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Sayre PPG--2, PPA--55; YPG--106, YPA--475
Sayre notes: Four years ago, Sayre, coming off a five-win season; Class AA playoff berth, opted to play just JV football despite having numbers similar to several Class A schools who would be their opponents. The program has yet to recover, winning two games the past three seasons. The numbers and experience are up from last season, but Sayre still was outmatched a week ago against Towanda. The good news for the Redskins is that it features an experienced backfield with Hudson Malanoski and Riley Johnson forming a quality tandem. Quarterback Declan Berry also has experience and scored a touchdown in last year's 47-6 loss against South. The defense produced Sayre's lone points on a safety, but also allowed 475 yards, including 373 on the ground.
Sayre player to watch--Tyrese Hayes: The junior wide receiver could be the spark the passing game is looking for this season. It's a small sample size but he caught a 25-yard pass against Towanda. Generating a few more catches like that could help Hayes and Sayre loosen up defenses geared to slow the run.
South PPG--48, PPA--0; YPG--397, YPA--(-54)
South notes: Yes, that yards per game average is correct. Granted, some of it was the result of bad shot gun snaps, but South smothered North Penn-Mansfield a week ago, allowing just one first down. And that came on a penalty. Coming off an impressive season, Dominik Goode seemed eager to build upon it, collecting two sacks, while standout two-way lineman Kamdyn Bubb added another. That offensive line paved the way for 35 first-half points and 318 yards. Running backs Eli White and Cade Lusk both went over 100 yards and Cole Gerber and Garrett Lorson each threw touchdowns. Lorson also caught a score as did Caleb Johnson. Gerber set a program record for completions and yards last season and connected with five different receivers in Blossburg. That included Levi Butler who broke the South single-season catch record (63) last fall. South is tied with Loyalsock for the area's active district playoff streak (14) and has won six of its last seven regular season games going back to last year. Goode intercepted two passes in last year's Sayre win and Samir Moy and Taylor Naugle each had one.
South player to watch--Caleb Johnson: A three-year starter in the secondary, Johnson brings the most experience to an exciting unit which features four returning starters. Johnson has three interceptions the past two seasons, one an end zone pick, and he provides depth at receiver, catching a Lorson touchdown last week.
Outlook: Barring self-inflicted mistakes and lack of focus, South should roll here, building momentum for next Saturday's showdown at Montgomery.