Packer, who helped lead the Bulldogs to a PIAA Final Four appearance, finished with 121 total tackles. The Bulldog recorded 82 solo tackles — tied for second-most on the team — and had 19 tackles for loss to lead the team as Jersey Shore went 14-1 and won the District 4 Class AAAA championship against Selinsgrove.

In three playoff games, Packer recorded a total of 39 stops. His impact didn’t stop there as Packer was known for finding success carrying the ball. The junior smash-mouth back saw a big leap in role from last year to this past season.

Packer was a key part of Jersey Shore’s offense, rushing for 1,237 yards on 201 carries. He averaged an impressive 6.2 yards per carry and played in all 15 games for the Bulldogs.

After a plethora of Bulldogs were lost to graduation, Packer’s touchdowns went from six to 20 this year. Another bump in production was his yards per carry, the junior doubled his average in the Bulldogs’ backfield. Packer had five games of two or more touchdowns. The hard-nosed runner utilized his combination of strength and speed to evade defenders all season long.

TIM WEIGHT/For The Express Bald Eagle Area’s Cam Watkins (19) tries to get past the offensive line during a game this year.

The junior’s season-high in rushing was 143 yards.

2021 EXPRESS ALL-STAR TEAM

Brady Jordan, Jersey Shore, QB

The junior first-year starter had one of the top seasons in the state among all quarterbacks. Jordan played a key role for the Bulldogs during their monumental run to the PIAA Final Four. He managed to fill the role of two prior all-state quarterbacks at Jersey Shore. Jordan finished the season with 2,099 passing yards while completing 45% of his attempts. Shore’s leader was difficult to sack all season long and did an excellent job at finding his teammates in space.

He fired 18 passing touchdowns to just 12 interceptions. Jordan eclipsed the 100-yard passing mark in 11 of 15 games. On the ground, the junior was equally as efficient as he dashed for more than 1,000 yards and found the end zone 14 times. His season-high in rushing was 197. Jordan’s most notable performance was a 13 for 25 outing against Montoursville when he threw for 260 yards and a pair of scores.

TIM WEIGHT/For The Express Central Mountain’s Connor Foltz runs against Selinsgrove during a game this season.

Haydn packer, Jersey Shore (RB)

Packer was another integral part of the Jersey Shore offensive attack. The Express Player of the Year was a smashmouth back who saw a big leap in role from last year to this past season. He ended with 20 touchdowns and 1,237 rushing yards offensively as he played in every game and averaged 6.2 yards per carry.

The hard-nosed runner utilized his combination of strength and speed to evade defenders all season long. Packer was a player defenses needed to key in on, and not many were able to successfully slow him down.

Cayden Hess, Jersey Shore (WR)

The all-state receiver from Jersey Shore followed up a phenomenal junior season with an even more impressive campaign this fall. Despite hauling in 12 less passes this fall than he did during the 2020 season, Hess had nearly 100 more yards. Efficiency was the name of the game for the senior. Hess recorded 55 catches and went over 1,000 yards in 15 games, he averaged 16 yards per reception and caught 10 touchdowns.

MARK NANCE//For The Express Jersey Shore’s Haydn Packer runs against Selinsgrove during this year’s District 4 Class AAAA final.

He had three performances of 100 receiving yards or more. Hess posted eight catches and 100 yards to go with a pair of scores in Shore’s win over Selinsgrove this past season. Even when Hess received a small number of targets, the speedy senior made the most of it as he had two games of 70 yards or more on just one catch.

Connor Foltz, Central Mountain (WR)

Foltz had quite the impressive varsity debut. Central Mountain’s leading pass catcher made his name known throughout the area by dusting corners and reeling in spectacular catches. Foltz caught 49 passes for 858 yards and scored a total of five touchdowns this past season for the Wildcats. The elusive sophomore was utilized in plenty of ways in the Central Mountain offense. The Wildcats lined Foltz up on the outside, sent him in motion and even handed the ball of to him at times. He posted three games of 100 plus yards receiving and had a season-high 12 catches against Selinsgrove. In the loss to Selinsgrove Foltz racked up 165 receiving yards. Foltz went out on a high note as he caught two touchdown passes in the district six title game against Hollidaysburg. Expect Foltz to be among the area’s best playmakers in the upcoming years.

Cam Watkins, BEA (WR)

Another upcoming star in the area, Watkins — BEA’s leading receiver — put together a solid season. Watkins had 38 catches, 495 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games. The sophomore recorded at least one catch in each of the Eagles’ games and was a crucial part of BEA’s spread attack. Watkins’ best performance was a three-catch, 93-yard, two-touchdown outing against North Penn-Mansfield. Watkins is a piece of a talented young core at BEA.

Tate Sechrist, Jersey Shore (D-LINE)

Sechrist was apart of one of the best defenses in all of the state. The Bulldogs took the ball away at a high rate, got after opposing quarterbacks and caused chaos. Sechrist was a major reason why Jersey Shore’s defense found success. The sophomore had 79 tackles, 7.5 sacks and an interception this past season. He ended the season with 42 solo tackles and 17 tackles for loss. Sechrist wasn’t just limited to production off the edge as he impacted the game in many ways.

Cam Watkins, BEA (D-LINE)

It took just one season, but Watkins proved he’s among the best two-way players in the area. As prolific the sophomore was on offense, he’s equally as dominate on the defensive side. Watkins compiled 36 total tackles and made 22 of them go for a loss. He’s a force coming off the edge and was a problem for opposing offenses. Watkins ended the season with 10.5 sacks. In BEA’s loss to Jersey Shore, Watkins made seven total tackles.

Kaleb Mattis, BEA (D-LINE)

Mattis and Watkins and the rest of the Eagle defense put up solid numbers all season long. The senior Mattis ended his varsity career by compiling 52 total tackles during his senior year of action. The senior had 36 solo tackles to go with 8.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss. Mattis’ best game was a two-sack game outing against Bellefonte.

Dierk Stetts, Jersey Shore (D-LINE)

The junior defensive lineman from Jersey Shore ended the season with 43 total tackles and 25 of them were solo. Stetts was consistent all season long in terms of production and helped the Bulldogs win some key games with his play when it mattered most. He recorded 6.5 sacks and always seemed to be in the right spot to make a play. The junior defended the run well and was able to get after opposing quarterbacks all year long.

Karter Peacock, Jersey Shore (LB)

Jersey Shore senior linebacker Karter Peacock finished with an area high 131 total tackles. Peacock — who was one of the anchors for Shore’s dominate defense — recorded 82 solo tackles and had 16 of them go for a loss. Peacock finished the season with 4.5 sacks. In a win over Meadville, Peacock tallied 18 tackles, an INT and a fumble recovery. Peacock’s strength and pursuit of the ball helped help create chaos and shutdown opposing offenses.

Micah Walizer, Central Mountain (LB)

Walizer has been a staple for the Wildcats over the course of the last two seasons. The senior had another productive season this fall as he wrapped up his high school football career. It’s almost as if there’s a magnet on the ball and on Walizer each Friday night. He made 67 tackles this past fall which was good for close to seven a game. During Central Mountain’s loss to Mifflinburg, he made 12 tackles and including four for a loss. Walizer will be missed next fall as the Wildcats look to replace a key player.

Tre Greene, BEA (LB)

You’d be pressed to find a harder hitter and someone that plays with more aggressiveness than BEA’s Tre Greene. Greene — who just ended his junior season — finished with 98 total tackles. Greene had 64 solo tackles to go with 12.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks. Greene was everywhere for the Eagles. Greene is set to be among the best tacklers in the state next fall as he enters his senior campaign.

Tyler Rice, Bellefonte (LB)

Rice was the highlight of the Raiders defense during a down year at Bellefonte. Despite the lack of wins, Rice and others managed to find success in the stat book. The junior had 75 total tackles including 34 solo. He finished with three interceptions and will be a leader for the Raiders next season as they continue to rebuild.

Cayden Hess, Jersey Shore (DB)

Hess had six interceptions for the Bulldogs this past season as he joined the elite group of spectacular two-way players in the area. The senior ballhawk had 48 tackles and always had a hand in the passing game.

Hess provided adequate support for the Bulldogs defense and proved to be a terrific defender throughout his career. Despite battling team’s No. 1 WR each game, Hess had a productive season. The senior had two games with two or more INTs. He’s the definition of a lockdown corner who can play the run.

Brady Jordan, Jersey Shore (DB)

On the other side of Hess is Jordan. He was a great complimentary defensive back to Hess and his numbers told the story. Jordan came away with four interceptions and recorded 74 total tackles.

The junior came away with two INTs in a key win over Montoursville earlier in the year and was always there to make plays for the Bulldogs. In Shore’s win over Meadville, Jordan was involved in 14 tackles.

Tyler Weaver, Central Mountain (P)

Weaver has field-flipping ability and used it all season long with his boot. The senior had 24 punts totaling 960 yards and landed six inside of the 20. Weaver’s longest was 55 yards.

Breck Miller, Jersey Shore (K)

Miller was terrific for the Bulldogs all season long. Jersey Shore’s kicker went 64 for 70 on XPs and drilled 15 of 19 FGs. Breck’s longest make was from 43 yards.