NOTE: Game is at Central Mountain

Last meeting: Williamsport 35, State College 28, 2016 Class 6A state tournament

Williamsport PPG–22.1, PPA–16.6; YPG–310.6, YPA–212.5

Williamsport facts: It has been an up and down season filled with several costly injuries, but all roads have led where Williamsport (6-5) hoped they would before this campaign started. The Millionaires now have a shot at winning that district championship which eluded it when they lost to Altoona in last year’s final. Williamsport exacted revenge and routed Altoona, 36-14, in last week’s semifinals and now has a shot at winning its first district crown since 2016. Williamsport may have played its best game of the year against Altoona, scoring 36 straight points, losing no turnovers and dominating the line of scrimmage. The offensive line has jelled late this season and paved the way for Nasir Hennigan to produce consecutive 100-yard rushing games. Hennigan has reached career-highs in each of the last two weeks and scored twice against Altoona. Frankie Morrone has been sharp since returning to quarterback and completed 14 of 17 passes for 155 yards a week ago. Sebastian Robinson caught a career-high five passes and Jamaire Harden totaled 120 yards and a touchdown. Despite missing nearly four full games, Harden is among the area’s leaders in receiving yards with 609. DJ Greene also is a threat and Lajear Whaley complements Hennigan in the backfield. The defense has allowed 14 or fewer points in four straight games and stifled Altoona’s power running game. Nariq Burks is second among area defenders with seven sacks and Robinson has made 94 tackles. Fellow linebacker Riley Bower also is having a strong season and has 16 tackles, along with a sack, over his last two games. Williamsport collected four sacks in the regular-season finale against Hazleton and three-year starting defensive end Charles Crews is a disruptor up front who has four sacks. Elijah Frierson has emerged as a reliable cornerback, intercepted four passes during the season’s second half, including two in a 14-7 win at Wilkes-Barre.

Williamsport player to watch–Alonzo Rice: The sophomore linebacker is part of a strong core of underclassmen who has the present and future looking bright. Rice has made some big stops throughout the season, including a fourth-and-goal stop in an overtime win against Central Mountain. He also came up big last week, making a team-high 11 tackles, including two for loss.

State College PPG–24.7, PPA–22.7; YPG–315.2

State College facts: Before Altoona defeated it in last year’s semifinals, State College (5-5) had won five straight District 6 championships. The Little Lions are a battle-tested team and were a failed 2-point conversion from going to overtime with Harrisburg in Week 9. Like Williamsport, State College opened the season 3-1 before hitting a bump in the road. State College featured a balanced offense the first five weeks, but suffered a blow when starting quarterback Finn Furmanek was injured in Week 5. Furmanek has not returned since after getting off to a blazing start which included 831 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions. He also had run for 223 yards and six touchdowns. Sophomore Owen Yerka has settled in replacing Furmanek, but State College has been ground and pound since he took over. Yerka has run for 342 yards and three touchdowns. Fullback Brady Bendik leads the team in rushing with 487 yards and three touchdowns. He ran for a season-high 98 yards and a touchdown in a 21-14 loss against Carlisle. Jashaun Green and Tj Yoder form a strong receiving tandem and each has caught 25 or more passes with both going over 400 yards. The defense has flourished late in the season, allowing just 52 points the past four weeks. Linebacker John Scott, cornerback Calvin Roan and linebacker Jack Roeshot all average more than nine tackles per game. Linebacker William Stone has made 10 tackles for loss and his 59-yard interception return was one of the key plays against Altoona in the regular-season as State College erased a seven-point second-quarter deficit and clinched the top seed with a 21-7 victory. Roeshot was a force in that game, making 21 tackles, including 13 solos.

State College player to watch–Stephen Scourtis: Already a captain, the junior defensive end sparks the defense and has made a team-high 12 tackles for loss. Scourtis is averaging 7.6 tackles per game, while adding three sacks and 27 quarterback hurries. Scourtis made three tackles for loss in a 34-20 win against District 6 6A champion Hollidaysburg.

Winner plays: District 2’s champion, Hazleton (8-3) or Delaware Valley (8-3)

Outlook: A lot comes down to which Williamsport team shows up tonight. Will it be the one that battered Wyoming Valley West and Altoona or the one which suffered several self-inflicted wounds in choppy performances against Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton in between those games? Although State College is rested, Williamsport having the opportunity to already play a playoff game and excel in that contest could provide a boost in what looks like should be a close and physical contest.