Sayre PPG–15.8, PPA–49.5; YPG–195, YPA–463.7

Sayre notes: Sayre (1-5) snapped a five-game losing streak a week ago, playing its best defensive game and downing Northwest, 21-12. Karter Green blocked a potential game-tying field goal and Edwin Rivera returned it for a touchdown to help seal the win.

Green is a dual threat quarterback who had his best rushing performance, producing 130 yards and two touchdowns. The running game struggled throughout the first five weeks, so it was a breakout performance for both the line and backs. Nick Pellicano is a big-play threat anytime he touches the football. He has returned three kickoffs for touchdowns, including against the state’s top-ranked Class AA team, Troy. Pellicano averages 25 yards per catch and caught five passes for 149 yards and three touchdowns three weeks ago against Cowanesque Valley. Sayre led that game 14-6 at halftime and 21-20 in the third quarter before CV scored the final 30 points. The Redskins also are one of only two teams who has held a lead against Troy, going ahead 6-0 and 12-7 in the first quarter.

Sayre player to watch–Karter Green: Strong on both sides of the ball, Green has had some big passing performances, including throwing for a career-high 221 yards and three touchdowns against CV. Green also totaled three touchdowns and threw for 147 yards against Muncy.

South PPG–17.7, PPA–22.2; YPG–251.8, YPA–282.8

South notes: South (3-3) has put itself back in position to extend its district playoff streak to 13 following gutsy road wins against Wyalusing and Cowanesque Valley by six combined points. The Mounties are seventh in the District 4 Class AA standings and the top eight teams advance. South held off a Wyalusing comeback two weeks ago before rallying from a 10-point fourth quarter deficit to edge CV, 23-19. The offensive line has improved and helped the running game come alive the past two weeks. Freshmen Cade Lusk and Eli White have each gone over 75 yards in consecutive games with Lusk running for 145 against Wyalusing. He and older brother Tadd, South’s quarterback, combined for all three scores against CV and White ran for 76 yards on 12 carries. Tadd has run for a team-high six touchdowns. Wide receiver Dylan Scheller became the program’s top receiver of the 2000s in that CV game, catching five passes for 91 yards. Scheller has 71 career catches for 1,250 yards which also is a program-best this century. Scheller also was part of an opportunistic defense which helped keep it in last week’s game. He, Tadd Lusk and Jayden Hamm all intercepted passes. Freshman lineman Kasim Davenport leads the team in tackles and fellow lineman Paxton Gephart has four tackles for loss.

South player to watch–Max Wilton: Wilton returning from injury against Wyalusing helped spark the running game’s resurgence. The senior lineman meshed well upon his return and provides strength and experience up front.

Outlook: Sayre has shown some firepower at times this season. South is the favorite in this one, but Sayre could be dangerous if South has trouble against its big-play weapons.