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Muncy at Canton

Class A Championship

No. 2 Muncy (8-3)

at No. 1 Canton (10-1)

Muncy PPG–24.3, YPG–323.8; PPA–323.8, YPA–224.6

Muncy facts: A week after exacting revenge on Sayre, Muncy is hoping to continue its redemption tour by winning its second district championship in three seasons. Canton blanked Muncy, 18-0 in Week 6 at Miller A. Moyer Stadium when both teams entered 5-0. Muncy, though, is surging and confident after rallying past Hughesville for its first win against its rival since 2012 and defeating Sayre, 19-7 in the semifinals. Sayre had defeated Muncy, 28-14 three weeks ago, but the Indians allowed just 117 yards and shutout Sayre for 42 minutes. Four-year starting quarterback Coleman Good injured his shoulder against Canton six weeks ago but returned defensively at Hughesville and played both ways last week, moving from quarterback to running back and running for 94 yards. Kolby Moyer has started at quarterback since Week 7, throwing for 801 yards. He found Dylan Wilt for a 10-yard touchdown that capped a tone-setting opening drive against Sayre. Wilt is having a fantastic all-around season, catching 11 touchdowns, intercepting six passes and clinching last week’s win with a Pick 6. Wilt has scored four touchdowns three different ways the past two weeks, returning a kickoff 74 yards to erase a four-point deficit in the 13-10 Hughesville win. Muncy’s offensive line was fantastic last week, helping the Indians control the clock and run the ball 62 times. The defense played one of its best games against a team that had scored 105 points during a three-game winning streak. Linebacker Mike Kustanbauter is building an all-state resume, averaging a district-best 16 tackles per game. Linebackers Ethan Gush and Donvovan Diehl also are having excellent seasons and the secondary is outstanding with Good, his brother Christian, Wilt and Moyer combining for 14 interceptions.

Muncy player to watch–Gavyn Eisenhowser: A versatile and valuable defender, Eisenhower can play either linebacker or defensive line and has excelled up front throughout the season’s second half. Eisenhowser has recorded six sacks since Week 5 and has topped 10 tackles in two of his last three games. The hard-working senior also has returned a fumble for a touchdown.

Canton PPG–30.2, YPG–293; PPA–11.6, YPA–196.1

Canton facts: A team that went 3-7 last year now is a win from winning the program’s first district championship since 1990. Canton won its first playoff game since 1997 a week ago when it defeated South Williamsport, 29-7 and is playing in its first district final since that same year. The Warriors started the season 8-0 and their only loss was a 3-point back and forth decision against AA semifinalist North Penn-Mansfield. Canton is ranked second among area defenses and held South to 151 yards, shutting it out in the second half. The starters went three weeks earlier in the season without allowing a point, a streak that included the Muncy win in which that unit surrendered just 74 yards and forced three turnovers. Defensive back Timmy Ward has intercepted a district-best 11 sacks and sophomore defensive end Ben Knapp has an area-high nine sacks. Garrett Storch and Nick May have been terrific up front and Keegan Nelson has become a weapon there as well. Canton suffered a blow when it lost quarterback/defensive end Michael Smithers to a season-ending injury in Week 10, but surrendered just three second-half first downs against South. Uriah Baillie was splitting time at quarterback, so he easily stepped in last week and totaled 159 yards and a touchdown. Ward was an all-state wide receiver last season, but has done damage in the backfield the past two weeks, breaking off an 89-yard touchdown run in a comeback win against AA semifinalist Troy and running for 100 yards and two scores last week. The offensive line is all underclassmen, but has jelled throughout the season and wore down South in the fourth quarter. That unit also paved the way for an 18-point second-half performance against Muncy. Dennis Saar played along that line the past two seasons, but is an emerging receiver who caught five passes for 81 yards and a touchdown against Troy.

Winner plays: District 3 champion Halifax at a District 3 site

Outlook: The last time these two teams played it was 0-0 at halftime. Considering how good both defenses, it would not be shocking if this game is another defensive battle. These two are about as evenly matched as it gets across the board. Expect a turnover or two to make the difference in a physical and entertaining game. As legendary Canton announcer Peter G. would say, “this is huge.”

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