Shikellamy at Loyalsock preview
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Shikellamy PPG--32.3, PPA--23.4; YPG--348, YPA--251.6
Shikellamy notes: Shikellamy (6-1) is among the teams to watch in the 4A statewide rankings after winning four straight games. The Braves highlighted that streak with a 56-27 win against Jersey Shore and are having their best season since 2017. They shook off a slow start last week and thumped rival Selinsgrove, 40-13. Senior Thomas Pollock is one of the most prolific receivers in District 4 history, catching 219 career passes for 3,325 yards and 10 touchdowns. He leads the district in catches and yards this year and also has run for 260 yards with four scores and returned a kickoff 94 yards for another touchdown last week. Sophomore quarterback Bob Felmy is flourishing in his first season starting and is among district leaders with 15 touchdown passes. He also led fourth quarter comeback drives at Mifflinburg and Williamsport. Shikellamy has scored at least 35 points in all four of its wins since a 37-0 loss against Shamokin in Week 3. Felmy threw for 299 yards and five touchdowns against Jersey Shore, while Felmy, Willie Bender and Kyler Campbell all ran for 58 or more yards at Selinsgrove. Bender fuels the defense at linebacker, averaging a team-high 8.7 tackles and making 12 for loss.
Shikellamy player to watch--Chase Swartz: A strong two-way lineman, Swartz is right behind Bender with 11 tackles for loss. He made five tackles for loss in the team's first two games before adding four more the past two weeks. Swartz has made at least six tackles in four consecutive games.
Loyalsock PPG--35.6, PPA--26.7; YPG--375.7, YPA--339.7
Loyalsock notes: Loyalsock (4-3) has overcome some costly injuries to all but officially clinch a 15th straight playoff berth. The Lancers scored 21 fourth quarter points in 92 seconds to break a tie at Warrior Run last week and win, 35-27. Cayden Sones topped 100 yards rushing for a second straight game and quarterback Dyson Dupont ran for 89 yards. Dupont, a freshman, leads the area in passer rating and is tied for first in touchdown passes (17). Senior Connor Tallman delivered two crucial blocks which sprang two long Sones fourth quarter touchdown runs and the line has a nice blend of size, young promise and veteran leadership. Zion Cobb and Carter Brown have enjoyed breakthrough seasons at wide receiver and Cobb caught three passes for 38 yards and a touchdown on the game's opening drive at Warrior Run. Matt Rickard picked off his third pass in that game and linebacker Wyatt Emerick was seemingly everywhere making plays. Fellow linebacker Cooper Cowden has seven tackles for loss and Cobb three interceptions. Defensive end Tommy Pham added a sack and has five tackles for loss. Loyalsock is seventh in the District 4 Class AAA standings but there is a lot which could happen from the Nos. 3-7 positions in these last weeks, so there is plenty of opportunity to rise.
Loyalsock player to watch--Maison Dowling: The sophomore lineman is not just a player to watch tonight, but over these next three seasons. At 6-foot-6, 325 pounds, Dowling has the size and strength to be quite a difference-maker. He's learning as he goes, but Dowling has a bright future.
Outlook: Both teams have a lot of firepower, so this could be one of the more entertaining games tonight. The main question is whether Loyalsock will be able to keep up with a team that has been scoring in bunches these last four weeks.