Altoona at Williamsport preview
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Altoona PPG--20.6, PPA--27.5; YPG--277.1
Altoona facts: Williamsport is hoping the third time is the charm after Altoona defeated it, 29-14, in last year's district championship before rallying from an 11-point halftime deficit and downing it, 31-24, in Week 2. Altoona (4-6) opened the season 3-0 but has lost six of its past seven games, including its last three. Altoona dominated top-seeded State College in the first quarter a week ago but watched a 7-0 lead turn into a 21-7 loss despite outgaining the Little Lions, 196-162. Altoona received a lift with workhorse running back Ethan Stroup returning. Stroup, a 6-foot-2, 215 bulldozer has given Williamsport fits the past two games, topping 100 yards each time and going for 200 yards with two touchdowns nine weeks ago. He also is a standout linebacker who averages 6.3 tackles per game with three sacks. Alex Yost emerged in Stroup's absence, topping 100 yards against Central Dauphin and Carlisle. Quarterback Aidan Steinbugl is the third rushing threat in this triple option offense, producing 484 yards while throwing for 556. Altoona does not throw a lot but Andre Dokes has caught 16 passes and hauled in a 48-yard reception against Williamsport. He also has broken up 15 passes in the secondary. Linebacker Connor Reimer leads the team in tackles, averaging 6.8 per game and Sean Bettwy has four interceptions. Turnovers have the been the key difference in both Altoona victories over Williamsport with the Mountain Lions forcing nine and losing just two.
Altoona player to watch--Manny Miller: The junior defensive end is an active presence coming off the edge and leads Altoona with 11 tackles for loss. He also has a team-high four sacks and made five tackles against Williamsport earlier this season. Miller has forced two fumbles and blocked a punt as well.
Williamsport PPG--20.7, PPA--16.9; YPG--298.7, YPA--219.5
Williamsport facts: The Millionaires missed out on a first-round bye when Hazleton edged it, 14-11, a week ago but getting another shot against Altoona is a nice consolation prize. Injuries and adversity have impacted Williamsport's season, but the Millionaires can erase all that if they win tonight and next week. To do so, Williamsport must eliminate the turnovers and penalties which have haunted it at key times this season and again last week. Williamsport won its two previous games before playing Hazleton, including mounting a last-minute game-winning drive at Wilkes-Barre. Nasir Hennigan returned against Hazleton and ran for a career-high 134 yards. George Whaley and Frankie Morrone split time at quarterback with Morrone hitting Jamaire Harden for a 32-yard fourth-quarter touchdown. Morrone threw for 211 yards against Altoona in Week 2 with Harden and DJ Greene each having strong games. Before Hazleton's final drive, Williamsport had played another excellent defensive game, minus allowing one big pass play. The Millionaires have held three straight teams to 229 yards or fewer and forced five turnovers in a 14-7 win against Wilkes-Barre. Elijah Frierson has four interceptions over the last four weeks and Nariq Burks has a team-high five sacks. Lajear Whaley has added three sacks with linebackers Sebastian Robinson and Riley Bower each having strong seasons. Sophomore linebacker Alonzo Rice has made some big plays at key times and safety Roman Morrone is among the team's leading tacklers.
Williamsport player to watch--Charles Crews: The two-way senior lineman gets one last shot against Altoona. A senior leader, Crews has started for three seasons on both sides of the ball and has been a big part of the team's resurgence the past two years. Crews has three sacks, is strong against the run and can disrupt the passing game.
Winner plays: No. 1 State College
Outlook: Williamsport has played six games decided by seven points or fewer, including two which went to overtime. This looks like it will be another 12-round fight tonight. Altoona battered Williamsport for 298 rushing yards nine weeks ago. If Williamsport is to reverse that outcome, it must find a way to win that battle up front.