Loyalsock at Warrior Run preview
Trending
Loyalsock PPG--35.7, PPA--26.7; YPG--381.8, YPA--337.3
Loyalsock notes: Both Loyalsock (3-3) and Warrior Run (3-3) have been hit especially hard by injuries the last few weeks and the Lancers have lost consecutive games. Still, Loyalsock has continued displaying impressive offensive firepower, scoring 69 points in those defeats. Cayden Sones had a big game a week ago against Lewisburg, running for 118 yards and a touchdown, while returning a kickoff 95 yards for another score. Freshman quarterback Dyson Dupont is second among area players with 16 touchdown passes and threw three against Lewisburg. Fellow freshman Jackson Keefer also is having an outstanding debut season and caught two of those touchdowns. He is fourth on the team in tackles as well. Carter Brown, Zion Cobb and CJ Taylor all have caught three or more touchdowns. Matthew Rickard is having a breakout year at linebacker, producing 9.5 tackles per game and intercepting his second pass last week. Cobb has three interceptions and Wyatt Emerick made a season-high 11 tackles against Lewisburg, including six solos. Loyalsock and Warrior Run have played thrillers the past two regular seasons, the road team winning each time. Loyalsock won 24-23 two years ago; Warrior Run 47-42 last season and the winner has overcome a fourth quarter deficit both times.
Loyalsock player to watch--Cooper Cowden: A sophomore linebacker, Cowden has made a big impact in his first year starting. Cowden averages 7.2 tackles per game and has made 31 solo stops. He also has a team-high seven tackles for loss, an interception and a fumble recovery.
Warrior Run PPG--22.2, PPA--26.8; YPG--331.7, YPA--354
Warrior Run notes: Warrior Run relates well to what Loyalsock has gone through, being ravaged by injuries since the Week 4 game against Bloomsburg. The Defenders have lost three straight, but still are fifth in the District 4 Class AA standings and the top four host quarterfinals. Despite the injuries, the offense remains dangerous. Five quarterbacks have thrown for 1,159 yards and both Liam Moore and Bryson Weigel are having strong receiving seasons, combining for 40 catches. Weigel and Emiliano Torres ran for touchdowns two weeks ago against Lewisburg. That game was tied 14-14 at halftime before Lewisburg took control in the second half. Jackson Bowers threw for 156 yards in that game and Torres found Moore for a touchdown last week at Mifflinburg. Rutgers-bound Jackson Albright anchors both lines and leads the team with 3 ½ sacks, as well as 11 tackles for loss. David Stiner had a sack at Mifflinburg and has six tackles for loss. Carter and Cayden Robinson are strong up front on both lines and have produced four tackles for loss. Weigel has two interceptions and Devante Mitchell another; also producing four catches for 98 yards against Lewisburg.
Warrior Run layer to watch--Chase Wirnsberger: A year after leading the team in tackles per game, Wirsnberger is playing well again. The junior covers the field well and has 28 solo stops. He also has a unique knack for finding the football and has recovered four fumbles.
Outlook: The injuries have taken some luster from what this game was looking like a few weeks ago, but this is still an appealing matchup between perennial playoff contenders. The last two have been thrillers and this one could potentially follow that script.