Montoursville at Mount Carmel preview
Trending
Montoursville PPG--33.3, PPA--15.8; YPG--317.8, YPA--194.8
Montoursville notes: Montoursville (3-1) is seeking its first win against Mount Carmel since 2016 and some redemption after being mercy ruled in last week's 35-7 loss against Mifflinburg. The Warriors dropped to second in the District 4 Class AAA standings but tonight is a new opportunity against a perennial title contender. Turnovers were the biggest issue last week as Montoursville lost four in the first half and Mifflinburg cashed in on nearly all of them. The defense was stout against the run the first three weeks but struggled at times against Mifflinburg. Still, the Warriors are third among area teams in yards allowed and the starters did not surrender a touchdown until Week 3. Defensive end Kingston Fisher averages a team-high 6.5 tackles per game and has three tackles for loss. Fellow defensive end Noah Rakestraw has four tackles for loss and Branson Fogleman had two sacks against Danville, including a safety. Christian Banks and Hayden Harvey are both among the area's top 10 rushing leaders and Harvey has scored in all four games. Banks is the area's current active leader in career yards and ran for 76 in last year's Mount Carmel game. Quarterback Elijah Eck threw for 229 yards and a touchdown against Milton and Brayden Burkett has three touchdown catches to go along with a kick return score.
Montoursville Player to watch--Jacob Schon: The sophomore linebacker is making strides each week and had a career-high six tackles, including one for loss, against Mifflinburg. Mount Carmel features a dangerous offense, so Schon will play a key role in how tonight's game transpires.
Mount Carmel PPG--26.0, PPA--39.8; YPG--287.8, YPA--395.8
Mount Carmel notes: The Tornadoes are 1-3 for the first time since 2016, but that record is more a reflection on the strength of schedule. Mount Carmel's three losses are to three state-ranked teams and it pounded Central Columbia, 48-0 in Week 2. Mount Carmel has moved the ball well but the defense has struggled in the three losses, allowing 53 points and 493 yards per game. The Tornadoes were down five at halftime at Southern Columbia a week ago before the Tigers pulled away and scored 28 straight second-half points. Max Karycki made a team-high 13 tackles and Josh Blessing added 11 in his first start. Mount Carmel's top four tacklers are all underclassmen. Junior Jaylen Delaney torched Montoursville last year, catching eight passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-17 win. Delaney has primarily been a running back this season but caught four passes for 108 yards and a score at Southern. Gavin Marshalek threw for 215 yards in last year's win and made a run at 2,000 yards. He is ninth in program history with 2,907 career yards. Mount Carmel scored 20 points against Mifflinburg without an offensive touchdown. Michael Kismal returned a kickoff 86 for a touchdown, Delaney a punt 53 yards for a score and Michael Higgins an interception for a touchdown.
Mount Carmel Player to watch--Michael Higgins: Speaking of Higgins, the freshman has made a big impact in his freshman season. He is a consistent big play threat and ripped off an 88-yard touchdown run against Central. He added 74 yards against North Schuylkill and averages 6.3 tackles per game.
Outlook: This game might be played with a sense of desperation as both teams want to show they are better than they played last week. Big plays have been the difference the last few times these teams have met, but here's thinking a turnover and/or special teams play could swing things this time.