Lewisburg at Loyalsock preview
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Lewisburg PPG--22.2, PPA--31.0; YPG--284.2, YPA--362
Lewisburg notes: Senior quarterback Xavier Carter returned from injury last week and Lewisburg (2-3) looked like a different team, scoring 29 unanswered points in a 43-14 win at Warrior Run. Carter totaled 335 yards and four touchdowns, throwing three to three different receivers. Carter and injured quarterback Jett Jamieson have combined for 813 yards and nine touchdowns. Freshman Ethan Coleman is coming on strong and ran for 134 yards and two touchdowns in that win. Jaylen Walker and Drake Osunde caught touchdowns and both are among the area's top 10 in catches and yards. Osunde hauled in six catches for 136 yards and Walker tied Matt Fedorjaka for second on the program's career catch list at 98. He also has a record 25 touchdowns. Walker has been equally impressive defensively, intercepting four passes, including three the past two games. Linebacker/running back Owen Fellon has made an impact on both sides of the ball, too. He leads the team in tackles and ran for 52 yards at Warrior Run. Lewisburg and Loyalsock played a thriller last year with the Lancers scoring in the fourth quarter and winning, 14-7.
Lewisburg player to watch--Todd Dershem: The junior safety has settled in well as a first-time starter and is second on the team in tackles. Dershem is averaging six per game, adding an interception, forced fumble and fumble recovery. He provides receiving depth as well and caught a 25-yard touchdown last week.
Loyalsock PPG--34.4, PPA--19.8; YPG--374.2, YPA--305.8
Loyalsock notes: Loyalsock (3-2) lost a last-minute heartbreaker at Mifflinburg last Friday, but has provided excitement for this year and the future with many starters being underclassmen. That includes quarterback Dyson Dupont who topped 100 passing and rushing yards at Mifflinburg. The freshman leads the area in passer rating and is second among District 4 quarterbacks with 13 touchdowns, also running for 227 yards. Ivan Baker and Cayden Sones also have gone over 200 yards this season. Loyalsock features a deep receiving core with Zion Cobb, CJ Taylor and Carter Brown all having between 12-14 catches. Cobb has two 100-yard games and Taylor caught two touchdowns at Midd-West two weeks ago. The defense has forced seven turnovers the past two games, intercepting four passes. Cooper Cowden and Matthew Rickard intercepted passes at Mifflinburg. Cowden, a sophomore, has a team-best seven tackles for loss and junior John Day four. Day had two sacks in a Week 3 win against Wellsboro and Jordan Walker another last week. Loyalsock is sixth in the District 4 Class AAA standings. With eight teams advancing it is in strong position to stay tied with South Williamsport for the area's current active playoff streak, both currently at 14 years.
Loyalsock player to watch--Matthew Rickard: The junior linebacker is having a big breakout season, leading the team with 10 tackles per game. Of his 50 tackles, Rickard has produced 36 solos. He played a great game at Mifflinburg, making 16 tackles and intercepting his second pass. Rickard also caught four passes for 32 yards and a touchdown.
Outlook: These teams look pretty evenly-matched. It feels a lot like this game could mirror last year in terms of closeness, but likely with more points scored.