SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — It was a packed gymnasium on Friday afternoon at South Williamsport Junior/Senior High School. The school hosted a pep rally before the Mounties football team traveled to Shamokin to play in the state semifinals.
"These guys have done everything we have asked of them. It has been a wonderful experience, and we are so proud of them," said Head Coach Chris Eiswerth.
This is only the fourth time in the program's long history of making it to the state semifinals. The Mounties have never won a state football title.
"The job is not finished, but it means a lot. With us just being the fourth in school history to do it, it feels pretty good," said senior Ryan Casella.
"I just think about winning the state title and being the first one. I think that would be good for the school," said senior Kaiser Kistner.
Players say they have been feeling the support, not just from fellow students, but from the entire South Williamsport community.
"It has been awesome. It feels great; everybody is supporting us. It is everybody. It feels like we are all doing it together," Casella added.
The school and coach Chris Eiswerth previously appeared in the state semis back in 2014. Now, they get a shot at redemption.
"We kind of put together a few gems, and if we can play clean, be disciplined, and do the things we do, then I think the kids will have a great night," Eiswerth stated.
South Williamsport joins four other teams in the Newswatch 16 viewing area playing in the state semifinals. Dunmore, Southern Columbia, Selinsgrove, and Dallas are all vying for a place in the state championship games in their respective class.