Chris Masse on football: Opening gauntlet could prove beneficial for Montoursville
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Troy captured the 2024 Class AA state championship and is 42-4 the past four years. Jersey Shore has won seven district championships since 2013, reaching eight consecutive finals. Southern Columbia has earned eight 2A titles over the last nine seasons.
Montoursville played all three to open its 2026 season. Talk about a gauntlet.
That stretch was about as tough as it gets at any point, let alone as an opening act for a team featuring so many new starters and a new coaching staff. Still, the Warriors came out looking pretty good.
Sure, they went 1-2, but they also became the first team to win at Troy since 2023, taking the opener, 26-19. Montoursville then outgained Jersey Shore in a 27-13 loss before Southern controlled the Week 3 game. Any team would like to go 3-0, but the big picture must be kept in perspective.
Looking at that, Montoursville likes the view, especially after dominating Central Columbia, 48-0 last Friday. The Warriors escaped that triple threat relatively healthy and appear like a better team for having experienced the stretch.
It certainly looked that way Friday as Montoursville built a 42-0 halftime lead and controlled all facets. Yes, the Warriors were a heavy favorite, but they took care of business, built momentum and showed the traits of a team which could again be a serious District 4 Class AAA challenger.
From three immense challenges could be growing something impressive.
"We came together as a team. We relied on each other as a team," linebacker Jacob Schon said after making 10 first-half tackles against Central. "We rallied together and leaned on each other and grew closer."
"Us being able to beat Troy and hang in with Jersey Shore showed us what kind of toughness we have a as a team and I think it really helped us pull together," Brayden Burkett said after catching a touchdown pass, returning an interception for another score and recovering a fumble last Friday. "It showed we're one unit as a whole; all of us together."
That shines a light on how important those first three games were. A stretch like that could break some teams. The Warriors could have grown discouraged; could have turned on each other.
Instead, they stayed determined and pulled closer. Montoursville possesses the talent. What it learned throughout those first three weeks is that it has the character to match and that is quite an asset to have moving forward.
"It definitely set us up for success because that kind of stretch can really make you or break you," Montoursville coach Reese Holmes said. "It can tear you down with the morale or bring you together. It was a test but we got through it and we battled."
Montoursville handed Troy just its second regular season loss during the last four years, overcoming two seven-point deficits in that opener. The Warriors had their chances against Jersey Shore but three turnovers loomed large as the Bulldogs put it away late. Southern did not go as Montoursville hoped, but through it all, Montoursville remained healthy.
So often times, especially in football, who's the healthiest late in the season means so much. Going through three heavyweights and coming out strong from a physical standpoint provides a big boost. So, too, does Montoursville holding its own during that time.
"We came out of it 1-2, but at the end of the day, we have a full, healthy team," Burkett said. "Last year, we battled through so many injuries and just coming out of those three tough games healthy is the biggest thing."
A healthy team could be a dangerous team, especially in a field which looks wide-open behind undefeated Mount Carmel. The Warriors reached last year's district championship and a relatively young, hungry group is eager to show they can carrying on the program's rich tradition.
"We went 9-0 during our junior high season and now we're finally back together," Schon said of a core of players who have achieved success in the past and are eager to build on it at this next level. "The chemistry has always been there. Now, all our juniors are back together on the field and it feels great."
Montoursville's goal now is to become a great team. Having endured the Murderer's Row to start the season could help toward achieving that goal.
It was not necessarily fun going through it, but Montoursville learned a lot about itself and its team. The Warriors embraced the challenges instead of running from them. And, having gone through that, Montoursville is prepared for just about anything which comes its way now.
The Warriors went through the fire and came out unharmed. Iron sharpens iron and Montoursville has its iron at a razor's-like edge now. Milton presents the next challenge but Montoursville moves forward educated, unified and strong-willed.
"We learned a lot. The kids are buying in, and we're working hard every day," Holmes said. "It's a great group of kids. They want to win football games and they want to play hard.
"It definitely helped us grow as a team."
HAT TRICK: Make it three straight wins for Muncy (3-1) as it produced its best one yet last Friday, pounding Towanda, 32-9. The Indians have allowed just nine points and one touchdown down their winning streak and made it 116 straight points scored from the opener until the second quarter against Towanda when Brayden Spencer kicked a field goal.
Finn Thomas, Cullen Reed and Noah Walters intercepted passes for a unit which has picked off 10 thus far. Eight players have interceptions and Nasir Miller and Drew Ryder each had two tackles for loss.
Walters also threw a touchdown to Nate Rogers who caught eight passes for 72 yards. Walters, Noah Weikle and Layken Harris all ran for touchdowns and Nolan Trostle kicked a 24-yard field goal.
Muncy closed the game by outscoring Towanda, 21-0 in the second half. The Indians have surrendered just 23 points this season.
EXTRA POINTS: Cowanesque Valley earned its first win, blanking Wyalusing, 29-0. The game was moved to Mansfield University as CV waits on its new stadium winding up construction. Dave Hess ran for 169 yards and two touchdowns, while a dominant defense allowed just 93 yards. Gavin Churchill also scored as did Stevie Olson who lived a lineman's dream, ripping off an 18-yard touchdown on his first carry ...South Williamsport (2-2) held Athens to its regular season point total over the past two seasons, but went 1 for 5 in the red zone in a 17-7 loss. The defense has been outstanding all season, allowing just 29 points and four touchdowns. Garrett Lorson totaled 103 yards and he and Samir Moy intercepted passes ... Liam Moore had a big game in Warrior Run's 34-15 loss at Bloomsburg, catching four passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns. Logan Stevenson and Emiliano Torres combined to throw for 209 yards and each tossed a touchdown. Warrior Run lost for the first time in 10 regular season games in a battle of early-season unbeatens ... Corbin Pentz threw for 117 yards, ran for 50 and scored touchdowns both ways in Bucktail's 31-12 loss against Moniteau. Angelo Tarantella caught Pentz's 25-yard scoring strike and Marv Robinson picked off a pass ... North Penn turned a 17-point halftime deficit into a late four-point lead but Sayre rallied to defeat it, 23-21. Freshman Bridger Lehman scored twice for the Panthers and also made 11 tackles. Jeremiah Lawrence ran for 71 yards and Peyton Greene threw two touchdowns.
1. Jersey Shore (3-1): The bad news for Jersey Shore is it failed to score any points on three different drives inside the Shamokin 10-yard line, including two from inside the 2 in a 35-14 loss. The good news is that Jersey Shore was that close to dramatically altering the game's complexion in this rematch of the last two District 4 Class AAAA championships. All one can do from defeat is learn from it and the Bulldogs know they have to better capitalize on opportunities. Still, they gained 366 yards against a super defense. Nolen Pauling dazzled, throwing for 270 yards and two touchdowns. Conner Winters continues emerging as a dangerous receiver, hauling in five passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns. Jersey Shore has another big game Friday when it heads to Shikellamy. There's a good chance that game may be a district semifinal preview and the winner would take a big step toward hosting that semifinal if it happens. Both teams are 3-1 as well.
2. Williamsport (3-1): The best news Williamsport received this weekend was quarterback Tevin Williams returning home. The standout junior had been hospitalized since Tuesday with a kidney ailment and was awaiting biopsy results. The Millionaires offered Williams a worthy tribute against Shikellamy, roaring back from a late 11-point deficit when hope appeared lost and taking a lead before Shikellamy rallied and won a 48-44 thriller. Eli Weaver returned a fumble 52 yards for a touchdown which put the Millionaires ahead, 44-41 before Thomas Pollock scored the winning touchdown for Shikellamy with 43 seconds left. Still, considering all the adversity Williamsport encountered last week, it was quite a valiant performance. Trey Damschroder caught a touchdown for a fourth straight game, totaling 118 yards and two scores, while freshman Za'Mire Hopkins returned a kickoff 92 yards. Williamsport hosts Selinsgrove Friday as it tries to strengthen its hold on District 2-4 Class AAAAAA's top seed.
3. Loyalsock (3-1): Dyson Dupont tied a record which you can read more about below as Loyalsock thumped Midd-West, 42-18. The Lancers built a 42-point halftime lead and the starting defense did not allow a point for a second straight game. Zion Cobb intercepted two passes; Ivan Baker another and Loyalsock forced five turnovers. CJ Taylor caught two touchdowns, while Cobb, Carter Brown, Ivan Baker and Jackson Keefer reeled in the others. Baker has scored in every game and Loyalsock built its 42-0 lead less than four minutes into the second quarter. The Lancers have a big one Friday head to defending District 4 Class AAA champion Mifflinburg. Those teams have split their games the past two seasons, the home side winning each time.
4. Montoursville (2-2): Tom Brady often said his favorite receiver was the open one. Quarterback Elijah Eck is embracing that philosophy and the offense is becoming quite well-rounded as a result. Eck threw touchdowns to Burkett, Jay Houseknecht and Colby Ulmer during that 42-point first half against Central. James Williams also has caught a touchdown this season and the plethora of playmakers is making it hard for defenses to focus on slowing one or two players. All are threats and Eck understanding that has helped the three-year starter throw for 670 yards through four games.
"Elijah has a lot of kids he can look to, to trust, to run the right route, to catch the ball and to really give a lot of effort after they catch the ball," Holmes said. "Elijah has a lot out there. He knows what he has and he doesn't play favorites. He finds the open man and he gets him the ball. That's awesome for a quarterback."
5. Montgomery (3-1): Montgomery gave 2024 Class AA state champion Troy all it could handle in a 14-7 loss between last year's NTL Small School and Big School champions. The game was scoreless until the fourth quarter and Montgomery held Troy to its lowest point total this season. All-state safety Trace Furman made 17 tackles and intercepted a pass, while linebacker Cameron Woltz produced 14 tackles. Gage Furman added 10 and played well in his first start at quarterback. The sophomore threw for 115 yards. Josh Knoebel totaled 128 yards and scored for a fourth straight week. Montgomery plays its third straight marquee game Friday against rival Muncy.
Players of the Week
Dyson Dupont, Loyalsock and Zion Hughes, Williamsport: That Dupont tied the area record for single-game touchdowns with six is a super achievement by himself. But he also is a freshman who was playing just his fourth high school game. And he tied that record in just 14 minutes, 16 seconds. Now, that's just astounding. Dupont completed 10 of 14 passes for 234 yards and six scores in less than a half of work. It was the latest strong performance from a player who leads the area in touchdowns and who has thrown for 710 yards.
The numbers he produced were impressive enough, but it was that Hughes did so after moving back to a position he had not practiced since last year which really stood out against Shikellamy. Hughes moved from running back to quarterback with Williams sidelined and put Williamsport on his back at times. The senior leader totaled 295 yards and three touchdowns, igniting a furious late rally with a 30-yard touchdown to Damschroder.
Game of the Week
Muncy at Montgomery: The Old Shoe Game always has been a great small town rivalry but it's been really fun the last three years as Montgomery has become a similar District 4 Class A title contender. Friday's game could be fantastic with Muncy having won three straight and Montgomery being 13-3 the past two seasons. Muncy had dominated this series throughout the previous 20 years, but Montgomery won the Shoe and a district semifinal rematch last year, outscoring Muncy, 58-7. The Indians have wanted another chance for nearly a full calendar year and now that opportunity comes. Expect a huge crowd; intense competition and a potentially riveting contest between the current NTL-II co-leaders.
–Masse may be reached at cmasse@sungazette.com. Follow him on Twitter at @docmasse