DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Hughesville’s Nick Stubbs runs against Montgomery during a game in Week 1.

Hughesville PPG–12.5, PPA–22.0; YPG–177.7, YPA–214.2

Hughesville notes: Despite last week’s loss against Mount Carmel, Hughesville (2-4) is right in the hunt for a fourth straight District 4 Class AA playoff berth. The Spartans are ninth in the standings and the top eight advance, so while they do not control their destiny, they can make a push with some wins down the stretch. Hughesville’s defense has been fantastic in two wins, not allowing a point and scoring three touchdowns. Josiah Abernatha and Carson Stackhouse returned interceptions for fourth quarter touchdowns two weeks ago in a comeback win at Midd-West. Stackhouse also had a Pick 6 in a 32-0 win at Towanda. The Spartans have allowed 14 or fewer points three times and Jerry Barton is tied for the area lead in sacks with five. Chase Fowler, Connor Anstadt, Maliki Emmil and Chase Shrawder all average more than seven tackles per game and Barton has 14 tackles for loss. Anstadt leads the team in receptions and also ripped off a 55-yard touchdown run against Mount Carmel after throwing a 40-yard touchdown pass against Loyalsock. The offense, however, has struggled, scoring just four touchdowns the last four games.

Hughesville Player to watch–Maliki Emmil: The junior linebacker is enjoying a strong breakout season and has a shot at a 100-tackle season. Emmil has two 12-tackle games and made 10 solo tackles against Lewisburg before adding three tackles for loss against Midd-West.

Bloomsburg PPG–35.5, PPA–17.8; YPG–420.2, YPA–204.8

Bloomsburg notes: The Panthers (5-1) can win a share of the HAC-III championship tonight if they win and Warrior Run defeats Loyalsock. Bloomsburg opened the season 4-0 and has scored at least 23 points in all six games. Quarterback Wyatt Brosious is having an all-state caliber season, throwing for a district-best 1,507 yards and three touchdowns. He is closing in on 6,000 career yards and also is an excellent runner, producing 194 yards and two touchdowns in a comeback win against Lewisburg. A year ago, Brosious threw for 308 yards and three touchdowns in a 39-7 win against Hughesville. Jack Katulis went over 100 yards in that game and is second among District 4 receivers with 36 catches for 522 yards. He is one of three receivers who has more than 300 yards this year. The defense also is strong and Shane Frey averages a team-high 9.5 tackles per game. Sophomore Zane Thomas is at 7.7 tackles per game and Bloomsburg has intercepted seven passes. The Panthers are fourth in the Class AA standings and will host a quarterfinal if they remain in the top four by Week 10.

Bloomsburg Player to watch–Jharee Moore-Stewart: A super sophomore, Moore-Stewart has scored touchdowns in all but one of his 17 high school games, doing so four ways. He has 29 touchdowns in those contests and turned two catches into 141 yards and two touchdowns a week ago at Midd-West. Moore-Stewart has nine career interceptions as well, returning three for touchdowns.

Outlook: Hughesville will have to play its best game of the season to have a shot at keeping this one close tonight. The Panthers are too explosive to hope for the defense to will the team to a win as was the case at Midd-West, so the offense has to find a way to sustain some drives.