And Friday night at Kenneth Robbins Stadium, Montoursville linemen Noah Rakestraw, Gabe Vanderwall, Hunter Shaffer, Branson Fogleman, Riggs McGraw, along with tight end Kingston Fisher, helped Montoursville run away with the Bridge Trophy.

The line put together a dominant performance; Hayden Harvey and Christian Banks both reached 100 yards and Montoursville scored 24 second quarter points as it defeated Loyalsock, 52-14, in the Battle of the Bridge rivalry game. Montoursville ran for 366 yards, built a 31-7 halftime lead and won the Bridge for the first time since 2021, an especially sweet moment for the seniors who hoisted the trophy for the first time.

“It (the running) really does pay off, especially when you’re a two-way lineman,” Rakestraw said after excelling on both sides of the ball, adding a sack and three tackles for loss. “Four of us go both ways, so we really don’t get a break and that conditioning, it made me want to quit football and play golf, but it really helped take our game to the next level. That’s one of the biggest things I can take from the offseason.”

Games are not won in the offseason, but they certainly can be lost there. The linemen helped set a hard-working tone throughout the winter, spring and summer months and it has paid off with Montoursville (8-2) putting together its best season in four years. They have earned a home District 4 Class AAA semifinal next week against Mount Carmel.

Kaden Kleinman of Montoursville celebrates scoring a touchdown against Loyalsock at Loyalsock High School. Montoursville wins the Bridge by defeating Loyalsock 52-14. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“That was a big part of our conditioning. We were able to stay conditioned throughout with the bunch of sprints we do,” Vanderwall said after also having a strong defensive game which included two tackles for loss and half a sack. “Because we were able to keep doing that, I feel like we wore them down. We’ve all meshed really well which is cool to see.”

Harvey ran for a career-high 144 yards and four touchdowns on 28 carries. Banks piled up his 100 yards in the first half and scored the game’s first touchdown. Quarterback Elijah Eck added 48 yards on four carries, going over 1,000 passing yards as well, while fullback Chase Jones provided strong lead blocking.

It was the latest step forward for a line which has jelled throughout the year and started playing its best football at the perfect time. Rakestraw, Vanderwall, Shaffer and Fisher are seniors, while Fogleman and McGraw are first-time starting sophomores. But the grades and experience do no matter at this point. It’s all about that unit playing as one.

Montoursville did that brilliantly against Loyalsock, the starters helping fuel eight scoring drives on nine possessions. The Warriors scored touchdowns on their first four series and Adam Shearer’s 31-yard field goal as time expired made Montoursville 5-for-5 with scoring drives while giving them a 31-7 halftime lead. Montoursville skillfully ran the hurry-up offense to set up that field goal, Eck finding Carlos Tira for 19 yards on a third-and-15 to get it into field goal range.

The Warriors averaged 6.8 yards per carry and four straight touchdown drives had them up, 28-0 just past the second quarter’s halfway points. Banks capped the opening march with a 1-yard run; Eck dove in for a 1-yard touchdown on a 4th-and-goal play a drive later before Harvey closed the ensuing possessions with 1 and 2-yard touchdown runs.

Kaden Kleinman (29) of Montoursville tries to avoid the tackle of Nahmir Thomas (10) of Loyalsock at Loyalsock High School. Montoursville wins the Bridge by defeating Loyalsock 52-14. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“Our front three guys have played together most of our lives but we’ve also bonded with our tackles which is awesome,” Vanderwall said. “Thanks to (line) coach (Dave) Fortunato for helping teach us, but we kind of work together and motivate each other.”

“Our coaching staff, especially coach Fortunato, has done a really good job up front with those guys. Those three veterans in the middle and two sophomores at tackle have just gotten better and better each week and with Kingston at tight end, they’re big and physical,” Montoursville coach Joe Hanna said. “The kids are starting to learn their assignments; the backs are trusting their linemen, so it’s kind of all come together the last couple weeks.”

It continued doing so in the second half. Montoursville opened the third quarter with nine straight Harvey runs as he bulldozed defenders who the linemen helped push back. The line frequently helped whoever carried the ball hit the second level without much contact and the backs took it from there with Harvey and Banks often taking defenders for rides while gaining extra yards.

Harvey ended the first two Montoursville second half drives with 2-yard touchdown runs which imposed the mercy rule and gave it a, 45-7 lead. Sophomore Kaiden Kleinmann was in on the action a series later as the line kept surging and carried five straight times for 64 yards with his 1-yard touchdown closing the game’s scoring.

“We wouldn’t be as good as we are without them doing what they do,” Vanderwall said. “They help us anyway they can and we help them anyway we can.”

Branson Fogleman (55) and Noah Rakestraw (75) of Montoursville race after quarterback Danny Dowell of Loyalsock at Loyalsock High School. Montoursville wins the Bridge by defeating Loyalsock 52-14. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“A big rivalry game like this, you obviously want to put your best foot forward and I think we did that tonight, especially up front,” Hanna said. “Any time you can get your backs into space and the second level without getting touched, you know it’s going to be a good night running the football.”

Loyalsock faced a daunting challenge as it was going against Montoursville but it was further complicated by the rash of injuries it has experienced, including losing three starters up front. Still, the Lancers (5-5) are playoff-bound for a 14th straight season and will play at Bloomsburg in next weekend’s District 4 Class AA quarterfinals. The game was not without Loyalsock highlights either with Danny Dowell throwing a dime on a 45-yard touchdown pass to Nahmir Thomas in which he split two defenders down the right sideline and pulled Loyalsock within 28-27 at the second quarter’s two-minute mark.

Thomas has scored in five straight games and continued making big plays in the fourth quarter. This time he did it on special teams, fielding a kickoff at the 10-yard line, exploding through the wedge and going untouched for a 90-yard kickoff return. It was the senior’s fifth touchdown of more than 40 yards in these last five weeks as well.

“He’s been making plays. The thing that we have to continue to work is the increase the percentages of the times he’s able to make plays and find a way to make that click,” Loyalsock coach Justin Van Fleet said. “We’re certainly proud of his advancement that he’s shown this season.”

Jalil Coates returned a kickoff 84 yards for a second in the second quarter but that was called back by a holding penalty. Coates ran for 56 yards on 11 carries and the 1,000-yard back is one of several Lancers who has done excellent work while playing at a different position.

Noah Rakestraw (75) of Montoursville celebrates a sack on Danny Dowell of Loyalsock at Loyalsock High School. Montoursville wins the Bridge by defeating Loyalsock 52-14. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The result was not what Loyalsock wanted Friday, but the effort it displayed was. The Lancers have lost five games to five teams who are a combined 44-6, so nothing has come easy. Nothing will going forward either but this is a group that has shown all year it is eager to fight.

“We’re not going to back down from anyone. We’re going to keep going after this thing,” Van Fleet said. “That’s the spirit that we’ve had and want to maintain. We look forward to getting the opportunity to play next week. We just have to get ready to go.”

Montoursville was ready to shake off the frustration of the last three Bridge games. A big defensive play started pointing the way toward changing that history and as the defense closed down, the offense opened up.

Loyalsock drove to the Montoursville 27-yard line on the game’s opening series but was driven back on the next three plays before Dowell nearly found Thomas in the middle of the end zone on fourth down. Instead, Brayden Burkett jumped at the right time and made a perfect play, knocking the ball down and ending the threat.

Montoursville then ripped off three first down runs on its first three plays before Banks ended the five-yard drive with his 1-yard touchdown. It was lather, rinse, repeat from there as Montoursville took the game over.

Noah Rakestraw (75) of Montoursville keeps pace with Danny Dowell of Loyalsock at Loyalsock High School. Montoursville wins the Bridge by defeating Loyalsock 52-14. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“Getting a stop and driving it right down the field is always a big momentum booster,” Rakestraw said. “It takes a lot for a team to really come back for that. Being able to do that was big. We’ve been able to do that over and over this season and that’s been one of the keys to our success.”

So has a strong defense which held an opponent to seven or fewer offensive points for a sixth time. Rakestraw was one of several Montoursville defenders who made big impacts against Loyalsock as the Warriors surrendered just 139 yards. In addition to being in on two sacks, Rakestraw also repeatedly hurried the passer and forced errant throws.

All three levels worked well together and doing so had all the Warriors smiling wide as they posed for pictures, holding that coveted Bridge Trophy at last.

“It always makes you feel good chasing down a quarterback and messing everything up. Even if you don’t get the sack, it still messes everything up, their timing and their throw, so it’s really important for our d-line to be able to do that,” Rakestraw said. “This feels amazing. It’s so tiring taking the crap for three years. This is great.”

Noah Rakestraw (75) of Montoursville tries to block a pass by Danny Dowell of Loyalsock at Loyalsock High School. Montoursville wins the Bridge by defeating Loyalsock 52-14. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Hayden Harvey of Montoursville reaches over the goal line for a touchdown against Loyalsock at Loyalsock High School. Montoursville wins the Bridge by defeating Loyalsock 52-14. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Eli Eck of Montoursville runs with the ball against Loyalsock at Loyalsock High School. Montoursville wins the Bridge by defeating Loyalsock 52-14. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Nahmir Thomas (10) and Jahki Brister (13) of Loyalsock celebrate a touchdown by Thomas against Montoursville at Loyalsock High School. Montoursville wins the Bridge by defeating Loyalsock 52-14. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Jay Houseknecht of Montoursville tries to escape the tackle of Danny Dowell of Loyalsock at Loyalsock High School. Montoursville wins the Bridge by defeating Loyalsock 52-14. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Jay Houseknecht of Montoursville is tackled of Danny Dowell of Loyalsock at Loyalsock High School. Montoursville wins the Bridge by defeating Loyalsock 52-14. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Christian Banks of Montoursville runs against Loyalsock at Loyalsock High School. Montoursville wins the Bridge by defeating Loyalsock 52-14. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Carlos Tira of Montoursville knocks the ball away as Nahmir Thomas of Loyalsock tries to catch it at Loyalsock High School. Montoursville wins the Bridge by defeating Loyalsock 52-14. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Hayden Harvey of Montoursville (22) celebrates scoring a touchdown with his team mates against Loyalsock at Loyalsock High School. Montoursville wins the Bridge by defeating Loyalsock 52-14. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Christian Banks of Montoursville jumps over defenders as he runs against Loyalsock at Loyalsock High School. Montoursville wins the Bridge by defeating Loyalsock 52-14. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Christian Banks of Montoursville runs against Loyalsock at Loyalsock High School. Montoursville wins the Bridge by defeating Loyalsock 52-14. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Christian Banks of Montoursville runs against Loyalsock at Loyalsock High School. Montoursville wins the Bridge by defeating Loyalsock 52-14. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Ivan Baker of Loyalsock looks for running room against Montoursville at Loyalsock High School. Montoursville wins the Bridge by defeating Loyalsock 52-14. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Eli Eck of Montoursville celebrates scoring a touchdown against Loyalsock at Loyalsock High School. Montoursville wins the Bridge by defeating Loyalsock 52-14. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Eli Eck of Montoursville scores a touchdown against Loyalsock at Loyalsock High School. Montoursville wins the Bridge by defeating Loyalsock 52-14. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Christian Banks of Montoursville is tackled by Nahmir Thomas of Loyalsock at Loyalsock High School. Montoursville wins the Bridge by defeating Loyalsock 52-14. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Christian Banks of Montoursville tries to hold onto the ball as Nahmir Thomas (10) of Loyalsock tries to strip it at Loyalsock High School. Montoursville wins the Bridge by defeating Loyalsock 52-14. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Christian Banks of Montoursville is tackled by Danny Dowell of Loyalsock at Loyalsock High School. Montoursville wins the Bridge by defeating Loyalsock 52-14. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

(5) of Montoursville breaks a tackle attempt by (13) of Loyalsock and runs for 34 yards on this second quarter play at Loyalsock High School. Montoursville wins the Bridge by defeating Loyalsock 52-14. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Chrisitan Banks of Montoursville celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Loyalsock at Loyalsock High School. Montoursville wins the Bridge by defeating Loyalsock 52-14. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Montoursville wins the Bridge by defeating Loyalsock 52-14. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Montoursville wins the Bridge by defeating Loyalsock 52-14. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette