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Hard work has paid dividends for South as Mounties cruised past Wellsboro 49-6 on senior night

By Chris Masse 8 min read

Twice South Williamsport safety Taylor Naugle chased down Wellsboro players who liked like they might score touchdowns. Conversely, Eli White and Garrett Lorson both broke tackles, than outran defenders as they completed long scoring runs.

A few split seconds trimmed from their 40-times here; a few pounds of muscle gained there at South Williamsport’s Performance Center last offseason continue shining through at critical times this fall. They certainly did early and often Friday night at Rodney K. Morgans Stadium.

That relentless work which started last January continues paying huge dividends and South continued its fantastic season, thumping Wellsboro, 49-6 on senior night. The Mounties (7-2) won their fifth straight game, built a 42-0 halftime lead and dominated all facets.

Each Friday, spectators see the powerful results of work which began long ago when no one else was there cheering. Sacrifice there has made the football field a celebratory place the last five weeks. South dresses just 23 players, but it’s high-quality over quantity and the results speak for themselves.

"We put a lot of work into this. All winter we’ve been lifting and getting all our stuff in," sophomore Garrett Lorson said after excelling in all three phases. "We put a lot of work into this season and we all love football."

"Ever since January we’ve been in the weight room every Monday, Wednesday, Friday for two hours or 2 ½ hours. That’s sparking the team because everyone was there every day," two-way lineman Kamdyn Bubb said after helping fuel superb performances on both fronts. "All the strength; all the conditioning, all the pushing sleds is helping us with our endurance. We’re ready to keep going. Every play, we’re ready to rock."

South continues rocking opponents and has outscored its last five, 262-12. Lorson ran for 141 yards and three touchdowns Friday; White added 100 yards and two scores, while Cole Gerber (121 yards) found Levi Butler (5 catches, 96 yards) and Neeko Bowen for touchdowns. The defense made five stops inside the 45-yard line, including two red zone stops, while Lorson, Naugle and Caleb Johnson intercepted passes.

The Mounties landed an early knockout blow, scoring 28 second quarter points in 5 minutes, 47 seconds to go up, 42-0 and validate all that dedication shown over the last 10 months.

"I told them if you guys can continue to get stronger they’re dangerous because there’s no substitute for strength and speed," South coach Chris Eiswerth said. "You could see it a couple of times tonight where they had some guys that were going to take it and we ran them down and caught them. I think that’s a direct result of what we’re doing in the performance center."

What started there continues bursting out each Friday and South has excelled in all facets. The offense has produced at least 28 points in five straight games, the defense has allowed just 37 points all season and kicker Kaiden Paulhamus is a ridiculous 48 of 48 on extra-point tries.

South put it all together against a Wellsboro squad which had won consecutive games and, fittingly, it was all three phases coming together early which set the tone. Lorson returned the game’s opening kickoff 33 yards; Gerber found Butler for 40 yards on third-and-9 and White capped a quick scoring drive with a 2-yard touchdown run before Johnson intercepted Wellsboro’s third play.

Gerber and Butler gave Wellsboro fits on third-and-longs, four of their connections resulting in first downs or a touchdown when facing third downs of nine or more yards. A 21-yard Gerber to Butler conversion set up Lorson’s three-yard score as South led 14-0 after one.

"The kids tonight really wanted to show what they can do because it was a showcase game," Eiswerth said. "They wanted to show that they’ve arrived. I think they did that."

They sure did. Time and time again throughout the second quarter as a matter of fact.

Lorson and the line ignited the 28-point flurry in the quarter’s opening minute. Lining up at quarterback, Lorson sprinted right; beat containment to the right sideline, made a super cut back upfield and sprinted away, completing a 52-yard touchdown run. Two possessions later, Lorson ripped off a 53-yard scoring run and produced 112 yards on three carries during the time that South went from up 14 to 35-0.

"I just do what I’m told and do it 100 %. Cade (Lusk) had a great block on the edge (on his first long run) and I just knew it was open. I just had to put my head down and get the touchdown," Lorson said after joining White and Lusk as 400-yard rushers this year. "My o-line are my favorite guys on the team. Without them, I’m nothing. I’m just so grateful to have them on the line."

In between those touchdown runs, White added to the fireworks. The junior running back followed a Kasim Davenport block; broke a couple of tackles downfield and sped away from multiple defenders on a 73-yard touchdown run.

Seemingly whatever play South called throughout the first half worked. The Mounties are rotating quarterbacks and running multiple formations, but at the heart of the success is a strong, physical and bonded offensive line.

Bubb, Davenport, Oz Bird, Colton Marquardt and Camden Hannan paved the way for 320 first half yards as South averaged 10 yards per play there. They don’t get the headlines, but those linemen collectively are making a strong case for team MVP and opened the lanes, while giving Gerber the time to pick apart the defense.

"Whenever you see that (long run or pass) it feels great because you know you did your job," Bubb said. "They get the touchdowns and everything, but you know you contributed and you helped make it happen and that’s great. That’s all the kudos we need."

The South offense has become as balanced as it has efficient. All three running backs have produced 100-yard games; Butler is among area leaders in catches and touchdowns and Gerber has thrown 10 touchdowns the past three weeks.

The left-hander produced Nos. 9-10 in the middle quarters, first hitting Butler across the middle for a 15-yard score before dropping a 25-yard dime to Bowen who blew past the defender on South’s final touchdown. Gerber was on target nearly every time he threw, shining a bright light upon the players up front who put all the wheels in motion.

"We had to solidify. There are still mistakes; there are still things to fix before playoffs but we’re all close friends," Bubb said. "We all came together. We all go to B-Ws and have a great time and talk about football."

They had a lot of highlights to dissect late Friday, including defensive. Eiswerth emphasizes the floating wall principle, all 11 defenders flowing as one and doing their jobs. His players have carried it out nearly perfectly this season, allowing a district-low 37 points, while producing five shutouts.

Wellsboro moved the ball at times against it, but South repeatedly made big plays when it mattered most. That included Lorson dropping the hammer shortly before halftime. Wellsboro had put together its best drive and had a first-and-goal at the 7 before the line stuffed a run for no gain and Samir Moy forced an incompletion.

On the next play, Lorson stepped in front of a pass near the right pylon and ended the drive with his fourth interception this season. Doing so ensured a second-half running clock and South its sixth mercy-rule win this year.

"This year, we just try and play way more tough and read our guys a lot better," Lorson said. "We just want to play tough."

South has done that all season, not allowing an opponent to score more than 17 points and letting just two reach double figures. Derrick Blasz gave Wellsboro a third quarter spark, completing 6 of 7 passes for 71 yards on its opening drive and finding Gideon Lawton for a three-yard touchdown.

That, however, was all the Hornets could get against a fast, aggressive and punishing defense. Moy continued his impressive sophomore year with a strong all-around game, setting up Butler’s touchdown by forcing and recovering a fumble. Naugle and Dominick Goode were among the game’s leading tacklers and the line helped stifle Wellsboro’s run, while frequently pressuring the passer. Gavin Lumbard collected a sack and several other defenders forced hurried and off the mark passes.

Hard times spent throughout last offseason at the performance center are making for some great times on the field this fall.

"If everyone does their job and we spill it, there is someone there every time," Bubb said. "Everyone flies to the football and we all have fun doing it."

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