The Sports ReportsTroy senior Evan Woodward and junior Brendan Gilliland were vital contributors in something that had never been accomplished — an NTL program winning a state football title. For helping the Trojans reach the pinnacle of PIAA football, the Troy duo share The Sports Reports 2024 Boys "Athlete of the Fall" honors.
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.
The 2024 Baker's Dozen All-Region Boys' "Athletes of the Fall:"
Evan Woodward, senior, Troy football: See above.
Brendan Gilliland, junior, Troy football: See above.
Vasil Brich, senior, Owego soccer: Brich had 18 goals and 10 assists for Owego, who went 19-0 to start the season with their only loss coming in the state quarterfinals.
Xavier Watson, senior, Waverly football: A 6-5, 220-pound chiseled specimen with a knack for highlight-reel catches, 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.
Defensively, Watson had 29 tackles, including 17 solo stops, three interceptions, and several pass break-ups. On special teams, Watson averaged 32 yards per kickoff return, including a 92-yard return for a TD, and 13.4 yards per punt return. He is headed to UConn in January as enrollee to play Division I football for the Huskies.
Riley Vanderpool, senior, Towanda football: Vanderpool ran and passed for 1,000 yards on the year as he led the Knights to an 8-2 record, the second seed in the district playoffs, and a final four appearance in the district playoffs.
Creed Dewing, senior, NEB cross-country: Dewing was the NTL Runner of the Year, a three-time district champion, and a top finisher in the state for the third time in his career.
Connor Davidson, sophomore, Athens football: 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.
Defensively, Davidson had 64 tackles, including 33 solo stops, one interception (a pick-6), two pass deflections, and one forced fumble. On special teams, Davidson returned 19 kicks for an average of 30.4 yards, and two TDs.
Micaiah Fitch, senior, Wellsboro soccer: Fitch scored 21 goals and dished 10 assists to help the Hornets to an unbeaten NTL season, and their third straight league title.
Alex Citrino, senior, Wellsboro soccer: Citrino scored 21 goals and dished 14 assists to help the Hornets to an unbeaten NTL season, and their third straight league title.
Spencer Wheeler, Elmira boys soccer: Wheeler had 20 goals and four assists, scoring in 14 of Elmira’s 18 games on the season, including all three postseason games. Six of his goals were match-winners. He was an all-state player helping Elmira win a sectional title.
Ben Church, senior, Horseheads soccer: A Division I commit going to Binghamton. He became the first All-American in Horseheads program history. He was a force on the defensive end.
Jack Wheaton, senior, Towanda soccer and football: Wheaton was Towanda’s top playmaker on the soccer pitch, and a stalwart leader. He was also one of the league’s top kickers and punters this season for the Black Knights on the gridiron.
Eli Hicks, sophomore, Athens golf: Hicks was a key cog in Athens unbeaten league championship team, and the Wildcats' first-ever District 4 title.
Hicks was second in the NTL with a 78 scoring average over 14 rounds this season. He also shot a career-best round of 69. He led at Districts after Day 1 when he shot a 73. He finished second with a two-day total of 158. At States, he shot rounds of 75 and 79, and tied for 51st with a two-day total of 154.
