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Muncy at Towanda

Muncy PPG–32.5, YPG–417; PPA–7.0, YPA–207.5

Muncy facts: This team is younger than the one that captured the NTL-II championship a year ago, but Muncy remains dangerous. The Indians have shown some good balance offensively and played excellent defense en route to starting 2-0 for a second straight year. Tonight will be its toughest test yet and a win would likely boost its playoff power rating. The Indians are ranked third in the Class A standings, trailing South Williamsport and Canton, teams they play later this season. Muncy leads the area in offense and quarterback Coleman Good is among district leaders in yards, throwing for 399. Good, a four-year starter, threw for 262 yards in the 17-0 season-opening win against Warrior Run. Senior Dylan Wilt is an explosive playmaker and had four catches for a career-high 161 yards in that game. Tight end Kolby Moyer also is a reliable target and caught a career-high six passes for 74 yards and a touchdown in last week’s 48-14 win at Cowanesque Valley. Muncy’s offensive line dominated against CV and both Mike Kustanbauter and Paul Pepper went over 100 yards as the Indians ran for 355 yards. The defense has been equally impressive and Muncy opened the season with six straight scoreless quarters. Good and brother Christian combined for 17 tackles against Warrior Run and Muncy made two key red-zone stops. The Indians allowed just 183 yards in that game and forced three turnovers against CV. Linebacker Donovan Diehl is a big part of that defensive success and the three-year starter also is a good leader along the offensive line.

Muncy player to watch–Ethan Gush: The sophomore running back is an emerging weapon who did not carry the ball in the opener but who ran for 66 yards and two touchdowns on just two carries against CV. Gush provides some quality depth in the backfield and also is a talented linebacker who averaged nearly seven tackles per game in his debut season last fall.

Towanda PPG–21.0, YPG–302.5; PPA–12.5, YPA–216.5

Towanda facts: The Black Knights bounced back from a season-opening loss at Canton and played outstanding defense in last week’s 21-0 win at Sayre. Towanda is playing its home opener and, despite losing several quality starters, is hoping to build off last season’s 8-3 campaign that resulted in a Class AA playoff appearance. The Knights forced four turnovers and held an eight-point fourth-quarter lead at Canton before losing, 25-21. They allowed just 137 yards last week and have 10 sacks through two games. Lacin Terry has a team-high 3 1/2 sacks, including two against Canton. Quarterback Tanner Kunkle and running back Zane Neubert spark the offense and both are coming off strong 2017 seasons. Kunkle does damage with his arm and legs and ran for 124 yards against Sayre after throwing two touchdowns at Canton. Kunkle threw for 1,618 yards last year and totaled 18 touchdowns. Neubert ran for 1,099 yards and 12 touchdowns last season and ran for 96 yards and a score last week on 26 carries. Preston Rogers is a solid play-making receiver and caught two touchdown passes against Sayre. Dylan Hartmann is another versatile threat and ran for 72 yards and a touchdown in the opener while also catching four passes.

Towanda player to watch–Wyatt Ferris: The senior two-way lineman is a team leader and one of its most valuable players on both sides of the ball. The 6-2, 242-pounder helps slow the run and is a good pass rusher who has eight sacks over the last two seasons. He also is the anchor of a new-look offensive line and helped set the tone in last week’s win.

Outlook: These teams look evenly matched and this is a good game for Muncy to play. The Indians have to clean up some of the turnover issues they have had the last two weeks and if they do, this should be a close game throughout.

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