Wellsboro at South Williamsport preview
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Wellsboro PPG--14.3, PPA--25.3; YPG--190, YPA--301.6
Wellsboro notes: Wellsboro (3-5) is heating up at the right time, as it did a year ago, winning consecutive games. The Hornets allowed just 20 points in those victories and turned their season around with a 16-7 win at Towanda. Quarterback Griffin Morral returned from injury at the Towanda game and the junior has thrown touchdowns in both wins. Max Mascho has come on strong, rushing for 180 yards and two touchdowns the past two games, while Reed Richardson has produced 111 yards and four touchdowns. That duo generated five scores in last week's win against Wyalusing. Ethan Keane caught three passes for 84 yards and a touchdown against Towanda and Kody Enck caught a touchdown against Wyalusing. Enck is one of the NTL's premier linebackers and intercepted six passes last fall. He has 52 tackles and two sacks this season. Christian Main leads the team in all-purpose yards and also is its top receiver. Grady Morral helped Wellsboro seal a Week 2 against Cowanesque Valley, taking a fourth quarter kickoff 84 yards for a touchdown. Wellsboro is eighth in the District 4 Class AAA standings. It likely needs to win its final two games to have a shot to move up higher.
Wellsboro player to watch--Levi Champaign: The two-way lineman helps anchor both units and is a three-year starter up front. Champaign had a big game at Canton in Week 4, totaling seven tackles and two sacks. He was part of a defense that gathered seven sacks that day; fellow lineman Lance Starkweather also getting two.
South PPG--41.1, PPA--4.4; YPG--328.6, YPA--113.6
South notes: South (6-2) has won four consecutive games, allowing just six points during that stretch. It has five shutouts this season, a total only topped thus far by 2014 Jersey Shore which had seven. No team has scored more than 17 points against South and the Mounties have clinched a home District 4 Class AA quarterfinal, likely being the No. 4 seed. Linebacker Colton Paulhamus leads the team in tackles and his brother Kaiden in kicking points, going 41 of 41 on extra points. Linebacker Dominik Goode missed some time with an injury but is having an excellent season which includes five sacks and three interceptions. Garrett Lorson also has three interceptions and he and Colton Paulhamus have returned picks for touchdowns. Lorson also has scored as a quarterback, running back and receiver as well. Caleb Johnson has broken up 11 passes and returned a fumble for a touchdown. Quarterback Cole Gerber has thrown four touchdowns in consecutive games and Levi Butler has caught three in each of those contests. Eli Butler and Cade Lusk are both among the area's leading rushers; White going for 157 yards and two touchdowns on six carries a week ago against CV. Coach Chris Eiswerth will soon be inducted into the West Branch Valley Sports Hall of Fame and has led South to 15 straight District 4 playoff berths, tied with Loyalsock for the longest active streak among area teams.
South player to watch--Samir Moy: A weapon in all facets, Moy has gone Devin Hester the last two weeks, returning two kickoffs and a punt for touchdowns. Moy also excels in the secondary, intercepting two passes and breaking up six. He is dangerous at wide receiver as well, averaging 18.9 yards per catch.
Outlook: Wellsboro's recent surge has this game looking more interesting than a couple of weeks ago. The Hornets have turned a corner, but with South's defense forming a Blue brick wall, extending its winning ways tonight will be difficult.