SEE PICS OF PLAYOFF HIGHLIGHTS IN THE PLAYOFF TAB!!!!!

Shamokin 13 Loyalsock 35 

November 6, 2009 Parents Night

 

On a cold night at Robbins Stadium Senior players, Cheerleaders and their parents were recognized prior to the game with the Shamokin Indians. Shamokin’s 2009 team was known for their size, strong running game and physical play. It didn’t take long to see that turnovers (5 for Shamokin) were going to play a big part in the game. On Shamokin’s first play from scrimmage, Eric Vogel broke through the Indians offensive line, tackling and stripping Shamokin’s running back then recovering the ball at their 20 yard line. But Sock after two offensive plays returned the favor giving the Indians the ball back. Mid way through the first half the Indians tried a screen play but the ball bounced off an Indian Receiver as Brandon Smith grabbed the ball in mid air then returned it 30 yards for a touchdown. Late in the first quarter the Lancers scored again on Mike Kinney’s 3 yard run to go up 14-0. The Indians didn’t give as they put together two drives, running at the Lancer defense and scoring 13  unanswered points. Late in the second quarter on a well executed pass play Stephen Stopper hit in stride Donny Kinney for a 20 yard touchdown as the Lancers took a 21-13 halftime lead. In the third quarter the Lancers kept trying to run the ball without much success as no teams scored.  With less than 10 minutes to play and Sock only up by a touchdown Stopper again went to the air and hit in stride Frankie Pagana for a 30 yard pass play to gain some breathing room. With 3 minutes to play after an unsportsmanlike play by one Indian player against Stopper, Stopper took over and ran the ball 15 yards for Sock’s final touchdown. Christmas came early for Derek Mandresh as he recovered two Shamokin fumbles along with Mike Kinney getting one in Sock’s win. The win assured the Lancers a trip to the District playoffs and for the 4^th year in a row the Lancers are playing in the post season. Congratulations to Coach Jackson, all the coaches and players! Good Luck in District playoffs!!!!

     

Seniors of the Week                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Alec Eggerton

              Brian Losell                                                                                                     

Brett Wise

                                                                                                                                                                       

Towanda 24 Loyalsock 21
                               

October 29, 2009   

                                         
For a change Friday night was overall a dry night except for a little mist as the Lancers traveled to Towanda to meet the undefeated Black Nights. Sock started the night off fast after receiving the kickoff then driving 80 yards as Mike Kinney ran into the end zone. Towanda after receiving the kickoff scored in less than two minutes as they drove 65 yards to tie the game at 7 apiece. The second quarter saw the defenses stiffen except with just a few minutes left, Sock drove down to the Towanda’s 8 yard line. Jackson Person’s attempted field goal sailed wide left as the score remained 7-7 at halftime. In the third quarter the Black Knights intercepted a Stephen Stopper’s pass at mid field then drove 50 yards to take a 14-7 lead. With less than a minute to play in the 3^rd quarter Frankie Pagana intercepted a Black Knights pass in the end zone and returned it 70 yards. Mike Kinney’s 32 yard run tied the game at 14-14 early in the 4^th quarter. Towanda was able to move the ball deep into Sock territory then stalled as Towanda’s attempt at a field goal was wide right. The Lancer’s were unable to move the ball on three running plays and had to kick. Towanda was able to get good field position then score with 1:47 left to play. The Lancers didn’t give up and after the kick off Stopper was able to find Pagana on a 52 yard pass play to Towanda’s 5 yard line. Stopper then ran the ball in to tie the score at 21 with 24 seconds to play. Sock lost the coin toss as Towanda made Sock go on offense to start the overtime. The Lancers could not move the ball and on 4^th down Person attempted another field goal which sailed left again. Receiving the ball at the 10 yard line Towanda was content to run the ball straight up the middle to Sock’s 3 yard line. Towanda’s field goal was good as Sock lost 24-21 to a good Towanda Team. The Lancers played hard as some missed opportunities cost them the game. With poor weather conditions over the season it’s been hard for the Lancers to incorporate all their offensive weapons.
     The positives in Towanda’s game showed many players contributing and making big plays. From the running of Kinney, Andy Engler, Brandon Smith, and Mike Dougherty to the receiver core of Pagana, Jackson Person and Corey Oliver. If the Lancers plan on making the playoffs and contending for the District Championship it will likely hinge on the ability to score well over 20 to 30 points a game in favorable conditions and a strong defensive effort.. With no assurance of making the playoffs the Lancers game with Shamokin should be a must win as the loser season could be over.

Seniors of the Week

Don Kinney #44 

           

Corey Oliver #20                                                             Stephen Stopper #7

 

Montoursville 8 Loyalsock 21

October 23, 2009

On another rainy Friday night Loyalsock hosted Montoursville for local bragging rights and the Bridge Trophy. Defense and field position was extremely important as the game progressed. Sock won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. Sock kicked off to start the game but neither teams were able to put together any scoring drives in the first quarter. In the second quarter Sock was able to put together an 80 yard scoring drive. One key play on third down was Frankie Pagana’s leaping catch from Stephen Stopper for a 12 yard gain near Montoursville’s 40 yard line helped to sustain the drive as Mike Kinney  scored on a 9 yard run to take a 7-0 halftime lead. The 3^rd quarter could have been a nightmare for the Lancers as mistakes and penalties could have cost them game. First Stopper was sacked in the end zone for a safety and then the Warriors scored on the ensuing drive to make the score 8-7 as momentum swung in favor of the Warriors. Mid way through the fourth quarter, Alex Eggerton 28 yard punt return set up by Andy Engler’s key block put the Lancers at the Warriors 19 yard line. Mike Kinney was able to bounce left on a running play designed to go up the middle and score to put the Lancers up 14-8 with less than 4 minutes to play. Jackson’s Person’s kick off lined down the middle as the Lancers were able to pin the Warriors at their 5 yard line. After a Warrior first down, an interception by Eggerton and return to Montoursville’s 13 yard line lead to another Kinney score to seal the win for the Lancers. Next Friday the Lancers play another undefeated team as they travel to Towanda as they strive to make District Playoffs.

Seniors of the Week

Frankie Pagana #5 

Tyler Pinkerton #32

Brandon Smith #24

 

Warrior Run 12 Loyalsock 20

October 16, 2009

 

After raining for two days with no end in sight the Lancers traveled to Warrior Run to play in the rain on a muddy and slick Defender field. The Lancers dug themselves a deep hole by allowing the Defenders to score on their opening drive then after a interception driving the ball 30 yards to take a 12-0 lead in the first quarter. Sock played poorly on both sides of the ball in the first half. It wasn’t until late in the first half on a 4^th down play that Sock scored with a 16 yard pass play from Tyler Bogaczyk to Don Kinney to cut into the Defender lead to 12-7 at the half. In the second half the Lancers started to take over some control of the line of scrimmage. On the first drive in the second half Stephen Stopper ran for 59 yards on 10 carries. Then with Mike Kinney’s one yard dive Sock took a 13-12 lead. Sock controlled much of the second half taking time off the clock then getting a late score with less than 2 minutes to go in the game to take a 20-12 lead. Warrior Run was able to get into Loyalsock territory with less than a minute to play but Frankie Pagana sealed the win with an interception as the Lancers were able to escape. Although the Lancers entered the game with some injuries and sickness of some players,  Sock has a lot of work to do to prepare for their next two games, Montoursville and Towanda who are both undefeated.
Seniors of the Week-

Andy Engler #43
                     Tyler Hessert #51

Logan Tate #88

 Mt Carmel 20 Loyalsock 0

October 9, 2009

       For the first time ever the Lancers traveled to Mt Carmel to meet the Tornados. The Lancers won the coin toss and deferred as Mt Carmel received the opening kick off. Mt Carmel drove the field with some help from the officials and took a 7-0 lead mid way in the first quarter. While the Lancer offense moved the ball into Mt Carmel territory during the first half, the Lancers could not sustain any drives to get into the end zone as the first half ended 7-0. The Lancers received the second half kick off and again the Lancers had trouble sustaining any drives for points. Mt Carmel stacked and controlled the line and challenged the Lancers to pass as Sock only had 126 total yards of offensive. At times Sock played poorly on both sides of the ball as Mt Carmel was aided by horrendous officiating. Loyalsock was called for running into the kicker as a Mt Carmel player clearly blocked the Lancer into the kicker. Mt Carmel was never called for holding as Sock’s defensive players and Sock’s receivers were being pulled to the ground. To top it off, a Lancer player was flagged for unsportsmanlike penalty as a Mt Carmel player pulled at his face mask as the Sock player was pushing him away.  One spectator indicated he thought it was the worst officiating of a game he has ever seen in 50 years. It left many Sock fans with many thoughts, none complementary of the game officials as most high school fans just want quality officiating that is unbiased. There appears to be no dominant team in the conference as the only undefeated team, Montoursville visits Robbins Stadium October 23. Lancers need to work hard, prepare and focus on the games remaining in an attempt to make the playoffs!

Hats off to the Lancer Band and Fans that traveled to Mt Carmel as hard rains came in the second half as conditions deteriorated!

October 2, 2009 

What has been the case over the past 4 years expect rain and poor conditions when Bloomsburg plays the Lancers. Also expect the Panthers to have a Quarterback who has a strong arm along with a good passing game. Bloomsburg has beaten the Lancers the past 4 years with big pass plays, many going for well over 50 yards a play putting the Lancers behind earlier in the game. On Friday night the Sock’s defense put a stop to any Panther big play offense by not allowing Bloom to score. Sock’s defensive line got penetration, getting 5 sacks which made Bloom’s Quarterback Blake Rankin scramble and feel pressure on just about every passing play. It also was one of the smartest games the defensive backfield played against Bloom in recent years. Tyler Pinkerton, Brandon Smith, Frankie Pagana and Alec Eggerton had excellent coverage on Bloom’s receivers. Most importantly the DBs keep the play in front of them then not allowing any big scoring plays from the Panthers after the catch. Offensively it wasn’t pretty as Stephen Stopper and the Offensive line ran for 200 yards in the first half when conditions were decent. Stopper’s 68 yard TD run in the second quarter but the Lancers up 14-0, his second of the game. While conditions worsened, Coach Jackson and his staff became more conservative in their offensive play calling while playing field position and trying not to allow a Sock turnover to give the Panther’s any life. Tyler Bogaczyk ran the play clock down to single digits on each offensive play in the second half, taking time off the clock, and then running the football at the Panthers stacked line. Congratulations to the Coach Jackson, his staff and the entire Lancer Team for a getting a “W” after 4 straight losses to Bloomsburg!

      Homecoming 2009

                                                                            Brett Wise             Brandon Smith
Missing Don Kinney

On a sunny and warm Friday night, the Lancers started off the season with a solid win against Central Columbia. Lead by Stephen Stopper’s 198 yards on 19 carries followed by Tyler Bogaczyk hooking up with Frankie Pagana for two touchdown passes. Mike Kinney also had a strong night, 98 yards on 9 carries. “I can’t even think of the words to describe what they just did” Stephen Stopper referring to the O-Line. While the defense gave up some yards between the 20’s, only twice did Central make it in the end zone. A good start for the Lancers but they will need to improve as they travel Hughesville to square off against the Spartans who won convincingly against Montgomery.