South Williamsport at Troy preview
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South PPG--17.0, PPA--15.0; YPG--239.5, YPA--234.5
South notes: South and Troy long scrimmaged each other during the preseason and have helped each team prepare well for their seasons. Coaches Chris Eiswerth and Jim Smith both teach at Troy and have built excellent programs in similar fashions. The Mounties are a new-look team this season after the bulk of the players who helped it reach the Class A state semifinals graduated. Still, there is a lot of reason for excitement going forward since so many freshmen and sophomores are starting. Some of the best South teams from the past 12 years have followed a similar blueprint, progressing during each season and then into the following years. South had its chances against Canton last Saturday but struggled to finish drives. Still, the defense played well and surrendered just seven first downs and 124 rushing yards. Linemen Paxton Gephart and Ben Ferris both had strong games and Gephart also is one of the area’s premier offensive linemen. Dylan Scheller earned all-state honors at defensive back last season and made some spectacular catches against Canton despite double coverage. Quarterback Tadd Lusk has thrown 20 touchdowns since becoming the team’s starter halfway through last season and running back Jayden Hamm ran for 91 yards in his first varsity start against Athens. Caleb Johnson caught a 14-yard pass to help ignite a drive last week and also intercepted a pass.
South player to watch--Cadden Smith: A two-way linemen, Smith also has provided a big boost on special teams. Smith has blocked two kicks and made one of the game’s biggest plays against Athens, blocking a last-second field goal in the second quarter. Lusk scooped it up and returned it for a game-altering touchdowns.
Troy PPG--46.0, PPA--7.5; YPG--384, YPA--192
Troy notes: The state’s No. 1-ranked Class AA team, Troy returns the bulk of its starters from a 12-1 team which gave seven-time defending champion Southern Columbia one of its toughest playoff games. The Trojans have won 12 straight regular season games and extended that streak with an impressive 8-3 victory last Saturday against Dover, Delaware’s fifth-ranked team. Troy was long a run-first team which overwhelmed opponents up front. And while the Trojans remain strong on the ground, they also have some big-play passing to keep defenses guessing. Quarterback Evan Woodward threw for 1,433 yards and 22 touchdowns a year ago. He then opened this season with 203 yards and three touchdowns against Sayre. Lincoln Chimics is averaging a whopping 46.3 yards per catch and dual threat Brenden Gilliland averaged more than 11 yards per touch a year ago. The defense has allowed just one touchdown in two games and Eason Teribury and Reed Palmer have combined for five sacks.
Troy player to watch--Mason Smith: The senior is a three-way threat who does damage as a runner and receiver offensively. He ran for 73 yards and a touchdown against Dover, is a dangerous receiver out of the backfield and excels on both defense and special teams. Smith returned two punts for touchdowns a year ago and added a pick 6 in the opener against Sayre.
Outlook: This will be a tough one for South, but it also is the type of game which can make it better as it goes forward because Troy will be the best team it faces during the regular season.