RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Hughesville’s Chase Shrawder (24) puts pressure on Bloomsburg quarterback Wyatt Brosious during last week’s game. Shrawder and the Spartans’ defense will look to disrupt Warrior Run quarterback James Keifer tonight.

Warrior Run PPG–35.3, PPA–17.7; YPG–344.4, YPA–248.6

Warrior Run notes: Despite last week’s gut-wrenching one-point loss against Loyalsock, Warrior Run (5-2) maintained its hold on second place in the District 4 Class AA standings. The Defenders are trying to secure a first round home playoff game and also are a victory from clinching consecutive non-losing seasons for the first time since 2005-06.

The defense showed a lot of bright spots in last week’s 24-23 loss. After the Lancers scored on consecutive first half possessions, Warrior Run forced six straight three-and-outs and allowed minus-11 yards on 12 second-half plays before Loyalsock’s game-winning drive. Linebacker Eli Butler is having a big season and made three more tackles for loss, giving him 15 this season. Defensive ends Stone Allison and Isaiah Betz have more sacks than any other area players over the past two seasons and Denyn Beach has seven tackles for loss in his first season starting. Cameron Milheim has returned two interceptions for touchdowns. Linebacker Colby LeBarron also is having a strong season and made 11 tackles against Loyalsock. Butler has run wild the past two weeks, gaining 481 yards and rushing for seven touchdowns. He also has returned an interception and kickoff for scores. Quarterback James Keifer leads the area in passer rating and Sam Hall became just the second player in area history to reach 150 career catches last week.

Warrior Run player to watch–Kaleb Nicholas: A vital contributor along both lines, Nicholas has helped Warrior Run field an offense and defense that both are ranked among the area’s best. He was especially strong last week, helping the defensive line take over the game at times, while making a season-high six tackles.

Hughesville PPG–23.4, PPA–23.3; YPG–293, YPA–297.1

Hughesville notes: Hughesville (3-4) is hoping to snap a two-game losing streak and boost its District 4 Class AA playoff hopes. The Spartans are on the outside looking in right now, sitting at No. 9 with eight teams advancing. They could greatly alter that picture, though, if they win tonight. Hughesville also is trying to record its first winning season since 2015. The defense has struggled in consecutive games but showed its potential in all three wins, with the starters allowing just seven points in those contests. Linebackers Brenden Fisher and Chase Fowler each average more than 10 tackles per game and fellow linebacker Luke Stutzman has more than 300 career tackles. Conor Knight has four interceptions this season and an area-high 10 over the past two years. He also became Hughesville’s all-time leading receiver last week and leads District 4 with 53 catches. Quarterback Blake Davis is tied with Jersey Shore’s Elijah Jordan for the area touchdown pass lead (18) and Carson Stackhouse has emerged as another playmaker in the receiving group. Stutzman leads the team in rushing and also has caught two touchdowns. Hughesville and Warrior Run played a thriller last year in Turbotville with a late Spartan comeback falling short in a 14-7 finish.

Hughesville player to watch–Jerry Barton: The sophomore two-way lineman is developing into a player who is good now and could be one of the area’s premier players the next two years. Barton collected sacks in three straight games at one point and made nine tackles in a 42-6 win against current No. 4 seed Towanda. Barton also is second to pancake block leading JD Lunger (9) and has seven in his first season starting.

Outlook: Hughesville is a better team than it showed against Bloomsburg last week and both squads are coming off disappointing losses. That adds fuel to what already looked like a good game on paper. Like last year, it feels like this one could be decided late.