Special teams produced some of the biggest momentum-changing plays across Pennsylvania high school football this week, with long kickoff returns, punt-return touchdowns, multiple-field-goal performances and several strong punting efforts.
Minersville’s Jordan Bowers delivered one of the week’s biggest highlights by connecting on a 52-yard field goal, while Notre Dame-Green Pond’s Drew Boyd had the longest reported kickoff return for a touchdown at 95 yards.
Northeastern’s Grant Stevens also had an impressive kicking performance, making two field goals from 47 and 45 yards.
Boyd Goes 95 Yards to the House
Notre Dame-Green Pond’s Drew Boyd led the reported kickoff-return touchdowns with a 95-yard return.
Penn Manor’s Jalen Dupree followed with a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
Palisades’ Jackson Bulter and Hempfield’s Orion Abrams each returned kickoffs 85 yards for scores, while Wellsboro’s Grady Morral and Pittston Area’s Lucas Lo Presto each had 84-yard kickoff returns for touchdowns.
Northeastern’s DJ Dickson went 82 yards, Carbondale Area’s Caedon Voglino had an 81-yard return and Abraham Lincoln’s Symier Jarmon scored from 80 yards.
Catasauqua’s Tyler Limandri added a 75-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, Riverside’s Brayden Rose went 74 yards and Manheim Central’s Raymond Frysinger scored on a 70-yard return.
Lagowy Leads Punt-Return Touchdowns
Northwestern Lehigh’s Michael Lagowy produced the longest reported punt-return touchdown, taking one back 56 yards.
Scranton Prep’s Noah Krzywiec was right behind him with a 55-yard punt return for a score.
Interboro’s Darryl Jones returned a punt 50 yards for a touchdown, while Dunmore’s Weston Yannone scored on a 38-yard return.
Bowers Connects From 52 Yards
Minersville’s Jordan Bowers had the longest reported field goal of the week, connecting from 52 yards.
Allentown Central Catholic’s Bryson Baker hit from 48 yards, while Northeastern’s Grant Stevens made field goals from 47 and 45 yards.
Valley View’s Braden Loff also connected from 45 yards.
Parkland’s Andrea Giroudon made a 43-yard field goal, Solanco’s Tristan Brown hit from 40 and St. Joseph’s Prep’s Colin Stoner and Southern Lehigh’s Declan Walsh each connected from 38 yards.
Brown also made a 37-yard field goal, as did Scranton Prep’s Tyler Bianchi.
Unionville’s Ethan McCune connected from 35 yards, Lower Dauphin’s Connor Kreiser and Marple Newtown’s Jonah Abraham each hit from 34, and Stroudsburg’s Gabe Ferguson made one from 33.
Pequea Valley’s Joe Hegelin, Schuylkill Valley’s Reece Wamsher and Shenandoah Valley’s Sam Mentusky each added 30-yard field goals.
Four Kickers Connect Twice
Four kickers made multiple field goals.
Northeastern’s Stevens had arguably the biggest two-kick performance, connecting from 47 and 45 yards.
Parkland’s Giroudon made field goals from 43 and 19 yards, Father Judge’s Kevin Schmanek connected from 24 and 21, and Solanco’s Brown made kicks from 40 and 37 yards.
Calamita Leads Extra-Point Production
Ridley’s Tim Calamita led the reported PAT totals by converting nine extra points.
Cedar Crest’s Gabe Kaighn made eight.
Calamita also made an impact on kickoffs, recording four touchbacks.
Bowers Leads Punters
Bowers wasn’t only effective on field goals.
The Minersville standout also led the reported punting averages, averaging 43.0 yards on four punts.
Mifflinburg’s Brennen Snyder averaged 42.6 yards on three punts, while Father Judge’s Jacob Midgett averaged 41.2 yards on five punts with a long of 50 yards.
Twin Valley’s Maverik Foster averaged 39.4 yards on five punts and West Catholic’s Francis Loua averaged 39.0 yards on three attempts with a long of 43.
Emmaus’ George Marmaros averaged 36.0 yards on four punts with a long of 40, while Penn Wood’s Sean Frazier also averaged 36.0 yards on five punts with a long of 45.
Mentusky Continues to Control Kickoffs
Shenandoah Valley’s Sam Mentusky led all reported kickers with eight touchbacks.
Northeastern’s Grant Stephens followed with seven.
Dallas’ Brandon Miller and Stroudsburg’s Gabe Ferguson each recorded six touchbacks, while Schuylkill Valley’s Reece Wamsher had five.
Central Bucks West’s Mason Darrows, Lehighton’s Sawyer Hoffman and Ridley’s Calamita each recorded four.
Pennridge’s Austin Keller, Valley View’s Braden Loff and Central York’s Brady Burt each finished with three touchbacks.
From Boyd’s 95-yard kickoff return to Bowers’ 52-yard field goal, special teams once again played a major role in games across Pennsylvania.
Stevens’ two long field goals, Lagowy’s punt-return touchdown and another strong week of punting and kickoff production showed how quickly special teams can change field position, momentum and the scoreboard.