Chase Wright of Loyalsock watches as Michael Reeder of Montoursville pulls in a reception at Montoursville High School. Loyalsock won the “Battle of the Bridge” 21-7. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Montoursville PPG–26.1, PPA–18.9; YPG–330.7, YPA–251.1

Montoursville notes: Montoursville (6-5) and Danville are meeting in districts for the fifth time since 2016 with the previous four encounters being in the championship. Montoursville won the first two before Danville started its streak of four straight championships with wins in 2020 and 21. The Warriors gave Danville a battle in Week 2, leading throughout the first half and trailing 23-20 early in the fourth quarter before the Ironmen pulled away. Montoursville produced a gutsy quarterfinal win last Saturday, rallying from 14 down and edging Mifflinburg, 28-27. The Warriors turned the game around with a thrilling goal line stand, turning around and then going 98 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. Freshman quarterback Elijah Eck came up big after Montoursville fell behind, throwing for 175 yards and two touchdowns. Fellow freshman Jay Houseknecht also burst onto the scene, going for three catches, 74 yards and a game-tying touchdown after not catching a pass during the regular season. Christian Banks also ran for a score and went over 1,200 yards this season, while sophomore Hayden Harvey is over 500 yards. Owen Kleinman continues playing well at linebacker and is three tackles from 100, while Banks has a team-high 19 tackles for loss. Two-way lineman Nicco Desanto is part of a reliable unit on both sides and scored a touchdown off a blocked punt against Mifflinburg. Kingston Fisher and Noah Rakestraw both added sacks. Those two have combined for 20 tackles for loss. Montoursville has doubled its win total from last season and won its first playoff game since 2021.

Montoursville player to watch–Todd Crawford: The senior wide receiver delivered a big-time clutch performance against Mifflinburg, producing five catches for 87 yards and a touchdown. Crawford’s 46-yard touchdown grab ignited the comeback and he made a sensational catch for 10 yards, while on his knees near the sideline to fuel the 98-yard scoring drive. Crawford then came up huge again, when he jumped and made a super catch on an onside kick attempt to clinch the win.

Danville PPG–41.3, PPA–9.9; YPG–432.7, YPA–214

Danville notes: Danville (10-0) has been the state’s top-ranked Class AAA team most of the season and has lost just one regular season game the past two seasons. Quarterback Madden Patrick needs four touchdown passes to tie Logan Leiby for the District 4 career record of 95 and has been intercepted just once in 213 attempts, although it was Montoursville’s Carlos Tira who had that interception in Week 3. Patrick threw for 306 yards in that win and Cole Duffy erupted for eight catches, 222 yards and two touchdowns. Danville also has an all-state running back in Bo Sheptock who already has set the program record for career rushing touchdowns, totaling 49 in two years after transferring from Berwick. Sheptock ran for 173 yards and three touchdowns against Montoursville and also is an excellent receiver out of the backfield. Danville also features a stout defense and linebacker Cameron Kiersch averages 11.6 tackles per game. He also has 425 career tackles, going over 100 in each of the past two seasons. Fellow linebacker Landon Kehoe has surged down the stretch and is nearing 100 tackles. He also ripped off a 99-yard touchdown run in the regular season finale against Selinsgrove. Danville earned the top seed for a fourth straight season and a first-round bye as a result. The Ironmen have won 10 straight district playoff games with their last loss coming at Central Columbia in the 2019 quarterfinals.

Danville player to watch–Chase Miller: An excellent tackle on an offensive line which paves the way for Danville’s explosive unit, Miller also shines at defensive end. Despite missing two games, the senior has 4 ½ sacks and has been especially strong late this season. Miller has topped 10 tackles in three straight games, collecting six tackles for loss in those contests.

Winner plays: Either No. 2 Lewisburg or No. 3 Mount Carmel

Outlook: Montoursville showed it can hang with Danville in Week 3 and that should give it confidence. All the pressure is on Danville here, but the Warriors have to play their best game this season to have amy shot at the upset.