Joey Guida and his Lycoming College football team had one of the most successful seasons in recent memories this year. The Warriors finished 8-3 overall, the most wins in a season since they won eight games in 2014. Guida was a huge part of that as a running back.

“It was great to have a turnaround season that put far more wins in the standings than previous years,” said Guida. “I believe a lot of our success was attributed to very motivated and driven players that were all in on making this season as great as it was. We certainly had some games we wanted back but we performed very well as a unit.”

Guida was named MVP of the game for Lycoming’s MAC-Centennial Bowl Series win over Ursinus. He ran for 178 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 15 carries in the 31-23 win. The junior running back carried the ball 104 times and led the team in rushing yards (554) and rushing touchdowns (7) in 2021, which were all team-highs. He also caught 13 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown.

“It was an incredible feeling and made memories that game that I’ll cherish for a lifetime,” Guida said. “It was the biggest stage and biggest game of the season, and I am extremely grateful for the great blocking I had and play calling to put me in position to make the plays the team needed most.

“This finale means so much to Lycoming and the alumni and all our great supporters in the city of Williamsport. All the glory from the game is God’s amazing works and talents I am grateful to have received.

“I did not know there was an MVP award of the game going into the game and figuring my role on the team I am just blessed to be able to help my team to come out with a huge victory vs. Ursinus.”

Lycoming has been a special place for Guida to be a student-athlete.

“I have enjoyed the guys and this family that has been deep since the moment I stepped onto campus,” said Guida. “The players and my love for the game have driven me to truly enjoy my time playing here at Lycoming. I enjoy the hundreds of hometown fans and community here at Lycoming that the football team gets and reminds me a lot of Parkland, though not near the magnitude Parkland has Friday nights.”

So how did Guida land at Lycoming after his standout career at Parkland?

“It was a very difficult and long process for my family and I to finally select Lycoming,” Guida said. “We had to select between fourteen different colleges, so we did our due diligence by going to explore each campus finding more out about their football programs, players, coaching, institution, etc.

“We ended up choosing Lycoming and becoming a Warrior meant a lot to my family and me. After being hurt my senior year (of high school) and having the bigger colleges fall off the radar, we were forced to look smaller and into the Division II and III realm and there is where I started to narrow down my options to eventually choose Lycoming.”

There is one more year for Guida and he is looking for even more team and individual success in 2022 as a senior.

“I think there is a lot of exciting things going into next year, to have the opportunity to play football for another season is always a blessing and something I never take for granted,” said Guida. “I do not believe next year will be my last year of playing football and I will look for more opportunities to continue progressing my game to the next level and truly enhancing my skills.

“I think our team has our eyes set on advancing to the College Football Playoffs by winning the MAC and getting the automatic bid. I personally am excited to have another shot to win the ring.”