NTL FOOTBALL: GILLILAND SCORES THREE TOUCHDOWNS AS TROY DOWNS TOWANDA (2023-10-06)

Northern Tier Sports Report
TOWANDA — Troy’s defense was stout all game long, giving their offense time to get in sync, as they pulled away from Towanda for a 37-0 win in NTL football action Friday.

Troy went 3-and-out to start the game, then on the first play from scrimmage on their second drive they hit a long touchdown.

“We just want to take a certain amount of shots a game, and we did that,” said Troy coach Jim Smith. “At times we hurt them, at times we hurt ourselves, but it certainly opens up the run game if we’re airing it out a little bit.”

The run game was there, as they rushed for 272 yards and three touchdowns on the night. Brendan Gilliland continued his strong string of touchdowns, rushing for three of Troy’s five scores on seven carries for 125 yards.

He, along with Charles Oldroyd (six carries, 53 yards) carried the team’s offense.

“We’re missing a whole team of fully injured kids, and I’m proud of these young kids,” Smith said. “We are literally missing seven or eight starters, who we hope to have back in the next few weeks, and it’s great to see these young guys excelling the way they are. It’s just going to make us better when we, hopefully, are in a position where everybody’s back.”

Camryn Harwick had a 45-yard touchdown return, while Evan Woodward was 4-for-10 for 96 yards with a score and two picks. Camryn had two catches for 74 yards and a score.

“Our special teams haven’t got to do much because teams don’t kick to as us much, and you can see why tonight,” said Smith. “These guys are one step away from breaking it. Harwick’s a big play guy, he’s a tremendous athlete. He’s worked hard, he’s a leader, and I’m proud of him.”

Riley Vanderpool led Towanda with 31 yards rushing on 18 carries while Tahshon Garner had two touches for 16 yards.

Vanderpool was 6-for-21 for 64 yards with an interception, with Garner hauling in three catches for 53 yards.

Defensively, Towanda kept it close early as it was just 7-0 after the first quarter, and only just 20-0 at the half.

Will Shrawder had two interceptions on the day for the Black Knight defensive backfield.

Towanda was also shorthanded as they were without starting running back and linebacker Mason Higley.

The first scoring play for Troy was a 65-yard pass from Woodward to Harwick with 4:25 left in the first quarter. The kick was good and it was 7-0.

With 11:00 left in the second Gilliland ran it in from 28-yards out. The kick was blocked, but it was 13-0.

Troy’s final first half score came with 5:18 left to play as Gilliland ran it in from 48-yards out. The kick was good this time for a 20-0 lead at the half.

Harwick got things started in the second half with his 45-yard punt return. Gilliland ran in the 2-point conversion for a 28-0 lead with 7:35 left in the third.

Gilliland then got the hat trick with a 3-yard run early in the fourth. After the kick it was 35-0 with 10:19 left to play.

A little over a minute later Troy got a safety for the 37-0 final.

Towanda (4-3) will host Hughesville next week in a big match-up between two teams battling for playoff positioning. Troy (7-0) will welcome Northwest to Alparon Park, and the first thing they’ll want to do is heal.

“We’re missing both middle linebackers tonight,” said Smith. “Our left guard, fullback, tailback, so a whole team. I’m really proud how the kids are handling the adversity.”

Troy 37, Towanda 0

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

Tr - Evan Woodward 65-yard pass to Camryn Harwick (kick good), 4:25

Second Quarter

Tr - Brendan Gilliland 28-yard run (kick blocked), 11;00

Tr - Brendan Gilliland 48-yard run (kick good), 5:18

Third Quarter

Tr - Camryn Harwick 45-yard punt return (Gilliland run), 7:35

Fourth Quarter

Tr - Brendan Gilliland 3-yard run (kick good), 10:19

Tr - Troy safety, 9:00

Individual Stats

Troy

Rushing

Brendan Gilliland 7-125-3, Evan Woodward 1-8, Charles Oldroyd 6-53, Jackson Taylor 5-17, Mason Smith 2-38, Jayden Kutt 4-15, Noah Ellis 1-2, Reed Palmer 3-14, Jacob Hinman 1-0

Passing

Evan Woodward 4-10-96-1-2

Receiving

Camryn Harwick 2-74-1, Mason Smith 2-22

Towanda

Rushing

Riley Vanderpool 18-31, Jace Gunther 5-1, Tahshon Garner 2-16, Hayden Space 1-2, Ben Shrawder 1-1, Jazick Brown 2-(-2), Curtis Maynard 1-(-2)

Passing

Riley Vanderpool 6-21-64-0-1

Receiving

Tahshon Garner 3-53, Will Shrawder 1-4, Rylee Sluyter 1-3, Jace Gunther 1-4

Team stats Troy Towanda

Rushes/Yards 30/272 30/47

Passing Yards 96 64

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PHOTOS BY JOE CARREON

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