Warrior Run at Bloomsburg preview
Trending
Warrior Run PPG--32.7, PPA--11.0; YPG--399,YPA--235.7
Warrior Run notes: Warrior Run (3-0) is trying to avenge its lone regular season loss from last year. The Defenders have won nine straight regular season games since Bloomsburg defeated it, 42-28 in Week 4 last fall. Those two teams and Loyalsock then shared the HAC-III championship. Bloomsburg is atop the District 4 Class AA standings and Warrior Run is third with defending state champion Southern Columbia in between. The Defender starting defense has allowed just two touchdowns this season and limited Midd-West to seven rushing yards in last week's victory. Linebacker Chase Wirnsberger has made 16 solo tackles thus far and Rutgers-bound Jackson Albright has 3 ½ sacks, along with six tackles for loss. Bryson Weigel has two interceptions Emiliano Torres 10 solo stops. Quarterback Logan Stevenson threw for 246 yards and a touchdown against Midd-West, while Denyn Beachel tied a program record with five rushing touchdowns, gaining 113 yards. Weigel caught five passes for 123 yards and a touchdown and Liam Moore is tied for third among area receivers with 14 catches. Moore also has an interception. Warrior Run has lost nine turnovers through three games, but the defense did not allow a point on any of the five lost in the opener at Muncy.
Warrior Run player to watch--Devante Mitchell: The senior defensive back is finding his stride, forcing two fumbles and making 14 solo tackles, while breaking up two passes. Mitchell also has four catches and is becoming a special teams weapon. The junior broke loose for a 45-yard punt return at Muncy and is averaging 25 yards per kick return.
Bloomsburg PPG--31.7, PPA--16.0; YPG--384,YPA--246.7
Bloomsburg notes: Bloomsburg (3-0) has an opportunity to put a firm grip on the HAC-III race with a win tonight, opening its season with three quality wins, including at Loyalsock. The Panthers also won at Milton and scored the final 31 points against defending District 4 Class AAA champion Mifflinburg, turning a seven-point second quarter deficit into a 38-14 win last week. Like Warrior Run, Bloomsburg reached the district semifinals a year ago and has done a nice job replacing some outstanding graduates. Quarterback Shane Frey has been a terrific dual-threat leader, totaling 640 yards and 11 touchdowns. He threw for 192 yards and three touchdowns against Mifflinburg and has run for at least 57 yards in all three games. Jharee Moore-Stewart is one of the district's most versatile weapons, scoring touchdowns six ways during his first three years. He is one of four Panthers to go over 100 yards rushing thus far and also has 13 catches for 120 yards. Julius Serrano had a big game against Mifflinburg, catching six passes for 107 yards and two scores. Like Moore-Stewart, he can do damage in several ways, rushing for 64 yards and a touchdown on eight carries at Milton. Frey averages a team-best eight tackles per game and also has a team-high 5 1/2 tackles for loss, helping Bloomsburg hold Mifflinburg scoreless over the final three quarters a week ago.
Bloomsburg player to watch--Zane Thomas: The junior linebacker helps ignite the Panther defense and is coming off a 102-tackle season. Thomas is averaging seven tackles per game this year and has three for loss. He also gives the offensive line a lift and has helped Bloomsburg score at least 28 points in all three games.
Outlook: Jersey Shore-Shamokin has gained statewide attention, but this game also is one of the most marquee in District 4 tonight. There's a long way to go, but the winner of this could have a shot at earning the top seed for districts this season. Between that, the league ramifications and the competitiveness of the series over the last few years, this should be a dandy.