“We really needed that first drive of the second half there. It was a quick score, then we get a pick 6 on the next play and we’re only down one score. When you have 4 first half turnovers you’re gonna be down. Our kids never gave up. ” said Warriors head coach J.C. Keefer. Montoursville trailed 20-0 at the half but completely shut down the Green Dragon offense while exploding for 27 unanswered points en-route to a 27-20 win at beautiful Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium in Lewisburg.
Lewisburg controlled the first half capitalizing on an over-aggressive Warrior defense while creating 4 first half turnovers. Six minutes into the second quarter, Nick Costagliano scrambled right and the defensive back covering Ben Frankel bit on the run leaving Frankel wide open. Costagliano lofted the ball and 65 yards later the Green Dragons took the lead. With just 59 seconds remaining in the first half Lewisburg took advantage of a short punt that gave them the ball at the Warrior 35. Costagliano hit Luke Smith for a 22 yard score.
On the ensuing kick Keith Batkowski took a shot, forcing the ball loose. Zack Pyers grabbed the ball and raced 34 yards for another score and just like that Lewisburg had a 20-0 lead. “We made some plays there in the first half.” said Dragon skipper Jeremy Winn.
Montoursville got great field position to start the second half thanks to a 40 yard return to the 45. Ott scored from 1 yard out and the Warriors were on the board. It only took 8 seconds for them to come within striking distance as, on the Dragons first play of the half, Ott stepped in front of a Costagliano pass and returned the ball to the endzone. Jimmy McMahon nailed the kick and Montoursville was in business.
“We just got after it there in the second half, changed some coverages. We were just too aggressive in the first half and it bit us. We had a break down in coverage there in the first half” said Keefer. Mixing up their defense schemes Montoursville held the Green Dragons to just 24 yards, negative 2 yards on the ground in the second half.
The Warriors took the lead in the 4th quarter driving 86 yards on 9 plays. Dunne hit Wyatt Entz for a 10 yard score to put the Warriors on top. Ott added an insurance score late.
“It doesn’t get any easier, we face a tough Danville squad next week” said coach Keefer of the win. Montoursville improves to 6-0, 4-0 HAC-II.
MONTOURSVILLE 27, LEWISBURG 20
Montoursville (6-0) 0 0 14 13—27
Lewisburg (4-2) 0 20 0 0—20
Second quarter
L-Ben Frankel 65 pass from Nick Costagliola (Max Reed kick)
L-Luke Smith 26 pass from Costagliola (Reed kick)
L-Zach Pyers 30 fumble return (kick failed)
Third quarter
M-Cameron Ott 1 run (Jim McMahon kick)
M-Ott 31 interception return (McMahon kick)
Fourth quarter
M-Wyatt Entz 12 pass from Griffin Dunne (McMahon kick)
M-Ott 21 pass from Dunne (kick failed)
Statistics:
mont lew
First downs 14 7
Rushes-net yards 51-277 — 24-21
Passing yardage 99 — 178
Passing 6-11-2 — 10-28-2
Fumbles-lost 4-4 — 0-0
Penalties-yards 4-30 — 1-15
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING — Montoursville: Ott, 30-165, TD; Alex Rothrock, 9-73; Dunne 8-43; Ethan Jones, 1-5; team, 1-(-1); Curtis Miller, 1-(-2); Keith Batkowski, 1-(-6).; Lewisburg: Costagliola, 16-18; Logan Aikey, 6-5; Drew Newcomb, 2-(-2).
PASSING — Montoursville: Dunne 4-7-1, 64 yards, 2 TDs; Brycen Mussina, 2-4-1, 35 yards; LEWISBURG: Costagliola 10-28-2, 178 yards, 2 TDs.
RECEIVING — Montoursville: Ott, 2-39, TD; Alex Erb, 2-37; Wyatt Entz 1-12, TD; Miller 1-22; Lewisburg: Aikey 4-54; Smith 3-37, TD; Frankel 2-82, TD; Jason Bonner 1-5.
