It was a moment that could very well have broken Lewisburg’s Max Moyers as the Green Dragons attempted to extend their lead over rival Montoursville.

After benefiting from a long interception return for a touchdown, Lewisburg looked like it wanted to add more and knock Montoursville out early. The Green Dragons called a play for Moyers. It was a simple run up the middle of the defense that ended with Moyers fumbling the ball in the endzone.

Moments after the miscue Moyers’ coach grabbed him and said they would be going right back to him as their running back. Moyers, who is just a freshman, answered the call.

“He’s going to be our running back for the next four years,” Lewisburg coach Marc Persing said. “I told him we were going right back to him.”

Moyers carried the ball just one more time in the opening half, but opened the second half with five consecutive carries. The belief from his coaches and teammates seemed to help.

On Lewisburg’s opening drive, which opened with five carries from Moyers, the freshman back rushed for 43 yards on 11 attempts. He even had a 23-yarder called back thanks to a holding call.

The drive, which extended Lewisburg’s lead to 15-9, was capped when Moyers jumped through the line for a two-yard touchdown. He wasn’t done there either.

On Lewisburg’s next drive he ripped off a 52-yard run down the sideline for a game-sealing touchdown.

“The offensive line did a really good job today,” Moyers said. “I just wanted to make a play.”

Moyers ran the ball five of the next six plays for Lewisburg, helping ice the game and earn a victory over Montoursville. Moyers finished with 140 yards on 25 carries to go with two touchdowns. He averaged 5.6 yards a tote and put the game out of reach with his second half performance.

It hasn’t exactly been the most dominate season for Lewisburg, but with players like Moyers waiting in the wing things might turn around quickly.

On the season Moyers has carried the ball 81 times for 391 yards and six touchdowns. He’s by far the leading rushing on the team, averaging 4.8 yards every time he touches the ball.
Moyers could have easy folded after the fumble against Montoursville, but he didn’t. And as the weather started to take a turn so did Moyers, who did the majority of his running in the second half when his team needed him.

If that wasn’t enough, he also played an outstanding game defensively to help the Green Dragons limit Montoursville’s offense throughout the night. On a young team attempting to build a name for itself young players like Moyers, who are making the most of their chances, are crucial.

Moyers provides leadership as a freshman. He also gives young players something to strive for.