The District 4 football
landscape has been littered with upsets and unexpected results during the
first few weeks of the season. To wit, Class AAA power Selinsgrove was stunned
by Danville Week 1 and in the second week perennial Class A favorite Southern
was knocked off by Bloomsburg.
But now three weeks into the schedule, Montoursville, always a force in the
Class AA ranks, has avoided any missteps and maintained its unbeaten record.
The Warriors improved to 3-0 with a solid 27-7 win over stubborn Hughesville
in a contest that was moved to Saturday because of uncertain weather
conditions on Friday night.
Montoursville used a 72-yard scoring drive in the final minute of the first
half to take control of the Central Susquehanna Conference crossover match up
with the Spartans as Josh Cillo plunged in from a yard out with 4.7 seconds.
Cillo's score handed the Warriors a 20-7 advantage.
Cillo and Mike Steele combined for 205 yards on the ground and three
touchdowns and Montoursville's defense limited the Spartans leading rusher,
Ammon Swisher, to 10 yards.
On Friday night, Montoursville backyard rival, Loyalsock, stayed unbeaten,
as well, by pounding Central Columbia, 31-12. Austin Knighton led the Lancers
with huge knight on the ground, running for 243 yards and three touchdowns.
Muncy finally climbed into the win column by beating winless Montgomery,
42-8. Frank Smith led the Indians with 131 yards in four carries, scoring a
pair of touchdowns.
Canton remained unbeaten with a 32-12 triumph over South Williamsport.
Tyrell Wheeler led the Warriors with 10 carries for 135 yards and three pass
receptions for 72 yards.l Wheeler scored three times.
In a battle of unbeaten teams, Bloomsburg outlasted Warrior Run, 19-18 in
overtime. The Defender, who struggled on special teams with a pair of blocked
punts and two botched extra points during regulation time, scored first in
overtime when Bryson Brooke hit Steve Martin with an 8-yard touchdown pass.
But Bloomsburg stopped Warrior Run's two-point conversion attempt.
The Panthers clinched the win when Tyler Coombe hit Mike Tombasco from seven
yards out and Jarrett Shannon booted the extra point. Coombe hit just 10-of-39
passing but three for three scores. Quaid Richart ran for 158 yards for the
Defenders.
In another overtime game, Mifflinburg surprised Danville, 35-28 in two OT's
as Cory Dorman threw for a score in the first extra period and then ran in
from the ten for the win. Mifflinburg took advantage of five Ironmen
turnovers. Justin Mrockosky ran for 139 yards and three touchdowns for
Danville.
Selinsgrove shook off its early season doldrums with a 62-0 whitewash of
Shikellamy. The Seals held Shik to 20 total yards and freshman Seth Lauver ran
for three scores.
Southern Columbia bounced back from its Week 2 loss to Bloomsburg with a
convincing 31-14 victory over Mount Carmel. Andrew Wimble sparked an improved
Tigers rushing attack with 156 yards and two scores while defense held MC's
James Haynes to 80 yards and picked off three Marcus Wasilewski passes.
In a bit of a surprise, Jersey Shore forced four Shamokin turnovers, held
the Indians to six yards rushing, and won a 25-15 non-league contest. Derek
Smith, who ran 72 yards for a key fourth quarter touchdown, added 127 yards
and a score through the air for the Bulldogs.
Line Mountain remained unbeaten with a dominating 37-7 Tri-Valley Conference
win over Tri Valley. Clark Morris threw for 137 yards and three touchdowns
and aaron Scheibellhut ran for 132 yards. Mason Hoover added an interception
and fumble recovery for the Eagles.
Lewisburg beat Milton for the first time since 1998 with a solid 31-14
triumph as Josh Husam scored three first quarter touchdowns. Mike Brown led
the Green Dragons with 102 yards rushing and added a 50-yard scoring run.
East Juniata won its second straight game with a 16-12 victory over Nativity
BVM as Wade Truitt ran for 115 yards and a score. Ethan Truitt threw for 103
yards and ran for a score.
In the Northern Tier Towanda stayed unbeaten by romping past winless
Cowanesque Valley, 53-6 as Adam Harris rushed for 125 yards and four
touchdowns. Athens also stayed perfect with a 12-0 victory over Wellsboro as
Shane Raupers three a scoring pass and added a field goal.
Troy knocked North Penn from the unbeaten ranks with a shocking 34-7 win.
Chance Wright led the Trojans with 137 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
Lourdes utilized a balanced attack to whip Susquehanna Community, 47-14.
Billy Chesney ran for two scores and Brian Dunleavy threw for three touchdowns
for the Red Raiders.
In other games, Bucktail hammered Carson Long, 31-7; Columbia Montour
Vo-Tech overpowered Freedom Village, 43-0; and Coughlin kept Williamsport
looking for its first win with a 40-8 victory.