Andrews, Gee Lead North To 30-3 Win In Weather-Shortened Game

By: Ed Weaver | PIAA District IV Football Coaches Association | June 22, 2024 | Photo courtesy Frank Dimon

Loyalsock's Tyler Gee and Jaylen Andrews combined for three first-half touchdowns to lead the North to a 30-3 win over the South in the 2024 District IV UPMC All-Star game at Central Columbia.

The game was called with 10:49 remaining in the 4th quarter due to lightning.

Andrews returned the opening kickoff 35 yards to the 38 to setup the North with great starting field position. Gee, and North head coach Chris Eiswerth put together a nice mix of run and pass plays, culminating with a 16-yard pass from Gee to Andrews, putting the North up 7-0 early following Connor Poole's kick.

After a three-and-out by the South, the North took back over and again, put together a 8-play drive. Gee and Andrews connected twice on the drive, and with runs from South Williamsport's Ryan Casella and Jersey Shore's Tate Sechrist, moved down to the South 33. Gee and Andrews then connected for the second time on the night, making it 14-0 in favor of the North with 11 seconds left in the opening quarter.

The South went three-and-out on their second drive, but managed to put points on the board. Setup with excellent field position thanks to a 68-yard kickoff return by Hughesville's Aiden Barlett. Selinsgrove's Carter Young converted a 43-yard field goal attempt, cutting the lead down to 14-3 with 10:32 left before halftime.

Following Young's field goal the North offense went back to work. Gee connected with Andrews on a 12-yard pass, then runs by Casella and Sechrist put the North at the South 35. Looking for their third TD of the first half, Gee's pass was intercepted by Northwest Area's Adam Chonko, stalling the drive. However, a bad snap went over the head of Selinsgrove's Mark Pastore on the South's first play from scrimmage, resulting in a two-point safety for the North.

Now leading 16-3 with 6:41 remaining, Gee and Andrews made quick work of the South defense. The duo only needed one play this time, connecting on a 45-yard pass for their third TD of the half, increasing the North's lead to 23-3. The North would take that score into the half.

Following the halftime intermission, the North picked up right where they left off. With 4:03 remaining in the third Casella broke off a 45-yard run, which would go down as the game's final touchdown.

The South started moving the ball late in the third quarter and early in the 4th when a torrential downpour moved over Bloomsburg. The game played on until early in the 4th when it was called due to lightning in the area.

Gee finished 10-for-13 for 183 yards and 3 TDs, all going to teammate Andrews. Andrews finished with 7 receptions and 152 yards. Casella racked up 126 yards on 12 carries while Montoursville's Nate Fisher added 42 yards on the game's final play before being called to the weather. Sechrist finished with 22 yards on 5 carries. Casella also caught a pass for 12 yards and Wellsboro's Hayes Campbell caught 1 pass for 18 yards.

Warrior Run's Ryan Newton was 4-for-6 through the air with 46 yards to lead the South. Pastore completed 1-of-5 passes for 20 yards and Southern Columbia's Blake Wise was 2-for-7 for 17 yards. Pastore also led the team is rushing with 7 yards on 3 carries. Southern Columbia's Jacob Hoy caught 3 passes for 35 yards.

After the game, in the Central Columbia gym, the District IV All-Star game committee handed out their play of the game awards. The Russ Manney Most Outstanding Player of the Game award went to Jaylen Andrews, Canton's Ryland Sakers and Fisher received the Jack Young North Coaches Awards, Milton's Peyton Rearick and Central Columbia's Aiden Hidlay took home the Max Shnyder South Coaches Awards, Gee received the Ken Robbins North Offensive Player of the Game award, Sechrist was awarded the Ray Raffin North Defensive Player of the Game honors, Pastore won the Joe "Jazz" Diminick South Offensive Player of the Game award, and Chonko took home the Bill Scott South Defensive Player of the Game award.

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