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Milton at Central Mountain preview

Milton PPG–41.0, PPA–15.5; YPG–340.3, YPA–255.3

Milton facts: Off to its best start of the 2000s, Milton leads the District 4 Class AAA playoff standings and has won each of its games by double-digit margins. The Black Panthers (4-0) erupted for 35 second-quarter points in last week’s 42-8 win at Towanda and the defense has scored five touchdowns the last three weeks. Xzavier Minium, Peyton Rearick and Luke Goodwin have returned interceptions for touchdowns and Dylan Reiff’s return of a blocked field goal against Towanda changed that game’s complexion. Milton has run the ball at will and leads the area in rushing, averaging 307 yards per game. Freshman Chris Doyle leads the area in rushing, gaining 97 or more yards in each of his first four high school games. Minium moved from wide receiver to quarterback this season and the junior is tied with Montoursville’s Rocco Pulizzi for the rushing touchdown lead (9). Minium has been effective despite not throwing the ball often and threw his first touchdown pass a week ago. The starting defense did not allow a point against Towanda. It has been tough against the run the past two weeks, but Milton has struggled against the pass at times, allowing 175.8 yards per game.

Milton player to watch–Ashton Canelo: The senior made his return last week and has played just about every offensive position during his scholastic career. A talented linebacker, Canelo also was second on the team in receiving and rushing last fall.

Central Mountain PPG–20.5, PPA–17.8; YPG–314.5, YPA–232.3

Central Mountain facts: Like Milton, Central Mountain (3-1) is off to its best start of the 2000s and nearly made it 4-0 before dropping a 21-14 overtime heartbreaker at Williamsport a week ago. The Wildcats have a shot at recording their first winning season since 2009 and nearly took down Williamsport despite playing without four injured two-way starters. Central Mountain twice erased seven-point deficits and held the Millionaires to a season low in points. Central Mountain has allowed 16 points or fewer in regulation three times this season and clinched a 35-34 win against Shamokin with a dramatic goal line stand. Ben Garlick, Ronnie Ergott and Garrett Hendricks all shined up front against Williamsport and took away the team’s running game. Micah Walizer has been one of the area’s top linebackers the last two seasons and Lucas Porter also is having an excellent season. Quarterback Brett Gerlach is among the area’s top 10 leaders in passing and rushing and totaled over 300 yards against Williamsport. Running back Ryan Pentz averaged more than 100 yards per game last year and also is a dangerous receiver who caught a 45-yard touchdown last week.

Central Mountain player to watch–Connor Foltz: The sophomore is one of the area’s more exciting players and has become a weapon on both sides of the ball. Foltz made some great catches against Williamsport and has 15 grabs for 242 yards and a touchdown in his first season starting. Foltz also caught a late critical two-point pass which made the difference in the Shamokin victory and helps spark the secondary.

Outlook: With Central Mountain losing a lot of starters and Milton having struggled for much of the last decade this did not look like a marquee matchup in the preseason. That changed fast and now this is one of the weekend’s biggest games. Milton is one of the last three remaining undefeated area teams but Central Mountain might have too much for it to extend that streak.

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