But those losses provided opportunities for the Lancers to see what they had to do to get better and what they needed to do personnel wise to get the most out of the team.

Last week, the Lancers were able to do that in a win for Hughesville and this Friday, Loyalsock’s offense seemed to fire on all cylinders against Midd-West. Loyalsock’s offense came out on fire in the first half and defensively, the Lancers smothered Midd-West en route to a 40-20 win that wasn’t as close as the score indicated.

Loyalsock led 40-0 by halftime to put the mercy rule into effect as Midd-West’s 20 fourth-quarter points came against the backups late in the game with the victory already decided.

“Using that past (with losses to Mifflinburg and Southern) and building on it to become a better unit as a whole to learn about ourselves, learn about some heartache and rebound from that is something that’s a character-building opportunity for a group of young men and I’m very proud of them for taking advantage of that opportunitiy and get better,” Van Fleet said.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock's Jalil Coates leaps over a Mid-West defender for a touchdown in the second quarter.

Loyalsock scored 21 first-quarter points and scored on each of its first three drives of the game, going 67, 30 and 56 yards for touchdowns.

“The kids came out and I wanted to have them be able to play to their capacity and they were able to do so. Midd-West has had a much improved season, we recognized this wasn’t the same Midd-West team we played in previous years and we had to be ready to go,” Van Fleet said. “Instead of coming out slow, we had some issues of coming out with fire. We came out with emotion (today) and we were able to get the job done. I’m proud of the kids for that.”

Van Fleet noted the team had a solid week of practice and that helped the team gel on Friday.

Loyalsock took the opening possession down field seven plays to score when Danny Dowell found Clynton Taylor for a 21-yard touchdown. Midd-West fumbled its next possession on its second play, resulting in Loyalsock needing just five plays for Jalil Coates to punch in a 1-yard touchdown run.

After forcing a punt on six plays defensively, Loyalsock’s offense got back at it and scored when Nahmir Thomas had a two-yard punch in with 2:28 to play.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock's Jalil Coates (5) runs behind the block of Isaac Probst in the second quarter.

Loyalsock’s first three touchdowns came within a seven-minute span in the first quarter.

“Throughout our first two weeks, our offense was able to generate offense. We were able to move the ball quite well up and down the field, but we couldn’t capitalize. We focused on it in practice. We had big touchdowns in terms of distance as well, but in short-yardage game we’ve been a lot more effective. Credit to the offensive line really anchoring down and getting the job done,” Van Fleet said.

Midd-West’s eight first-half possessions ended with two lost fumbles, an interception, a missed 39-yard field goal attempt that was narrowly short and four drives with punts, including three consecutive three-and-outs.

“We’re excited for health to come back, we’re getting some more guys back this week with nagging injuries,” Van Fleet said. “Positive situation moving forward for the team and something everyone can be proud of and look forward to the future.”

Loyalsock out-gained Midd-West in the first half in offense, 308-31. Midd-West was limited to just 24 rushing yards in the first two quarters.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock's (10) brushes off an attempted tackle by Mid-West's Konnor Kullman (6) in the second quarter.

Coates was a player that the Mustangs didn’t have an answer for. He had his second straight game rushing for more than 150 yards as he ran for 188 on 17 carries on Friday night and had nine runs of six or more yards.

“He’s been doing great at the tail back position clearly, he has great vision and put his time in the weight room this past season. He’s not the same player he was in the past,” Van Fleet said of Coates. “Squat racks have 500 pounds on them and he’s under it and his legs are a heck of a lot different, his speed’s different, his agility’s different and he’s showing that on a week-to-week basis. We’re looking forward to more carries under his belt.”

In the second quarter, Loyalsock kept its foot on the gas and put the mercy rule into effect. Coates had a 32-yard touchdown run with 10:23 to play to put the Lancer ahead 27-0 after the missed kick. After an unfortunate interception gave Midd-West the ball, Loyalsock got it back forcing a punt and then used seven plays to go 50 yards, capitalized with a 5-yard Coates touchdown run, his third and final of the night.

The mercy rule went into play with 1:24 to play in the second quarter when Dowell found Nahmir Thomas for a six-yard touchdown strike.

Dowell ended the game with 113 passing yards as the Lancers gained 310 yards of offense in the win.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Midwest quarterback Brady Janovich (10) tries to throw under pressure from Loyalsock's Jeremiah Johnson in the first half.

Midd-West would score all 20 points in the fourth quarter.

Noah Kratzer broke a 59-yard run with 9:40 to play in the game to break up the shutout and put the Mustangs on the board. Konnor Kullman then had a 31-yard touchdown catch from Brady Janovich with 2:23 to play to cut the deficit to 40-13.

Midd-West’s final score came with 1:17 to play when Landon Hartman punched in a score from 11 yards out for the 40-20 deficit.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock's Quaz'heir Day (7) and Nahmir Thomas (10) celebrates Thomas' touchdown in the first quarter.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock's Nahmir Thomas waits to make a pass reception in the first quarter.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Mid-West quarterback Cal Cassel (17) is sacked by Loyalsock's Jeremiah Johnson (51) in the first quarter.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock's Ivan Baker (12) brushes off an attempted tackle by Mid-West's Samuel Jordan in the first quarter.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock's Joshua Meacham (19) celebrates after recovering a fumble in the first quarter.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock's Ivan Baker (12) and Clynton Taylor (4) celebrate after Taylor's touchdown in the first quarter.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock's Clynton Taylor (4) pulls in a pass for a touchdown in the first quarter.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock football team charges onto the field before their game against Mid-West Friday.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock's Jalil Coates (5) brushes off an attempted tackle by Mid-West's Samuel Jordan (56) in the first quarter.