Montoursville secured an exhilarating victory in double overtime with the help of players Mussina and Eberhart. The game was filled with excitement and suspense as the team showcased their skills. The players’ remarkable performance and determination led to Montoursville’s success. The game highlighted the talent and dedication of the team, resulting in a thrilling win..
James Mussina of Montoursville passes early in the game against Lewisburg at Bucknell University Sept. 8, 2023. Montoursville won 21-14 in double overtime.
DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
LEWISBURG–Jimmy Mussina rolled left, spotted Bryce Eberhart cutting across the end zone and let his pass fly. He never saw the result.
But one better believe he will remember it.
And his gutsy Montoursville teammates will remember all the plays they made as well while twice rallying late and winning a double overtime thriller. After little went right for more than three quarters, the Warriors made everything turn out right when it mattered most.
Mussina hit Eberhart with the go-ahead 10-yard touchdown pass, Kane Moore clinched the win with a fourth down pass breakup and Cole Yonkin fueled a ferocious defense as Montoursville overcame two late seven-point deficits and defeated Lewisburg, 21-14 in double overtime Friday night at Bucknell’s Christy Mathewson Stadium. Mussina accounted for three touchdowns, throwing two and running for another with all three either tying the game or putting Montoursville (2-1) ahead as it produced another exhilarating win after scoring the game-winning touchdown against Lewisburg a year ago when just seven seconds remained.
“This was so much fun. That might be the most fun sports experience I’ve ever had,” Mussina said. “I grew up with all these guys and just went to battle with them and we won 21-14 on a Division I field. I’ll never forget that touchdown and this win.”
Bryce Eberhart of Montoursville pulls in the winning reception for a touchdown against Lewisburg at Bucknell University Sept. 8, 2023. Montoursville won 21-14 in double overtime. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
Lewisburg (1-2) led 7-0 and had denied Montoursville any points despite five drives going inside its 35-yard line. But when there was no more margin for error, the Warriors put everything together and scored on three of their final four possessions. Mussina and Evan Bloom combined on an amazing fourth down 3-yard touchdown pass which tied the game with 3 minutes, 30 seconds remaining while capping a 19-play, 69-yard drive which took 11:07 off the clock.
After Sean Field scored from a yard out on the first overtime possession, Mussina countered with a four-yard touchdown run on a third-and-goal. Montoursville had possession first in the second overtime and needed just one play as Mussina took a big hit as he threw and hit Eberhart in stride near the end zone’s left corner. The defense pressured the quarterback four straight times on the ensuing possession, forcing four straight incompletions and when Moore knocked away the final pass Montoursville could celebrate.
And its fans could breathe again. Athletes often search for moments as they sacrifice long hours throughout the offseasons. Montoursville owned the ones that came their way time after time late in the game Friday.
“It was so exciting. I can’t even explain it,” Yonkin said after dominating along the defensive line and anchoring an offensive line which started wearing down Lewisburg. “You’re just so into it out there. I love a good game.”
Montoursville and Lewisburg so often produce great games. This was the fifth time since 2012 that the outcome was both decided late and by fewer than four points. Like last year, Montoursville again prevailed as much with its guts as with its talent.
Christian Banks (44) and Kingston Fisher (54) of Montoursville celebrate their win over Lewisburg at Bucknell University Sept. 8, 2023. Montoursville won 21-14 in double overtime.
DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
“The kids were resilient. We showed character,” Montoursville coach Joe Hanna said. “At the end of the third quarter and into the fourth quarter they kicked it into gear. I know they were dead tired but they kept going.”
They kept doing so despite the frustration they felt at not finishing drives throughout the first three quarters. Jack Blough, Hayes Schumacher, Elijah Carter and Kejuan Simms were just some of the players who helped Lewisburg keep denying Montoursville points. Charles Landis ended a third quarter drive with an interception and Andrew Smith was tough up front as well, adding a sack. Chase Wenrich found out Landis for a 35-yard connection while getting hit before avoiding a sack and turning it into a 15-yard touchdown run that put Lewisburg up 7-0 late in the second quarter.
For a while it looked like that might be enough, but Montoursville’s defense kept hope alive and when Montoursville took over at its 31-yard line with 2:47 remaining in the third quarter it went to work. Lewisburg gave up yards begrudgingly but Mussina kept making timely throws and Christian Banks (76 yards) kept churning out hard-earned yards. But as the drive continued and time kept coming off the clock it grew apparent that this might be Montoursville’s last shot at tying the game.
Mussina ran for nine yards on a 4th-and-7 to the 11-yard line but three plays later, Montoursville faced another fourth down. And it’s not hyperbole to say what followed as Mussina and Bloom doing their best reenactment of the legendary “The Catch” play between Joe Montana and Dwight Clark which launched the 49ERS dynasty in January of 1982.
The left-handed Mussina rolled right but Lewisburg had the play defended well. Buying time, Mussina kept rolling and fading back and back. Bloom cut across into the back of the end zone’s left corner. Mussina let it fly while defenders converged on him.
Christian Banks (44) and other Montoursville players take down Sean Field of Lewisburg at Bucknell University Sept. 8, 2023. Montoursville won 21-14 in double overtime. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
Bloom took it from there, leaping high and making a sensational leaping catch while defended well. Bloom both maintained possession and was able to get a foot down, completing the remarkable play and Wyatt Fry’s extra point tied the game, eventually forcing overtime.
“I didn’t even know if he was in. I didn’t see it,” Mussina said. “I knew he would make that play. I had a lot of trust in him and he made a great catch.”
Lewisburg needed just two plays to go back in front in overtime. Montoursville again was a stop from defeat and again delivered under pressure. Banks ran for six yards to the four before Mussina absorbed a big hit near the goal line and ran in for a 4-yard score to tie it again. His next play was the touchdown to Eberhart as Montoursville finally went ahead to stay. Eberhart, who had started the last 13 Montoursville games at quarterback caught seven passes for 64 yards in his first start at wide receiver, consistently helping the Warriors move the chains late in the game.
Mussina was making his first varsity start at quarterback but looked polished and relax when the game grew its most intense. The junior quarterback completed 6 of 9 passes on the three scoring drives, kept plays alive with his legs while also keeping his eyes downfield and enjoyed the entire experience. Mussina’s father Mark and cousin Brycen are the program’s two all-time leading passers, both earning all-state honors.
They provided some pregame pointers and as the contest progressed, he kept it all in mind, helping Montoursville overcome the adversity and rally past a quality team.
Ethan Bloom of Montoursville pressures quarterback Chase Wenrich of Lewisburg at Bucknell University Sept. 8, 2023. Montoursville won 21-14 in double overtime. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
“We just couldn’t get it going in the first half. That’s just part of the game. I was a little nervous, but Brycen texted me before the game and my dad was giving me advice and they were saying it’s not all going to go right,” Mussina said. “Brycen just said to just play ball. I came out with that mindset and had to make some things happen.”
Linemen Yonkin, Ethan Bloom, Landon Morehart, Nicco Desanto and Kingston Fisher helped make those plays happen, starting to impose their will as the game progressed. Mussina was not sacked in the second half and the line was able to keep its pushing going on that game-tying 19-play drive as Montoursville converted five third and fourth downs. Yonkin sparked a nasty defense as well which held Lewisburg to 156 yards.
The senior defensive tackle was unblockable at times and produced two sacks while nearly earning three more. Banks also produced a sack, Owen Kleinman two tackles for loss and Noah Rakestraw and Zavien Allen were part of a line which bottled up Lewisburg’s running game. Time after time, the defense generated the stops Montoursville needed, giving the offense an opportunity at tying the game.
“The feeling was insane. You’re just so into it; you’re so focused,” Yonkin said. “We all knew it was our last chance and we didn’t want to give up. We had a hard loss last week and we didn’t want that feeling again, so we came back this week ready to go.”
Blough played an excellent game for Lewisburg, making three tackles for loss while combining with Simms on a sack. Michael Casale, Quinn Michaels, Sean Field and Ryan Opperman also piled up tackles. Wenrich made some big throws under pressure and Blough and Landis combined for five catches for 118 yards.
Christian Banks (44) and Michael Reeder (25) of Montoursville celebrate their win over Lewisburg at Bucknell University Sept. 8, 2023. Montoursville won 21-14 in double overtime. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
Lewisburg was seven seconds from victory at Montoursville last year and suffered heartbreak with no time remaining this time. As gut-wrenching the loss was for Lewisburg, it was equally exciting for the Warriors. It’s on to the next challenge against Central Columbia next week, but this is one these players will long remember as the years go by.
“It’s a good win. I’m proud of the kids. They never quit,” Hanna said. “Hopefully we can build from this and keep rolling.”
“We knew we were going to do it,” Yonkin said. “We knew we were still in it and that we weren’t going to give up until that last play. It was a great win.”
Cole Yonkin of Montoursville tackles quarterback Chase Wenrich of Lewisburg at Bucknell University Sept. 8, 2023. Montoursville won 21-14 in double overtime. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
James Mussina of Montoursville leaps over the tackle of Lewisburg defender at Bucknell University Sept. 8, 2023. Montoursville won 21-14 in double overtime. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
Montoursville celebrate their win over Lewisburg at Bucknell University Sept. 8, 2023. Montoursville won 21-14 in double overtime. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
Hayden Harvey of Montoursville intercepts a ball intended for Mateo Cardello of Lewisburg at Bucknell University Sept. 8, 2023. Montoursville won 21-14 in double overtime. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
Christian Banks of Montoursville tries to pull in an interception in overtime against Lewisburg at Bucknell University Sept. 8, 2023. Montoursville won 21-14 in double overtime. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
Christian Banks of Montoursville tries to pull in an interception in overtime against Lewisburg at Bucknell University Sept. 8, 2023. Montoursville won 21-14 in double overtime. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
Cole Yonkin of Montoursville tackles quarterback Chase Wenrich of Lewisburg at Bucknell University Sept. 8, 2023. Montoursville won 21-14 in double overtime. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
Montoursville High School won a double overtime thriller against Lewisburg High School, with a final score of 21-14. Montoursville quarterback Jimmy Mussina led his team to victory, throwing two touchdowns and running for another. Montoursville rallied late in the game, overcoming two seven-point deficits. Mussina made a crucial 10-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Eberhart to take the lead, while Kane Moore sealed the win with a fourth-down pass breakup. Montoursville’s defense played a key role, pressuring the Lewisburg quarterback and forcing four incompletions in the final possession. The game was an exciting and memorable experience for all involved.
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