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Midd-West PPG--23.8, PPA--32.2; YPG--256.8, YPA--372
Midd-West notes: Midd-West (1-4) has dropped three straight since blasting CMVT in Week 2. The Mustangs have displayed more firepower than a year ago and quarterback Witten Carter threw for 448 yards and five touchdowns there and the following week against Warrior Run. D'Angelo Drumheller caught 10 passes for 119 yards against Bloomsburg and Mason Fultz had four receptions for 127 yards and two touchdowns against CMVT. Noah Kratzer has rushed for touchdowns in consecutive games and ran for 120 yards in the CMVT victory. Five different receivers have caught touchdowns and Midd-West scored the final 22 points in last week's 35-22 loss against Bloomsburg. In last year's 18-7 Hughesville win at Midd-West, the defenses combined to score 15 of the 25 points and there were no offensive touchdowns.
Midd-West player to watch--Aidan Rose: The senior is another playmaking receiver for Midd-West, catching a pass in all five games, including two touchdowns. Rose averages 25.6 yards per catch and hauled in a 66-yard scoring strike in the season opener. He also is second on the team in tackles and forced a fumble against Warrior Run.
Hughesville PPG--7.6, PPA--26.6; YPG--142.6, YPA--278
Hughesville notes: Hughesville (1-4) broke out last week in the second half, scoring 21 unanswered points in its 21-0 win against previously undefeated Northwest. The Spartans are hoping to carry that momentum back to their home field after allowing just 38 second half yards. Alphonzo Smith intercepted a pass to set up the game-clinching touchdown and Hughesville bottled up the run. Defensive end Jerry Barton leads the area in tackles for loss and linebacker Chase Shrawder averages more than 10 tackles per game. Defensive tackle Colton Woolever and linebacker Maliki Emmil have combined for nine tackles for loss with Emmil adding an interception. Carter Gordner has picked off two passes. Shrawder and quarterback Nick Stubbs ran for 90 yards at Northwest and each scored a touchdown. Stubbs also helped Hughesville seal victory, finding Connor Anstadt with a deep ball for the final touchdown. Anstadt is an all-state punter who twice pinned Northwest inside its own 5-yard line during the second half. Midd-West limited Hughesville to 191 yards in last year's game but the Spartans surrendered just 73 yards and returned two interceptions for touchdowns.
Hughesville player to watch--Grayson Stabley: The junior linebacker missed the first two games but has provided a nice lift since returning. He had tackles for loss in two of those contests and also made five solo tackles against defending District 4 Class AAA champion Mifflinburg. Stabley provides backfield depth as well and took his lone carry 10 yards last week.
Outlook: I'll make one prediction for this game that is different than last year: Someone will score an offensive touchdown. I'm not sure who or both or how many but it looks another potentially close game.