MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Jersey Shore's Bo Sechrist (5) dives for the goal line in the third quarter.

Jersey Shore (8-3) is playing in its eighth straight championship and trying to win its first title since 2022. This is a rematch of last year’s final which Shamokin won, 28-27 in overtime.

The Bulldogs and Indians met in Week 4 this year in which Shamokin left Thompson Street Stadium with an exciting 43-42 triple-overtime victory.

These rivals have played three times in the last two seasons with Shamokin winning each time by a combined four points, including twice in overtime. The Bulldogs have held either fourth quarter or overtime leads each time and were up, 21-7 at halftime in Week 4.

Whoever wins the district title faces either Juniata or Bellefonte next week, who play tonight for the District 6 championship.

The Bulldogs navigated a daunting schedule and appear to be surging at the right time, battering nine-win Athens, 73-14 in the semifinals. Jersey Shore has started strong in each of its last two games, scoring 106 points in the first halves and at least 50 each time. Bo Sechrist ran for a program-record six touchdowns against Athens and his 286 yards were the second-highest total by a Bulldog in the 2000s. Nolen Pauling and Kash Herritt also ran for scores and Pauling threw for 197 yards and two touchdowns.

Luke Ryan and Carter Rhinehart caught those scores, Rhinehart going 64 yards on his. The defense also stifled a unit which entered the game scoring more points than any District 4 team other than Troy. Carson Watkins intercepted two passes, giving him a district-best nine. His nine picks also are the most by a Bulldog player in the 2000s.

Talyn Lope and Luke Thompson have been tough up front throughout the season and especially the last two weeks, combining for 6 ½ sacks. Jersey Shore has won a playoff game in all but one season since 2013, reaching 12 out of 13 finals during that time.

Brayden Swales plays a vital role up front on both lines and has been key to Jersey Shore’s explosive play the past two weeks. The offensive line has helped Jersey Shore lead the area in points and yards per game, while Swales has made 12 tackles in his last two games. He had a season-high eight tackles against Central Mountain and three solos a week ago.

Shamokin (11-0) capped an undefeated regular season for a second straight year with a dramatic, last-second 26-21 win against Mount Carmel before scoring the first 37 points in last week’s 37-7 semifinal win against Shikellamy. Jersey Shore and Mount Carmel pushed Shamokin to the brink but the defending champions overcame 14-point deficits both times, beating Jersey Shore on the final play and Mount Carmel in the closing seconds after recovering an onside kick, trailing, 21-20. In the other nine games, the Indians blew out their opponents.

Noah Ringes has emerged as a weapon on both sides of the ball during the season’s second half. The running back/linebacker did not play against Jersey Shore the first time but ran for 141 yards and two touchdowns on just three carries against Shikellamy, while adding 2 ½ sacks. Quarterback Logan Steele is one of the district’s premier athletes and has given Jersey Shore fits the last three games, especially with his ability to extend plays. He ran for 107 yards and three touchdowns against Jersey Shore in Week 4, while Zakem Clinton ran for 152 yards and two scores. Clinton has gone over 1,000 yards for a second straight year and blocked for Steele on the game-winning 2-point conversion the first time these teams played.

Jayce Ginck was a 1,000-yard rusher last year and ran for 115 yards earlier this season against Williamsport. Steele is an outstanding defensive back, returning three of his six interceptions for touchdowns, Clinton has five sacks and Ryan Bickert returned a kickoff 93 yards for a score against Jersey Shore.

Another defensive playmaker, Colin Steinhart has intercepted five passes, returning one for a touchdown. He is a jack of all trades, leading the team in receiving, catching a touchdown last week, and making 55 of his 59 kicks, including three field goals.

Since that dramatic Week 4 contest ended between Shore and Shamokin, it felt like all roads led to these teams meeting up again for the district championship. Both teams are not just good, but tough, so it would not be shocking if the script stays the same and these two wow the fans again, delivering another thriller.