MARK NANCE/ Sun-Gazette Correspondent Jersey Shore players run onto the field during last week’s game at Williamsport. The Bulldogs won to improve to 5-1 and host Hollidaysburg tonight.

Hollidaysburg PPG–36.5, PPA–14.3; YPG–368.3

Hollidaysburg notes: The Golden Tigers return a strong core from last year’s 5A state quarterfinalist which went 13-1. Hollidaysburg (6-0) is seeking a second straight undefeated regular season and is the state’s 10th-ranked 5A squad. The Tigers rallied from a fourth quarter deficit to edge Fort Hill, Maryland, 35-30 last week. The previous week, they routed Mifflinburg in a showdown of state-ranked, undefated teams, 49-14. Carter Muth ran for 168 yards and quarterback Cole Delattre 102 against Fort Hill. They have formed a strong duo all season, each having shots at 1,000-yard seasons and combining for 1,272 yards and 19 touchdowns. Delattre also is settling in as the team’s new quarterback, throwing for 597 yards and seven touchdowns. Ethan Coke and Kasen Metzger each have caught eight passes 309 yards and three touchdowns. Hollidaysburg features a strong defense and has collected 19 sacks. Joseph Richardson has a team-high seven and four other players have at least two. Vincent Albarano has three interceptions and had one in last year’s Jersey Shore game.

Hollidaysburg Player to watch–Josh Banks: Able to play safety or linebacker, Banks leads the team in tackles, averaging 7.8 per game and making 12 tackles for loss. He went over 100 tackles as a junior last season, intercepting three passes. He produced 14 tackles, two for loss, in the 27-25 win against Jersey Shore.

Jersey Shore PPG–46.0, PPA–25.3; YPG–486.8, YPA–294

Jersey Shore notes: This is a showdown of state-ranked teams for a second straight year with Jersey Shore No. 8 in the 4A. Jersey Shore was a yard from winning last year’s game before a last-second fumble helped Hollidaysburg seal it. The Bulldogs have scored 95 points over the last six quarters but the defense has struggled at stopping big plays. Jersey Shore has allowed six touchdowns of 37 yards or longer over the last two weeks, including five at Williamsport last Friday. On the positive side, Jersey Shore did mostly shut down a potent Shikellamy offense two weeks ago, outside of a 78-yard touchdown and sophomore Conner Yingling has sacks in five consecutive games. Fellow defensive end Luke Thompson has 11 tackles for loss and lineman Talyn Lope eight. Bo Sechrist averages 8.8 tackles per game and also leads the area in rushing yards with fellow linebacker/running back Kash Herritt eighth. Both have gone over 100 yards the last two weeks as a surging offensive line has continued jelling. Quarterback Nolen Pauling was the third 100-yard rusher against Williamsport and also became the area’s first 1,000-yard passer this season, doing so in his first year starting. Carson Watkins and Luke Ryan are both among the area’s top 10 in catches and Watkins has an area-high five interceptions. Carter Rhinehart and Connor Winters have emerged as big-play threats with Rhinehart catching two touchdowns at Shamokin and Winters two which totaled 82 yards at Williamsport.

Jersey Shore Player to watch–Kash Herritt: Zeke Sechrist put together a terrific offseason and was expected to start alongside his brother Bo in both the backfield and at linebacker. When Sechrist tore his ACL during the summer, it left a big void, but Herritt has stepped into both roles and done a marvelous job. In addition to producing three 100-yard games, Herritt also averages 8.7 tackles per game and has made seven tackles for loss, providing both speed and physicality.

Outlook: Last year’s game was decided by two points in the final seconds. It would not be shocking if tonight’s game follows a similar script in terms of keeping fans on the edges of their seats. Get the popcorn ready.