Canton at South Williamsport preview
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Canton PPG--41.3, PPA--4.8; YPG--359.8. YPA--143.5
Canton notes: Canton (4-0) took a big graduation hit after making two straight Class A state Final Four appearances, but has kept rolling. The Warriors have mercy-ruled all four opponents and overcame a slow start to blank Towanda, 40-0, last week. The starting defense has allowed just two touchdowns, while holding opponents to 101 rushing yards. Canton held on an early first-and-goal from the 2-yard line last Saturday and has forced nine turnovers the past two weeks. Defensive end Michael Davis is tied for first in the area with six sacks, producing at least one in every game. Linebacker Hudson Ward leads the area in tackles, making 19 against Towanda and at least 10 in each game. Ward also has made hustling fumble recoveries which have led to game-changing scores in Canton's last two games. Aydin Holcomb ended Towanda's first scoring threat with an interception and defensive lineman Mason Harold has sacks in consecutive games. All those players also make big offensive impacts with Davis going over 280 rushing and receiving yards. The passing game is stronger than it has been the last two seasons and dual threat Ben Fitch has thrown for 375 yards with four touchdowns the last two weeks. Also the team's leading rusher, Fitch has thrown at least one touchdown in every game. Holcomb turned a short pass into a 68-yard gain against Towanda and the line paved the way for 367 yards against a team coming off a shutout. Canton has won five straight in this series, defeating South in the district semifinals last year, as well as three times in the past five seasons. The two-time defending district champions are second in the district standings, trailing only South. Although it has won four blowouts, Canton has lived dangerously the last two weeks, turning the ball over seven times.
Canton player to watch--Dawson Burgess: The sophomore linebacker is excelling in his first season starting. Burgess is one of the team's top tacklers and also set the tone against Wellsboro when he returned an interception for the game's first touchdown.
South PPG--44.8, PPA--15.3; YPG--407, YPA--219.8
South notes: South (4-0) is off to its best start since 2018 and also has been dominant in its victories, mercy-ruling three straight opponents. A hard-fought 14-0 season-opening win against Milton stands out with the Black Panthers having won three straight and coming off a big win against Mount Carmel. The starting defense has allowed just one touchdown, including none the last two weeks. South built a 33-0 first quarter lead against CMVT and led Cowanesque Valley, 52-0, in the second quarter, giving it the opportunity to get many young players significant varsity minutes. Four players produced sacks against CMVT and Dylan Scheller has intercepted two passes. Linebacker Garrett Cooley leads the team in tackles and also has three for loss. Ryan Casella and Amir Kemrer form a thunder and lightning backfield duo and have combined for four 100-yard games. Kemrer ran for 166 yards against CV a week ago and Casella helped wear down Milton's defense in the opener. Kaiser Kistner also is coming on strong, ripping off a 60-yard touchdown run against CMVT, then following that up by returning the game's opening kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown last week. Radley Knapp has thrown five touchdowns the last three games and tight end Tanner Smith caught a 20-yard score in the CMVT victory. South's offensive line is experienced and physical, helping South dominate both the line of scrimmage and the clock in the Milton win. That victory was highlighted by a 19-play touchdown drive which bridged the first two quarters and consumed most of the second. Turnovers played a big role in Canton's victories against South a year ago with the Mounties losing six turnovers.
South player to watch--Chris Confer: A three-year starting offensive lineman, Confer is at the heart of that unit's success. He is a big, strong player who is one of four multi-year starters along that unit. With Canton and South featuring similar styles and both loving to impose their will, Confer and his fellow linemen will play a major role in how this game goes.
Outlook: Both teams can claim the underdog role, here. Despite winning consecutive district championships, Canton can say that it's No. 2 in the standings and is being overlooked after graduating so many starters. Conversely, South can say that Canton is the team to beat until someone else proves otherwise. The thing is, there is no underdog. This truly feels like a coin toss game. It would be surprising if anyone wins this by a wide margin and this reporter's guess is the first team to 20--if they get there--wins.