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Loyalsock PPG--25, PPA--21; YPG--369, YPA--362
Loyalsock notes: After Hughesville controlled this rivalry throughout the 2000s, Loyalsock has taken over and not lost to Hughesville since 2011. The Lancers likely will have to play better than last week to keep that streak going after allowing 362 yards and losing four turnovers. Despite that, Loyalsock rallied from an eight-point third-quarter deficit. Tyler Gee threw for 263 yards and two touchdowns, while running for 60 yards and the game-winning score. Jaylen Andrews picked up where he left off following last year's all-state campaign, catching six passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns. Andrews returned a kickoff 96 yards for a game-opening touchdown against Hughesville last year. Danny Dowell and Logan Bastian also made big plays in the passing game against Berks Catholic and sophomore Dolan Harman ran for his first varsity touchdown. Bastian is one of the area's premier linebackers and made a team-high 12 tackles last week. The four-year starter has been among the team's leading tacklers every year at Loyalsock. Will Burdett was having a strong season a year ago before an injury ended it, but he played well in his return last week and made eight tackles, including six solos. Deryk Kulp made a career-high 11 tackles and two-way starting lineman Ethan French recovered a fumble. Hidden among the passing numbers a week ago was Gee's punting contribution. The two-time all-state quarterback averaged 46.3 yards per punt and dropped two inside the 20-yard line.
Loyalsock player to watch--Jeremiah Johnson: A player who made a big impact as a freshman along both lines looks like he will be a handful for opponents the next three seasons. Johnson helps anchor both units and started strong against Berks Catholic, making three tackles for loss. Johnson had eight tackles for loss last year and provides both sides of the ball a strong building block.
Hughesville PPG--20, PPA--6; YPG--238, YPA--109
Hughesville notes: Like Loyalsock, Hughesville was far from at its best but made enough plays in the second half to come back and win. The Spartans erased a six-point second-quarter deficit and defeated Montgomery, 20-6, with its defense paving the way. Take away a 51-yard touchdown run and Hughesville allowed just 58 yards on 41 plays and cornerback Conor Knight helped seal the game with an interception return for a touchdown. Knight produced two interceptions and is part of an excellent secondary which returns all four starters. Linebacker Brenden Fisher was a force, making 11 tackles, including four solos and adding a sack. Quarterback Tyler Wetzel is a dual threat and showed it by running for a long touchdown and finding Aiden Barlett for a touchdown. Barlett earned all-state honors at safety last year and made seven tackles against Montgomery. He also caught six passes after placing among the area's top 10 in receptions a year ago. Angelo Ferrigno is another player who plays vital roles on both sides of the ball. He had one of the team's 11 tackles for loss and also ran for a team-high 84 yards. Sophomore Jakob Charles collected a sack and fellow sophomore Jed Abernatha blocked a punt. Russell Dewire forced a fumble. Hughesville played Loyalsock tough last year and, along with Southern Columbia, were the only teams not named Danville to limit it to three offensive touchdowns.
Hughesville player to watch--Luke Stutzman: The junior is a three-year starter who keeps improving and who played a major role in last week's win. Stutzman made 11 tackles, including eight solos and added one for loss. Stutzman has 166 career tackles and is coming off a strong sophomore season in which he averaged 7.6 per game.
Outlook: This is an intriguing matchup with Hughesville's stingy defense facing off against Loyalsock's explosive offense. That Spartan defense kept Hughesville in the game a year ago, but to pull the upset, the offense will have to find a way to generate more production.