Bloomsburg at Warrior Run

The third area game this weekend featuring undefeated teams, Warrior Run and Bloomsburg collide with the winner taking a big step forward in the HAC-III title race. Warrior Run is trying to start 4-0 for a second straight year and rallied a four-point fourth quarter deficit to defeat Bloomsburg, 38-24. This game also could go a long way in the race for a home playoff game in a crowded Class AA field.

Warrior Run broke out offensively in last week’s 48-20 win at Midd-West as James Keifer threw three touchdowns, Cohen Zechman caught eight passes and Denyn Beachel ran for a career-high 127 yards with two touchdowns. The starting defense has allowed just two touchdowns this season and lineman Jackson Albright had two sacks.

Tyler Ulrich had three sacks in the opener against Muncy and returned an interception for a touchdown at Midd-West. Zechman returned the year’s opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown against Muncy and also has returned a fumble for a score. Chase Wirnsberger leads the team in tackles, averaging nine per game.

Bloomsburg features an explosive offense which has scored at least 30 points in all three games. Wyatt Brosious is coming off a 2,000-yard passing season and shredded Bloomsburg’s first two opponents through the air before running for 194 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s comeback win against Lewisburg. Jack Katulis has topped 100 receiving yards in all three games and sophomore Jharee Moore-Stewart has scored touchdowns six different ways in his high school career, scoring in each of his first 14 games. That includes returning an interception for a touchdown at Danville.

Muncy at Northwest

Muncy (2-1) is growing up fast, winning its last two games and overpowering a quality Cowanesque Valley opponent on the road, 48-6. The defense is allowing fewer than 200 yards per game and highlighted a hard-fought win at Wellsboro with a goal line stand after the Hornets had a first-and-goal at the 1 with a chance to take the lead.

Linebacker Jaxson Thomas led the way at CV, making 12 tackles, including 11 solos. Wes Somits added 10 tackles as both reached career-highs. Bryson Barrows made two big tackles for loss on the goal-line stand, Drew Ryder has emerged as a threat and Nixon Lamper is a standout on both lines.

Quarterback Andrew Walters is settling in while starting for the first time and has topped 200 total yards in consecutive games, while totaling five touchdowns. Nate Rogers has four touchdown catches the past two weeks and Layken Harris and Somits combined for 103 yards and two touchdowns at CV.

Northwest (0-3) is trying to beat Muncy for the first time since joining the NTL-II. The Rangers are a young team and sophomore Shane Hempel has run for 159 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries. Junior Ben Bonham averages 10 tackles per game and sophomore Mason Bilby has two interceptions.

North Penn-Mansfield at Canton

North Penn-Mansfield (3-0) is off to its best start since 2016 and will be trying to win its first game against Canton since 2018 when the NTL rivals meet tomorrow at Miller A. Moyer Stadium. The Panthers already have matched last year’s win total and are second in the District 4 Class AA standings. They won a thriller against Towanda, 24-17, last week, scoring the game-winning touchdown with 23 second remaining.

North Penn-Mansfield has not allowed more than 17 points in a game and allows 198 yards per game. Luke Kreger has three interceptions and Patrick Youmans made 13 tackles against Towanda. Kreger and Jeremiah Lawrence form a strong backfield duo and both have multiple 90-yard rushing games, Kreger going over 100 yards twice. Sudan Benner added 42 yards last week and Kreger and Lawrence have combined for seven touchdowns the past two games.

Canton (1-2) is hoping to snap a two-game losing streak after playing undefeated Athens a week ago. The Warriors have struggled to get their running game going following an impressive showing in the opener against Northwest. Quarterback Owen Moore, however, threw for 103 yards and two touchdowns against Athens. Monte Whitehead caught both touchdowns and had a career-high 72 yards.

Bailey Gardner ran for 154 yards in the opener against Northwest and Jake Pepper had three sacks that night. Blane Wesneski made nine tackles against Athens and Aaden Dowling added an interception.

Towanda at Wellsboro

Wellsboro (1-2) used strong defense to win its first game last Saturday at Wyalusing, winning 14-6 while not allowing a second-half point. Marek Mascho intercepted his third pass in two weeks and the Hornets forced four turnovers while losing none themselves. The Hornets have a +7 turnover ratio the last two weeks, dropping a 23-20 heartbreaker against Muncy in Week 2.

Quarterback Griffn Morral has accounted for all five Wellsboro touchdowns the last two weeks and the sophomore is proving as effective with his legs as with his arm. Kody Enck and Mascho have caught touchdowns the past two games and Dylan Copp hauled in a 36-yard pass against Wyalusing. Hayden Stevens, Levi Champaign and Joran Hines all average more than five tackles per game.

Towanda (0-3) did not score a point the first two games but looked like a different team against North Penn-Mansfield a week ago. Dual-threat quarterback Rylee Sluyter returned from an injury and ran for a career-high 136 yards in a 24-17 loss. The Knights rallied from eight down in the second half to tie the game late as Jazick Brown added 54 yards and a touchdown on eight carries. Three players added sacks for a young team which graduated a strong group from last year’s nine-win team which reached the District 4 Class AA semifinals.

Coudersport at Bucktail

Bucktail (1-2) is trying to earn its first win on the field in two years after getting a forfeit victory against Renaissance Academy two weeks ago. The Bucks returned to the field at Moniteau and struggled to get the offense going, generating just 97 yards. Still, there is reason for optimism with a quality young core in place and seniors like Evan Ransom helping set the tone.

Freshman quarterback Corbin Pentz has thrown for 144 yards in his first two high school games and sophomore Teagan Stone is averaging 22.4 yards per touch. The defense hung in well with Moniteau, allowing just 213 yards. Four turnovers were the biggest problem.

Coudersport (0-3) also was shutout by Moniteau and scored its first points last week in a 48-22 loss against Otto-Eldred. Quarterback Colemen Freeman threw for 152 yards and two touchdowns, while Preston Ayers ran for 97 yards and a score. This will be the first of two games between Bucktail and Coudersport this season. The Falcons won last year’s game, 42-20.

Sayre at Cowanesque Valley

CV (1-2) started the season strong, overpowering Towanda, 38-0 but has struggled over the last six quarters after building a 14-7 halftime lead at Wyalusing. Still, the Indians have a good core back from last year’s team and have the potential to heat up as the season progresses. It did so a year ago, starting with a 50-21 win at Sayre.

The Indians scored 44 second half points in the game and Dave Hess totaled 324 yards and four touchdowns. Hess and Kegan Lane both went over 100 rushing yards against Towanda. Levi Stahli has made a smooth transition from tight end to quarterback and Cam Stahli caught five passes for 71 yards against Muncy.

Sayre (0-3) is one of the district’s youngest teams and has been hit hard by injuries early this season. The Redskins have been shutout in their last two games and were limited to 57 yards at Montgomery a week ago.

Selinsgrove at

Central Mountain

Central Mountain and Selinsgrove are hoping for a breakthrough tonight, both entering winless. The Wildcats have yet to score, but put together their best offensive performance against Williamsport a week ago, as Dalton McDermott ran for 94 yards on 24 carries.

Kyle Everett made some good, quick throws and was on point most of the game, completing 10 of 18 passes. Ricky Rohrbach, Mason Masorti and Mario Serafini all caught three passes. The defense has struggled with allowing big plays and three Millionaire touchdowns came on plays of 22 yards or longer.

Linebacker Kole Corman is having another big season and is averaging 17 tackles per game, making at least 12 in all three games. McDermott adds 10.3 tackles per game and Keron Yerger broke up a potential touchdown pass at Williamsport.

Selinsgrove (0-3) is off to its worst start since 2011, but also has played two teams ranked among the state’s Top 10 in 4A. The Seals also have struggled offensively, scoring 13 points but running back Brett Rice ran for 105 yards and a touchdown in the season opener at Juniata. Quarterback Rocco Amato threw for 124 yards in that game and Andrew Gesumaria ran for a 23-yard touchdown a week ago against Jersey Shore. Wyatt Teats leads the team in both catches and tackles.

By CHRIS MASSE