Loyalsock at Southern Columbia preview
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Loyalsock PPG--30.5, YPG--361.5; PPA--10.5, YPA--156.5
Loyalsock notes: Loyalsock is playing at Southern Columbia for a third straight year and hoping to build off last year's performance. After being down 36-0 in the first quarter of the 2020 game, Loyalsock was down 27-15 in the second quarter in the rematch, giving Southern a good early-season test. This is the second straight time, Loyalsock and Southern entered 2-0. The Lancers showed off their revamped defense against Hughesville a week ago, allowing just 67 yards in a 27-0 win. The Lancers have vastly improved against the run thus far and held Hughesville to 1.6 yards per carry. Linebacker Logan Bastian was all over and produced two sacks, in addition to three tackles for loss. Cy Cavanaugh and Gavin Rice also had big games as did David Boring and Jace Ackerman up front. Carter Secora also made a big stop. Jaylen Andrews produced a fabulous performance, returning a kick and punt for touchdowns, while also catching a 19-yard touchdown. All-state wide receiver Rian Glunk was injured last week, so Andrews and Gage Patterson, who caught a 48-yard score in the opener, likely will play larger roles. Davion Hill leads the area in rushing, going over 100 yards in both games. Hill ran for 227 yards in a 34-21 opening win at Berks Catholic and also added 94 receiving yards. Loyalsock has made 10 straight district playoff appearances and Southern is the only District 4 team with a longer active streak.
Loyalsock player to watch--Ethan French: The starting two-way lineman plays a critical role and has been key to the 2-0 start. French made two tackles for loss against Loyalsock and part of the run stuffing unit in the middle. He also has helped the offense produce more yards than just one area team and provides both experience and toughness.
Southern PPG--42.5, YPG--350; PPA--13.5, YPA--198
Southern notes: Since gaining just seven yards in the first half of its opener against Berwick and trailing 14-0, Southern has outscored the Bulldogs and Shamokin, 85-13. The Tigers quickly quashed any rumors of their demise with a thunderous 42-point second half performance against Berwick before pummeling Shamokin, 43-0. Southern has won five straight Class AA state championships and lost just one regular-season game since 2011. The Tigers again are dominant up front and Braeden Wisloski and Wes Barnes have run wild over the last six quarters. Wisloski is a 100-meter state champion who exploded for a 97-yard touchdown against Shamokin. Both he and Barnes are three-year starters who have topped 100 yards in both games. Southern has not had to throw much, but Blake Wise did find Wisloski for a 29-yard touchdown last week. The defense has been nasty since the slow start at Berwick and held Shamokin to just 74 yards. Sophomore linebacker Dominic Fetterolf is shining as a first-time starter, making a team-high 23 tackles. Southern suffered a big blow when all-state linebacker Garrett Garcia was lost for the season with a torn ACL, but have adjusted well since his injury. Running the ball against Southern has been difficult but Berwick did have some success through the air, producing 248 yards. Barnes and Jake Hoy have interceptions in the first two games.
Southern player to watch--Tyler Arnold: The senior defensive end has helped the defense keep rolling. Arnold was camped in Berwick's backfield when he recorded 2 1/2 sacks. He added another last week and has four tackles for loss through two games.
Outlook: No doubt, Loyalsock is the underdog but it has the skill players to possibly make plays. The big question is whether the offensive and defensive lines can hold up. If they can, than this could be interesting. If not, Southern keeps chugging along.