MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Jersey Shore's Ryan Luke (7) runs the ball against Williamsport in the second quarter.

Jersey Shore PPG–40.9, PPA–28.0; YPG–425.4, YPA–306.5

Jersey Shore notes: Jersey Shore is hoping to avenge a loss against Scranton Prep from a year ago and strengthen its hold on the No. 2 seed in District 4 Class AAAA. The Bulldogs are trying to hold off Athens (7-1) an earn a home semifinal. Jersey Shore broke out offensively following a Week 7 defeat and downed Penn Wood, 44-20 a week ago as Nolen Pauling threw for 196 yards and four touchdowns. Pauling leads the area in passing yards and is tied with three others for first with 13 touchdown passes. Bo Sechrist is third among area rushers and has is 19 yards from reaching 1,000. Kash Herritt went over 500 yards in his first six games but was unable to play the past two weeks, although he returned at linebacker against Penn Wood and played well there. Luke Ryan is third among area receivers in catches and Carson Watkins caught three touchdowns last week. He also continues to make plays in the secondary, intercepting two more passes against Penn Wood and upping his district-high total to seven. Big plays have haunted Jersey Shore defense the last few weeks with teams scoring most of their touchdowns on plays of 30+ yards. Still, the unit also has looked outstanding at times, including in Week 5 against Shikellamy when it shut down a potent offense. Sechrist has gone over 300 career tackles, while forcing four fumbles and sophomore Conner Yingling has six sacks. Luke Thompson is strong off the edge, adding three sacks.

Jersey Shore Player to watch–Talyn Lope: The senior two-way lineman has been one of the team’s more valuable players. His strong blocking has helped the offense lead the area in both yards and points per game and he also provides strength on the interior defensive line, producing five sacks and 12 tackles for loss.

Scranton Prep PPG–28.6, PPA–21.9

Scranton Prep notes: The Cavaliers (4-4) have come back strong after starting 0-3, winning four of their last five games with the lone defeat a 17-15 loss against Abington Heights two weeks ago. Two of the team’s losses are out of state and, in similar fashion to Jersey Shore, Scranton Prep won a shootout against Delaware Valley, 49-44. The Cavaliers blanked Mid-Valley, 35-0 last week, as quarterback Will McPartland totaled 183 yards and three touchdowns. McPartland was a running back on last year’s District 2 champion and has run for 502 yards and 10 touchdowns, while throwing for 737 yards and seven scores. He also has been intercepted just three times. Anthony Prince has run for 406 yards and Braedon McPartland 329. Scranton Prep spreads the ball around in the passing game with four players having between 10-13 catches. Since the high-scoring game against Delaware Valley, Scranton Prep has allowed just 31 points, shutting out two opponents.

Scranton Prep Player to watch–Braedon McPartland: In addition to his running prowess, McPartland also is the team’s leading receiver. He’s caught 12 passes for 258 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 21.5 yards per catch.

Outlook: Both teams are battle-tested and tradition-laden. Everything points to this one coming down to the final minutes again as it did last year.