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Sun-Gazette power rankings

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Williamsport's Dante Wright (12) carries the ball for a big gain in the second quarter.

1. Williamsport (8-1): Dr. Masse has worked here since 1999 and searched his memory bank for a more fun offense to watch than Williamsport’s current unit. The search came up empty. Those who have not watched Williamsport play yet are missing out. And if the Millionaires keep ascending following last week’s performance, they have a chance to have fun for several more weeks.

2. Montoursville (8-1): Along the same lines, this reporter has never seen a one-loss team win so many games it could have lost. No area team in the 2000s has so skillfully walked the high-wire like Montoursville which is 5-0 in games decided by five points or fewer. The Warriors would prefer controlling games all the way through, but it reveals much about their character that they keep winning these thrillers.

3. Wellsboro (9-0): If the Green Hornets stifle North Penn-Mansfield tonight and continue shutting teams down in the playoffs, its defense goes from best in the area to legendary among area teams.

4. South Williamsport (8-1): The 2014 offensive line might have been the best in program history, producing two all-staters and paving the way for Dominick Bragalone’s historic rushing season. That those in this office are debating whether this current line is as good or better than that group reveals much about how outstanding it has been. As good as its skill players have been the last five years, the foundation of South’s success has been built upon strong line play.

5. Loyalsock (7-2): The Lancers are in a much better collective frame of mind entering this Bridge Game than a year ago. They are playing much better, too. Regardless what happens tonight, the coaching staff will have a challenge trying to get the team refocused on what will be a tough District 4 Class AAA semifinal against now-healthy Danville.

6. North Penn-Mansfield (8-1): Beating Wellsboro for an NTL-I championship on the same field that Wellsboro defeated it for the District 4 Class A championship a year ago will not erase that frustration … But it sure would help ease the pain and provide quite a measure of revenge.

7. Jersey Shore (6-3): The Bulldogs are loaded with talented returning starters next fall. The future, however, can wait. Jersey Shore had to replace the majority of its starters from last season, but remains as dangerous as ever. A title contender again, Jersey Shore is now 30-8 since starting its 2013 District 4 championship run.

8. Hughesville (4-5): Back in 2009, Dr. Masse remembers writing that No. 6 Loyalsock could be the team nobody wants to face in districts. That team won the championship. If Hughesville keeps performing well and clinches a playoff berth tonight, it could be that kind of team that higher seeds want to avoid. The Spartans are dangerous when they are clicking.

9. Muncy (4-5): Those who looked at just the score of last week’s game at South, missed out on an impressive Muncy performance. The Indians tied the game late in the first half and were the rare team that matched South’s physicality. If that is a sign of things to come, Muncy has as much chance as anybody to win a championship in a wide-open District 4 Class A field.

10. Central Mountain (3-6): The Wildcats are a better team than they were last year and could make their season if they beat Jersey Shore for the first time since 2012. Wildcat fans should enjoy watching dynamic four-year starter Justin Neff play one last time.

11. Warrior Run (4-5): Whether districts or Eastern Conference, if Warrior Run qualifies for the postseason, it is a huge step forward for this developing program that has made nice strides in coach D.J. Flick’s first year. If they get a taste of playoff football that can only help future Defender teams.

12. Lewisburg (3-6): The Green Dragons are playing well at the right time. As I wrote last week, the playoffs already have started for Lewisburg. Win tonight and Lewisburg will be battle-tested and surging at the perfect time entering districts. Keep an eye on this team.

13. Canton (3-6): The Warriors have lost four straight Old Shoe games after dominating that series for six seasons. With all the adversity it has experienced, beating its archrival would not only be a feather in Canton’s collective cap, but a huge boost entering the postseason.

14. Cowanesque Valley (3-6): A win tonight would give CV its best record since the program was resinstated in 2004. And with a strong core returning next year, this program is going in the right direction. It could be a 2017 sleeper.

15. Montgomery (1-8): Speaking of sleepers … well, forget that. You heard it here first. If this young core sticks together and enters the 2017 season healthy it will be a District 4 Class A title contender next year. These kids can play, are starting to believe, are much more competitive and are building toward something good in the future.

16. Milton (0-9): It has been a rough year for an injury-ravaged, young team. Things will not get much better against Shikellamy, but give the Black Panthers credit for showing up to work every practice when it would be so easy to fold and give up. There is a lesson in there that can help those who fought in any future endeavor.

17. Bucktail (0-9): Everything just written above applies to the young Bucks as well who have dressed fewer than 20 players all season.

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