Trending
Montoursville PPG--27.2, PPA--18.8; YPG--328, YPA--275.4
Montoursville notes: Montoursville-Danville has become quite a rivalry over the last decade with them meeting in the District 4 Class AAA playoffs five times, including four for the championship. This is another big game tonight with each team at 3-2 and eager to boost its playoff seeding. Danville enters fourth; Montoursville fifth and the top four host quarterfinals. Montoursville has won consecutive games, shutting out Central Columbia and Milton. Brayden Burkett and Cole Snyder returned interceptions for touchdowns against Central and Gavin Bower and Zane Butler produced sacks last week. Butler has a team-high six for loss and Burkett had three against Central, also recovering a fumble. Linebacker Jacob Schon leads Montoursville with 41 tackles, including 27 solos. Quarterback Elijah Eck is second among area quarterbacks with 899 yards and topped 300 yards for the second time this season a week ago. Kaden Kleinman ran for 79 yards and two touchdowns against Milton and has scored in three of the team's last four games. Eck found seven different receivers in that contest and Burkett, Snyder, James Williams and Jay Houseknecht all have more than 100 yards.
Montoursville player to watch--Maxton Williamson: One of many underclassmen excelling in their first years starting, Williams is second on the team in tackles. The junior safety has made 26 solo tackles and had three tackles for loss against Jersey Shore. Williamson broke up two passes against Milton and has at least five tackles in all four games.
Danville PPG--30.6, PPA--24.0; YPG--305.4, YPA--311.6
Danville notes: Danville also has blowout wins against Central and Milton. The Ironmen won five straight district championships from 2020-24 before going 4-7 last season. Danville also starts a lot of underclassmen and looks like a team with a bright present and future. Five players have more than 100 yards rushing and Danville opened the season by running for 387 yards against Lewisburg. Ben Nye and Jack Rarig both went over 90 yards in that game and Kayvion Seabrook and Jagger Simpson over 70. Simpson and Mason Kingery have started at quarterback the last two weeks after starter Macon Patrick was injured. Former CMVT quarterback Myles Koser has made a smooth transition to receiver and shown big-play ability, turning his five catches into 169 yards and two touchdowns. Braxtyn Girardi is another running threat and ran for 67 yards on six carries against Mount Carmel a week ago as the Ironmen scored the game's final 21 points. He and Simpson both have two interceptions, Simpson returning one for a touchdown, and Seabrook a kick return for a score.
Danville player to watch--Maxx Kitka: The freshmen has made a huge mark in his debut season, leading Danville in tackles with 46, including 30 solos. He is averaging 9.2 tackles per game and produced a season-high 12 against Mount Carmel. Kitka also ran for a score and recovered a fumble in that game.
Outlook: Considering the tradition and consistency both programs have shown over the years, it would be surprising if this game was anything but competitive. It was that way a year ago when a late touchdown secured a 33-21 Montoursville win and this one could be closer either way.