Montoursville PPG–41.5, PPA–14.0; YPG–369, YPA–265

Montoursville facts: The game so many wanted to see last year when both went undefeated in the regular season finally arrives. Last year was the first time in more than 30 years that Montoursville (2-0) and Jersey Shore did not play because the game was scheduled the same week that playoffs started. Montoursville has won 10 straight games and defeated Jersey Shore, 49-12, the last time these rivals met in 2019. The Warriors are three-time defending HAC-II champions and have won two of the last three District 4 Class AAA titles, appearing in three consecutive finals. Montoursville has started slow in each of its first two games but dominated the final three quarters in each, outscoring Lewisburg and Wellsboro, 69-14, during those stretches. Opponents have had some success throwing the ball against Montoursville, although Nick Reeder intercepted a pass last week and the defense has stiffened inside the red zone, making two big stops against Lewisburg. The Warriors also collected five sacks last week with Frank Schemery getting two. Linebacker Brayden Brown has made 17 tackles in two games and also recovered a fumble last week. Fellow linebackers Kayden Frame and Matthew Conklin also have played well and Nate Fisher has been effective up front. All-state running back Rocco Pulizzi has topped 100 yards in seven straight games and fellow running back James Batkowski is emerging as a dual threat after totaling 157 yards and two touchdowns against Lewisburg. Montoursville has effectively spread the ball around these first two games and Isaiah Fenner is a big-play threat who shined in last year’s district playoff win against Loyalsock and who caught a touchdown against Wellsboro.

Montoursville player to watch–Maddix Dalena: Jersey Shore often loads up to stop the run and dares teams to throw the ball against its pressure. Dalena likely will have a lot of chances to throw and loosen up the defense. Brycen Mussina and Hunter Shearer have had some big games against Jersey Shore in the past and Dalena has been one of the area’s top quarterbacks the last two seasons.

Jersey Shore PPG–32.0, PPA–3.5; YPG–335.6, YPA–77.5

Jersey Shore facts: Like Montoursville, Jersey Shore (2-0) boasts one of the district’s best resumes. The Bulldogs have captured three straight district and HAC-I championships while reaching last year’s Class AAAA state final. Jersey Shore is 19-2 over its last 21 games and is coming off a hard-fought 9-7 win against Selinsgrove. The Bulldogs trailed 7-0 at halftime but the relentless defense allowed just 108 yards and Breck Miller’s 22-yard field goal in the fourth quarter put them ahead to stay. Jersey Shore mirrors Montoursville in youth with each team featuring mostly new starters across the board sprinked in with some fabulous veterans. The Bulldogs made quick work of Bellefonte in the opener but the passing game has not yet taken flight with all-state wide receiver Cayden Hess being limited to five catches in two games. Quarterback Brady Jordan is a first-time starter and an excellent athlete who was among the team’s leading touchdown producers last year. He found Kooper Peacock with a critical pass to the 1-yard line, setting up Haydn Packer’s touchdown against Selinsgrove. Packer leads the team in rushing and has scored three touchdowns after emerging as an offensive weapon last season. Also an all-state linebacker, Packer and four-year starter Karter Peacock help fuel Jersey Shore’s nasty defense which has shut down consecutive opponents. The Bulldogs registered three sacks last week and forced two turnovers. Tate Sechrist made nine tackles and Conner Davis seven. Connor Griffin intercepted a pass and Kooper Peacock made two tackles for loss. Davis has a sack in each game and Hess intercepted his seventh pass over the past two seasons in the Bellefonte victory.

Jersey Shore player to watch–Luke Springman: The two-way lineman has made a big impact on both sides in his first year starting. Springman helped the offense score 48 first-half points against Bellefonte and also has a sack in both games. Springman made five tackles against Selinsgrove and is part of a strong defensive line which tries imposing its will each week.

Outlook: What a game this should be. These rivals share so many similarities and it’s hard envisioning this game being anything but close all night. Points could be hard to come by and this feels like one where the first time to 20 — if either gets there — wins. This also is an excellent barometer game for two young teams. Get your popcorn ready.

–By CHRIS MASSE