Tyler Ulrich of Warrior Run scores a touchdown against Loyalsock at Loyalsock High School. Warrior Run won, 47-42. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

James Keifer whipped a short pass toward Cohen Zechman and it looked like Warrior Run would gain a few yards. Then Tyler Ulrich changed everything without touching the football.

After lining up in a trips right formation, Ulrich made two fantastic blocks near the right sideline and, in a flash, Zechman found daylight, racing 53 yards for the game’s first touchdown Friday night at Loyalsock. It was the first of 13 these rivals produced in a wildly entertaining 47-42 Warrior Run victory but it spoke volumes.

Warrior Run features a potent offense sparked by a powerful offensive line and versatile skill players seemingly everywhere. But only one player can touch the ball at a time. What is making everything work so well these days is that nobody cares who has the ball, only doing whatever is necessary to turn each play into a positive one.

Selflessness led to explosiveness at Loyalsock as the Defenders (6-1) scored on seven of 10 possessions, piled up 482 yards and snapped the Lancers’ three-game winning streak. Warrior Run also gave itself a shot at earning a share of its first league championship since 2005, something it can achieve if it defeats Hughesville this Friday.

“That’s what we do. We play as a team. We’re not selfish people out here on the field,” Ulrich said. “That’s why we’re having a lot of success right now. We’re not worried about stats. We’re playing 11 people as one, and that’s key.”

It certainly is. Warrior Run has a lot mouths to feed because it features a wealth of playmakers. But the coaching staff loves this dilemma because nobody is clamoring to get the ball. These are players who have helped the program make a tremendous turnaround the past four years and winning is its only focus.

Focusing on the collective; not the individual, has pushed the offense to a new level the past two weeks. In those wins, Warrior Run has scored 96 points while totaling 882 yards. Linemen Kaleb Nicholas, Jackson Albright, Garrett Williams, Cayden Robinson and Carter Robinson helped Warrior Run pound out 367 yards rushing against Loyalsock, while Keifer threw for 115 and Zechman caught five passes for 99 yards.

Denyn Beachel ran for 180 yards and two scores, while Ulrich produced 144 yards and three touchdowns. But whenever the ball went another way, one could often see Zechman, Beachel or Ulrich throwing a key block or hustling to help a teammate.

The stats these individuals are producing this season are impressive, including Beachel topping 100 yards in five straight games and Zechman leading the area in receiving yards. Still, it’s what so many Warrior Run players do when they do not have the ball which is equally impressive and just as crucial to the team’s success.

“We (he and Beachel) always are looking for carries because we like to run but we know it’s not about us,” Ulrich said. “Obviously, both of us want the ball, but once the ball is not going to us, our job is to block and we’re going to do our best job that we can for whoever has the ball.”

That mentality has helped Warrior Run win three straight games and secure its second straight winning season, generating consecutive winning campaigns for the first time in 19 years. Having all on the same page, too, helps Warrior Run skillfully utilize its weapons.

The line so thoroughly blew defenders off the ball Friday that Warrior Run mostly went ground and pound, averaging 7.3 yards per carry. But, both that opening touchdown and a last-second 46-yard Keifer to Zechman stunning touchdown to close the first half highlighted the team’s ability to strike quick and far through the air.

Loyalsock had taken its first lead, 21-20, with 22 seconds remaining in the first half. A Keifer to Ulrich 12-yard pass put the ball at Loyalsock’s 46-yard line with seven seconds remaining. From there, Keifer stepped into a clean pocket and launched a rocket toward Zechman in the middle of the end zone. Zechman sped by multiple defensive backs, hauled the pass in and Warrior Run shockingly had a 28-21 halftime lead.

“It was great. Everyone was working together,” Albright said. “It shows how we play as a team. If everyone does their job, we’re able to make plays.”

All the Warrior Run players working as one is helping the team continue to make a lot of plays. The line helped Beachel and Ulrich frequently get four or five yards downfield before contact. That was like giving Popeye spinach because those two already are hard-nosed runners who never go down easy.

Both the line and backs fed off each other with Beachel and Ulrich repeatedly gaining yards after contact and/or running over defenders.

Put it together and Warrior Run kept answering whenever Loyalsock landed haymakers, finally landing a knockout blow with its running game. The Defenders threw the ball just twice in the second half, running at will and putting together three straight fourth quarter touchdown drives featuring all runs.

None of the receivers complained either. They just kept blocking.

And Warrior Run kept winning. That is the only stat this team of focused on.

“We have two guys running hard, the line is playing great and the backs and receivers are blocking down the field,” Warrior Run coach Derrick Zechman said. “It’s a really unselfish group and they’re fun to coach. That was a great game and we’re really happy to come out with a win.”

FIRE WITH FIRE

Loyalsock showcased its offensive arsenal as well in this back-and-forth showdown which featured four lead changes from late in the second quarter through the mid-fourth quarter. Running back Jalil Coates dazzled, gaining 168 yards and three touchdowns, while Nahmir Thomas caught four passes for 153 yards and two scores. Danny Dowell threw for 226 yards and three touchdowns.

Dowell also moved Loyalsock 50 yards in 35 seconds without a timeout, completing three straight passes, including a 7-yard touchdown pass to Coates. That allowed the Lancers a shot at trying to recover an onside kick which they almost did. Thomas built on his stellar breakthrough season, hauling in two Dowell long touchdowns which covered 139 yards and Dowell went over 900 yards passing.

Coates played wide receiver last year and spent the offseason working hard at that position. A Cayden Sones injury, however, forced Loyalsock to move Coates to the backfield and he has dominated since the switch, topping 100 yards in all five games.

Coates not only has good burst and runs with power, but also is excellent making defenders miss. Even on short runs, Coates often was able to make a quick cut, slip off a tackler and turn a potential negative into a positive. He has run for nearly all of his 815 yards and eight touchdowns these past five games and is looking like a natural in the backfield despite his receiving experience.

EXTRA POINTS

Andrew Walters totaled 219 yards and two touchdowns, going over 1,000 passing yards in the process, while helping Muncy defeat North Penn-Mansfield, 21-9. Layken Harris added 73 yards and a touchdown and Muncy (5-2) rallied from a 3-0 second-half deficit and did not allow a touchdown until the fourth quarter … North Penn-Mansfield senior Luke Kreger made history in that game. Kreger caught nine passes for 136 yards, breaking program records for both career catches (106) and yards (1,932). An all-state receiver last season, Kreger moved to running back this year, but caught nine passes for 136 yards against Muncy. He also ran for a 24-yard touchdown and became the 23rd area player of the 2000s to reach 100 catches … Garrett Lorson became the fastest South Williamsport quarterback to reach 1,000 yards in the 2000s, throwing for 173 in a 47-6 win at Sayre. The sophomore has 1,023 yards and 10 touchdowns in his debut season and Levi Butler caught five passes for 70 yards and a score. Cade Lusk, Eli White and Garrett Lorson all ran for 70 yards or more behind a surging line and each scored twice. Dominick Goode had a big defensive game, intercepting two passes. Taylor Naugle intercepted his third pass in two weeks and Samir Moy added another … Lewisburg quarterback Xavier Carter and Jaylen Walker connected five times for 153 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-7 win against Midd-West. Carter went over 1,000 yards this season in his first year starting, while Walker upped his area touchdown catch lead to nine. Nick Coleman ran for 71 yards and a score and the starting defense held an opponent scoreless for a second time … Milton recorded its second shutout, scoring 34 first quarter points and blanking Central Columbia, 55-0. The defense allowed just 62 yards and forced five turnovers. Jackson Wertz collected 13 tackles, including three for loss, while Brady Wolfe made 10 tackles, 2 ½ for loss, and added a sack. Schuyler Humphrey and Luis Santos intercepted passes and Carter Letteer and Brady O’Rourke each had sacks … Williamsport sophomore Tevin Williams spent his offseason working at wide receiver but moved to quarterback when Zion Hughes was injured last summer and went over 1,000 yards in Friday’s 42-7 loss against Shamokin. Williams threw his 10th touchdown pass and has totaled 18, while throwing for 1,003 yards.

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

DR. MASSE’S TOP 5 RANKINGS

1. Montoursville (6-1): Make it three straight shutouts as Montoursville had little trouble at Central Mountain, building a 31-point halftime lead and winning, 44-0. The starting defense held an opponent scoreless for a fifth time and Montoursville earned its fourth shutout. Kingston Fisher, Gabe Vanderwall and Zane Butler all collected sacks. Fisher and Butler also forced fumbles, while Hayden Harvey intercepted a pass, made 10 tackles and ran for two touchdowns. The offensive line continues jelling and paved the way as Christian Banks ran for 152 yards and two scores, generating his third consecutive 100-yard game. Elijah Eck twice found Fisher for touchdowns totaling 79 yards and Montoursville secured its first winning season since 2021. Adam Shearer kicked his area-high fourth field goal, this one a 38-yarder. The Warriors now prepare for a showdown as Southern Columbia comes to Memorial Stadium with both teams at 6-1 and having won a combined nine straight games.

2. Jersey Shore (5-2): The last time Jersey Shore suffered a 40-plus blowout loss came in 2019 when Southern Columbia defeated it, 56-14. You know what the Bulldogs did after that? They won seven straight games and reached the 4A state semifinals for the first time. The point being it’s not the loss which defines a team, but how it responds. So, Jersey Shore is hoping it can come back strong after undefeated Hollidaysburg thumped it, 52-7 last Friday. The Bulldogs still control their own destiny as far as hosting a district semifinal but the bigger goal is improving these next three weeks in all facets. On the positive side, Bo Sechrist ran for 68 yards and scored a touchdown for a 12th straight game, dating back to last season.

3. Warrior Run (6-1): In a game dominated by offense, the defense still made two critical fourth quarter stops. First, Zechman intercepted a pass across the middle at Loyalsock’s 21-yard line, setting up Beachel’s go-ahead touchdown. Next, the pass rush and the secondary combined to force three straight incompletions and Loyalsock turned the ball over on downs near midfield. Seven Beachel runs and 57 yards later, Warrior Run was ahead, 47-35 and headed for its fourth straight road win and second straight comeback road victory.

4. Montgomery (6-1): Montgomery clinched its second straight winning season and earned its third shutout, routing Northwest, 62-0. The Red Raiders won their fifth consecutive game and have not allowed more than seven points in any victory. Before going 13-5 these past two years, Montgomery had not enjoyed a winning season since 2001, so it has been a monster turnaround. The offensive line continues setting the tone and Montgomery ran at will, producing 422 yards on the ground. Joel Knoebel and Austin Luckenbill each went over 100 yards and five Raiders have now had at least one game of over 90 yards with four topping 100. Trace Furman added 94 yards, going over 1,000 all-purpose yards this season and Montgomery averaged 11.7 yards per carry. Parker Persing also found his cousin Briar for a 22-yard touchdown. Ethan Tupper was all over the field defensively, intercepting two passes and making 11 tackles. Cameron Waltz also made nine tackles and the defense has surrendered just 19 points in six victories. Montgomery is off to its best start in the 2000s and hosts Holy Redeemer Friday.

5. Loyalsock (4-3): Despite last Friday’s result, Loyalsock still is assured of its first HAC-III championship since 2015. It just has to share the title instead of winning it outright. Still, this team has come a long way despite costly injuries and an 0-2 start. Safety Ivan Baker is a big reason why the Lancers have continued their success and was all over the field against Warrior Run, making 17 tackles, including 11 solos. Josh Meacham added 14 tackles and Wyatt Emerick 10.

Players of the Week

Monty Fisher, Milton and Stevie Olson, Cowanesque Valley: Fisher was a wrecking machine against Central, totaling 323 yards and seven touchdowns. He ran for 238 yards with five touchdowns, while throwing for 85 and two scores. Fisher already accounted for five touchdowns before the first quarter concluded and his seventh came just past the halfway point of the third quarter. He also took the area rushing lead and has 946 yards. Olson was part of a powerful CV offensive line which overwhelmed CMVT Saturday, helping clear the way for 465 yards, including 273 on the ground. Olson helped CV average 12.4 yards per rush before capping the day with a 20-yard touchdown run. He also constantly was in the CMVT backfield defensively, starting the scoring with a safety and producing two sacks.

Game of the Week

South Williamsport at Muncy: One of the area’s best small school rivalries during the 2000s is renewed Friday at Scott McLean Field. This is a big one, too. South and Montgomery are tied for first in the NTL-II and Muncy is a game out. South plays Montgomery next week as well, so it controls its destiny, but Muncy also can put itself back in the title hunt with a win. South and Muncy each made state Final Four runs the previous two seasons and the road team has won two straight in this back-and-forth series.