PIAA Class A playoffs: Muncy vs. Lackawanna Trail at Scranton
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Muncy road to states: In District 4, beat Canton, 56-14 and Line Mountain, 42-6
Muncy PPG--47.8, PPA--16.3; YPG--408.7, YPA--236.8
Muncy notes: Muncy (10-2) captured its fifth district championship since 2016 but first since 2020 last Friday, thumping a team which had lost three games by eight combined points. Muncy is trying to win its first state playoff game since 2019. Ironically, it was Lackawanna Trail which ended that team's historic run when it defeated Muncy in the state quarterfinals. The Indians became the first Muncy team since 1986 to win league and district titles in the same season and have won either a league and/or district crown in nine straight seasons. Linemen Ken Hampe, Nick Delany,Tyler Humphrey, Nixon Lamper, Evan Trostle and tight end Cam Kamerer controlled the line against Line Mountain, paving the way for 442 yards, including 390 on the ground. Austin Johnson became the program's first 2,000-yard rusher, running for 228 yards, while Landyn Wommer went over 1,100 yards and scored a touchdown for a fifth different way when he returned an interception. Quarterback Stiles Eyer has been efficient throughout the season and also has intercepted six passes, returning two for touchdowns. He, Wommer and Carter Feigles all intercepted passes against Line Mountain. Dominic Guardini broke up multiple passes as well. Lamper produced another sack and generated 3 ½ in an Old Shoe win against Montgomery earlier this season. Muncy has reached 10 wins for a fourth straight season and has imposed the mercy rule in all 10 wins.
Muncy player to watch--Nassir Miller: The sophomore lineman was a big key to Muncys' success against Line Mountain. Miller has battled injuries throughout his high school career, but looks like a potential future star and was frequently harassing the passer while helping stuff the run last week. He will again play a key role against a Lackawanna Trail team which loves asserting itself up front.
Trail road to states: In District 2-11, defeated Pottsville Nativity, 47-20 and Tri-Valley, 42-0
Trail PPG--38.4, PPA--11.7; YPG--324.2
Trail notes: Lackawanna Trail (11-1) won its third straight district championship and is 24-2 over the past two seasons, losing to eventual state champion Steelton-Highspire in last year's quarterfinals. The Lions are a physical team which has brilliantly run the Wing-T for years and has done so again this season. Isaac Ryon has run for 1,415 yards and 22 touchdowns this season while averaging 10.7 yards per carry. He has topped 100 yards eight times and scored in eight straight games. Demetrius Douglas complements Ryon, running for 762 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging 8.7 yards per carry. He has more than 1,500 yards over the past two seasons as well. Logan Edwards and quarterback Tyler Jervis have combined for 655 yards and eight touchdowns. Jervis has not thrown often (45 passes) but has been quite effective when doing so, averaging 24.8 yards per completion, while throwing nine touchdowns with no interceptions. Max Kimmel has caught 12 passes for 302 yards and five touchdowns and Douglas has three catches for 149 yards with two touchdowns. Lackawanna Trail has won nine straight games and has not allowed more than 20 points in any of them. It allowed just 136 yards against Tri-Valley. Ryon and Douglas provide the special teams a boost and both are quality returners, each returning a kickoff for scores. Ryon also was 6 of 6 on extra point tries last week.
Trail player to watch--Max Kimmel: In addition to showing big-play offensive ability, Kimmel is one of the state's top cornerbacks and earned all-state honors last season. The senior likely will again, intercepting nine more passes this year and returning two for touchdowns. Kimmel has 22 interceptions during his high school career.
Winner plays: Belmont Charter or Delone Catholic
Outlook: This is strength vs. strength with both teams featuring powerful running games, strong lines and good defenses. The trenches, obviously, are the main thing to watch here but look for a big play in the passing game or a turnover here or there to make a difference as well in a mirror image type game.