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By CHRIS MASSE
cmasse@sungazette.com
1. Jersey Shore (7-0): Jersey Shore has leaned on Stone Sechrist and Payton Samar to complement Hadyn Packer at linebacker following Karter Peacock's graduation and both have responded. They have combined for five tackles for loss the past two weeks with Samar making 10 tackles against Executive Education and Sechrist three for loss against Shamokin.
2. Canton (7-0): Having six straight mercy rule wins has Canton fresh as it enters a tough three-game stretch to close the regular season. Only two players have reached double digit carries in a game, a testament to Canton's depth and its ability to put away opponents early.
3. Loyalsock (6-1): Cy Cavanaugh is doing a nice job filling an important role which current Lycoming freshman Brendan Clark did a year ago. Cavanaugh is becoming a reliable tight end who can take advantage of opponents gearing up against the wide receivers. Cavanaugh caught four passes for 48 yards last week and has seven receptions the past two games.
4. Muncy (6-0): Brothers Braydon and Cameron Kamerer formed a strong combination on the baseball field last spring and it has translated well to football. Both played prominent roles in a hard-fought win at South Williamsport, combining eight tackles. Cameron recovered a fumble and Braydon made some big plays right at the line of scrimmage.
5. Milton (6-1): Anyone remember the last time Milton produced consecutive winning seasons? It was 1999 and 2000 before the Black Panthers ended that drought last week. This program has a strong core to build upon as well and is looking like it will be a contender for years to come as the culture has dramatically changed.
6. Williamsport (3-4): No current starting offensive lineman started last year. That makes the season Nasir Hennigan is having even more impressive. It says a lot about both Hennigan and this emerging line's ability. The line has dominated up front the past two weeks and that is an especially encouraging sign since most are underclassmen.
7. Montoursville (4-3): Unfortunately, it looks like Marco Pulizzi has played his last game after injuring his knee at Southern Columbia two weeks ago. The senior leader developed into one of the district's premier all-around players and was leading the area in receiving yards (582) when he was injured. Also an excellent cornerback, Pulizzi produced three 100-yard games this season and played a key role in helping the Warriors reach consecutive District 4 Class AAA championships.
8. South Williamsport (3-3): Although they fell just shy of victory, the Mounties showed why they remain a significant factor in the District 4 Class A field. Last year, South started 1-2 before winning six of its next seven games, including a playoff contest. If South builds off its Muncy performance, it has the potential to again produce a strong finishing kick.
9. Hughesville (3-4): The Spartans are through the gauntlet that was a two week stretch against state-ranked and Class AAAA teams who are a combined 13-1. There are no easy games left on the schedule, but Hughesville is battle-tested and well prepared for the final three weeks as it seeks its first winning campaign since 2015.
10. Warrior Run (2-5): As far as in-season progress goes, it's hard to top what Warrior Run has done the last three weeks. Featuring mostly underclassmen starting, the Defenders are coming on strong and looking like a team which could make some noise in the coming years.
11. Wellsboro (1-6): Having Conner Adams back last week rejuvenated Wellsboro which is one of the more dangerous 1-6 teams I can remember. This is a team which held second half leads against Muncy and Montoursville, while being tied with Athens (5-2) in the third quarter. The Hornets certainly cannot be slept on.
12. Central Mountain (0-7): The Wildcats are working hard and showing positives signs at different moments, but the schedule is grueling. Starting tonight, Central Mountain's final three opponents are a combined 17-4.
13. North Penn-Mansfield (1-6): Senior Kohen Lehman is making a run at producing 1,000 total yards this season. The program's leading rusher the past three seasons has 590 yards on the ground and 154 receiving for a total of 744. North Penn-Mansfield originally supposed to play Sayre which canceled its varsity season. Showing the backbone Sayre lacked, the Panthers scheduled undefeated West Perry.
14. Lewisburg (0-7): This reporter liked a lot of what Lewisburg showed last week. The Dragons competed hard against state-ranked Loyalsock and made two big defensive stops inside the 10-yard line. It would be easy to grow discouraged this season, but Lewisburg is fighting on hard.
15. Bucktail (2-4): The Bucks have outgained their opponents in all but one of their four defeats. That might seem like a hollow victory, but having 18 players who are mostly underclassmen and first-time starters it is pretty impressive.
16. Montgomery (1-6): Montgomery is experiencing growing pains now but it could pay big dividends in the coming years. In terms of experience, Montgomery could be farther ahead than most teams in a year or two with so many freshmen and sophomores starting this season.
17. Cowanesque Valley (0-7): That Montgomery comment applies here as well. And CV certainly created some excitement with its offensive fireworks last week.