×

Sun-Gazette power rankings: Week 11

NOTE: For teams whose seasons have ended, I will be choosing their Player of the Year

1. Montoursville (9-1): This program has featured some super teams over the last 14 seasons. So it says something that this Montoursville squad is the first which finished the regular season with nine wins since 2006. Still, that is not what Montoursville has worked toward all season. Since last November, the Warriors have been thinking about making postseason noise and that opportunity now presents itself.

2. Jersey Shore (7-3): Dawson Sechrist has helped carry on Jersey Shore’s defensive tradition. The senior linebacker has gone over 100 tackles for a second straight year and also is among the team leaders in sacks and a valuable offensive contributor. Sechrist might sometimes fly under the radar, but he is one of the area’s premier all-around players.

3. Wellsboro (9-1): Aidan Hauser won the area and District 4 regular-season rushing title, while quarterback Isaac Keane has gone over 1,000 yards. It all starts up front, however, and Wellsboro features one of the area’s top offensive lines. That unit featured several first-time starters this season but has meshed well and helped Wellsboro lead the area in both yards and points per game.

4. Loyalsock (7-3): Two-way starting linemen Aeden Holler returned last week at South Williamsport and made a big impact. Holler was part of an offensive line that helped two players go over 80 rushing yards and he also helped stuff the run. Holler is an unsung hero up front for a team that has come on strong and had a sack, along with six tackles a week ago.

5. Canton (8-2): Before last season, Canton had not enjoyed a winning campaign since 2011. Now the Warriors have 18 wins over the last two years. Here is thinking, however, that Canton cares little about that right now. The Warriors set themselves up as well as they could for districts and now are hoping to make their mark on program history.

6. Warrior Run (6-4): Two-way lineman Kenny Newman was a difference-maker in Saturday’s win at CMVT. Newman was one of multiple linemen opening gaping holes for running backs to burst through. He also seemed to be living in the CMVT backfield, constantly rushing the passer and collecting a sack. Newman is one of 19 seniors who has helped transform this program.

7. Muncy (6-4): Sayre denied Muncy a league championship in gut-wrenching fashion two weeks ago. The Indians left the field that night coveting a second chance against that team. Now they have it and take some momentum into the game. It has been a good season thus far, especially after Muncy lost so many good starters from last year. If Muncy could win tonight a good season would become a great one.

8. Lewisburg (5-5): While the last two Lewisburg losses have come against quality District 4 Class AAA teams, the Dragons have been their own worst enemy and self-inflicted mistakes have cost them a shot at a 7-3 record. But now it is a new season and they have a shot at turning everything around. Lewisburg made a run at a championship last year and it would not be shocking if it does so again this season.

9. South Williamsport (5-5): I cannot remember a season in which there was a more dangerous final-seeded team than South. Nothing has come easy and the Mounties have endured a brutal schedule, but the payoff could come now. It should be quite a battle tonight in Canton.

10. North Penn-Mansfield (4-6): That this has been a roller coaster-type season is not surprising since North Penn-Mansfield lost so many starters from last year’s nine-win team. A win Saturday, though, would make this season a smashing success. Really, the Panthers could not ask for a much better script than getting a second chance against their fiercest rival in a playoff game.

11. Montgomery (4-6): Getting a shot at the Eastern Conference championship is not just a reward for a hard-working group, but also good for the future. In addition to giving so many returning 2020 starters a taste of playoff football, it also has given Montgomery another week of practice. Having those extra sessions can only help a team that is coming on strong and that could be poised for big things next year.

12. Williamsport (3-7): A team that has been hit with all sorts of adversity and injuries throughout the season’s second half showed good resilience and nearly erased a 21-point deficit. Obviously, tonight presents a difficult task, but many of the starters are back next year and getting this playoff experience is important. Look for this team to make a big step forward in 2020.

13. Cowanesque Valley (3-7): Player of the Year, Seth Huyler — Owen Fitzwater and Kole Hurler had tremendous senior seasons, but Huyler edges them. The senior quarterback put together one of the best seasons in program history, throwing for a program-record 1,341 yards and 14 touchdowns, while adding 571 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Huyler finished his scholastic career with 5,182 total yards and helped CV enjoy one of its best seasons in the 2000s.

14. Bucktail (2-7): Player of the Year, Gage Sutliff — Liam Dwyer and Zach Pick also enjoyed strong years, but Sutliff was a beast at times on both sides of the ball. The junior ran for 1,332 yards and eight touchdowns in nine games, the best Bucktail rushing season since 2003. He also was a defensive leader and the linebacker made 100 tackles, adding three sacks.

15. Central Mountain (1-9): Player of the Year, Zane Probst — Cameron Sonnie finished among the area’s leading tacklers, going over 100, but Probst broke the program single-season passing yards record for a second straight year. Probst threw for 1,774 yards and 14 touchdowns, often carving up some outstanding defenses in the process. He also is the program’s all-time yardage leader.

16. Hughesville (1-9): Player of the Year, Ethan Snyder — Quarterback Jacob Corson was brilliant late this season, but Snyder was both an offensive and defensive leader. Despite missing nearly three full games, Snyder still caught a team-best 29 passes for 454 yards and three touchdowns. He twice topped 100 yards and also finished second on the team in tackles, averaging 5.7 per game. Snyder added two interceptions and a sack.

17. Milton (0-10): Player of the Year, Ashton Canelo — The sophomore played quarterback, then moved to wide receiver and finished the season at running back. He provided a spark wherever he was placed and Canelo is one of the players Milton will build around next fall. Canelo totaled 589 yards and four touchdowns. He ran for a career-high 96 yards and caught a touchdown against Shikellamy last week while also returning a fumble 65 yards for a touchdown.

Chris Masse may be reached by email at cmasse@sungazette.com. Follow him on Twitter at @docmasse.

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

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today