By Tom Robinson, NEPASportsNation.com
SCRANTON – London Montgomery looked over his shoulder as he ran down the field on the game’s first play and his first play in three weeks.
And, once Montgomery is in position to be able to look over his shoulder, the play is essentially over. Nobody is going to catch him.
Montgomery coasted into the end zone 13 yards ahead of the pack on the game-opening, 70-yard touchdown run and he was just getting started while leading unbeaten Scranton Prep to a 41-8 rout of Lake-Lehman in a non-league football game Saturday afternoon at Scranton Memorial Stadium.
The junior tailback, who missed the previous two weeks for COVID precautions, carried 18 times for 353 yards and 5 touchdowns and turned his only catch into a 53-yard touchdown on a screen pass while helping the Cavaliers pull away on the day they honored their senior class.
“I was just watching film, taking care of what I had to do in my home,” Montgomery said, “and, doing whatever I could to come back ready for this game.”
Lake-Lehman worked the clock effectively, but Montgomery, a multiple-state sprinting medalist in track and field, does not need much time to make an impact.
Lake-Lehman caught Montgomery for a loss on his third carry, but his remaining 15 carries all produced at least 7 yards.
Montgomery added a 77-yard touchdown run before the first quarter was over, ran 7 yards and took the screen pass for second-quarter touchdowns and a 28-8 halftime lead, then added 16- and 33-yard touchdown runs.
Lake-Lehman moved the ball well throughout the first half, possessing it for more than 16 of the 24 minutes and scoring on its second drive. Others, however, failed to produce points.
Colby Roberts ran 2 yards to complete a 10-play, 60-yard scoring drive that made it 14-8 with nine minutes left in the half.
After Lake-Lehman produced 11 first downs, 51 rushing yards and 101 passing yards, it managed just 3 first downs, 20 rushing yards and one 25-yard completion in the second half.
“We just didn’t play very well for the first quarter, quarter and a half on defense,” Scranton Prep coach Terry Gallagher said. “ … Our defense is predicated on communicating and I didn’t think we did a great job of talking to each other.”
The offense had been just fine in Montgomery’s absence, but became even more explosive upon his return.
“I was just bummed out missing those games, but coach made sure I got back in shape at practice,” Montgomery said.
In addition to the touchdown runs, which obviously got a boost from the guys in front of him, Montgomery’s pass reception for a touchdown was the result of Anthony Nicotera’s crushing lead block.
“The whole offensive line did a great, outstanding job,” Montgomery said, “and on that screen play, Tony absolutely demolished someone.”
Sean Monahan finished 5-for-10 for 93 yards and a touchdown passing. Robert Rossi had the other four catches for 40 yards.
The win sends Scranton Prep (8-0) into a battle with Valley View (9-0) for the Lackawanna Football Conference Division 2 title.
“We just have to be physical,” Gallagher said. “Last year, they were more physical than us. The last three years they beat us, they were more physical than us.
“We have to come out and match physicality and we have to communicate.”
