The Sports ReportsTroy capped a wildly entertaining football season in the region with the program's and the NTL's first-ever PIAA state title.
Horseheads and Corning won Section IV titles in New York, while defending state champions Waverly and Tioga, as well as Owego saw their seasons end with losses in the Section IV finals.
A year after losing to seven-time state champion Southern Columbia in the District 4, Class AA championship game, Troy avenged that loss in this year's semifinals with a 69-28 thrashing of the Tigers. The Trojans the reeled off five more wins to claim the state title with a perfect 16-0 record.
And to the victors go the spoils.
Troy senior Evan Woodward and junior Brendan Gilliland share The Sports Reports' 2024 "Player of the Year" honors, while Troy senior Jack Burbage is the "Defensive Player of the Year," and longtime Trojan mentor Jim Smith is the "Coach of the Year."
Towanda senior Riley Vanderpool is the "Offensive Player of the Year," while Horseheads senior Robert Peckham is the "Lineman of the Year," Athens sophomore Connor Davidson is the "Breakout Player of the Year," Owego senior Jack Buchsbaum is the "Special Teams Player of the Year," and Tioga senior Jake Browne is the "Newcomer of the Year."
Woodward was a field general in the truest sense of the word, perfecting the option game with a full compliment of weapons alongside him
Woodward completed 67.5 percent (81 of 120) of his passes for 1,716 yards and 22 TDs, against just two interceptions. He also ran the ball for 889 yards and 12 TDs on 71 carries, for a whopping 12.5 yards per carry.
Defensively, Woodward recorded 60 tackles, including 35 solo stops, three tackles-for-loss, and two interceptions.
Gilliland, a bruising runner with good speed, played his best football — on both sides of the ball — during the state playoffs.
Gilliland ran for 1,476 yards and 28 TDs on 138 carries (10.7 yards per carry). He also caught nine passes for 203 yards, and three TDs.
Defensively, Gilliland recorded 92 tackles, including 56 solo stops, 23 tackles-for-loss, 16 QB sacks, and four pass break-ups. He also had four kick returns, and averaged 26 yards per return.
Burbage, a sideline-to-sideline defender, led the Trojans with 128 tackles, including 78 solo stops, 13 tackles-for-loss, and one QB sack. He also had one interception, two pass break-ups, and three fumble recoveries.
Smith and his staff have been building toward this season, posting a 12-1 record in 2023, before reaching the pinnacle this season with a 16-0 mark and the first state title in school history.
A true dual-threat QB, Vanderpool topped 1,000 yards through the air, and on the ground in 2024. A run-first QB his first two years at QB, Vanderpool improved his accuracy this season, completing 57 percent of his passes for 1,203 yards and six TDs, while being picked off six times.
Despite his improved passing, Vanderpool remained most dangerous with the ball in his hands, rushing for 1,538 yards and 24 TDs, on 148 carries (10.4 yards per carry).
At 6-2, 300 pounds, Peckham was a force in the trenches on both sides of the ball.
Defensively, he chewed up multiple blockers to allow his linebackers to make tackles, but still finished the season with 34 tackles, including two tackles-for-loss, three QB sacks, and a forced fumble.
Davidson was the main source of offense for the Wildcats in 2024.He ran for 1,101 yards and 15 TDs on 179 carries (6.2 yards per carry) and had five 100-yard plus games. He also threw for 1,387 yards and 12 TDs, completing 48.8 percent (101 of 207) of his passes. And, he had two kick returns for TDs.
Defensively, Davidson had 64 tackles, including 33 solo stops, one tackle-for-loss, one forced fumble, one interception, which he returned for a score, and two pass break-ups.
Buchsbaum put Owego fans on the edge of their seats every time the ball was kicked to him. He returned three kickoffs for TDs, averaging more than 30 yards per return. He also averaged 23 yards per punt return with one TD.
Browne, who was goal keeper on the Tioga soccer team the last two years, became an old-fashioned workhorse tailback for the Tigers after injuries sidelines four other backs. He rushed for 1,422 yards and 23 TDs on 186 carries (7.6 yards per carry) on the season.
In Tioga's 56-28 win over then-unbeaten Deposit-Hancock, Browne set team and Section IV record with 421 yards (on 32 carries), and eight TDs, which tied a Section IV record.
Defensively, Browne had 15 tackles, and one forced fumble.
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2024 ALL-REGION FOOTBALL
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Evan Woodward, senior, Troy, and Brendan Gilliland, junior, Troy
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Riley Vanderpool, senior, Towanda
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jack Burbage, senior, Troy:
LINEMAN OF THE YEAR: Robert Peckham, senior, Horseheads.
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Connor Davidson, sophomore, Athens
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jack Buchsbaum, senior, Owego.
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Jake Browne, Tioga.
COACH OF THE YEAR: Jim Smith, Troy.
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ALL-REGION FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Evan Woodward, senior, Troy: See above.
Running Backs
Brendan Gilliland, junior, Troy: See above.
Jake Browne, senior, Tioga: See above.
Lucas Mosher, senior, Horseheads: A hard-nosed, physical runner, Mosher gained 792 yards and scored 15 TDs on 88 carries. He was also a threat out of the backfield, and caught 18 passes for 362 yards, and five TDs.
Receivers
Xavier Watson, senior, Waverly: Watson, who was double-covered most of the season, hauled in 45 receptions for 692 yards, and 11 TDs. He also had three carries for 34 yards.
Lincoln Chimics, senior, Troy: Dynamic with the football in his hands, Chimics had 33 catches for 824 yards (25 yards per catch), and 10 TDs.
Luke Kreger, junior, North Penn-Mansfield: A speed merchant, who was elusive in the open field, Kreger hauled in 60 receptions for 1,188 yards and 10 TDs. He also had 60 rushing yards.
Tight End / H-Back
Evan English, senior, Owego: A good blocker, English is a big target with good hands. He had 23 receptions for 329 yards, and three TDs.
Offensive Linemen
Robert Peckham, senior, Horseheads;
Kam Hills, senior, Waverly;
Troy Beeman, junior, Waverly;
Avery Sens, senior, Troy;
Varrius Farrell, senior, Towanda;
Micah Pesesky, sophomore, Troy.
All-Purpose
Kolsen Keathley, senior, Waverly: Keathley saw some time at tailback, but spent the majority of his time at receiver. He rushed for 384 yards and four TDs on 41 carries (9.4 yards per carry), and hauled in 24 catches for 595 yards (team-high 24.8 yards per reception), and seven TDs.
Mason Smith, junior, Troy: A threat to score every time he touched the ball, Smith ran for 487 yards and six TDs on 50 carries, and caught 15 passes for 487 yards and four TDs. He also had five special teams return TDs.
Kicker
Alexis McRoberts, senior, Canton: McRoberts was 39-for-41 on extra points, and 3-for-3 on field goals with a long of 35 yards. She also had several touchbacks this year, and was named to the Pa. All-state team for Class A.
DEFENSE
Linemen
Robert Peckham, senior, Horseheads: See above.
Reed Palmer, sophomore, Troy: Palmer improved as the season progressed, and was a force of nature by season's end. He had 88 tackles, including 18 tackles-for-loss, and eight QB sacks.
Eason Teribury, senior, Troy: A mainstay on the Trojans' dominant D-line, Teribury had 81 tackles, including 17 tackles-for-loss, and eight sacks.
Matthias Welles, sophomore, Waverly: Nearly unblockable, Welles was a disruptive force at defensive end for the Wolverines. He had 47 tackles, including 17 solo stops, and one QB sack, to go along with a pass break-up, one fumble recovery, and one blocked field goal.
Zach Bensley, senior, Owego: Bensley was a disruptive force on the defensive front for the River Hawks. He had 48 tackles, including 13 solo stops, 10 tackles-for-losses, four QB sacks, two QB pressures, one pass break-up, and one interception.
Troy Beeman, junior, Waverly: A force in the middle of the defensive front, and an emotional leader for the Wolverines, Beeman had 46 tackles, including 15 solo stops, 3.5 QB sacks, and two pass break-ups.
Linebackers
Sawyer Robinson, senior, Towanda: Robinson spent more time in the opposition's backfield than its own running backs. He recorded 84 tackles, 19 tackles-for-loss, and 11 QB sacks.
Brendan Gilliland, junior, Troy: See above.
Jack Burbage, senior, Troy: See above.
Kolsen Keathley, senior, Waverly: Keathley was a disruptor on the defensive side of the ball for the Wolverines. He had 44 tackles, including 23 solo stops, one QB sack, and a number of tackles-for-losses. He also had two interceptions — both pick-6s, two tackles for safeties, two kick returns for scores, and one fumble recovery.
Cooper Shaw, senior, NP-Mansfield: A sideline-to-sideline defender, Shaw racked up 62 tackles, added two interceptions and one QB sack.
Defensive Backs
Ben Fitch, senior, Canton: Physical on run support, Fitch recorded 76 tackles, had one QB sack, and two interceptions.
Lincoln Chimics, senior Troy: A dynamic athlete, Chimics had 43 tackles, including 36 solo stops, and one tackle-for loss, With five interceptions, including two returned for TDs, and eight pass break-ups.
Xavier Watson, senior, Waverly: Watson had very few passes thrown in his direction on the season. He had 29 tackles, including 17 solo stops, three interceptions, and five pass break-ups.
Marcus Brooks, senior, Elmira: A good all-around back, Brooks had 56.5 tackles, including six tackles-for-loss, and two interceptions.
Graham Hess, senior, Cowanesque Valley: Hess was all over the field for the Indians. He recorded 93 tackles and had one interception.
Punter
Jack Wheaton, senior, Towanda: Wheaton averaged 41.3 yards per punt on 25 attempts, with a long of 54 yards. He also had two first- down runs on fake punts this year, with an average 19 yards per run.
ALL-REGION SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Riley Vanderpool, senior, Towanda: See above.
Ben Shaw, sophomore, Waverly: After a rough first game, Shaw was nearly perfect the remainder of the season. He completed 70.8 percent (102 of 144) of his passes for 1,783 yards and 24 TDs with just one interception. He also ran for 1 TD.
Running Backs
James Freeman, senior Corning: A physical back, Freeman ran for 950 yards and 22 TDs on 127 carries, despite missing two games. He had 9 catches for 27 yards, and also threw for a TD.
Ryder Bowen, senior, Wellsboro: A tough back, Bowen ran for 1,059 yards and nine TDs on 195 carries. He also had 15 catches for 87 yards, and one TD.
Joseph Palladino, senior, Owego: Possessing game-breaking speed, Palladino rushed for 952 yards and 15 TDs on 11 carries without a fumble on the season. He also had three catches for 9 yards.
Ayden Hunsinger, senior, Wyalusing: A physical back, Hunsinger ran for 1,344 yards and 9 TDs on 251 carries.
Receivers
Nick Pellicano, senior, Sayre: Dangerous in the open field, Pellicano hauled in 29 receptions for 562 yards (19.4 yards per catch), and eight TDs.
Aydin Holcomb, senior, Canton: A dangerous receiver with good speed, Holcomb had 42 catches for 734 yards, and eight TDs.
Tahshon Garner, senior, Towanda: Garner hauled in 30 catches for 466 yards, and four TDs.
Tight End / H-Back
Matthias Welles, sophomore, Waverly: A dominating blocker, Welles had five catches for 83 yards, and one TD. He also ran the ball three times for 15 yards.
Linemen
Zach Bensley, senior, Owego.
Tate MaCauley, senior, Tioga.
Evan Ingerick, senior, Wellsboro.
Jaden Bennett, senior, Edison.
Brenden Comstock, junior, Athens.
Maxwell Mickley, senior, Horseheads
All-Purpose
Julian Colon, junior, Elmira: A threat to score anytime he touched the ball, Colon ran for 510 yards on 97 carries with six TDs. Had seven catches for 198 yards (28.3 yards per catch), and three TDs.
Kicker
Hogan Shaw, junior, Waverly: A weapon with his kick-offs (11 touchbacks), Shaw made 58 of 63 extra-point attempts, and also connected on a 33-yard field goal.
DEFENSE
Linemen
Kam Hills, senior, Waverly: Hills occupied multiple blockers to allow his linebackers to make plays, but still had 37 tackles in nine games, including 12 solo stops and a number of tackles-for-loss. He also had two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Avery Sens, senior, Troy: A force on the Trojans' dominating defensive front, Sens had 75 tackles, including nine tackles-for-loss, and two QB sacks.
Garrett Godfrey, senior, Tioga: A force in the middle of the Tioga defense, Godfrey had 48 tackles, including nine solo stops, one QB sack, one tackle-for-loss, and one forced fumble.
Titus Callahan, junior, Newark Valley: Long and athletic, Callahan was among Newark Valley's leading tacklers. He had 50 tackles, including eight tackles-for-losses, and one fumble recovery.
Hunter Lavigne, senior, Horseheads: A physical force at nose guard, Lavigne recorded 61 tackles with three QB sacks, four tackles-for-loss and a forced fumble
Brendan Comstock, junior, Athens: Possessing a non-stop motor, Comstock had 67 tackles, including 26 solo stops, two tackles-for-loss, and two QB sacks.
Linebackers
Ben Shaw, sophomore, Waverly: A sideline-to-sideline defender, Shaw led the Wolverines in tackles again this season with 73, including 29 solo stops, and one QB sack. He also had one fumble recovery.
Karson Sipley, junior, Athens: Sipley was always around the football, and led the Wildcats in tackles with 112 (10.2 per game), including 43 solo stops and three tackles-for-loss. He also had one interception, one pass deflection, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries.
Bobby Struble, senior, Owego: A sideline-to-sideline defender, Struble recorded 65 tackles, including 24 solo stops, 10 tackles-for-losses, one QB sack, and one QB pressure.
Holden Ward, senior, Canton: Ultra-athletic, Ward had 81 tackles despite missing four games.
Carter Sparks, senior, Corning: The heart-and-soul of the Hawks' defense, Sparks had 37 tackles, a fumble recovery and three QB sacks.
Conlan Taylor, senior, Owego: Possessing a nose for the ball, Taylor had 53 tackles, including 17 solo stops, nine tackles-for-loss, 1.5 QB sacks, three QB pressures, three pass break-ups, one interception, and one fumble recovery.
Defensive Backs
Joseph Frye, senior, Troy: A two-way defender, Frye had four interceptions, 10 pass break-ups, and 63 tackles.
Evan Woodward, senior, Troy: See above.
Kadin Cole, junior, Tioga: Cole had a nose for the football, and led the Tigers in tackles with 56, including 20 solo stops and one tackle-for-loss. He also had two interceptions and one fumble recovery.
Logan Rhodes, junior, Newark Valley: Strong on run support, Rhodes had 54 tackles, including two tackles-for-losses, and one forced fumble.
Brendan Cooke, sophomore, Athens: A hard-nosed defender, Cooke recorded 90 tackles, including 30 solo stops, one QB sack, and two tackles-for-loss. He also had three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, one interception, and one blocked field goal.
Punter
Jak Smith, sophomore, SVEC: Smith averaged 40.6 yards per punt on 26 attempts.
ALL-REGION THIRD TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Connor Davidson, sophomore, Athens: Davidson ran for 1,101 yards and 15 TDs on 179 carries (6.2 yards per carry) and had five 100-yard plus games. He also threw for 1,387 yards and 12 TDs, completing 48.8 percent (101 of 207) of his passes. And, he had two kick returns for TDs.
Cooper Shaw, senior, NP-Mansfield: A dangerous dual threat, Shaw completed 105 of 223 passes for 1,639 yards and 15 TDs. He also ran for 693 yards and nine TDs on 185 carries.
Running Backs
Logan Aman, junior, SVEC: Fast and elusive, Aman rushed for 888 yards and 14 TDs on 111 carries. He also had three catches for 37 yards.
Clayton Smith, junior, Corning: A tough runner, Smith rushed for 850 yards and 11 TDs on 140 carries.
Fletcher Good, senior, Waverly: Fast and physical, Good ran for 816 yards and 18 TDs on 112 carries. He also had one catch for 4 yards.
Bryce Thomas, sophomore, Horseheads: Thomas rushed for 767 yards and 13 TDs on 110 carries.
Receivers
Marek Mascho, junior, Wellsboro: A dependable receiver with good hands, Mascho had 33 catches for 380 yards, and five TDs.
Dave Hess, sophomore, Cowanesque Valley: A speed merchant, Hess had 21 catches for 538 yards, a whopping 25.6 yards per catch, and four TDs.
Miles Woodhouse, senior, Horseheads: Despite missing a chunk of the season with an injury, Woodhouse had 21 catches for 365 yards and four TDs.
Tight End / H-Back
Reed Palmer, sophomore, Troy: A good blocker, Palmer had eight catches for 166 yards and two TDs.
Linemen
Garrett Godfrey, senior, Tioga;
Ty Spencer, senior, Troy;
Chance Olsen, senior, Elmira;
Luke Sottolano, junior, Cowanesque Valley;
Nick Johnson, senior, Wyalusing;
Carson Rockwell, sophomore, Waverly.
All-Purpose
Jack Buchsbaum, senior, Owego: Dangerous anytime he touched the ball, Buchsbaum had 10 receptions for 150 yards, and one TD. He also ran for 277 yards and four TBs on 19 carries.
Kicker
Gavin Lykon-Leffler, sophomore, Troy: Lykon-Leffler was good on 92 of 104 on PAT attempts, with two field goals, including a 35-yarder.
Trevor Reidy, senior, Horseheads: Reidy made 37 of 39 extra-point attempts, with both misses on bad snaps. He also had two field goals, on 90 percent of his kick-offs, the opponents started inside it own 35.
DEFENSE
Linemen
Jayden VanDusen, senior, Corning: VanDusen had 60 tackles, a fumble recovery and one QB sack.
Tyrone Hendrix, senior, Elmira: Hendrix had 46 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles-for-loss.
Ryan Ressler, senior, Sayre: Ressler had 28 tackles, six tackles-for-loss, four QB sacks, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.
Caleb Nason, senior, Athens: Nason recorded 59 tackles, one tackle-for-loss, and two QB sacks.
Edan Flynn, senior, Towanda: Flynn had 58 tackles, 12 tackles-for-loss, and eight QB sacks.
Linebackers
Ryder Bowen, senior, Wellsboro: Bowen collected 73 tackles and 2 QB sacks.
Noah Ellis, senior, Troy: Ellis registered 112 tackles, three tackles-for-loss, and three fumble recoveries.
Jonah Lamb, senior, Horseheads: Lamb had 57 tackles, one sack and one interception.
Griffin Stevens, senior, Horseheads. Stevens had 50 tackles, one interception, one fumble recovery and one defensive score.
Cam Wright, senior, Elmira: Wright h 60 tackles, 11 tackles-for-loss and one QB sack.
Gabe Merrill, senior, Newark Valley: Merrill had 68 tackles, including four tackles-for-loss, and one forced fumble.
Jaxson Burchard, sophomore, Horseheads: Burchard recorded 43 tackles, including 20 solo stops.
Defensive Backs
Jakobe Foster, junior, SVEC: A good defender in pass coverage, Foster had 23 tackles and two interceptions.
Caleb Cole, senior, Owego: A very good coverage guy, Cole had 12 tackles, including seven solo stops, three interceptions, including one pick-6, one pass break-up, and one fumble recovery.
Tahshon Garner, senior, Towanda: Garner had 32 tackles, five tackles-for-loss, and four interceptions.
Dave Hess, sophomore, Cowanesque Valley: Hess had 52 tackles, one interception, and one fumble recovery.
Punter
Hogan Shaw, junior, Waverly: Shaw only punted eight times in 11 games, but averaged 42.9 yards per attempts.
ALL-REGION NEWCOMER TEAM
Jake Browne, senior Tioga: See above.
Reed Palmer, sophomore, Troy: See above.
Micah Pesesky, sophomore, Troy: A two-way lineman on the state champion Trojans.
Griffin Morral, freshman, Wellsboro: Mortal threw for 1,112 yards and 15 TDs, and ran for 120 yards and two TDs.
Stevie Olson, freshman, Cowanesque Valley: Olson had 37 tackles, and six QB sacks.
Dylan Brace, sophomore, Owego: Brace had a team-high 86 tackles, including 33 solo stops, for the River Hawks. He also had 11 tackles-for-losses, two QB sacks, one QB pressure, two pass break-ups, and one fumble recovery.
Brendan Cooke, sophomore, Athens: Cooke recorded 90 tackles, including 30 solo stops, one QB sack, and two tackles-for-loss. He also had three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, one interception, and one blocked field goal. Offensively, Cooke ran for 78 yards and one TD, and had five catches for 52 yards, and one TD.
Kyle Ernst, junior, Horseheads: Ernst had 54 tackles, one defensive TD, one fumble recovery and one QB sack.
Paxton Hoover, sophomore, Edison: Hoover had nine catches for 205 yards, an average of 22.8 yards per catch, and six TDs. He had also had 45 tackles, and one interception.
Kadin Cole, junior, Tioga: Cole led the Tigers in tackles with 56, including 20 solo stops and one tackle-for-loss. He also had two interceptions and one fumble recovery. On offense, he two carries for 10 yards, and four receptions for 28 yards.
Seth Feldmeier, sophomore Troy: A two-way lineman for the state champion Trojans.
Tahj Haynes, junior, Corning: Haynes had 44 tackles, one fumble recovery, and a team-high four QB sacks. Offensively, he had 167 rushing yards on 22 carries.
Dominic Palmer, junior, Tioga: Palmer had eight catches for 105 yards, and three TDs. He also ran for 129 yards and one TD on 10 carries. Defensively, had 42 tackles, including 12 solo stops, five QB sacks, five tackles-for-loss, and one fumble recovery.
Mickey Place, junior, Corning: An excellent blocker, anchored an offensive line that pave the way for 2,894 rushing yards in 13 games.
Shane Platukis, sophomore, Tioga football: Platukis missed several games with an injury, but still rushed for 496 yards and seven TDs on 75 carries (6.6 yards per carry). Defensively, Platukis had 37 carries, including 12 solo stops and one tackle-for-loss.
Elijah Miller, sophomore, Horseheads: Miller had 46 tackles, one QB sack, and one forced fumble.
Riley McGaughey, freshman, Sayre: A two-way starter in the trenches, McGaughey had 33 tackles and one forced fumble on defense.
Jace Schiller, sophomore, Edison: Schiller threw for 149 yards and one TD, ran for 285 yards on 43 carries, and had a 36-yard TD catch. Defensively, he had 25 tackles, one interception, and one fumble recovery.
Jayden Duncanson, junior, Tioga: Duncanson missed a few games with an injury, but had a solid year at QB. He ran for 388 yards and five TDs on 54 carries (7.2 yards per carry), and threw for 334 yards and three TDs.
Brody Grinnell, junior, North Penn-Mansfield: Grinnell made 14 of 15 PAT attempts, and was 2-for-3 on field goals.
Kody Enck, freshman, Wellsboro: Enck had 16 receptions for 325 yards and four TDs, and 21 carries for 58 yards and a TD. He was the Hornets’ second leading kick returner and had 49 tackles on defense.
