Special teams can quickly change the momentum of a football game, and players across Pennsylvania delivered plenty of game-changing performances with long kickoff returns, punt-return touchdowns, clutch field goals and booming punts.
Governor Mifflin’s Lucas Kreider produced the longest reported kickoff return for a touchdown, taking one 99 yards to the house. Susquehannock’s Ian Bailey and North Pocono’s Shane Youngblood provided highlights in the kicking game, each connecting on a 47-yard field goal, while Mount Carmel Area’s Max Karycki led all reported punters with a 50.0-yard average.
Kreider Goes 99 Yards to the House
Kreider nearly went the length of the field, returning a kickoff 99 yards for a Governor Mifflin touchdown.
Susquehannock’s Nikolai Graham wasn’t far behind, scoring on a 98-yard kickoff return.
Manheim Township’s Chase Fletcher and Shamokin’s Ryan Bickert each returned kickoffs 95 yards for touchdowns, while North Pocono’s Cole West raced 93 yards for a score.
Upper Dauphin’s Dale Huhn had a 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, and Dunmore’s Jacob Costanzo went 90 yards.
Carbondale’s Caedon Voglino scored on an 89-yard kickoff return, Nazareth Area’s Matt Leluga went 86 yards and Lehighton’s Carl Lingham returned one 85 yards.
Troy Area’s Josiah Pesesky added an 81-yard return, while Olney’s KyMani Bass went 80 yards for a touchdown.
Vaux’s Hamid Griffin and Shenandoah Valley’s Todd Seiger each scored on 70-yard kickoff returns. Williamsport’s Tevin Williams rounded out the group with a 60-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
Martinez Leads Punt-Return Touchdowns
Cardinal O’Hara’s Emilio Martinez led the reported punt-return touchdowns with a 68-yard return.
Pocono Mountain East’s MJ Bolinger followed with a 59-yard punt return for a touchdown, while Northeastern’s Reese Wooden found the end zone on a 57-yard return.
All three provided their teams with points without the offense having to take the field.
Bailey, Youngblood Connect From 47 Yards
Susquehannock’s Ian Bailey and North Pocono’s Shane Youngblood shared the top spot among the week’s longest reported field goals, each connecting from 47 yards.
Troy’s Lyon Leffler made a 39-yard field goal, while Penn Manor’s Austin Noll connected from 37 yards.
Williamsport’s Bryan Ungard and Nazareth Area’s Owen Hall each made 36-yard field goals.
Cedar Crest’s Gabe Kaighn and East Stroudsburg South’s Jordan Clark were good from 33 yards, Central Catholic’s Bryson Baker connected from 32 and West Perry’s Drew Brandt made one from 31 yards.
Two kickers also connected on multiple field goals.
Penn Manor’s Noll made field goals from 28 and 37 yards, while Nazareth Area’s Hall was successful from 36 and 24 yards.
Zweier, Mentusky Stay Busy on Extra Points
Garnet Valley’s Owen Zweier had plenty of opportunities following touchdowns and converted nine PATs.
Shenandoah Valley’s Sam Mentusky wasn’t far behind, making eight extra points.
Mentusky also had a big impact on kickoffs, recording eight touchbacks.
Karycki Booms His Way to 50-Yard Average
Mount Carmel Area’s Max Karycki led an impressive group of punters, averaging exactly 50.0 yards on three punts with a long of 63 yards.
Central York’s Jamin Ilgenfritz averaged 46.5 yards on four punts with a long of 56, while Schuylkill Haven’s Colton Reber averaged 46.3 yards on three punts.
Father Judge’s Jacob Midgett averaged 46.0 yards on five punts and produced the longest reported punt among the group at 64 yards.
West Catholic’s Francis Loua averaged 44.3 yards on four punts with a long of 50.
Great Valley’s Ryan Wilshe averaged 41.3 yards on three punts, while Norristown’s Darrin Hall and Archbishop Carroll’s Jack Chrisnall each averaged 40.0 yards.
Lansdale Catholic’s Reed Pratt averaged 37.7 yards on seven punts, including a long of 49, and Lampeter-Strasburg’s Tyler Schoffstall averaged 37.3 yards on seven attempts.
Neumann-Goretti’s Luke Rachubinski averaged 36.7 yards on three punts, while Bonner-Prendie’s Cole Romano averaged 36.0 yards on four punts.
Mentusky Leads the Touchback List
Shenandoah Valley’s Mentusky led all reported kickers with eight touchbacks, giving him an impressive combination of eight PATs and eight touchbacks.
Stroudsburg’s Gabe Ferguson, Mount Carmel Area’s Josh Miller and Central Bucks West’s Mason Darrows each recorded six touchbacks.
Lehighton’s Sawyer Hoffman had four.
Honesdale’s Alex Valerio, Parkland’s Andrea Giroudon, Central York’s Brady Burt and Dallas’ Brandon Miller each recorded three touchbacks.
From Kreider’s 99-yard kickoff return to the 47-yard field goals from Bailey and Youngblood, special teams units provided their share of big plays.
Karycki’s 50-yard punting average, Mentusky’s work on kickoffs and extra points, and a long list of kickoff returns for touchdowns showed once again how quickly special teams can influence field position, momentum and ultimately the scoreboard.