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Delaware Valley at Williamsport

Delaware Valley PPG–46.1, YPG–438; PPA–8.6

Delaware Valley facts: Winners of six straight, Delaware Valley has established itself as the clear favorite to win a third straight District 2-4 Class 6A championship. The Warriors have pounded six straight opponents by 34 or more points and are coming off a 49-0 shutout against Abington Heights. Delaware Valley has allowed just seven points in its last two games and pummeled Hazleton, 41-7, two weeks ago. The Warriors have won each of the last two games against Williamsport by 79 points after the Millionaires routed them in the 2016 district championship. Josh Balcarel ran all over Williamsport in last year’s 41-0 victory and is back again. The senior has run for 895 yards and 15 touchdowns and is one of three players who has produced 260 or more yards. Quarterback Zach Scillia prevents teams from loading the box against the run and is having an outstanding season. In addition to completing 62.7 percent of his passes, Scillia has thrown for 855 yards, 11 touchdowns and just one interception. Defensive back Matt Studsrud helps spark a stingy defense and has intercepted four passes. Five players are averaging five or more tackles per game and Delaware Valley has surrendered just 47 points during its six-game winning streak.

Delaware Valely player to watch–Jason Henderson: The linebacker is coming off a big sophomore season and has been even better this year. Henderson is averaging a team-best 12.9 tackles per game and is 10 tackles from recording a 100-yard season. He also is a good pass rusher who has three sacks and has forced a fumble.

Williamsport PPG–15.9, YPG–236.4; PPA–12.3, YPA–261.1

Williamsport facts: Things have changed a lot over the last three weeks after this young team started 3-1. The Millionaires are hanging in defensively, but injuries and distractions have played a role in a three-game losing streak that has pushed them to fourth in the playoff standings. The top four advance and Williamsport is trying to hold off No. 5 Hazleton. Williamsport started strong a week ago, but lost 20-7 against Pittston. The Millionaires played without quarterback Dallas Griess and leading rusher Keith Freeman and failed to score more than 13 points for a fifth straight week. Those two and wide receiver Braeden Mazzante are expected back tonight. Drake Mankey provided an early spark against Pittston and ran for a career-high 84 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore Cameron Sims added 48 yards on four carries and also caught two passes. The defense might be this area’s most improved unit and has played well in defeat, doing all it can to keep Williamsport in these games. The Millionaires have let just two teams reach 20 points in seven weeks and opened the year with consecutive shutouts. Williamsport also put the clamps on Hazleton in a 13-7 Week 4 win. Linebackers Stavon Jefferson and Lajear Whaley as well as defensive end Avery Campbell all are having breakthrough seasons and are just some of the talented sophomores who could help Williamsport become a force over the next few years.

Williamsport player to watch–Nassir Jones: Speaking of building blocks, having someone like Jones sure helps. The explosive junior is one of the area’s top defensive ends and spent much of the first four weeks living in opponents’ backfields. Jones also is a talented tight end who caught three passes for a career-high 104 yards two weeks ago at Scranton.

Outlook: Right now, it seems like these are two teams heading in opposite directions. If Williamsport can hang around and make this game interesting it would provide a good step moving forward.

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