Montgomery at Sayre preview
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Montgomery PPG--32.3, PPA--9.0; YPG--300.3, YPA--169
Montgomery notes: Montgomery (5-1) can clinch a share of a second straight NTL-II championship with a victory tonight. A win at Sayre and in the finale at Cowanesque Valley and the Red Raiders take the title outright again. Montgomery made quick work of Wyalusing last week, scoring 49 first quarter points in a 73-0 victory. The offensive line dominated and the defense surrendered just 57 yards. Trace Furman, Lincoln Miller and Briar Persing all topped 90 rushing yards and Gage Furman found Persing with a 38-yard touchdown pass. Montgomery won hard-fought games against South Williamsport and Muncy, overcoming deficits each time, to build momentum for a second half push. The Raiders are second in the district standings, trailing only defending champion Line Mountain. Persing has played well since moving from quarterback to wing back and Miller has gone over 100 yards in consecutive games. Trace Furman intercepted two passes against Wyalusing and he and teammate Hayden Denton are among area leaders with four picks each. Samuel Bolden also picked off a pass against Wyalusing. Gage Furman and Cameron Woltz each made 12 tackles a week ago and two-way lineman Connor Jarrett returned a fumble for a touchdown. It was the second straight week, Montgomery produced a defensive score and it has four this season. The Raiders have six shutouts since last season, tops among District 4 teams.
Montgomery player to watch--Bentley King: The freshman made the most of his extended playing time last week, producing four tackles and a sack. King provides depth on both sides of the ball and could be on the field a lot again tonight, gaining valuable experience.
Sayre PPG--12.2, PPA--36.5; YPG--167.7, YPA--349
Sayre notes: Sayre has made big strides the last three weeks, winning twice and giving Canton a battle last Friday. The Redskins went winless last season but are more versatile on offense this year with quarterback Declan Berry throwing two touchdown passes in both wins at North Penn-Mansfield and Wyalusing. Still, Hudson Malanoski is the engine powering the offense, running for 502 yards and four touchdowns. Malanoski is a workhorse and has topped 100 yards three times, including against South Williamsport. Barry has thrown his five touchdowns to four receivers and Sayre held a 7-6 halftime lead at Canton last week. The Redskins held Canton to 97 rushing yards in that contest.
Sayre player to watch--Brayden Voorhis: Voorhis has brought some explosiveness to the passing game, averaging 22.1 yards per catch. Ee had a big game against Wyalusing, going for five catches for 129 yards and a touchdown. He kept the momentum going at Canton, catching another long score.
Outlook: This is a long road trip and Sayre is improved, but if Montgomery is focused it should have a happy bus ride home singing Queen’s, "We are the champions."