Locals give it one more go on gridiron
WILLIAMSPORT — As many players get conditioned for upcoming 7-on-7 and big-man challenges, some local players get set to wear the pads and helmet for one final high school football exhibition tonight.
A dozen locals from Central Columbia, Danville, Southern Columbia and Vo-Tech will represent the South Team — also known as Team Geisinger — in the District 4 all-star game tonight at 7.
Defensive coordinator Brian Raup has taken the week to enjoy coaching his son, Mason, in what could be the final football game for both, as well as the wide talent pool available.
Brian, a longtime coordinator at Danville, decided to step away from coaching as the program went in a new direction as a staff. So, he was shocked when South's coach — Shamokin offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Mark Burrows — came calling, asking him to direct the defense.
"I was surprised by Coach Burrows and I was very humbled," Brian said. "If I was continuing to coach at Danville, I wouldn't have been as surprised, but since I'm not returning, I'm very surprised. I know Mark and we coached before, but it was still out of the blue and I'm thankful for the opportunity."
Brian isn't sure what's in the cards coaching-wise in the future, but for now, he's taking it all in and enjoying the players' company. That's especially true of Mason, Danville's all-time leading tackler with 562.
The senior is coming off an all-state campaign where he was named the Press Enterprise's Defensive Player of the Year with 152 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, a sack, four hurries, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, three blocked PATs and a blocked field goal. Tonight marks his final football game, though, as the Press Enterprise's baseball MVP will focus on his talents on the diamond at Slippery Rock.
"It's very special to coach in the very last football game he'll ever play," Brian said. "... It's been so relaxing. The pressure of getting the win each week is virtually removed. We've gone into it relaxed as you can possibly get. The lack of pressure has him having fun and getting to know the other kids. Everybody is bringing the most out of everybody and I'm just seeing a really happy kid playing football right now."
Mason will be joined by fellow all-state teammates wide receiver Carson Persing, who Brian says is "going to be a sore thumb [for the North team]" and offensive lineman Declan Aikens.
Persing set a district-record 24 TDs on 51 receptions and 1,096 yards. For his career, he has a district-record 225 catches for 4,246 yards and 60 TDs — both of which are top-five all-time.
Tigers add four more
Southern Columbia has a trio of protectors -- offensive linemen Brett Horton and Logan Sharrow, and tight end Ryan Kerstetter -- and two-way player Jake Toczylousky earn a roster spot.
Brian expects Toczylousky to get a lot of playing time at both wide receiver and defensive back tonight. He finished with 46 tackles and four interceptions while adding eight receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown. Horton, Sharrow and Kerstetter all helped the Tigers gain over 5,000 rushing yards and 71 touchdowns in 16 games last season.
Three Jays fly in
Central Columbia sends a trio of two-way players — Greyson Shaud, Gage Chipeleski and Landon Dietterick.
Shaud, listed as a QB was more of a running threat, posting 437 yards and six TDs on 128 carries. He added 24 tackles (one for loss) as a defensive back. Chipeleski, meanwhile, finished with 139 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The linebacker finished with 34 tackles, eight going for a loss, including three sacks.
Dietterick, another linebacker and tight end, has been having a strong week of practice. Though everybody will see playing time, Brian thinks Dietterick might earn a starting nod tonight.
Built Ram fast
Vo-Tech is sending wide receiver and defensive back Shane Tomlinson, who finished with 38 receptions for 721 yards and eight touchdowns in a run-heavy offense. He also posted 51 tackles and two interceptions.
Joining him will be running back Toby Zajac, who rushed for 1,456 yards and 15 touchdowns on 209 carries.
Coaching kids he often had to scheme against on fall Fridays has been exciting for Brian and he's excited to see what everybody does in their last high school football game.
"It's been nothing short of fun. When you go against these kids, you have the utmost respect for them," he said. "You have to plan around them and they're such good athletes, but when you have them on your side, you just let them loose and let them play. You let them go in one direction and let them go. This is a really fun group of kids."
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