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Jersey Shore vs. Pottsgrove

Where: Jersey Shore (7-5) vs. Pottsgrove (11-1) at Northern Lehigh High School, tonight, 7 p.m.

Jersey Shore road to states: in District 4, beat CMVT, 52-0 and Selinsgrove, 20-17, OT

Jersey Shore PPG–24.8, YPG–329; PPA–23.0, YPA–296.9

Jersey Shore facts: District champions for a third time in six seasons, Jersey Shore is now trying to win the first state playoff game in program history. The Bulldogs made history last week by becoming the first team to win both a league and district championship in the same season. Jersey Shore avenged a 21-point Week 2 loss, rallying from a 14-point second-quarter deficit to defeat Selinsgrove on Cameron Griffin’s game-winning 18-yard field goal. The Bulldogs have won five of their last seven games with their only two losses coming to defending Class AA state champion Southern Columbia and District 9 Class AAA champion Bald Eagle Area. After making quick work of CMVT in the district semifinals, Jersey Shore stifled Selinsgrove in the championship with the defense surrendering just 10 points and 184 yards. Linebacker Hunter O’Connor forced a fumble in overtime that Koby Peacock recovered and he finished with a team-high 15 tackles. O’Connor is Jersey Shore’s all-time leading tackler with 416 and has set a new record for tackles in a year in each of his last three seasons. David Tomb produced his eighth sack and looks poised to earn defensive line all-state honors for a second straight year. Linebacker Dawson Sechrist went over 100 tackles and freshman lineman Karter Peacock continued his late-season surge, producing another sack. Kyle Tomb ran for a season-high 158 yards and a touchdown, while Sechrist and Josh Malicky combined for 102 yards. Tomb, Sechrist and Malicky all have run for more than 570 yards behind an offensive line that has made tremendous progress throughout the season. All three also have produced multiple 100-yard games. Quarterback Tanner Lorson is having a strong debut season and is closing in on a 1,500-yard season. He also is a mobile threat who ran for a touchdown against Selinsgrove. Griffin tied an area single-season record by kicking his ninth field goal against Selinsgrove and reaching 200 career points. He is second in area history with 18 field goals.

Jersey Shore player to watch–Anthony Shaffer: The junior linebacker is one of several solid underclassmen who has helped ignite Jersey Shore’s championship season. He has played some of his best football during the late-season push and intercepted his fourth pass last week. Those four interceptions have come in the last four games and he also has caught two touchdowns.

Pottsgrove road to states: In District 1, beat Bishop Shanahan, 14-13 and Pottstown, 40-6

Pottsgrove PPG–31.3, YPG–286.3; PPA–9.8

Pottsgrove facts: The Falcons won their third straight District 1 championship last Friday and have reached 11 wins for a second straight year. Pottsgrove entered the first round of states 11-1 last year, losing to District 11 champion Bethlehem Catholic in the opening round. Pottsgrove opened the year 9-0 and its only loss was to 6A Perkiomen Valley, 35-17 in its regular-season finale. The Falcons play outstanding defense and have shutout four opponents. They also have held 10 opponents to 14 or fewer points. Pottsgrove likes to try imposing its will up front and features a powerful running game. Isaiah Taylor has put together an excellent junior season, running for 1,290 yards and 16 touchdowns, while topping 100 yards six times. Taylor ran for 221 yards in the championship and had 399 yards and four touchdowns during districts. Quarterback Jay Sisko is a dual threat who has run for 698 yards and 13 touchdowns. He has run for a score in 10 of 12 games, topped 100 yards twice and thrown for 619 yards. Sisko has thrown for fewer than 100 yards 11 times, but threw for 202 yards and four touchdowns in a midseason win against Upper Perkiomen. Isaiah Glover is another running threat, producing 491 yars and eight touchdowns while averaging 7.8 yards per carry. Glover ran for 177 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-0 victory against Phoenixville. Jimai Springfield is the team’s top receiver, catching 12 passes for 285 yards and four touchdowns. Defensive end Ryan Bodolus sparks the defense and has 16 sacks. The senior has 34 career sacks, leads the team in tackles and has 29 tackles for loss. He also had 16 sacks last season. Linebacker Justin Adams has a nose for the football and is second on the team in tackles. He also has 18 tackles for loss and two sacks.

Pottsgrove player to watch–Darrian Seaman: A stout defensive tackle, Seaman gives Pottsgrove an inside complement to Bodolus’s explosiveness off the edge. He has seven sacks and 12 tackles for loss. Seaman is a physcial player who has forced five fumbles, including three in a 43-0 win against Glen Mills.

Winner plays: District 11’s champion, either Bethlehem Catholic or Saucon Valley

Outlook: Jersey Shore is going to have to play its best game to have a shot at the upset. The Bulldogs have defied the odds all season, so do not be surprised if they elevate their performance and make this an entertaining game.

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