DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Loyalsock teammates celebrate with Nahmir Thomas (10) after a touchdown during last week’s game against Warrior Run. The Lancers (4-3) head to Danville (2-5) in Week 8 tonight.

Loyalsock PPG–25.0, PPA–27.3; YPG–318.4, YPA–298.4

Loyalsock notes: Loyalsock (4-3) won a share of the HAC-III championship, its first league title since 2015 when it defeated Lewisburg, 14-7 two weeks ago. Now, the Lancers turn their attention toward preparing for the postseason, entering tonight fifth in the 3A standings. Loyalsock has made 13 straight playoff appearances and the top eight advance, with the top four securing first round home games. Loyalsock has played close games the last two weeks of vastly different styles, winning a defensive battle against Lewisburg before dropping a back-and-forth offensive slugfest, 47-42 against Warrior Run. Jalil Coates ran for 168 yards and three touchdowns, going over 100 yards for the fifth straight time since moving from wide receiver to running back in Week 3. Danny Dowell threw for 227 yards and three touchdowns and Nahmir Thomas caught four passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns. The offensive line has surged over the last five weeks and Loyalsock scored touchdowns on five straight possessions at one point against Warrior Run. The Lancers are the only team to beat Bloomsburg this season, doing 32-23 on the road. Loyalsock and Danville have had quite a rivalry the last 14 seasons, playing in three district championships and facing off seven times in the postseason. Loyalsock is trying to beat the Ironmen for the first time since 2021.

Loyalsock player to watch–Jeremiah Johnson: The senior defensive lineman is having another big season, leading the area with six sacks and adding 12 tackles for loss. He also blocked a punt against Warrior Run. Johnson averages nearly seven tackles per game and has 220 career tackles, 49 for loss.

Danville PPG–21.4, PPA–33.0; YPG–248.7, YPA–344.6

Danville notes: Because only four Class AAA teams qualify for districts this season, Danville (2-5) is fighting for a playoff berth. The five-time defending champions are fifth in the standings, trailing Lewisburg for the fourth seed. It looks like that final spot could be a three-way battle with those two and Milton. Danville played without starting quarterback Carter Raup who was out with a concussion in last week’s loss at Mount Carmel. The senior was a standout receiver the last three years and helped jump start the offense after moving to quarterback in Week 2. If Raup does not play tonight, Danville likely would go with sophomore Ben Koser who threw for 209 yards and a touchdown in his first varsity start a week ago. Landon Kehoe is a versatile weapon who gave Montoursville fits in Week 3, rushing for 72 yards on nine carries and catching seven passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns. Braxtyn Girardi is second on the team in tackles and is a special teams weapon who returned a kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown against Southern Columbia. Danville played Montoursville tough in Week 4 and also held a 14-0 first-half lead against Mifflinburg the week prior.

Danville player to watch–Aiden George: The junior defensive end has played well in his first season starting, producing six tackles for loss. He is third on the team in tackles and had three tackles for loss in a 28-17 comeback win against Milton.

Outlook: Danville is quite a battle-tested team, so its record is somewhat deceiving. These two have a long history of playing competitive games and tonight feels like one which could add to the story.