Canton at Muncy preview
Trending
Canton PPG--18.5, PPA--21.0; YPG--240.8, YPA--172.7
Canton notes: Canton (4-2) has doubled last year’s win total and is third in the District 4 Class A standings. All seven teams are eligible for the quarterfinals, so tonight’s game is a big one for seeding purposes with Muncy currently at No. 5. The Warriors are third among area teams in yards allowed and the defense has surrendered just 22 points in four wins. Canton limited Sayre to 124 yards and overcame a deficit for a third time this season. Aaden Dowling and Leland Tubach each intercepted passes in that win, while Marcus Solomon (12) and Bailey Gardner (9) combined for 21 tackles. Quarterback Owen Moore is fifth among area passers with 833 yards and totaled 209 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s win. He has found five receivers for touchdowns and Rylan Wesneski generated nine catches for 200 yards and two touchdowns in consecutive wins against Wyalusing and Wellsboro. Gardner is dangerous as both a runner and receiver, topping 1,000 career yards rushing and catching 14 passes, including three touchdowns this year. Monte Whitehead caught an 80-yard touchdown in the season opener against Cowanesque Valley, sparking a big second-half comeback as Canton turned a nine-point deficit into a 22-9 win.
Canton player to watch--Aaden Dowling: A jack of all trades, Dowling did a bit of everything in last week’s win. He ran for a touchdown, caught another and intercepted a pass. Dowling highlights the versatility which has defined Canton’s successful program over the years and averaged nearly 10 yards per touch against Sayre.
Muncy PPG--27.7, PPA--13.5; YPG--298, YPA--226.7
Muncy notes: Muncy (3-3) is hoping to snap a two-game losing streak after losing to rivals Montgomery and South Williamsport. The Indians also have a chance to boost their playoff seeding if they play well down the stretch. While loaded with exciting underclassmen, the seniors have come up big thus far. Nate Rogers intercepted two passes against South Williamsport and has four this season, while placing second among area receivers with 26 catches. Defensive lineman Nixon Lamper averages 8.2 tackles per game; linebacker Jaxson Thomas 7.2 and Drew Ryder has four tackles for loss. Quarterbacks Noah Weikle and Noah Walters have gone over 1,000 combined passing yards and five players have caught touchdowns. The defense allowed just 23 points the first four weeks and freshman linebacker Finn Thomas has exploded onto the scene, making 15 tackles against South and averaging a team-high 11.2 per game. Eight players have combined for 13 interceptions and Chase Boozer and Cullen Reed have two each. With everyone eligible for the postseason, Muncy is assured of its 11th straight playoff berth. The Indians have played in eight district finals during that time, winning five championships.
Muncy player to watch--Kynton Fish: The junior safety has come back strong after missing two games, making 22 tackles, including 15 solos the past two weeks. Fish has made 11 or more tackles in every game he’s played this year and also has an interception and fumble recovery. A tight end, Fish hauled in a 50-yard touchdown at Wyalusing.
Outlook: This has been a fantastic district rivalry over the years with Muncy and Canton butting heads six times since 2018. Both are teams with strong, youthful foundations as well, so this could be the first chapter in a re-installment of that rivalry.