RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montgomery's Josh Knoebel (9) runs the ball during a high school football game between Montgomery and Canton at Montgomery on Friday.

Previous result: Montgomery defeated Muncy, 27-7 in Week 6

Muncy PPG–23.8, PPA–17.6; YPG–273.2, YPA–232.3

Muncy notes: Muncy (5-5) gets a second shot at Montgomery after the Red Raiders won the Old Shoe Trophy five weeks ago. The defending district champions had dominated the series in recent years until that game, winning 20 of the previous 21 games. Montgomery, however, held Muncy scoreless in the second half and made three red zone stops, allowing no points on those possessions. The Indians have lost three straight games but have played better on the road, going 4-1 there. They nearly erased an 18-point deficit against Hughesville last Friday, scoring 15 straight points before falling, 24-21. Special teams miscues hurt in that loss, but Nate Rogers returned an interception for a touchdown and Andrew Walters found Carter Feigles for a 39-yard touchdown. Feigles returned a pick 76 yards for a score the previous week against Athens. Walters is second among area players in passing yards and has totaled 1,898 yards and 22 touchdowns in his first year starting. He threw for 215 yards and a touchdown in the first Montgomery game. Jaxson Thomas made 12 tackles against Hughesville, including four for loss. Nassir Miller was strong up front and made 10 tackles. The Indians sparked a four-game winning streak earlier this year when they made a goal line stand at Wellsboro after the Hornets had a first-and-goal at the 1-yard line in a 23-20 victory. Muncy has reached seven straight district championships, winning four and has played in eight of the last nine finals, winning five times.

Muncy Player to watch–Nixon Lamper: A three-year starter up front, Lamper has helped anchor both lines this season. An excellent blocker, Lamper also fuels the defense and had 10 tackles with three for loss against Hughesville. The junior averages 6.7 tackles per game, and has 13 for loss. He collected three sacks in the 2024 Old Shoe game at Montgomery.

Montgomery PPG–37.0, PPA–6.9; YPG–360.6, YPA–148

Montgomery notes: Montgomery (9-1) is in the playoffs for a second straight season and seeking its first postseason victory since the 2017 district semifinals. The Red Raiders have won nine games for the first time in the 2000s and lead the district in points and yards allowed. Just two teams have reached double digits against Montgomery which is 16-3 going back to Week 3 of last season. The Raiders captured the NTL-II championship, their first league title since 2001, and fought off a challenge from surging Cowanesque Valley a week ago, winning, 21-6. Montgomery has been especially tough to run on, holding opponents to 66 yards per game and limited Muncy to 25 the first time. Montgomery also had five sacks in that game. Safety Trace Furman has gone over 100 tackles for a second straight year and linebacker Cameron Woltz is on the verge of doing so despite missing the season opener with an injury. Lincoln Miller has five sacks, as well as 10 tackles for loss, and Logan Joy intercepted two passes against CV. Seth McClintock added another as the Raiders bottled up a team which had scored 158 points in its three previous games. The offensive line has surged throughout the season’s second half, helping Montgomery produce three runners who have more than 500 yards and two with more than 800. Josh Knoebel ran for 141 yards against CV and Furman added 75 with two scores. Montgomery has produced multiple 100-yard rushers three times this season.

Montgomery Player to watch–Briar Persing: The junior defensive end has given the defense an added weapon since starting his season at Muncy. There, Persing collected a sack and helped be a frequent disruptor. The Penn State-bound pitcher averages five tackles per game and also has caught two touchdowns from his cousin Parker Persing, while averaging 30.8 yards per catch.

Winner plays: at Line Mountain

Outlook: Four years ago, Muncy blew out Montgomery in the regular season but the Raiders were a failed 2-point try from winning the rematch in the semifinals. That does not mean history will repeat itself and tonight’s game will be another classic, but it does offer a lesson on how things can change. The roles have flipped from five weeks ago and Muncy is now the underdog, so this looks like a fascinating matchup which will be played in an electric atmosphere with a huge crowd expected.