DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Eli Butler of Warrior Run runs for extra yards after intercepting a pass against Muncy during a game this season. The Defenders are 5-3 and host Mifflinburg (4-4) in Week 9.

Mifflinburg PPG–29.0, PPA–36.1; YPG–359, YPA–383.8

Mifflinburg notes: Mifflinburg (4-4) was trading haymakers with Milton last week before quarterback Chad Martin was injured. Despite missing two games, Martin already had thrown for 1,349 yards and 14 touchdowns. Cole Reibsome has played well, though, in three starts and was outstanding in a comeback win against Central Mountain, throwing for 400 yards and four touchdowns. Reibsome needs 99 yards to reach 1,000 as Mifflinburg has utilized an Air Raid style offense throughout the season. Last year’s quarterback Troy Dressler has become one of the district’s best receivers and is second in catches with 46. He caught six passes for 179 yards and four touchdowns in a 42-12 win against Shikellamy two weeks ago. Tight end Kyler Troup has received Division I interest at that position and defensive end. He had a huge game against Milton, catching 10 passes for 160 yards and a touchdowns. Sean Grodotzke is a versatile threat who ripped off a 97-yard touchdown run against Shikellamy and who also has caught 32 passes. Mifflinburg is third in the Class AAA playoff standings a year after reaching the semifinals and the top four will receive home quarterfinals.

Mifflinburg player to watch–Landen Murray: An explosive special teams weapon, Murray has returned both a punt and kickoff for touchdowns, the most recent a 93-yard kickoff return against Milton. Murray also provides depth at wide receiver and has intercepted a pass.

Warrior Run PPG–32.5, PPA–17.8; YPG–346.9, YPA–263.1

Warrior Run notes: Warrior Run (5-3) has won five straight games for the first time since 2005 and has moved to fifth in the Class AAA standings. If the Defenders can win tonight, they would not only move past Mifflinburg in the standings, but also clinch just their second winning season since 2006. Warrior Run will play Milton next week with a chance to win a share of the HAC-III championship. The Defenders made a three-win improvement last year and a two-game improvement thus far. Now they are trying to avenge two losses against Mifflinburg from last year, including in the district quarterfinals. Quarterback Ryan Newton has thrown 11 touchdowns in the last three games and Sam Hall and Carter Marr form one of the area’s premier receiving tandems. Stone Allison and Colby LeBarron also have run the ball well and Allison gained 73 yards, scoring a touchdown, on just four carries in last week’s win against Montgomery. LeBarron ran for a career-high 152 yards and two touchdowns against Northwest. Warrior Run’s defense has shown dramatic improvement this season and has not let a team reach double figures during its winning streak. Allison has five sacks over the past three games and Peyton Snyder produced a sack, while recovering a fumble for a touchdown two weeks ago against Midd-West. Defensive end Isaiah Betz has four sacks and 10 tackles for loss, while Marr leads the area with six interceptions.

Warrior Run player to watch–Connor Parker: The senior two-way lineman has been a big part of Warrior Run’s success on sides of the ball. Parker has helped the defense surge and has four sacks over the last four games. He also has five tackles for loss during this breakout season.

Outlook: These two teams play a similar style of football and that makes this game especially intriguing. Add in the playoff ramifications and this is one of the night’s big games. These opponents are more evenly matched than a year ago and the Defenders have a shot at making a statement against a team which eliminated it last year.