Rivalry week often is about communities and Loyalsock gave its community quite a rush. Everybody played a role, so it seemed fitting that all were included in the photo. The moment captured in that photo will long be remembered by those who participated.

All the hard work, all the sacrifices and all the adversity overcome … it made this moment quite a special one.

Dolan Harman ran for 128 yards, while scoring two touchdowns; Danny Dowell threw two scores and the defense repeatedly made big stops as Loyalsock defeated Montoursville, 21-7 and secured its third straight Battle of the Bridge Trophy. The Lancers (6-4) built a 14-0 first quarter lead, clinched District 4 Class AA’s third seed and made quite a statement in a year many projected them to take a step back.

Loyalsock celebrate their 21-7 win over Montoursville at Montoursville High School. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“Everybody doubted us at the beginning of the year because we lost so much talent,” linebacker Preston Gross said after leading Loyalsock in tackles. “It shows that we had great underclassmen, too, and we fight hard. That’s how you win games.”

“For the community to come together and feel like a family is something I really cherish to a heavy extent. For them to come and rally behind the guys is quite special,” Loyalsock coach Justin Van Fleet said. “To have everyone jump in the middle and have everyone come together for that photo is something that’s always been a bit of a dream for someone who has lived in this community and has been a part of it and who loves what we mean to the community. Tonight was a night where everyone came together as a united front and brought out the best in all we are. That’s something I really treasure.”

Loyalsock fans treasured the effort its resilient team put forth. A team which replaced most of last year’s starters, dealt with several injuries and navigated a daunting schedule which included games against undefeated Danville and Shamokin the past two weeks. Loyalsock has taken some hits, but has kept moving forward and it all showed in a big way against its biggest rival.

All the dedication led to a scene like the one Loyalsock experienced seconds after the game ended. Anything worthwhile comes with a price and the Lancers have paid it throughout the season. That makes the good times feel particularly amazing.

“That’s explosive. It just feels good knowing that so many people are supporting you and are behind you,” Harman said. “It makes it all worthwhile. It makes every minute of it worth it.”

Jeremiah Johnson of Loyalsock celebrates his team’s 21-7 win over Montoursville at Montoursville High School. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The Lancers took the fight right to Montoursville, scoring on their first two possessions and outgaining it, 131-11. Dowell has dealt with injuries since the season opener but came up huge on fourth-and-10 on the opening series. The junior quarterback rolled right, avoided pressure and threw a dart to tight end Deryk Kulp who caught it at the 2-yard line before sidestepping a defender and completing the 17-yard touchdown play.

After the defense forced a quick three-and-out, Loyalsock immediately pounced as Dowell absorbed a hit while finding a diving Jalil Coates for a 27-yard pass to the 5-yard line. Two plays later, Harman bulled through for a three-yard score and Loyalsock led, 14-0.

“Our guys went after it. This week at practice wasn’t necessarily pleasant. I was pretty horrific throughout the entire week and the kids could have quit at any particular point,” Van Fleet said. “When we showed up tonight there really wasn’t anything we were going to be surprised with in terms of the physicality that we’re bringing to the table and with the resilience that was built throughout the week.”

“We came out hard. We knew they were going to come out hard so we just had to go and knock them down harder,” Harman said. “It was a total team win. People can say this guy did this or this guy did that but without the other 10 guys, nobody is doing anything.”

It was that complete performance which helped Loyalsock not just during the game, but throughout the week. Games are often won from what happens Monday-Thursday and this was no different. Whether they took the field Friday or not, all the Lancers contributed.

Preston Gross of Loyalsock punts the ball away under pressure from Landon Morehart (51) of Montoursville at Montoursville High School. Loyalsock won the “Battle of the Bridge” 21-7. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“Everybody stepped it up for this game. It was a big one.,” Gross said. “The sideline was up; scout team ran hard. Those are the ones who prepare us. They are the heart of the team.”

Loyalsock continued showing that heart defensively, denying Montoursville points on four straight trips inside the 40-yard line between the second and third quarters. That included stopping Montoursville on a fourth-and-1 at the 2-yard line in the second quarter when the snap was mishandled and the line swarmed to drop Christian Banks for a one-yard loss.

Loyalsock closed the game in similar fashion. After Montoursville (5-5) earned a first-and-goal at the 6-yard line with a little more than a minute remaining, the defense stiffened and allowed no runs on two plays before forcing two incompletions and clinching the win.

“I trust our d-line to make piles and let us in the backfield fly up and make tackles. It’s just trusting your teammates,” Gross said. “You have to have all 11 working together and you have to play as a unit. That’s all it is.”

“No matter what it is, whether we’re down 14-0 or up 14-0 we’re just going to keep fighting until the end,” Harman said. “That’s just who we are.”

Jalil Coates of Loyalsock watches as Michael Reeder of Montoursville pulls in an interception meant for Coates at Montoursville High School. Loyalsock won the “Battle of the Bridge” 21-7. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

As thrilling as the win was for Loyalsock, it was equally frustrating for Montoursville which outgained an opponent for a second straight week but still lost. As was the case against Lewisburg, the Warriors struggled finishing drives, twice not scoring inside the 10-yard line and making it six trips inside the red zone the past two games in which it has scored just three points.

Still, Montoursville will have another shot to win its final home game because it secured the No. 4 seed for the District 4 Class AAA playoffs and will host No. 5 Mifflinburg. Banks ran for 125 yards; Elijah Eck’s 46-yard dime to Michael Reeder set up Hayden Harvey’s 1-yard touchdown run which cut the deficit to 14-7 and linebacker Owen Kleinman produced 11 tackles.

Noah Rakestraw played a strong game up front and nearly had three sacks and helped the defense stymie Loyalsock in the middle quarters. After the Lancers scored on their first two series, the Montoursville defense limited it to 17 yards and no first downs on its next series.

Still, Loyalsock stood firm. After the defense forced a three-and-out near the Montoursville end zone and the offense prepared to set up at the Warrior 40-yard line, Gross placed his hands on Dowell’s and Harman’s helmets, offering each encouraging words as he walked by.

It was a little moment, but it was powerful and Loyalsock responded, putting together a six-play scoring drive which put it ahead, 21-7 with 7 minutes, 35 seconds remaining.

Jalil Coates and Chase Wright of Loyalsock tackle Michael Reeder of Montoursville at Montoursville High School. Loyalsock won the “Battle of the Bridge” 21-7. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“I just told them to keep their heads,” Gross said. “The last series ended in an interception and I just said you have to keep your heads up and keep fighting and that’s what they did.”

Harman ripped off three straight bruising runs before a penalty pushed Loyalsock back to the 27-yard line. Facing a second-and-19, the Lancers dialed up a screen pass and brilliantly executed it. As three defenders charged after him, Dowell dumped his pass to Harman who had a convoy of three linemen leading him down the left sideline. Harman went untouched until inside the 5-yard line before barreling into for the touchdown.

“Their outside linebackers were blitzing really hard, so we figured they’re going to crash before they have a chance of seeing me,” Harman said. “As soon as we throw that screen, there’s three tremendous linemen in front of me and just one safety and not much that safety can do. When you see how outnumbered they are and how much size you have on them it’s like you already know you’re scoring this touchdown, so nothing is really stopping you.”

It looked like nobody was stopping Banks on the third quarter’s first play when he rumbled over multiple defenders and had nothing but green in front of him. Kulp, however, made a lunging shoe string stop, tripping Banks up and stopping him for a 13-yard gain. Eventually, two-way standout Jeremiah Johnson forced a fumble which Loyalsock recovered to end the scoring threat.

It was little plays like the Kulp one made throughout the night which led to a big win. It also earned Loyalsock a home playoff game next week. The Lancers will host Warrior Run in a rematch of a thrilling game played four weeks ago when Loyalsock rallied for a 24-23 win.

And while Loyalsock earned quite a moment Friday night, it now is focused on the next moment. The biggest moments are out there for the taking.

“This year we had a lot of adversity during the season but the truth of the matter is tough times are sometimes life’s best teachers,” Van Fleet said. “Things that were provided this season led to this moment where they were able to go into the lion’s den and come out victorious. I’m proud of the effort put in by everyone who came to work all week. This group enjoys its time together; it enjoys working together and they’re starting to hold each other accountable to a heavy level.”

Chase Wright of Loyalsock watches as Michael Reeder of Montoursville pulls in a reception at Montoursville High School. Loyalsock won the “Battle of the Bridge” 21-7. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Isaiah West of Loyalsock puts pressure on Jimmy Mussina of Montoursville at Montoursville High School. Loyalsock won the “Battle of the Bridge” 21-7. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Dolan Harman of Loyalsock runs for a touchdown against Montoursville at Montoursville High School. Loyalsock won the “Battle of the Bridge” 21-7. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette