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Background: This annual grudge match has been the area's competitive rivalry game over the past three seasons. Each game has been a thriller during that time with the outcomes decided by 10 combined points. Muncy and Hughesville rallied from fourth quarter deficits in 2023 and 2024, respectively, before Hughesville fought off a Muncy second-half rally and won, 24-21 a year ago. Hughesville dominated this series from 2001-17 before Muncy won the next five games. Now, the Spartans have won two straight.
Muncy PPG--24.6, PPA--10.7; YPG--287.4, YPA--217.2
Muncy notes: Muncy (5-4) most likely will be the No. 3 seed in the District 4 Class A playoffs and play at the No. 2 seed, either Montgomery or Line Mountain, in the Week 12 semifinals. The Indians gave Athens (8-1) a battle last week, limiting a team which was averaging more than 40 points per game to just one first-half touchdown. Muncy stifled the running game and Chase Boozer and Finn Thomas had interceptions. Linemen Nasir Miller and Nixon Lamper have played well down the stretch and were both in on sacks at Athens, as was Drew Ryder. The defense is ranked third among area teams in points and yards allowed and has allowed just 15 points the last three weeks. Nate Rogers has intercepted five passes and is third among area receivers with 48 catches, as well as third in yards (749). Quarterbacks Noah Weikle and Noah Walters have combined for 1,478 yards and 13 touchdown. Layken Harris has run for eight touchdowns in five games and Jaxson Thomas ran for a career-best 100 yards two weeks ago against North Penn-Mansfield. Muncy is the only team to reach 20 points against Montgomery this season, taking a 20-17 second quarter lead there in Week 5. Boozer returned an interception for a touchdown in that game. Rogers returned a pick for a score last year against Hughesville.
Muncy player to watch--Finn Thomas: What a fantastic debut season the freshman linebacker has produced. Thomas leads Muncy in tackles, averaging 10.2 per game and needs eight more to reach 100. He also has eight tackles for loss and produced an interception and half a sack at Athens. Thomas and his brother Jaxson have been in on 162 tackles this year.
Hughesville PPG--13.3, PPA--24.2; YPG--190, YPA--292.1
Hughesville notes: Hughesville has been one of District 4's most improved teams throughout the course of the season, winning two straight games and four of five. If Hughesville wins and/or Warrior Run loses tonight, it will be the No. 5 seed in the District 4 Class AAA quarterfinals next week and play at South Williamsport. If it loses and Warrior Run wins, Hughesville will drop to No. 6 and play at Troy. The Spartans have excelled in close games, winning their last two in overtime and with a dramatic defensive stand, respectively. They also have surrendered just 13 points over the last six quarters. Hughesville has won all four games while either trailing or being tied in the second half as well and has limited those four teams to 12 second-half points. Linebackers Maliki Emmil (13) and Alphonzo Smith (11) combined for 24 tackles in last week's win at Loyalsock and defensive back Nick Stubbs added 10. Stubbs' end zone interception in overtime against Warrior Run helped set the stage for Chase Shrawder's walk-off touchdown on Hughesville's ensuing possession. Shrawder and Colton Woolever both had two tackles for loss at Loyalsock and Woolever added a sack as the Spartans defeated Loyalsock for the first time since 2015. Shrawder has moved to fourth among area rushers, topping 100 yards in four consecutive games. He has been a workhorse as well, carrying the ball 70 times in the Warrior Run and Loyalsock wins.
Hughesville player to watch--Connor Anstadt: Anstadt continues doing a bit of everything on the field, whether carrying the ball, catching it or excelling in the secondary. The senior averages 4.6 tackles per game and has made five for loss. The all-state punter is averaging 47.0 yards per kick and has dropped 20 inside the 20. He also has three field goals, including last week's game-winner at Loyalsock.
Outlook: It would be surprising if tonight's game does not mirror the last three in this exciting series. These teams are about as evenly matched as two can be. Bring the popcorn.