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Wellsboro PPG--16.0, PPA--20.0; YPG--203.5, YPA--267
Wellsboro notes: Wellsboro (1-1) is coming off a big turnaround season in which it made a four-win improvement and reached the District 4 Class AA playoffs for the first time since 2021. The Hornets held off Cowanesque Valley, 26-13 a week ago with the defense limiting CV to 239 yards. Linebacker Reed Richardson led the way, making 11 tackles and Kody Enck forced a fumble. Enck intercepted six passes last year, returning two for touchdowns. Junior quarterback Griffin Morral is a versatile playmaker who has totaled 3,583 career yards with 44 touchdowns. He has thrown for 2,686 yards and is 103 from reaching 1,000 rushing. Richardson ran hard against CV, averaging 4.5 yards per carry and scoring a touchdown. Christian Main is enjoying a breakout season and caught six passes for 117 yards and a touchdown. Enck caught 22 passes for 420 yards and five touchdowns last fall. Wellsboro played Lakeland tough in its opener, a game not scheduled until a few days before the season started. There, the Hornets trailed 13-6 in the fourth quarter before Lakeland put it away late.
Wellsboro player to watch--Max Mascho: One of the area's top pitchers last spring, Mascho also makes his mark on the football field and does a bit of everything. The senior caught 20 passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns last year and also is one of the team's top returning tacklers. Mascho adds strength on special teams and has lined up at all three skill positions during his high school career.
Loyalsock PPG--34.0, PPA--21.0; YPG--399.5, YPA--317.5
Loyalsock notes: Loyalsock (1-1) dropped a last-minute 28-21 heartbreaker against Bloomsburg last week, but has shown plenty of promise these first two games. The Lancers took a big graduation hit, but a lot of younger players saw time last year when injuries decimated the roster. Players like CJ Taylor and Zion Cobb, to name a few, have taken big leaps forward, both catching six passes and touchdowns last week. Cobb also topped 100 yards. Ivan Baker was one of the area's top safeties last year and is making an offensive impact as well, scoring three touchdowns in both games while rushing for 170 yards at Central Columbia. Cayden Sones also ran well there, going for 93 yards and a touchdown. Freshman quarterback Dyson Dupont has shined in his first two starts and is second among area players in passer rating. He completed 19 of 30 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns to three receivers against Bloomsburg. Dupont also ran for 62 yards and two scores in his debut at Central. Linebacker Matthew Rickard has given the defense a boost, making 20 tackles and adding an interception a week ago. Two-way lineman Connor Tallman is strong on both sides and has three tackles for loss, while Tommy Pham has made 12 tackles.
Loyalsock player to watch--Cooper Cowden: Another of Loyalsock's exciting young players, Cowden is having a strong sophomore season and leads the team with four tackles for loss. Cowden produced three of those against Bloomsburg and finished with nine tackles. The first-time starter also made seven solo stops in that game.
Outlook: This is an intriguing game between 2025 Class AA playoff qualifiers. Wellsboro features some exciting playmakers, but it feels like Loyalsock's depth wins out there and it pulls away later in the contest.