A heartfelt thank you from all of us at Webb Weekly to the men and women that have served our Great Nation. These are the true providers of our blessed freedom. Please take the time this Veterans Day to honor the living and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice or are no longer with us.

From the founding of the United States of America, to today’s War on Terror and tyranny around the world our Armed Forces have exemplified excellence. Our United States Military has faced every imaginable foe in every unimaginable hellhole possible. They have stood strong with honor, dignity and understanding of the enemies we have faced. When any natural disaster occurs, our servicemen and women soon follow. They are a beacon of light no matter what corner of the world it affects.

Our veterans deserve the upmost respect and appreciation. It is often said, freedom comes with a price; sometimes this price cannot be measured by physical well being alone.

Our leadership in Washington needs to make these heroes a priority and straighten out the mess when comes to their healthcare. We need to take care of our veterans much better financially, professionally and provide long-term health and psychological care. These are the men and women that allow us to enjoy our American way of life; we can never take them for granted.

So, thank them for their service not just on Veterans Day but every day. Provide them with a random act of kindness when possible. Please explain to the children what Veterans Day is all about and what our Veterans have given for America.

Friday Night Lights to Remember

If you’re an area high school football fan you have been living the dream. What an unbelievable month of October that has spilled right into November. The action was truly remarkable on the gridiron. It took place up and down the West Branch Valley.

Southside head coach Chris Eiswerth knew he had a talented team heading into the season. After an early season loss to Danville the Mounties ran the regular season table finishing 9-1. Their play this past month has been stellar. The excitement on the natural grass field of Rodney K. Morgan Stadium finished with a running over of a tough Line Mountain team. A date with Mount Carmel loomed for Gideon Green, the talented Mountie tailback and his blue and white brethren as I penned my column.

Across the river and up on The Hill Coach Chuck Crews has made the Millionaires magical again. The greatest show on turf—Cherry and White version—has been amazing to watch. Isaiah Hankins, Billtown quarterback and Treyson Potts, all American running back, have been gobbling up yards like leftover Halloween candy.

The team leads the state in total offense per game and is close behind in scoring. I have never seen a team light up the scoreboard and burn up the turf in doing so like Coach Crews’ troops did this past month. The Millionaires are destined for a rematch against Delaware Valley in the District 2 -4 Championship game. The game will bring the night to life at STA Stadium, if both teams can take care of business in opening round action.

A short ride down 180 and out Northway Road finds an 8-2 Loyalsock squad coached by Justin Van Fleet. What great play they finished out October with. A trip to Sunbury and dismantling a good Shikellamy team followed by taking ‘The Bridge’ back from cross Creek rival, Montoursville.

The Lancers are playing their best football of the season, the improvement after South took them to task, amazing. Again this deadline thing has me writing this prior to a tough District Semi Final game at Ken Robin Stadium against Danville. Marcus Williams has been everywhere for the Maroon and White, scoring in about every way possible.

Montoursville also finished 8-2 and Coach JC Keefer’s Warriors had all the right moves with the exception of a tough loss to Southern Columbia and that season finale against Sock.

Bryson Mussina is finishing up one of the best careers as a quarterback I have ever witnessed. His smarts coupled with great touch and rifle arms are fun to watch, unless you’re the opposing defensive coordinator. Prime time target Tommy Shea is having a record-receiving season.

The Warriors will host and provide a tougher battle of ‘The Bridge Part II’ if both teams take care of business.

A great season is also playing out in Jersey Shore as Coach Tom Gravish’s Bulldogs finished 7-3 and host an open round playoff game. They have gotten great quarterback play from Elijah Shemory. Todd Sanford was putting up amazing receiving numbers until injury took him out of the lineup.

The Hughesville Spartans and Muncy Indians round out area teams that reached District Playoffs. The PIAA decision to go to six school classifications definitely benefited our hometown teams.

Spartan Head Coach Dan Tucker has relied on the great QB play of Landon Henry and the versatility of Ryan McLean. Muncy led by Coach Shawn Tetreault is ahead of schedule. The young Indians have a chance to make some noise playing at the Single A level. Malik Wertman and Jeff Fry lead a solid Indian defense.

It has been one of the best regular seasons in history for our local teams combined. Their playoff stories are still to be written. Tip of the cap to our area coaches and players for all the hard work and effort they put in year round that leads to success we see in the fall.

It has been my pleasure working with Gary Chrisman and bringing you Touchdowns and Tailgates, an area overview of the coaches, players and teams that make Friday Night Lights so special locally. If you have not watched it, all episodes can be found at webbweeklylive.com and webbweekly.com.

The best part of doing the show is talking with the fine young men that are wearing their school helmet each week. They are articulate, well-spoken gentlemen. They make a positive statement for their generation. I also enjoy my time talking with area coaches; we are blessed to have them working with our young people.  I wish all area teams the best and hope Touchdowns and Tailgates continues right on through the State Tournament with someone ending the season with a gold medal.

God Bless America.