That is what happens when a team reaches the state quarterfinals. Still, what happens outside that field has no bearing on what happens on it. Montoursville embracing that philosophy has helped it reach this point for a fifth time since 2018.

The Warriors stay focused on the Warriors and will continue doing so today when they play Boiling Springs in the 4A state tournament’s Elite 8. Keeping that single-minded focus helped Montoursville capture a second straight district championship two weeks ago and defeat Wyoming Area, 11-1 in Monday’s opening round, so it certainly is not changing who it is now.

“We try and not let the lights get too bright,” right fielder Carson Menne said after going 3 for 4 with two RBIs Monday. “We try and come out and have fun and play together. We have a special group here and we just want to see each other another day and play together.”

“I said to the guys, the lights get a little brighter; more people start showing up, the cameras are all over but that doesn’t change what we do and who are between the lines,” Montoursville coach Jeremy Eck said. “We just have to execute.”

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Logan Kirby throws during the PIAA Class AAAA baseball playoffs against Wyoming Area on Monday at Millionaire Mountain.

The Warriors (18-4) did that quite well against Athens and Wyoming Area, receiving strong pitching, quality defense–for the most part–and timely hitting. Really, that’s Baseball 101, so while the ramifications increase throughout the postseason, the focus does not.

It’s not so much about the other team, but Montoursville controlling what it can control and doing what it does. The coaching staff preaches, ‘do simple better,” and players buying into that mentality has it back in the quarterfinals following last year’s state final run.

“We play really good teams and really good players and we really don’t get into that,” pitcher Logan Kirby said after throwing a two-hitter against Wyoming Area. “We just come out here and play our ball. You can’t worry about what they have or what they’re doing. It’s going to depend on what you do.”

Despite last year’s playoff journey, Montoursville was not labeled as a state title contender when a publication picked 10- teams that could make a run this year. In one sense, that added some fuel to the competitive fires. In another, though, it was just outside noise.

Games are not won on paper or by future college plans or pregame statistics. They are won on the field and that simple approach has paid dividends since Eck returned to his alma mater in 2018 following a fabulous run at Loyalsock from 2010-16.

“I don’t really get into that rah-rah stuff. I’ve seen a lot of big names and people over-hype that stuff,” catcher Noah Kirby said. “I don’t get caught up in that stuff. I just keep an even keel.”

So do his teammates.

Montoursville has played with a lot of energy throughout the playoffs but it’s a controlled energy. Think of a long-lasting light bulb instead of a few explosive fireworks. Nearly every game features ebbs and flows; highs and lows. What Montoursville has done especially well the past two seasons is not get caught up in all that, but focus on the next pitch, the next play and the next at-bat.

“We’re in states, so everyone is going to be really, really good,” Noah Kirby said. “We just have to come out and do our thing and play our game.”

Wyoming Area was listed as one of those state title contenders entering the postseason. The Warriors started the season 19-2 and featured Rutgers-bound left-hander Jake Snyder who had allowed just three hits in his previous 19 innings pitched. It was really not much different than a year ago when Montoursville played an Indiana team featuring three major Division I recruits in the state final or when played favored Pope John II in the semifinals.

Yes, the Warriors had plans going into those games, but the foundation was built upon them staying true to who they are and focusing not on what others have, but what they can do.

“We don’t really care where you’re going; what your velo is; what your grade is, we’re going to come out and perform. We’re kind of dogs in that aspect,” Logan Kirby said. “We don’t care what you’re doing, we don’t care how hard you’re throwing, we’re going to come out here and play Montoursville baseball whether you haven’t won a game all season or whether you’re going to Rutgers.”

Eck often says nothing changes about how his team approaches, whether it’s a March game or a June contest. The Warriors have worked the fundamentals, strategized, taught and prepared. They are not trying to re-invent the wheel; just play good, sound baseball.

The Warriors are facing their latest challenge and it is a big one; another excellent opponent. But the goal remains the same and it goes beyond winning and losing.

“At this point it’s win or go home, so everybody is going to be really good,” Logan Kirby said. “We have to come out and play our ball and leave it out on the field and have no regrets.”

That selfless approach is what Eck likes most about his team. Despite the impressive record, Montoursville has encountered plenty of ups and downs throughout the season. Staying true to itself has helped Montoursville overcome those lower periods and ascend at the perfect time.

All have come to understand, as past Montoursville teams have, that it’s not about the individual but about the collective. Together, the Warriors work toward trying to reach their goal.

“They just buy in. That’s what I’m most proud of. It’s not the wins at the end of the day, but that they’re willing to buy in and listen,” Eck said. “They’ve gotten over the mindset that it’s about me (as an individual) because it’s not. It’s about the team and whatever you can do to help the team win.”