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Canton PPG--22.8, PPA--15.8; YPG--274.5, YPA--156.8
Canton notes: Canton (3-1) is second among area teams in yards allowed and South is first. The Warriors (3-1) have exceeded last year's win total already after winning their two previous games. With all seven District 4 Class A teams playoff eligible, the Warriors also are playoff-bound for the eighth time in nine seasons. They enter tonight in fifth and need to enter the top four to host a quarterfinal. Canton is playing its first road game and has dominated defensively the last two weeks, allowing just six points and 169 yards. After allowing 73 yards on Wellsboro's opening drive last Saturday, Canton limited the Hornets to minus-7 in a 14-6 win. Marcus Solomon, Brayden Dodge, Bailey Gardner and Brooks Wesneski all had sacks, while Owen Moore picked off a pass. Canton has surrendered just 15 points in its three victories and erased a nine-point fourth quarter deficit in a season-opening win against Cowanesque Valley. Moore has settled in well a year after starting at quarterback as a freshman. He threw for 210 yards against Wellsboro, making fabulous throws on a 44-yard, fourth down touchdown pass to Gardner and a third-and-long 44-yard dart to Rylan Wesneski which all but sealed victory. Wesneski caught seven passes for 121 yards and has 200 yards over the last two weeks. Gardner is ranked among the area's top 10 in both rushing yards and receptions, totaling 122 yards against Wellsboro.
Canton player to watch--Marcus Solomon: The senior linebacker leads the team in tackles and is second among area players with four sacks. He was in on eight tackles against Wellsboro and also is part of an offensive line which helped Canton gain nearly 300 yards.
South PPG--29.0, PPA--7.3; YPG--319.8, YPA--127.8
South notes: Despite allowing just 29 points the past two games, South (2-2) has lost both. The Mounties have moved the ball well in each game but went 1 for 6 in red zone opportunities over the last six quarters. South could be without quarterback Cole Gerber who was injured in the first half against Athens. If he does not play, Garrett Lorson will do so after throwing for 86 yards last week. He, Eli White and Cade Lusk all have more than 100 yards and multiple touchdowns this season. White and Lusk also have 100-yard games and are fifth and 10th, respectively, among area rushers. Levi Butler caught four passes last week and is one of only two South receivers in the 2000s to reach 70 career catches. Samir Moy has emerged as a dangerous receiver after excelling in the secondary as a freshman last year. He continues doing so there and both he and Lorson intercepted passes against Athens. South held Athens to its lowest point total in a regular season game over the last two seasons and also did not surrender a second-half point in Week 3 at Montgomery. Linebacker Colton Paulhamus leads the team in tackles and both he and Dominick Barclay have three tackles for loss. South produced shutouts in its first two wins and is second among District 4 teams in points allowed. It is fifth in the District 4 Class AA standings and the top four host quarterfinals.
South player to watch--Taylor Naugle: Like Moy, Naugle made an immediate impact in the secondary during his freshman year. Naugle has picked up where he left off and is tied with Paulhamus for the team tackle lead. He also has recovered a fumble. A year ago, Naugle intercepted a team-best five passes.
Outlook: Canton and South have formed a nice rivalry over the years, squaring off in districts four times. Momentum has swung back and forth but South regained it with a 31-14 win last year. Canton has improved a lot since then, so this could be one of the area's better games tonight.