2023 Season Preview Loyalsock Township

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loyalsock Township went 11-2 last year and this included beating State power Southern Columbia. Loyalsock lost twice to Danville. Once in the regular season and once in the PIAA State Playoffs. Justin Van Fleet has been the Head Coach of Loyalsock since 2012 and has never had a losing season or missed the playoffs. He is one of the most successful Head Coaches in District 4. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key returning players this season:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["377330"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b1ddf6dd212"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377330' first='Tyler' last='Gee']. </strong>Gee is one of the hidden gems of the 2024 class. He has had two outstanding seasons so far as a High School quarterback and is looking to end his career the right way with a strong Senior Year. I expect he will have a good chance at playing College Football in the future. Below is what my colleague Vic Castilo said about Gee earlier this year:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Loyalsock Township's&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377330' first='Tyler' last='Gee']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/tyler-gee-2/"></a>&nbsp;improved upon a wonderous sophomore year at the program, elevating his passing yard, rushing yards, and touchdown totals by a wide margin. I expect him to stay on that trajectory as a senior. 4.70 40, class president boasting a 4.0 GPA. Three-sport athlete too. I know schools have him on the radar, intrigued as to how high his ceiling could reach. I'd imagine he's a take at a PSAC program, that could be his floor.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["557200"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b1ddf6dd268"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='557200' first='Jaylen' last='Andrews'].</strong> Andrews is a difference-maker at wide receiver. Andrews flashes good size standing 6'3" inches tall. Andrews has a chance to play College Football and I expect he will have a strong Senior Year to accomplish this. Below is what my colleague [player_tooltip player_id='1156407' first='Vic' last='Castillo'] wrote about Andrews earlier this year:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='557200' first='Jaylen' last='Andrews'], despite still not hearing back from programs this offseason, won't be denied his flowers. Again, many can easily jump into this ten spot, yet not many can stack up against Andrews' production from last Fall. I've spoken to numerous PSAC schools who are well aware of the kid's skill set and potential, I hope many are listening to scream his name from the rooftops. They are listening, I imagine it's only a matter of time before he gets the looks he deserves. He stands as the best option for programs looking for un-offered talent.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["91608"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b1ddf6dd2b0"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91608' first='Logan' last='Bastian']. </strong>Bastian played linebacker for Loyasock last year. Bastian is a very instinctive linebacker that does a nice job of consistently making plays on defense. He does a nice job reading and reacting to the offense and then coming upfield to make the play. In his film, you can see that he is taught proper read keys, in that he is always reacting to what the offense is doing properly. He is a good tackler as well, who rarely misses a tackle. He especially shows his tackling ability in the open field, when he makes good tackles on offensive players. Bastian is a good player I expect a strong Senior year should get some College Football interest. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Gage Patterson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Loyalsock Township","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b1ddf6dd345"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gage Patterson</strong>. Patterson played wide receiver and defensive back for Loyalsock last year. He showed good skills in both positions. At wide receiver, he ran good routes and seemed to understand how to separate from defensive backs. He catches the ball well, especially in traffic. At defensive back, he shows that he is able to drop in coverage and make plays in the back end of a defense. The other key part of his game is his size. He stands 6'1" inches tall, so he has to size to play both sides of the ball. Patterson has a chance to really blossom this year for the Loyalsock Football team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["625651"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b1ddf6dd38f"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='625651' first='Jeremiah' last='Johnson']. </strong>As a Freshman Johnson flashed some skills for the Loyalsock Football Team. He stands 6'4" inches tall which means he has the ideal size for a defensive lineman. He should have a big year for Loyalsock this year. Below is what my Colleague Dylan Callaghan Croley wrote earlier this year on Johnson:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Extremely well-built defensive lineman for a rising sophomore. Projects to be a defensive tackle at the next level. Quick to the punch and has a good first step, good hand-fighting skills. Shows a good bull rush but is also good at sitting back and filling in holes.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["241054"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b1ddf6dd3de"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='241054' first='Jamaire' last='Harden']. </strong>Harden is one of the best wide receiver prospects in the 2024 class and makes a good pair of wide receivers for Loyalsock with [player_tooltip player_id='557200' first='Jaylen' last='Andrews']. Harden shows elite athleticism and skills. Below is what my colleague [player_tooltip player_id='1156407' first='Vic' last='Castillo'] wrote about him earlier this year:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Elusive, slippery in the open field.&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='241054' first='Jamaire' last='Harden']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jamaire-harden/"></a>&nbsp;is the explosive weapon Williamsport deploys from various alignments. Harden is your typical playmaker that needs the ball in his hands. Williamsport has Harden returning punts and kicks, spread out wide on passing downs, even split in the backfield with backs. Effortless jets that can break DB angles in foot races down the sideline. Harden's skillset would fit in well with the OLSH and Farrell offenses from this past Fall, as he reminds me of many seniors on both of those offenses. 37 receptions for 600 yards and seven scores. His play at DB is what elevates him above similar-style prospects.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final Thoughts</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loyalsock brings back a ton of talent this year and should have a chance at having another good year. When you got a quarterback like [player_tooltip player_id='377330' first='Tyler' last='Gee'] and wide receivers like [player_tooltip player_id='241054' first='Jamaire' last='Harden'] and [player_tooltip player_id='557200' first='Jaylen' last='Andrews'] you have a good chance to have an explosive offense. Coach Van Fleet also has done a nice job with this program since he has taken over. So, I expect Loyalsock to be in the mix for a league title and make the playoffs again. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->