NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
For years Mason Richards battled frustration with shoulder injuries.
But football is his passion, and he never allowed his pain to sideline him.
As he prepared for his senior season, North Pocono’s starting center and defensive tackle built his strength and is ready to have an impact on both sides of the ball.
“I had torn labrums in both shoulders,” Richards said. “I didn’t miss any time. I have had the issues, but played through the pain. I wear braces. I have been playing football since I was 4 years old with the Junior Trojans. I have never had a fall season without football. It means a lot to me and football is what I look forward to most every year.”
His shoulder issues aside, the 6-foot-1, 225-pound Richards is a force on the line of scrimmage.
He helped the Trojans rush for 1,383 yards and also protected quarterback Noah West, who threw for 1,207 yards. Defensively, North Pocono yielded 2,158 yards in the regular season.
The Trojans qualified for the postseason and lost to Wyoming Area in the District 2 Class 4A quarterfinals.
“I just go out there and play hard every day,” Richards said. “I get support from my teammates. They are great. I think football has gotten me through everything in my life. All of my teammates are amazing, and I love that about football.”
At the center, Richards is part of an experienced group that has size, which should aid the running game. Massive right tackle Dylan Caster (6-7, 335) and left tackle Cole Zimmerman (6-0, 280) are back, as is left guard Ethan Mensel (6-1, 250).
North Pocono also returns a pair of playmakers. Tight end Evan Wolff caught 14 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown, while wide receiver Cole West hauled in a team-high 28 passes for 610 yards and four touchdowns as a freshman.
While the Trojans lost a lot of production to graduation, Brady Lavery ran for 287 yards and…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/gameface-2024-north-pocono-trojans-000100311.html
Author : The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
Publish date : 2024-08-19 00:01:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
