MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport Levi Butler (11) runs a sweep around Wyalusing's Reuben Kinney (12) in the first quarter.

Previous result: South defeated Warrior Run, 55-22 in Week 4 of 2017

South PPG–33.2, PPA–20.2; YPG–353.6, YPA–232.8

South notes: South (6-4) is competing in districts for a 14th straight season and surged into the postseason following a 62-0 win against Northwest. Quarterback Cole Gerber tied an area record with six touchdown passes there, also breaking program records for single-season yards and completions. Levi Butler caught a program record 13 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns and has a South record 63 catches in his debut season. Caleb Johnson caught two touchdowns against Northwest and averages nearly 20 yards per catch. The Mounties also run the ball well and sophomore Cade Lusk (1,153 yards) finished the regular season fourth among area rushers. Eli White and Garrett Lorson also have had strong seasons and White ran for 129 yards and two touchdowns against Northwest. All three running backs have gone over 400 yards despite White missing nearly half the season with an injury. Freshman safety Taylor Naugle intercepted his fifth pass last week and is part of an opportunistic defense which has forced 26 turnovers. Fellow freshman Samir Moy excelled in a comeback win at Muncy and clinched the victory with a last-second, end zone interception. Sophomore Kasim Davenport has a team-high four sacks and has seven tackles for loss, while Dominick Goode has six. Moy and Ethan Gardner have blocked kicks.

South Player to watch–Colton Paulhamus: The sophomore linebacker is one of many underclassmen who has made big impacts this season. Paulhamus is among the team’s leading tacklers and also has three tackles for loss. He is part of a linebacking core that is all underclassmen, signaling that the team is built for both the present and future.

Warrior Run PPG–38.1, PPA–16.5; YPG–358.8, YPA–229.3

Warrior Run notes: Warrior Run (9-1) is having its best season during the 2000s and is making its fourth consecutive playoff appearance. It is hoping to keep climbing that playoff ladder after reaching the quarterfinals, semifinals and championship the three previous years. The Defenders have won six straight games and avenged a 2024 loss against Milton, winning, 31-10 a week ago. Warrior Run’s offensive line is big, strong and physical and twice has helped Denyn Beachel and Tyler Ulrich go over 140 yards rushing in a game, including last week. Ulrich ran for a career-high 191 yards and three touchdowns, while Beachel added 146 yards. Beachel finished third among area rushers with 1,166 yards and has gone over 100 in eight straight games. Warrior Run also can air it out and quarterback James Keifer won the area passer rating title, throwing an area-high 17 touchdowns with just two interceptions. Cohen Zechman leads the area in yards and touchdowns and is second in catches, topping 100 yards in four straight games at one point. He also returned his third punt for a score last week and opened the season with a 90-yard kickoff return touchdown at Muncy. The defense held Milton to 164 yards and the defense has allowed just one touchdown the last three weeks. Jackson Albright is an imposing two-way lineman and made a tackle at the goal line to preserve a 29-24 win at Lewisburg.

Warrior Run Player to watch–Kaleb Nicholas: The senior lineman has been at the heart of Warrior Run’s resurgence these last four years. He 6-foot-2, 315-pound lineman is having another strong year and has been vital to the Defenders featuring one of the area’s more explosive and balanced offenses.

Winner plays: Wellsboro or Troy

Outlook: These teams are similar in that both are capable of winning through the air or via pounding it on the ground. There is a significant experience gap, however, and Warrior Run could present problems up front. South will have to be at its best to have a shot at an upset.