×

D4 football playoff pairings set

When the season started, many thought Jersey Shore and Selinsgrove would meet again come playoff time.

They just thought it would be for the District 4 Class AAAA championship and not in the semifinals. But that is how things have unfolded and rivals that have played in four straight district finals will face off in the semifinals Friday. No. 3 Jersey Shore (7-3), the defending champion, travels to No. 2 Selinsgrove (8-2) Friday. That is one of many playoff games Friday as the District 4 football pairings were released Saturday. Each playoff game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff Friday.

Jersey Shore and Selinsgrove have split their last four championship showdowns. The Bulldogs won the title last year, but Selinsgrove won a Week 6 matchup, 25-6. Jersey Shore has won three straight games and Selinsgrove won five straight before losing, 49-28 to Southern Columbia last Friday night. The winner of that heavyweight semifinal will advance and play either No. 1 Shikellamy (8-2) or No. 4 Athens in the final.

Like Jersey Shore, Williams­port also is hoping to repeat as district champions. The Million­aires (7-3) won their first district crown in 21 years last season and open their title defense against No. 3 Hazleton (6-4) in a rematch of last year’s semifinal. Williams­port rallied from a 12-point deficit to beat Hazleton, 28-26 in Week 3 but the Cougars have surged down the stretch. The winner of that game plays either No. 1 Delaware Valley (10-0) or No. 4 Scranton (6-4) in the final.

The Class AAA field features an all-area battle as No. 2 Loyalsock (6-4) hosts No. 3 Lewisburg (4-6). The Lancers are seeking their first district championship since 2009 and Lewisburg is making its 10th straight playoff appearance. The winner faces top-seeded Danville (8-2) or No. 4 Mifflinburg (2-8) in the final.

South Williamsport (9-1) has won eight straight games and earned the No. 3 seed but has a tough Class AA quarterfinal against No. 6 Mount Carmel (6-4). The winner of that game faces either No. 2 Wellsboro (10-0) or No. 7 Line Mountain (6-4) in the semifinals. No. 8 North Penn-Mansfield is the only other team in the eight-team field and has a herculean task, going to No. 1 Southern (10-0) for its quarterfinal. That winner plays No. 4 Central Columbia (8-2) or No. 5 Towanda (8-2) in the semifinals.

Muncy captured last year’s Class A championship and has a semifinal rematch against No. 4 Wyalusing which gave Towanda all it could handle two nights ago. The Indians (7-3) won a hard-fought 27-18 semifinal last year. Montgomery is making its first playoff appearance since 2009 and is going for its first playoff win since 2000. The Raiders (5-5) host No. 3 Bucktail (4-6) which has reached the postseason despite dressing as few as 14 players throughout the season.

• In girls soccer, Sullivan County defeated Line Mountain, 2-1, thanks to two goals by Macy McCarthy to propel the Lady Griffins to the District 4 Class A semifinals on Tuesday.

McCarthy recorded her 40th goal for the season. Madison Burke had an assist. In goal, McKenna Amer recorded 15 saves.

“Sullivan dominated the midfield for most of the game although Line Mountain made periodic thrusts into the offensive area,” Sullivan County coach Pete Swinick said.

Lela Warner scored with 27 minutes to play in the game to breakup the shutout, but South Williamsport fell to East Juniata, 5-1, in the District 4 Class A quarterfinals.

East Juniata scored four second half goals after holding a 1-0 lead at halftime.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today