at Jersey Shore High School Friday evening. Shore won the game 42-14. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

His 63-yard touchdown run put Jersey Shore 6-0 on the game’s first play against Shikellamy and Sechrist ignited the second-half surge with a 60-yard score. All this while helping the defense allow just 162 yards and excelling on special teams as well.

“You look at how hard and physical he was on defense and what he did on offense and then he’s covering kickoffs, too. He wasn’t asking for any breaks,” Jersey Shore coach Tom Gravish said. “He’s one of those guys who’s played four years and played a lot as a freshman and he just works really hard at it.”

One of Sechrist’s biggest strengths cannot be measured by statistics. A team captain, Sechrist has been part player, part coach and part motivator. He has become an excellent leader and was one of several seniors who addressed the team following a sluggish first half against Shikellamy.

Sechrist can talk the talk and walk the walk and he is helping bring out the best in several first-time starters. That is every bit as important as all the yards and tackles he has accumulated.

“Bo, and all the seniors, their leadership is paramount to what we’ve done so far. The biggest part of it is how they’ve embraced the younger kids,” Gravish said. “It would be real easy to say, ‘I’m all-state,’ or something like that, but he treats them like one of the family.”

Ironically, Sechrist thought it would literally be a family backfield this year with he and cousin Zeke Sechrist leading the way. Zeke enjoyed a fantastic sophomore season at defensive end and put together a fabulous offseason, eager to show off his added speed in the backfield alongside Bo.

Unfortunately, Zeke tore his ACL on a non-contact play while scoring a touchdown at a camp last August. Herritt was the next man up and has honored Zeke Sechrist the best way he can, providing quality running and blocking.

After providing the key block on Carson Watkins’ go-ahead 33-yard touchdown pass against Shikellamy, Herritt gained 121 of his 124 yards in the second half. It was the second 100-yard game Herritt produced this year and third time in four contests that he went over 90 yards.

“He’s stepped up in a big way,” Bo Sechrist said. “That’s all we can ask.”

“Kash is a great competitor,” Gravish said. “At Del Val, we noticed he was explosive hitting those holes. We have a lot of faith in Kash.”

That Delaware Valley game in Week 2 was Herritt’s introduction to the area scene. Also a linebacker who was all over the field Friday, Herritt ran for 156 yards and three scores in that 49-42 victory. Once Sonic joined knuckles, the offense really took off, especially with quarterback Nolen Pauling and receivers Watkins, Luke Ryan and Carter Rhinehart also having strong seasons.

Sonic, Knuckles … Thunder, Lightning. Call them whatever you want but the bottom line is Sechrist and Herritt simply are good football players.

“It’s been super fun,” Herritt said. “It’s hard work, but it really does pay off.”

ONCE-DEFEATED: Loyalsock produced a statement win, going to Bloomsburg and handing the explosive Panthers their first loss, winning 32-23. The Lancers (3-2) won their third straight game and made big plays on both sides of the ball, gaining 343 yards while putting together a crucial second half goal line stand.

The offensive line has taken over during the winning streak and Danny Dowell (153) and Jalil Coates (131) gashed Bloomsburg for 284 rushing yards and four touchdowns with Dowell scoring three times. Dowell also connected with Coates on a 30-yard touchdown and Coates went over 100 yards for a third straight time after moving to the backfield in Week 3. Dowell added two interceptions and Loyalsock held Bloomsburg to its lowest point total this season.

FOR THE DEFENSE: Montgomery (4-1) has not allowed a point at home this season, recording its second shutout as it blanked Canton, 54-0. The Red Raiders allowed just 40 yards and all but two players made tackles. Logan Joy and Austin Luckenbill intercepted passes, Ethan Tupper produced a sack, Lincoln Miller had eight tackles and Montgomery generated 10 tackles for loss.

Montgomery has surrendered just 12 points in its four victories and opponents have run for 93 yards during its three-game winning streak. The offensive line is surging as well, paving the way for 348 rushing yards. Josh Knoebel ran for 103 yards and two touchdowns; Trace Furman added 78 yards and Lincoln Miller and Hayden Denton each scored twice.

Montgomery is doing an excellent job running the Wing-T offense for the first time and four players have run for at least 245 yards.

EXTRA POINTS: Speaking of defense, Hughesville turned it into offense and rallied past Midd-West, 18-7. Josiah Abernatha and Carson Stackhouse returned interceptions for touchdowns in the final 11 minutes, helping Hughesville erase a two-point deficit. The Spartans also produced two points with a safety, as 15 of their 18 points came defensively. Hughesville did not allow an offensive point and surrendered just 73 yards and two first downs … South Williamsport dominated all facets in its 55-0 win against Wyalusing, building a 42-point halftime lead, forcing two turnovers and piling up both passing and rushing yards. Cole Gerber threw for 187 yards and four touchdowns, while Cade Lusk ran for a career-high 182 yards and three scores. Levi Butler caught 10 passes–the second most by a South receiver in the 2000s–for 94 yards and two touchdowns, and Caleb Johnson and Garrett Lorson also caught scores … Griffin Morral threw, ran for and returned an interception for touchdowns in Wellsboro’s 37-15 win at Cowanesque Valley. The Hornets (3-2) won their third straight, opening a 37-point fourth quarter lead. Marek Mascho ran for and threw touchdowns, while making eight tackles and Ethan Keane and Kody Enck caught touchdowns. Kegan Lane ran for 143 yards and two touchdowns for CV (2-3) … Milton quarterback Monty Fisher ran for a career-high 204 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-17 loss at Danville. Fisher has 366 yards and four touchdowns the past two games … Bucktail sophomore Teagan Stone caught six passes for 111 yards and a touchdown in a 53-28 loss at Smethport. Aiden Ditty caught a touchdown on three of his catches, totaling 27 yards … Athens handed the area’s last undefeated team, North Penn-Mansfield its first loss, winning, 54-13. Luke Kreger (90 yards) and Colton Pellett (85) returned kickoffs for touchdowns for the Panthers, Pellett doing so for a second straight week … Central Mountain’s Dalton McDermott made a career-high 20 tackles, including 12 solos, in a 35-7 loss against undefeated Shamokin.

Dr. Masse’s Top Five:

1. Jersey Shore (4-1): A young defense is jelling and Jersey Shore played one of its best defensive games this season against Shikellamy. The Braves feature a potent offense but Carson Watkins intercepted two passes, Jersey Shore collected four sacks and it allowed just four first downs. Conner Yingling and Luke Thompson combined for three sacks and Jersey Shore rarely gave standout quarterback Brody Rebuck time to throw, forcing him into completing just 1 of 10 passes at one point. The Bulldogs picked up valuable points in the district playoff rankings as a result and will try building on that momentum Friday when they head to Millionaire Stadium and face Williamsport.

2. Montoursville (4-1): Montoursville made a statement at the Silver Bowl as its offensive line played its best game and the defense stifled a potent offense in a 27-0 win against Mount Carmel. Montoursville defeated the Tornadoes for the first time since 2016 and on the road for the first time in the 2000s. The offensive line came together; Christian Banks ran for 161 yards and two touchdowns and Montoursville put together two 14-play touchdown drives. The most impressive was a 98-yard drive which Banks capped with a 31-yard touchdown run. Hayden Harvey added 79 yards and a touchdown. Both Banks and Harvey also played key roles for a defense which limited Mount Carmel to a season-low 128 yards. It was the third time this season that Montoursville’s starters did not allow a point and the team’s second shutout. It was a huge bounce back which showcased the Warriors’ potential. Montoursville strengthened its hold on one of the top two seeds in District 4 Class AAA and hosts Central Columbia Friday.

3. Williamsport (4-1): Williamsport was down but far from out Friday at Selinsgrove. Trailing by 11 with five minutes remaining, the Millionaires staged a furious comeback, scoring three consecutive touchdowns and rallying for a dramatic 29-23 win. Tevin Williams accounted for four touchdowns and Williamsport scored 20 consecutive points in fewer than four minutes. It was a huge character win for a young team which kept believing despite the odds increasing as the fourth quarter progressed. Linebacker Lucas Naughton helped fuel the defense and the Millionaires solidified their hold on first place in the District 2-4 Class AAAAAA standings. Williamsport flipped the script after Selinsgrove erased a 10-point fourth quarter against it a year ago and the way it won says as much about Williamsport as the fact that it won.

4. Warrior Run (4-1): Jackson Albright made the play the year thus far for Warrior Run when he stopped Lewisburg quarterback Xavier Carter less than a yard from the end zone on fourth down in the final seconds, preserving a thrilling 29-24 win at Lewisburg. The Defenders built a 21-0 lead but trailed 22-21 in the fourth before Tyler Ulrich’s 3-yard touchdown put it ahead to stay. Albright was part of a strong offensive line which helped the Defenders run for 201 yards. Denyn Beachel (108) yards topped 100 yards for a third straight game and Ulrich (142 total yards) scored three times for a second consecutive game. Warrior Run improved to 9-2 on the road over the past two seasons as well.

5. Muncy (4-1): Muncy made it four straight wins Saturday, blanking Sayre, 42-0. The offense has come alive, but a fearsome defense has laid the foundation for success. Muncy produced its second straight shutout and the starters have not allowed a point in three consecutive games. Only two teams have gained more than 200 yards against Muncy and linemen Nixon Lamper and Nassir Miller set the tone against Sayre, each making multiple tackles for loss in the first quarter. Andrew Walters ran for two touchdowns and threw for another in less than two quarters, while Layken Harris and Wes Somits ran for 80 and 16-yard touchdowns, respectively. Carter Feigles added an eight-yard touchdown catch.

Players of the Week

Tevin Williams, Williamsport and Corbin Pentz, Bucktail: Williams is only a sophomore but plays with a veteran’s maturity. The first-year starting quarterback refused to let the Millionaires lose at Selinsgrove, scoring three straight late touchdowns and giving Williamsport a nine-point advantage with a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown. Williams scored four times and totaled 279 yards. That included the sophomore rushing for a career-high 160 yards. Only a freshman, Pentz is settling in as Bucktail’s quarterback and dissected Smethport’s defense. He completed 14 of 17 passes for 283 yards and four touchdowns. Pentz set a record for passing yards in a game by a Bucktail quarterback in the 2000s and has produced at least one touchdown in three of his first four contests.

Game of the Week

Montgomery at Muncy: This might be the most anticipated Old Shoe Game of the 2000s. Both teams are surging at 4-1 and winning seven straight combined games. This also could be the first of two games they play this season with it a strong possibility they will play in the District 4 Class A semifinals. Each team features a stifling defense, so points might be at a premium. Expect a huge crowd, a physical game and a great high school atmosphere for what feels like will be a fantastic game.

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