Jalil Coates of Loyalsock looks for running room against Warrior Run at Loyalsock High School. Warrior Run won, 47-42. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Loyalsock PPG–26.1, PPA–26.4; YPG–320.1, YPA–299.6

Loyalsock notes: Loyalsock (5-3) opened its season with two tough games and will close the regular season with two as well, facing Shamokin and Montoursville teams that are a combined 14-2. The Lancers (5-3) are closing in on a 14th straight playoff berth and are fifth in the District 4 Class AA standings. The top eight teams advance. Loyalsock has made massive strides since its 0-2 start and is a play or two from having six straight wins. The Lancers erased an early 12-point deficit at Danville and scored the next 34 points as Jalil Coates ran for 205 yards in a 34-20 win. Coates did not move to the backfield until Week 3 but has topped 100 yards in six straight games and went over 1,000 yards. Danny Dowell went over 1,000 yards passing last week as well and also intercepted three passes. Dowell is third among area players in passer rating and has totaled 17 touchdowns. Nahmir Thomas is having a strong year at wide receiver, catching four touchdowns the last three weeks and the offensive line has done an excellent job the past six weeks. The defensive line was equally strong at Danville, helping Loyalsock allow just 19 rushing yards. Jeremiah Johnson has 12 tackles and six sacks, while Ivan Baker averages 9.1 tackles per game. Loyalsock is the only team to defeat Bloomsburg, doing so, 32-23 on the road.

Loyalsock Player to watch–Noah Soha: The junior defensive end is one of several Lancers who has made a big impact during his first year starting. Soha is among the team’s leading tacklers and played a big role in the success against Danville. He also has made at least six tackles in five of his last six games.

Shamokin PPG–43.8, PPA–13.8; YPG–368.1, YPA–178.9

Shamokin notes: Shamokin (8-0) is ranked No. 2 in the latest 4A state rankings and has won 18 straight regular-season games. The defending district champions have overpowered four straight opponents since rallying from a 14-point second half deficit to edge Jersey Shore, 42-41 in double overtime. Shamokin has mercy-ruled six of its eight opponents and blanked Lewisburg, 38-0 a week ago, allowing 64 yards. Logan Steele has returned two of his four interceptions for touchdowns and Colin Steinhart also has a pick 6, while Zakem Clinton returned a fumble for a score at Lewisburg. Steele is one of the district’s top dual threat quarterbacks, averaging 9.8 yards per carry and rushing for 15 touchdowns. Clinton is 91 yards from his second straight 1,000-yard campaign and Jayce Ginck, who topped 1,000 yards last fall, ran for 115 yards two weeks ago at Williamsport. Ginck also is dangerous coming out of the backfield and Steinhart has caught 20 passes while producing 46 kicking points. Ryan Bickert sparked the Jersey Shore comeback, returning the second half kickoff for a touchdown.

Shamokin Player to watch–Izak Glover: The 400-pound two-way lineman earned all-state honors last year and has quick feet for a big man. He has been at the heart of dominant line play on both sides the past two seasons and will play at Bloomsburg next fall. When Shamokin needs yards in the crunch, look for it to run behind Glover.

Outlook: Loyalsock will have to play its best game of the year by far to have any reasonable shot here. A year ago, playing Shamokin in Week 9 seemed to help the Lancers prepare for the Bridge Game, so that might be the most reasonable expectation here.