Warrior Run take the first before the start of their game against Loyalsock at Loyalsock High School. Warrior Run won, 47-42. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Hughesville PPG–10.7, PPA–23.9; YPG–164.7, YPA–244.4

Hughesville notes: Hughesville (2-5) hung in defensively for a half at Bloomsburg a week ago, but has been unable to get its offense going, failing to score a touchdown in three of its last four games. Chase Shrawder had a strong game, producing 14 tackles against Bloomsburg, while Connor Anstadt had nine and Chase Fowler eight. Those three and Maliki Emmil all have more than 50 tackles this season. Jerry Barton is second among area players with five sacks and has 14 over the past two seasons. Carson Stackhouse has returned two interceptions for touchdowns this year and Josiah Abernatha had a fourth quarter pick 6 to spark a comeback win at Midd-West. The Spartans have played better on the road, winning both their games there and not allowing an offensive point in both victories. Hughesville is trying to reach the playoffs for a fourth straight year but has work to do. The top eight teams advance and Hughesville enters tonight 11th. A year ago, the Spartans were 3-4 going into the Warrior Run game and won that in a double overtime thriller, sparking a three-game winning streak which gave them their first winning season since 2015.

Hughesville player to watch–Jakob Charles: The senior defensive end is having a strong season and has 14 tackles for loss in six games. Charles was at his best against Midd-West and Mount Carmel, generating 10 tackles for loss in those games. He also averages five tackles per game and has two pancake blocks on the offensive line.

Warrior Run PPG–36.0, PPA–21.1; YPG–339.9, YPA–267

Warrior Run notes: Warrior Run (6-1) can win a share of its first league championship since 2005 if it defeats the Spartans tonight. The Defenders need a victory to tie Loyalsock and Bloomsburg for the HAC-III crown. Warrior Run gave itself this opportunity with a thrilling 47-42 win at Loyalsock a week ago. The offensive line dominated, paving the way for 367 rushing yards and Warrior Run rallied from a seven-point fourth quarter deficit to snap Loyalsock’s four-game winning streak. Denyn Beachel (175 yards) and Tyler Ulrich (144 yards) both went over 100 yards by the five-minute mark of the third quarter and combined for five touchdowns. James Keifer threw two long touchdowns to Cohen Zechman who also set up the go-ahead score with an interception. Keifer is tied with Lewisburg’s Xavier Carter for the area passer rating lead and has nearly 3,000 yards passing in his two years starting. Two-way lineman Jackson Albright has a team-high four sacks and eight tackles for loss and stopped Carter at the goal line in the final seconds, preserving a 29-24 win against Lewisburg two weeks ago. Ulrich, Beachel and David Stiner all have five or more tackles for loss. Warrior Run has clinched winning seasons in consecutive years for the first time since doing it three years straight from 2004-06.

Warrior Run player to watch–Carter Robinson: He and Cayden Robinson have been big reasons for Warrior Run’s success up front. Robinson, a sophomore, joined with his fellow lineman to own the line of scrimmage at Loyalsock and help Warrior Run average more than seven yards per carry. His emergence is especially exciting for the Defenders since he is one of four underclassmen starting up front.

Outlook: Warrior Run must guard against a letdown here. Hughesville’s defense is good enough to keep it in the game, but the question is whether its offense can find a way to put some points on the board and keep the Spartans within striking distance.