Muncy put together quality drives starting both the first and third quarters. But each series hit a dead end.

And Montgomery sure made life miserable in between and after. In a recurring theme, Montgomery’s defense shined Friday night at home, allowing just 110 yards and producing its fourth shutout as the Red Raiders won the District 4 Class A semifinal, 33-0.

It was the latest virtuoso performance from a defense which leads the district in both points and yards allowed. Montgomery (10-1) blanked its fourth opponent, held its ninth to single digits and earned a spot in Friday’s district championship at Line Mountain.

“The defense is like “Groundhog Day,” every week,” Muncy coach Joel Knoebel said. “Give Muncy some credit, they moved the ball well at times but we bent but didn’t break. We buckled down and at some point late in the second quarter it just carried into the third quarter. We just flipped a switch and started playing absolute downhill defense.”

Montgomery controlled all aspects, bottling up the run, rushing the passer well and covering receivers like blankets. Mason Bryson collected 1 1/2 sacks, Briar Persing another and Cameron Woltz was in on one. Logan Joy and Trace Furman intercepted passes as well. Every player did his job well and the Raiders again played complementary football at all three defensive levels.

The first time these rivals collided in Week 6 for the Old Shoe, Montgomery won, 27-7 but Muncy quarterback Andrew Walters threw for 205 yards. The Indians tried to work the passing game again, but did not complete a pass longer than 10 yards. Walters completed 10 of 19 passes but was limited to 53 yards.

Walters also rarely had time to plant his feet and look downfield with the rush charging after him. When he did have time, defensive backs like Joy, Furman, Seth McClintock and Austin Luckenbill swarmed. McClintock had a key break-up early in the third quarter, Joy’s interception sealed the shutout and Luckenbill delivered a crushing blow which forced a fumble and lead to Furman’s game-clinching 12-yard, fourth quarter touchdown run.

“We knew we could have played better even though we won that (first) game,” linebacker Ethan Tupper said. “The scoreboard tonight showed it with the goose egg.”

Montgomery has used excellent game planning from defensive coordinator Max Furman, speed and strength to build one of the best defenses in program history. The Raiders made massive strides a year ago, improving from 1-9 to 7-4 with strong defense the launching pad.

Instead of growing complacent, the team grew hungrier. It also grew stronger, pounding the weights before and during the season. Players from a year ago are now quicker and stronger. The statistics are eye-popping with Montgomery allowing just 6.3 points and 144.5 yards per game.

What’s really impressive, however, is simply how the Raiders play. It’s a lunch pail unit which is bonded tight. It is not athletes playing as individuals but as one which has helped them become so stingy.

“Even if our front line doesn’t get a sack or a tackle, we know we have people behind us that will make the play,” lineman Caleb Parkyn said.

Montgomery faces its toughest challenge yet Friday against undefeated Line Mountain. The Eagles (1-0) have scored points in bunches this season and quarterback Kaiden Maurer is third in District 4 history with 82 career touchdown passes. It’s a true match-up of strength against strength.

Time will tell how that game plays out, but Montgomery certainly built momentum against Muncy. The defense helped Montgomery win the Old Shoe five weeks ago. This time it helped it earn a bigger prize as the Raiders reached their first district championship since 2017.

“It was lights out,” Knoebel said. “The physicality; the hitting, it was unreal how hard they hit.”

GAME OF THE YEAR: It felt like Jersey Shore-Shamokin might have taken this honor after their riveting double overtime contest 7 ½ weeks ago, but Mount Carmel-Montoursville II knocked it down to No. 2. Two of District 4’s more tradition-laden programs played a game all those who were a part of it will never forget as Montoursville rallied for an incredible, 43-42 triple overtime District 4 Class AAA semifinal win. The victory sent Montoursville (9-2) to its first district championship since 2021 and it will play at Mifflinburg, Friday for the title.

Montoursville had blanked Mount Carmel, 27-0 at the Silver Bowl in Week 5 but the Tornadoes had come storming back since then. Both teams turned the rematch into a battle which would make Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed smile, trading leads and big plays with no one ever flinching. Mount Carmel erased a 14-point first half deficit; Montoursville a seven-point fourth quarter deficit and each team overcame deficits in the first two overtimes, both also doing so on fourth down.

Elijah Eck found Kingston Fisher for an eight-yard touchdown on 4th-and-goal to force a second overtime, then Christian Banks scored on a 10-yard run and his 2-point conversion run made it, 36-28. Mount Carmel answered, scoring on fourth down and then took a 42-36 lead but Noah Rakestraw blocked the extra point. Montoursville needed just one play to answer as Eck hit Banks on first down for a 10-yard touchdown. Adam Shearer drilled the game-winning extra point, his third clutch kick from the fourth quarter on, and Montoursville was district final-bound.

“It’s really neat to see as a coach, different guys stepping up at different times. It’s that kind of mentality of refuse to lose. They’re all laying it all out on the line,” Montoursville coach Joe Hanna said. “I always tell the kids if you leave it all out on the field, there’s nothing to regret. The next day, you can look in mirror and say you gave it your all and that was the attitude they came out with. Kids stepped up; each and every kid, whether it was special teams, offense or defense. It was a total team effort.”

Both teams overcame deficits, injuries and adversity. Nobody lost in this one, Montoursville simply made one more play and won it. This was high school football at its most exciting and both teams emptied their barrels while shining bright lights on their respective programs.

EXTRA POINTS: Jalil Coates capped a fabulous senior year, totaling 232 yards and two touchdowns in Loyalsock’s 34-13 District 4 Class AA quarterfinal loss. Coates ran for 164 yards and a touchdown, adding four catches for 68 yards and a touchdown. Coates moved to running back in Week 3 and ran for 1,301 yards this season. Josh Meacham also played well in his final game, collecting two sacks and sophomore quarterback Matthew Rickard threw for 98 yards and a touchdown, filling in for injured Danny Dowell … Cowanesque Valley closed a strong season with a 41-20 loss at top-seeded Southern Columbia. Dave Hess totaled 97 yards and three touchdowns, hauling in a score from Levi Stahli. Playing three positions this year, Hess finished with 1,383 yards and 22 touchdowns. Kegan Lane’s 1,093 yards are the third highest produced by a CV running back in the 2000s … Griffin Morral totaled 232 yards and a touchdown in Wellsboro’s 49-8 loss at defending state champion Troy. Morral, a sophomore, also went over 2,000 total yards this season, finishing with 2,058 and 24 touchdowns. He opened the game’s scoring with a 73-yard touchdown run as Wellsboro became the first team since Athens in Week 4 to hold a lead against Troy.

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

DR. MASSE’S TOP 5 RANKINGS

1. Montoursville (9-2): Banks has produced some terrific games through a standout high school career, but Friday’s may have been his best considering the circumstances. Playing through pain, Banks ran for 149 yards, scored three touchdowns and gutted it out defensively. Eck stepped up as well, running for a career-high 116 yards, making big throws down the stretch and totaling 169 yards with four touchdowns. Fisher recovered two fumbles, and, chances are, if he could, Hanna would give game balls to the entire team because all put forth their best efforts making sure Montoursville reached the final.

“Any time you overcome adversity, it gives you a little bit of confidence. It certainly doesn’t make anything easier, but it definitely motivates you and gives the kids confidence that we can do it as a team,” Hanna said. “Obviously, you go in knowing what your limits are and what your strengths are and each person has to pull their share.”

“Coach Hanna always tells us that if we leave everything on the field, we will have no regrets and I fully believe we all did that,” Banks said. “We’re having a great year and nobody wants to finish with a loss on our home field. We want to see how far we can go because we know this is best team we’ve had in the last four years. We just want to keep pushing and see how far we can take it.”

2. Warrior Run (10-1): Warrior Run made history Friday, dominating the second half and defeating South Williamsport, 41-7 in the District 4 Class AA quarterfinals. The Defenders 10 wins are a team record and it also is the first time they have won playoff games in three consecutive years. Warrior Run unleashed another weapon with Max Fogelman totaling 136 yards and three touchdowns, while averaging 19.4 yards per touch. James Keifer continued his torrid late-season play, completing 12 of 15 passes for 148 yards and three touchdowns, while hitting 20 touchdown passes for a second straight year. Tyler Shiposh played well in a crucial reserve lineman role and the defense did not allow a point until late in the game. It was the seventh time this year Warrior Run held a team to one or no touchdowns. The Defenders stay at home Friday and host defending state champion Troy in the semifinals. Going back to last postseason, they are 12-2 in their last 14 games.

3. Jersey Shore (8-3): Jersey Shore stormed its way to an eighth straight District 4 Class AAAA final, bulldozing Athens, 73-14. The 73 points are the most by an area team in the 2000s and Jersey Shore built a 50-0 halftime lead against a nine-win squad which had won six straight games, outgaining it, 533-226. Jersey Shore held Athens to its lowest point total and Carson Watkins and Carter Rhinehart intercepted three passes. Watkins two picks gave him a district-high nine this season and he also ignited the game’s opening scoring drive with a tremendous catch. Nolen Pauling threw for 197 yards and found Rhinehart and Luke Ryan for scores, while adding a rushing score. Talyn Lope, Luke Thompson, Bo Sechrist and Kash Herritt all had sacks and Jersey Shore earned a title game rematch at Shamokin. The Bulldogs hit some road bumps on the way back to the final, but have come on strong at the right time and won their last two games by a 116-40 margin.

4. Montgomery (10-1): Furman (143 yards) and Josh Knoebel (103) both surpassed 1,000 rushing yards against Muncy, becoming the first Montgomery duo to do so since 1991. That shines a light on what the backs and line have achieved this season, but Montgomery also showed it can be effective when passing. Yes, the Raiders did so only three times, but Parker Persing completed all three and the first two went for 20 and 19 yards. The last one was a 9-yard touchdown to Ethan Tupper which made it, 20-0. Persing, averaging 19.4 yards per completion, threw tight spirals and showed good arm strength through the gusty winds, so it’s an element Montgomery has in its back pocket.

“When we have to go to pass, we’re just as good if not better but we haven’t had to,” Parkyn said. “It makes teams think twice about what they have to do.”

5. Williamsport (6-5): Williamsport made quick work of Scranton in the District 2-4 Class 6A semifinals, playing one of its most complete games, and winning, 43-16. The Millionaires led 36-0 at halftime and did not allow a point until the fourth quarter. Williamsport earned the opportunity to try and defend its crown Friday at Wilkes-Barre in a rematch of both an exciting Week 10 game and last year’s championship. Tevin Williams ripped off a 96-yard touchdown run and totaled 315 yards and four touchdowns, while Lucas Naughton helped set the early tone for a second straight game, scoring on a 79-yard pass for a second straight game. Austin Beaghley blocked a punt which was recovered for a touchdown and Williamsport tackled well, winning its second straight game. The Millionaires have played for championships in three of the last four seasons and reaching this final is especially impressive considering the adversity and injuries this team has overcome to make it.

Players of the Week

Bo Sechrist, Jersey Shore and Noah Rakestraw, Montoursville: Sechrist made his final home game a memorable one, producing one of the best individual performances in program history. The senior leader ran for 286 yards and six touchdowns, made eight tackles and added a sack. A two-time all-state linebacker, Sechrist also went over 100 tackles again, as well as 20 touchdowns. Sechrist broke Jersey Shore’s single-game touchdown record and his 286 yards are the second-highest by a Bulldog player in the 2000s, as he averaged a whopping 15.9 yards per carry. Sechrist scored five touchdowns by halftime, including a 74-yard burst in the first quarter.

Rakestraw excelled on both sides as well and the senior defensive end made 12 tackles, including 10 solos. He also forced a fumble and added a tackle for loss before making one of the game’s biggest plays and blocking an extra point which kept the score, 42-36 and allowed Shearer’s extra point to be the game-winner. The senior leader was equally effective up front offensively, helping pave the way for 364 yards. Rakestraw has been one of the team’s most valuable players this season and has been key to it scoring 95 points and rushing for 671 yards the past two weeks. He also has 20 tackles, including four for loss in those games.

Game of the Week

Jersey Shore at Shamokin: Obviously all five games are big ones, especially with four being for district championships. But it’s hard to look anywhere but here for Game of the Week. That’s what happens when the last three games have been decided by four combined points. Shamokin won last year’s championship, 28-27 in overtime and rallied for a 43-42 double overtime win in Week 4. It felt like these two were on a collision course since that first game and here we are. Shamokin is seeking its second straight championship and Jersey Shore its sixth in eight years. If recent history is any indication, it should be an awesome game.