Honesdale's Mason Avery is quickly becoming one of the LFC's top tailbacks

HONESDALE — When the 2022 Lackawanna Football Conference season began, Honesdale’s offensive backfield appeared to be set.

Cannon-armed quarterback Aiden Collins would direct the attack, surrounded by battle-tested veterans like Kage Southerton, Max Mickel, CJ Hinton, Isaac Carmody, Johnny Kauffman and Aaron Phillips.

This was a deep and experienced group, one bristling with the potential to wreak absolute havoc on enemy defenses.

Sadly, before the Hornets were able to gel into a cohesive unit, a wave of injuries washed over the team. Southerton and Carmody were lost for the season, forcing Head Coach Paul Russick to radically alter his line-up and his approach.

“We’re really banged up,” the veteran skipper said following a Week 3 loss to Valley View. “Injuries are just killing us. If we’re going to get this thing moving in the right direction, we really need for some of our younger kids to grow up fast.”

It was then, right on cue, that Mason Avery stepped up. A sophomore who’d shown undeniable flashes of brilliance as a frosh, Avery took over at tailback and hasn’t looked back.

“I thought long and hard about bringing Mason up to the varsity last fall,” Coach Russick said. “But with Connor (Schmitt), Max and CJ there, we felt good about leaving him down on the freshmen team to get some experience.”

That decision last year, combined with an unfortunate series of injuries this year, paved the way for Avery’s emergence as one of the LFC’s elite running backs.

Heading into Week 10 of the regular season, Avery now leads the Hornets in rushing yards and touchdowns … and he’s a big reason Honesdale has already clinched a berth in the District 2 Class 4A playoffs.

Bursting onto the Scene

Mason is the son of Bruce and Anna Avery, Beach Lake. He’s a big fan of Penn State and the Denver Broncos.

Avery started playing organized football in the seventh grade, but he’s a talented multi-sport athlete who also excels in track & field and wrestling. So, it’s not surprising that he quickly turned heads.

“Mason excelled at the varsity level in track and wrestling,” Coach Russick said. “And it didn’t take very long to see that he was the best freshman football player in the entire league.”

When his sophomore season began, Avery was penciled in as a back-up to several of the more experienced running backs. Mason had just two carries for 11 yards through the first three weeks.

However, his role quickly began changing as injuries ravaged the roster.

Avery rushed six times for 58 yards in a hard-fought 14-12 win over Lackawanna Trail. Mason also scored the first touchdown of his varsity career, a 19-yard scamper midway through the fourth quarter.

The next week, Avery carried the ball nine times in a 34-0 thrashing of Tunkhannock. He also tallied his second TD, this one covering 38 yards. By that point, it was becoming apparent that Honesdale had found its new tailback.

“I’m very happy with getting more chances to play and more opportunities to help my team,” Mason said. “I love the adrenaline that I get and the physical contact.”

Following a lopsided Week 6 loss at top-ranked Lakeland, Avery became the focal point of Honesdale’s ground game. Since then, Mason has reeled off three straight 100-yard efforts and two more long TDs.

Avery rushed for 112 yards in an impressive win over West Scranton, 159 in a rout of Mid Valley and 140 during a heartbreaking loss versus Dunmore. The highlights aren’t hard to pick out: an 80-yard touchdown run against Mid Valley and an epic 97-yard gallop in the Dunmore game.

That 97-yarder ranks as one of the longest scoring runs in more than 50 years of Hornet football. It came early in the first quarter and sent Honesdale fans into a frenzy.

“Mason obviously has great vision,” Coach Russick said. “Our offensive line deserves a lot of credit and our receivers blocked really well downfield. But, Mason saw the seam in the defense and his speed just took over.”

Avery agrees.

“I feel like I’m more of a speed back right now,” Mason said. “Running back has always been my favorite position on offense. I just kind of found the hole on that big play then used my speed and agility.”

With just one game left on the schedule, Avery now leads the team in rushing (537 yards), touchdowns (4) and yards per carry (6.5).

On the Mat

While Mason appears on the verge os an outstanding high school football career, his family pedigree is actually in wrestling.

Bruce Avery was a standout grappler for the Hornets back in the 1990s. He then coached at both the elementary and junior high levels, mentoring his son along the way.

Last winter, Mason cracked the varsity line-up as a freshman. He locked down the top spot at 145 pounds and quickly started amassing eye-popping numbers.

By the time his first varsity season was in the books, Avery had piled up 30 wins, finished third at the district tournament and earned a spot at regionals.

“I’ve been wrestling ever since I can remember,” Mason said. “My Dad wrestled in high school and he’s always been super into it. Wrestling comes naturally to me. It’s a big part of my life.”

For his part, Honesdale skipper Ryan Chulada believes that the sky’s the limit for Avery in both wrestling and football.

“Mason is an outstanding young man and tremendous athlete,” Coach Chulada said. “We are very thankful to have him in our wrestling program.

“He came to football a little later, but it’s no surprise to me that he is having this type of success. The fact that he’s only a sophomore and has two more years to mature and compete is scary! I can’t wait to see what he accomplishes.”

Looking Ahead

Honesdale heads into the final week of the regular season with a 5-4 record.

Avery and his teammates square off with longtime rival Western Wayne Friday night. Both teams have already locked up spots in the District 2 playoffs, the Hornets in Class 4A and the Wildcats in 3A.

“I think a lot of teams overlook us a little bit,” Mason said. “I hope we have a good game against Western Wayne and then in the playoffs too.”

No matter what the outcome of this Week 10 LFC showdown, Avery figures to play a big role in the post season and beyond.

“Mason is having a great sophomore year,” said Coach Russick. “I think he just sees things incredibly well. He’s tough, he can be physical and he runs hard.

“I’d say that Mason is going to be special, but I think everyone can see that now. I’m very excited about the prospect of him in our program the next couple of years.”

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Lackawanna Football Conference Honesdale Hornets Mason Avery