RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Lewisburg's Jaylen Walker (2) connects with a pass during a high school football game against Hughesville at Hughesville on Friday.

Jaylen Walker caught two touchdowns and intercepted a pass, snuffing out a Hughesville scoring threat.

But if one wants to best understand who Walker is, look at the play he made late in the third quarter after Hughesville intercepted a pass headed his way near the end zone. Instead of giving up on the play, Walker immediately gave chase and kept his eyes upon the prize.

Walker caught up at the 22-yard line, swatted at the ball and jarred it loose as Lewisburg recovered at the 22-yard line. Three plays later, Xavier Carter found Mitchell Lorenz for a 15-yard touchdown and the Green Dragons put the finishing touches on a 36-0 win.

“On that forced fumble, all I thought was get the ball,” Walker said. “He was carrying it like a loaf of bread, so I tried to get after him and knock it loose.”

In a game Lewisburg seemingly had salted away, Walker’s motor still revved high. That says more than the gaudy receiving numbers he has produced through four weeks. He is an excellent receiver, but Walker also is becoming a team leader and that is another step in the development of both Walker and this team.

“That shows the person he wants to be and the person he is at heart,” Lewisburg coach Eric Wicks said. “We look at him as our playmaker and as that player you look at it like you have to make the play when the ball is in your hands. That proves it right there. The ball wasn’t there as far as the pass, but Jaylen making sure we got the ball back, to me, that’s a leader-type play and shows a leader-type status.”

That is as crucial as the production Walker provides in all three facets. The Green Dragons (1-3) were hit hard by graduation and feature several first-time starters. So, while Walker is still a junior, he also has embraced a leadership role as one of the team’s more experienced players.

The 6-foot-2 receiver/cornerback has started since his freshman year. He was a vital part of last year’s success as Lewisburg went 10-2, captured its first league championship since 2010 and came within a stop of winning the District 4 Class AAA title.

Those teams featured dynamic running back Jeremiah Davis, who now plays at Buffalo. Running behind a powerful, senior-laden line, Davis was unstoppable at times last year, going for a program record 2,177 yards and 31 touchdowns. That meant Walker’s receiving opportunities were limited but he understood why and simply was happy the team was winning.

With Davis having graduated, as well as three experienced linemen, Lewisburg has gone to a more open attack this year. Xavier Carter has thrown for 661 yards through four weeks and Walker now is not just a player who can keep defenses honest, but one of the top receivers in the area.

He caught two touchdowns for a third straight game against Hughesville and Walker is among area leaders in every category with 22 receptions for 350 yards and six touchdowns. Even in a more run-heavy offense the past two years, Walker still has career totals of 66 catches, 1,230 yards and 16 touchdowns.

“I was able to do the same thing I’m doing this year but we just had a great running back in Jeremiah Davis. You can’t stop that kid so why not give him the ball?,” Walker said. “It’s not just me on the field. We have a team and everyone helps out.”

Those selfless words are like music to Wicks’s ears. Combine that with the continued evolution of a player who came alive during the 2023 playoffs his senior year and Lewisburg has a well-rounded weapon at its disposal.

Also a strong cornerback and a dangerous kick/punt returner, Walker is not just a deep threat. He’s someone who can go across the middle, catch the ball in traffic and gain yards after the catch. Simply put, Walker has become a complete receiver.

“Early in his career he wouldn’t catch the ball that great in traffic and I think that’s one of his major specialties now,” Wicks said. “He has no problem with a guy closing in on him making that good catch or going across the middle and making that catch. We’re going to do more things like that, so they can’t just double team him on the outside.”

Walker caught 37 and 38-yard touchdowns on perfect deep balls from Carter. Those big plays came after Walker was more of a decoy early in the game, highlighting another strength he provides. Hughesville seemed intent on keeping the ball from Walker early, so Carter spread it around, carving it up with short and intermediate throws to five other receivers.

Hughesville held Carter to one catch for minus-1 yard through the game’s first minutes, but Lewisburg still put together two time-consuming touchdown drives and led, 15-0. It was basically a pick your poison dilemma and whichever option Lewisburg took proved lethal.

Walker caught the 37-yard scoring strike to make it, 22-0 and his 38-yard touchdown pushed the advantage to 29-0. When Hughesville doubled Walker, Carter still made it pay, this time finding Mitchell Lorenz for a 15-yard score which sealed victory.

So, even when he’s not catching the football, Walker still is hurting opponents. That is just the way Lewisburg likes it as Walker keeps pushing for his and his teammates’ best.

“He’s a guy that can take it the distance on any play. If we can always have that threat, and make the defense have to cover him with a few guys, now someone else is open and now our run game is open,” Wicks said. “If we can continue to use him in those ways, it’s just going to make us better.”

QUICK STUDY: North Penn-Mansfield senior Luke Kreger earned all-state honors as a wide receiver last fall and was poised to shatter all the program career receiving marks this season.

But after the team’s three leading rushers graduated, North Penn-Mansfield asked Kreger if he could move to running back. Putting the collective ahead of the individual Kreger accepted.

What a move it has been. Kreger ran for 166 yards and two touchdowns Saturday at Canton, helping North Penn-Mansfield rally for a 24-14 win.

“Whatever move they make, I’ll try my best,” said Kreger, who had last played running back in junior high. “This opportunity came up and I took it. We’ve made the best out of it. We did a lot over the summer which really helped us. That helps me play how I am right now and my line especially helps.”

Kreger has gone over 100 yards three times and has topped 90 in all four contests, helping the Panthers become the area’s lone unbeaten team. His seamless transition has not only helped this young squad excel but has set a powerful example. Kreger leads the area with 505 yards and eight touchdowns, but his impact goes beyond the stats.

“Luke is an amazing kid and just his selflessness moving from receiver and taking the amount of carries he’s getting and keeping the ball inside has answered any questions anyone would have about that,” North Penn-Mansfield coach Jed Wright said. “He’s completely bought in and it’s been cool to watch. When that’s the example of what one of your better players will do for the team it’s really easy for any other kid to buy into what our team needs him to do.”

RAMBLING RAIDERS: Montgomery continues motoring along and is 3-1 for just the second time since 2001 after winning, 28-6 at Wyalusing. The Red Raiders scored the game’s final 28 points and allowed just 118 yards.

Montgomery’s defense continues stifling opponents and has surrendered only 12 points in three wins. Josh Knoebel made a career-high 16 tackles and Cameron Woltz (11) and Seth McClintock (10) combined for 21 tackles, helping limit Wyalusing to barely two yards per carry. Conversely, the offensive line controlled things up front and Montgomery continued progressing as it runs the Wing-T for the first time. Trace Furman (123 yards), Lincoln Miller (78) and Josh Knoebel all ran for at least 46 yards and quarterback Parker Persing scored twice, running one in and finding Furman for a 29-yard touchdown.

EXTRA POINTS: Loyalsock (2-2) produced its second straight blowout victory, opening a 40-point halftime lead and routing Midd-West, 40-20. The starters did not allow a point and Jeremiah Johnson collected three tackles for loss as well as a sack. Nahmir Thomas caught a career-high seven passes for 95 yards and a touchdown, while CJ Taylor snared his third touchdown and Danny Dowell threw for 136 yards … Lewisburg senior two-way lineman Grady Rowe helped set the tone up front on both sides of the ball in the Dragons’ win. He was a key in Lewisburg allowing just 17 rushing yards on 14 carries; while controlling the ball offensively for nearly 31 minutes … Sophomore Schuyler Humphrey made a career-high 14 tackles as Milton dominated the line and blanked South Williamsport, 25-0. Jacori Brown and Jensen Souder intercepted passes, while Brady Wolfe made nine tackles and added a sack. Monty Fisher ran for 162 yards and two scores, also throwing a touchdown to Cole Rhodes. Cade Lusk ran for 103 yards for South … Griffin Morral threw for 190 yards, ran for 112 and totaled three touchdowns as Wellsboro won its second straight, defeating Towanda, 33-12. Kody Enck and Max Mascho caught touchdowns, Marek Mascho and Reed Richardson ran for scores and Hayden Stevens produced his second sack in two weeks … Dave Hess ran for 144 yards and three touchdowns on just six carries and Cowanesque Valley produced its second shutout, blanking Sayre, 42-0. Kegan Lane added 65 yards and two touchdowns and Brody Bruce intercepted a pass while making 12 tackles. Levi Stahli hit Gavin Churchill with a touchdown and Logan Huntington intercepted a pass.

Dr. Masse’s Top Five:

1. Jersey Shore (3-1): Shamokin and Jersey Shore continue to produce instant classics. They played their latest last Friday with Shamokin converting a 2-point conversion to win, 43-42 in double overtime. The last three games have been decided by four combined points. It was a fabulous effort by Jersey Shore as Nolen Pauling threw for 229 yards, ran for 41 and totaled four touchdowns. Fellow sophomore Carson Rhinehart burst onto the scene with seven catches, 91 yards and a touchdown, while Carson Watkins and Luke Ryan both caught six passes. Bo Sechrist ran for 88 yards and a score, while returning a fumble 32 yards for another touchdown. Talyn Lope added 10 tackles, three for loss, and a sack.

2. Montoursville (3-1): Close your eyes hard enough and you can almost hear coach Joe Hanna challenging his inner-Bill Belichick today at practice, saying, ‘We’re onto Mount Carmel.’ All Montoursville can do is try moving forward after a disappointing 35-7 loss against Mifflinburg in a battle of unbeatens. The Warriors turned the ball over four times and were down 35-0 at halftime. Still, everything Montoursville wants to achieve remains out there. Seven years ago, the Warriors were routed at Danville but came back, won the rematch and a district championship. For now, though, all Montoursville can do is prepare for a dangerous Mount Carmel team which is as battle-tested as anyone could be, facing three state-ranked opponents these first four weeks.

3. Williamsport (3-1): Williamsport started strong at Shikellamy and led by seven after a quarter but it went downhill from there as the Braves scored 28 straight points and won, 35-14. The Millionaires will stay in District 4’s Southern Tier and play at Selinsgrove Friday as they try regaining the form they showed the first three weeks. Giovanni White provided a bright spot, running for 69 yards and a touchdown, while hauling in a 55-yard score from Tevin Williams. White has totaled 582 yards thus far, scoring nine touchdowns three ways. Williams threw and ran for a touchdown for a third time as well.

4. Warrior Run (3-1): Like Williamsport, Warrior Run could not sustain its fast start as an eight-point second quarter lead became a 21-point fourth quarter deficit against undefeated Bloomsburg in a 42-28 loss. Cohen Zechman provided a highlight, returning a punt 76 yards for a touchdown. Zechman has now scored touchdowns four ways in four games, as a receiver, kick returner, punt returner and defender. Tyler Ulrich totaled 94 yards and scored three times, while Denyn Beachel ran for 114 yards. Beachel has topped 90 yards in all four games in his first season starting.

5. Muncy (3-1): The starting defense did not allow a point for a second straight week as Muncy blanked Northwest, 35-0. The Indians surrendered just 109 yards and forced four turnovers with senior Nick Delany having a big night, going for nine tackles, a sack and four tackles for loss. A team with a lot of moving parts entering the season has started putting them together well and Andrew Walters accounted for five touchdowns, throwing for 222 yards and two scores while rushing for three touchdowns. Nate Rogers caught his fifth touchdown and generated 97 yards, while Dominic Guardini caught a touchdown and Gavin Barrows added four receptions. Muncy has won its last three games on the road and returns home Saturday for Homecoming when it hosts Sayre.

Players of the Week

Trace Furman, Montgomery and Jalil Coates, Loyalsock: Furman continues excelling on both sides of the ball and made a game-high 15 tackles against Wyalusing, while also running for a game-best 123 yards. Furman ran for a touchdown and caught a 29-yard touchdown. Furman is averaging 13.8 tackles per game and also has totaled 345 yards. Like Kreger, Coates moved from receiver to the backfield and has made a huge impact since the switch, gaining 381 yards in consecutive Loyalsock wins. Coates ran for 201 yards and three touchdowns against Midd-West, doing all that damage in the first half. He also intercepted a pass.

Game of the Week

Shikellamy at Jersey Shore: There is no rest of Jersey Shore in a first-half filled with challenging opponents. Both the Bulldogs and Shikellamy are 3-1 and the Braves are one of the district’s most improved teams, featuring an explosive offense and resurgent defense. These two and Athens are all fighting for playoff positioning with Shamokin at the top right now. The top two finishers receive home playoff games, so this contest could go a long way in determining how it plays out.

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