Jalil Coates of Loyalsock celebrates a touchdown against Warrior Run at Loyalsock High School. Warrior Run won, 47-42. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Previous result: Loyalsock defeated Bloomsburg, 32-23 in Week 5

Loyalsock PPG–23.0, PPA–30.5; YPG–284.7, YPA–325.4

Loyalsock notes: Loyalsock highlighted a four-game winning streak earlier this year with its exciting win at Bloomsburg which included a goal-line stand. The Lancers, however, have been ravaged by injuries all season, especially since that game. Still, Loyalsock thumped Class AAA playoff qualifier Danville in Week 8 and is in the playoffs for a 14th straight season. The Lancers’ five losses also are to teams who have eight or more wins, so they are quite battle-tested. Loyalsock also held a fourth quarter lead against No. 2 Warrior Run. Jalil Coates moved from wide receiver to running back in Week 3 and finished fifth among area rushers in the regular season with 1,137 yards, going over 100 yards six times. He ran for 131 yards and a touchdown against Bloomsburg last month. Quarterback Danny Dowell has thrown for 1,183 yards and 15 touchdowns, throwing touchdowns in eight straight games. Nahmir Thomas has caught touchdowns in five straight games and has four scores of more than 40 yards during that time, including a 45-yard strike against Montoursville last week. Safety Ivan Baker has had a big year in his first season starting, going over 100 tackles. Linebacker Josh Meacham has stepped up with the rash of injuries on defense and had multiple tackles for loss a week ago. Loyalsock went to consecutive district finals in 2022-23.

Loyalsock Player to watch–Danny Dowell: In addition to his passing success, Dowell is a mobile threat who ran for 153 yards and three touchdowns at Bloomsburg in September. He also is excelling in the secondary and had two interceptions in that game. He picked off three more passes three weeks ago at Danville.

Bloomsburg PPG–32.6, PPA–18.9; YPG–380.3, YPA–198.3

Bloomsburg notes: Bloomsburg (8-2) won its next three games following the Loyalsock defeat before losing to top-seeded Southern Columbia. The Panthers also handed Warrior Run its own loss, rallying from 14 points down for a Week 4 victory. Quarterback Wyatt Brosious has gone over 2,000 yards for a second straight year and has more than 6.000 yards in his high school career. He also is the team’s leading rusher and ran for 194 yards in a Week 3 comeback win against Lewisburg. Jack Katulis is one of the district’s leaders in catches with 57, while Jharee Moore-Stewart and Krue Wheadon also have had excellent seasons. Moore-Stewart caught two scores in last week’s win against Central Columbia and the sophomore has scored 33 touchdowns four ways in his first 22 high school games. Shane Frey averages 7.5 tackles per game and set the tone against Central, returning an early interception for a touchdown. All three phases played well in that victory with Julius Serrano adding a 91-yard kickoff return for a score. Katulis and Hunter Collett have combined for seven sacks. Bloomsburg has made a three-win improvement this year after going 5-6 last fall.

Bloomsburg Player to watch–Zane Thomas: The sophomore linebacker has started since Day 1 a year ago and was a force against Central, producing 20 tackles. Thomas has 167 tackles nearly halfway through his scholastic career and is averaging 8.3 per game this season.

Winner plays: Cowanesque Valley or Southern Columbia

Outlook: Loyalsock has lost some standout players since the first time these teams played. Still, the Lancers have some explosive weapons and play hard. Bloomsburg enters as the favorite here, but don’t expect Loyalsock to back down.

By CHRIS MASS