Varsity Highlights 2007

The Lancer Team Huddle

LANCERS 20 CRESTWOOD 17

The Lancers chalked up their first win in the 2007 record books with a heart stopping; come from behind victory over Crestwood, 20 to 17.

After receiving the kickoff, the Lancers started the game moving the ball downfield until a couple of missed passes forced them to punt. Crestwoods first 2 plays ended in a loss of 9 yards. Their 3rd play from the line of scrimmage, a pass over the middle, netted them 30 yards and a first down. However, on the very next play, a pass to the outside, was intercepted by Nick Tate who ran the ball back to Crestwoods 17 yard line. Four plays later Tate scored over the middle from three yards out. The 2 point conversion pass misfired and was incomplete.

Crestwood’s next series was no more successful than their first series; two running plays for a loss of 6 yards and a deep sideline pass incomplete forced them to punt. The Lancers went three and out on their next possession with a holding call that cost them 15 yards in the process. After punting, Crestwood gained a couple of first downs before the defense stiffened forcing Crestwood to punt again.

Loyalsock came charging down the field, but the drive stalled with a loss of three and an incomplete pass. Freddie Ramin’s punt pinned Crestwood deep in their own territory at the two yard line. At this point, Crestwood mounted a drive that knocked Loyalsock back on its heels. With a combination of off tackle cut-backs, quarterback draws and successful pass plays, Crestwood scored on a pass over the middle. Their extra point effort was good. Half time found Loyalsock looking at a 7 to 6 deficit.

Crestwood received the opening kickoff to start the second half. They began the second half as they ended the first half. A big off tackle play netted them 21 yards and put the Lancers back on their heels again. Five running plays and two pass plays later found Crestwood back in the end zone for 6. The extra point was good and the Lancers found themselves in a hole 14 to 6.

Loyalsock’s first offensive series of the second half sputtered into nothing because of a penalty that resulted in the loss of a down. After receiving the punt Crestwood went on the March again moving 45 yards down the field, where the Lancers finally dug in and only surrendered a field goal. The Lancers were looking at a desperate situation, being down 17 to 6. Loyalsock put on an impressive drive of some 50 yards only to have it fizzle out with a fumble, recovered by Crestwood. But four plays later Loyalsock recovered a Crestwood fumble that set up Loyalsocks first TD of the second half, a strike to the end zone over the middle from Shane Carey to Robbie Wright.

It was at this point that the Lancers were not going to be denied a victory. With time running down the Lancers stuffed Crestwood to minus 1 yard and forced them to punt. Loyalsock now had the ball with only four minutes to play. But the boys believed in themselves and marched right down the field setting up a coffin corner touchdown pass perfectly launched by Carey into the leaping outstretched arms of Wright. Another strike to number Wright made the 2 point conversion good giving the Lancers the lead 20 to 17 with 2:30 to play.

In Crestwood’s last gasp effort, they moved the ball 40 yards down the field in the final minute and a half. With a run for no gain and a sack of 4 yards, Crestwood went for a pass down the side line that fell incomplete. After using their last time out to set up what would be their last play, the defense sacked the quarterback. The Lancers took over and with two plays were able to run out the clock.

Two things can be said for this team; one, they have heart; and two, they believe in themselves. Loyalsock came away with an impressive win 20 to 17.

LANCERS 56 SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT 8

Friday evening Jessie Eggerton jump started Loyalsock with a stunning opening kickoff return of 80 yards for a TD. The extra point was added by Jamie VanFleet. The Lancers then hit some rough water as South had a nice kickoff return and scored four plays later, taking the lead 8 to 7 after a successful 2 point conversion. However, the rest of the game belonged to the Lancers as they romped and stomped all over the Mounties for a win, 56 to 8.

The game proved to be a breakout game for Nick Tate, who racked up an impressive 180 yards on the ground behind the excellent blocking of the front line. Shane Carey connected with Robbie Wright twice for scores, one a deep post of 48 yards and the other, a slant in of 5 yards. Other guys getting in on the scoring frenzy were: Nick Tate 2 TDs, one, for 5 yards off tackle, the other, a 92 yard sprint up the sideline after bouncing it outside; Arnell Carter put a move on his defender and left him in the dust as he took a slant-in pass from Shane Carey for 60 yards and his first TD in a varsity game. After a safety, due to a bad snap on a South punt attempt, Ben Craig scored the Lancers last offensive touchdown of the game with a nice dive up the middle for 6 yards. Jamie VanFleet contributed to the point total with a couple of extra points kicks, as did Nick Tate with a couple of 2 point conversions. Defensively, Frankie Pagana got the jump on a hook to the outside intercepted the pass and raced 35 yards into the end zone untouched;

After being knocked back on their heels and giving up a touchdown in the first defensive series, the Lancer defense completely shut down the Mountie offense. Except for an occasional pass or couple of short gains, South did not even come close to scoring the rest of the game. In fact, the Mounties took a beating from the Sock defense with crushing blows from Austin Knighton, Jamie VanFleet, Gregg Hill, Don Kinney, Ben Craig and Freddie Ramin. The Mounties were held to just 100 yards, rushing and passing combined.

The Lancers are on a roll, but they have some tough games looming on the horizon. As a matter of fact, it looks like a pretty tough schedule ahead. So, COME ON OUT and continue to SUPPORT OUR LANCERS ! The next game they do battle with Central Columbia at Lancer Stadium, game time 7:00 pm. COME EARLY AND GET A GOOD SEAT !

LANCERS 31 CENTRAL COLUMBIA 12

Loyalsock was hurt early in the game when two top men went down with serious injuries. First, Nick Tate sprained his ankle; later Don Kinney took a hit to the knee. The senior leadership stepped it up and called on the underclassmen to fill the void.

The line got down in the mud, taking total control of the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. With the weather alternating between a light drizzle to a downpour the Lancers ran and passed almost at will on Central.

Austin Knighton, filling in at tailback, had a breakout game. He rushed for over 240 yards, scoring three TDs, one a draw up the middle for 64 yards. Shane Carey struck again with a nice throw of 28 yards to Jesse Eggerton for a TD. On the third offensive series in the 2nd half Carey made his second strike of 31 yards for a TD to Braydon Schaible. Carey also connected for 50 yards with Robbie Wright for a TD. Jamie Van Fleet caught a nice pass for 14 yards. Behind the excellent blocking of the line Jamie Van Fleet, Andy Engler, and Shawn Bauman accounted for more positive yardage on the ground.

Defensively, it is just a matter of time before the hellacious hits start taking their toll on opposing offenses. Jamie VanFleet started it off laying out the first Blue Jay player. This was followed up with great hits by Jesse Eggerton, Arnell Carter, and Don Kinney. Central was no more successful in the air than on land, with Shawn Bauman, Arnell Carter, and Braydon Schaible making three beautiful interceptions. When the horn finally sounded the scoreboard read Sock 31 Central 12.

Loyalsock is now 3 to 0 heading into next weeks homecoming game, hosting the Spartans of Hughesville. We need to fill the stands with maroon. Come out and cheer Sock on to a 4 and 0 start to the 2007 season.

LANCERS 25 HUGHESVILLE 0

Sock is on a roll. Behind a hard hitting, quick reacting defense and a powerful ground and air attack, the Loyalsock Lancers are 4 and 0.

Once again, the offensive line of Bobby DeLullo, Ricky Hill, his brother Steve Hill, Steve Dewar, Pat Green, and Shawn McMahon dominated the line of scrimmage; opening huge holes for running backs Austin Knighton, 188 yards, Jamie Van Fleet 71 yards, Jessie Eggerton, 35 yards, and Alex Eggerton. 22 yards. Shane Carey hooked up again with Robbie Wright and Jessie Eggerton for 75 yards.

Even though the defense is short two starters, the younger players have really stepped in and turned up the volume. The linebacker corps seemed to be all over the field. If the Spartans managed to get past the defensive line (which wasn’t very often) they were met by the ferocious hitting of Freddie Ramin, Jamie VanFleet, and Jessie Eggerton. The corners and deep backs shut down the Spartan passing attack, allowing only three completions out of 13 pass attempts.

The biggest mishap for the Lancers was loosing guard Shawn McMahon, when he went out early in the second quarter with an ankle injury. Hopefully, Shawn will be ok along with Nick Tate for next weeks big match up against long time rival Montoursville.

Montoursville (4 and 0) will meet the Lancers (4 and 0) at the Warrior Stadium next Friday night at 7:00 pm. It is going be a great game, featuring the Warrior passing attack, against the Lancers balanced land and air attack. The game might very well turn on Sock’s defense being able to put the kibosh on Montoursville’s strong passing attack.

We need to fill the stands with maroon and white to cheer the Lancers on to a mid season record of 5 and 0.

LANCERS 41 MONTOURSVILLE 21

Last Friday night at Montoursville, Loyalsock played possibly their best football game of the last decade. That’s how the Sun-Gazette summed up Loyalsock’s victory over previously undefeated Montoursville – after reading the following account, you be the judge.

The game began like the shoot-out at the OK Coral. After winning the coin toss, Montour elected to defer and get the ball in the second half. This meant the Warriors believed their defense was strong enough to keep the Lancers off the scoreboard on their first possession, which they did. Loyalsock went three and out after RB Austin Knighton gained only nine yards on three carries.

Montoursville was only slightly more successful on their first possession, garnering one first down before being forced to punt.

Sock’s 2nd series was no better than the first – Loyalsock punted once again without getting as much as one first down.

Montoursville then put together a nice drive, highlighted by two counters which earned them 47 yards and a spot on the six yard line, first and goal. Two plays later it was 7–0 Warriors and the Lancers were behind for the first time since their opening game.

Although the Lancers had been unsuccessful on their earlier possessions, there had been some method to the coaching staff’s madness. The threat of Knighton plunging into the line had tightened Montour’s defense; the Warriors were clearly selling out to stop Loyalsock’s vaunted running game. After a play–action fake to Knighton, Shane Carey lofted a perfect spiral to a streaking Robbie Wright. The completion went for a touchdown and covered over 50 yards. ’Sock was back in the game, 7–7.

However, the Montour response was swift. With two big runs off-tackleand a QB–keeper, Montour rumbled across the goal line for a second TD and a 14–7 lead.

On ’Sock’s next possession, they were faced with a critical 3rd down and eleven. Carey hooked up with Jamie VanFleet for 25 yards and a critical first down which kept the drive alive. Five plays later Carey found Wright again in the end zone, Following the successful PAT, the score stood at 14 all.

After forcing a Warrior punt after a three–and–out, the Lancer offense began to kick things into a higher gear. On an impressive seven–play drive, Nick Tate went over the top for yet another touchdown, giving ’Sock its first lead of the game. The extra point failed; the score was 20–14.

Unfortunately, Montoursville wasn’t finished yet as they closed the half with a flourish. With their QB scrambling for his life, the Warriors picked up two crucial first downs on their way to their third score of the night. After converting the extra point, Montour entered halftime with a 21–20 lead. The game was truly living up to all its pre–game hype.

As it turned out, Montour’s final score of the half proved to be its last. The Lancer linemen, on both sides of the ball, began to dominate the football game along the line of scrimmage. The Warrior offense hardly threatened Lancer territory as they faced numerous “third and longs”. At the same time, Loyalsock’s O–Line was opening gaping holes for Knighton, Tate, and VanFleet. With each new series, Loyalsock’s running game became stronger as the warrior defense seemed to tire. Early in the third period, Knighton busted a 54–yard touchdown run, his second of the night. Shortly after, Carey again found Wright for their third TD connection of the game.

If the Warriors had any glimmer of hope in making a come back it was shattered early in the 4th quarter when Braydon Schaible stepped in front of a receiver and intercepted a pass, returning it to the Warrior 20–yard line. Four plays later Knighton punched in his third TD of the game, putting a cherry on top of a sweet Lancer victory.

The Lancers played nearly perfect football in the second half, dominating every aspect of the game. The Lancers are off to a 5–0 start for the first time in many years. This week ’Sock hosts down–river rival Muncy, a team playing very well and probably headed for D–4 playoffs. Let’s all come out and cheer our Lancers on to win #6 and a possible undefeated season.

LANCERS 33 MUNCY 7

Friday night the Lancers hit the ground running and never looked back. Austin Knighton scored his three touchdowns so fast that it seemed he was hardly on the field, even though he gained 160 yards. Shane Carey was able to hook up with Jesse Eggerton 5 times, two for TD’s for a total of 140 yards. One of his TD catches, the one that went for 65 yards, was a spectacular one–handed grab that left the defense standing in their tracks. The other ’Sock receivers all got in on the action catching at least one pass.

Early in the game Robbie Wright had a great hit against a Muncy receiver. No matter what Muncy did, on the ground or in the air, the Lancer defense was all over them. Muncy never mounted a serious drive for the end zone until late in the 4th quarter when they finally managed to score.

The only drawback for the Lancers regarding this game was that the team got sloppy making several mistakes, especially in the 2nd half. With Southern Columbia coming up next week, ’Sock is going to have to be at the top of their game.

If last weeks game against Montoursville was historical, then the game against Southern will be one not to miss. The Loyalsock Lancers are 6 – 0 heading down to hostile territory to challenge six–time state champion Southern Columbia (5 – 1). You better believe Southern is going to be primed and ready to take on our Lancers. We need to get down there and fill our side of the stadium with MAROON and WHITE. Come support your LANCERS!

LANCERS 17 SOUTHERN COLUMBIA 21

LANCERS 35 WARRIOR RUN 14

LANCERS 8 BLOOMSBURG 33

LANCERS 35 LEWISBURG 14

LANCERS 58 HUGHESVILLE 21

LANCERS 21 MONTOURSVILLE 14

LANCERS 28 TOWANDA 7