Wilkes-Barre at Williamsport preview
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Wilkes-Barre PPG--13.4, PPA--25.2; YPG--219.4
Wilkes-Barre notes: Wilkes-Barre and Williamsport have met for the District 2-4 Class 6A championship in consecutive seasons, Williamsport winning it in 2024 and Wilkes-Barre via mercy rule last November. The Wolfpack are fighting for their playoff lives and likely need a win to qualify. Doing so, could either put it at No. 4 and earn a return trip to Williamsport next week or possibly a No. 3 spot and a game at Wyoming Valley West. A loss and West Scranton is likely to take that fourth and final spot, according to projections. The Wolfpack have been dogged by injuries throughout the season. They received a lift with their top rushers returning last week, but played without quarterback Declan Gregor who is 80 yards from 1,000. Matthew Cinti took his place, throwing for 87 yards and a touchdown in a 14-13 loss against Hazleton. Running back Khalil Smith played for the first time in six weeks at Hazleton, running for 86 yards on 22 carries. Aiden Gilmore has missed five games, but was back and added 57 on 15 carries. Wonder Woods has caught a team-high 23 passes and Deacon Eisenbach has scored on three of his seven catches, averaging 24.7 yards. Nick Saracino has three sacks and linebacker Ethan Hooper averages 7.9 tackles per game, making 11 for loss.
Wilkes-Barre player to watch--Altamir Terry: The two-way lineman played a big role in last year's district championship win, helping Wilkes-Barre dominated both lines of scrimmage. He is having another strong year, averaging a team-high eight tackles per game and making 15 for loss. Terry also anchors the offensive line, producing five pancake blocks.
Williamsport PPG--33.1, PPA--25.0; YPG--394.4, YPA--367.8
Williamsport notes: Williamsport (6-3) has clinched the district's top seed and will host a semifinal next week. The Millionaires dropped a 41-34 heartbreaker at Hollidaysburg a week ago in a game which went back-and-forth all night. They have lost two of their games by 10 points with the winning touchdowns coming late each time. Williamsport also rallied for a dramatic win in Week 6 at Jersey Shore and leads the area in yards per game. Quarterback Tevin Williams has picked up the last two weeks where he had left off after missing four games. The junior signal caller is averaging more than 100 rushing and passing yards per game and is 13 yards from a second straight 1,000-yard season. Running back Zion Hughes played brilliantly in Williams' place during the injury and has made a big impact again at running back as both a rusher and receiver. Hughes has produced 560 yards on the ground and also caught long touchdowns in consecutive games. Trey Damschroder is third among Williamsport receivers in the 2000s with 112 catches and has scored touchdowns in eight of nine games this season. Kason Ulmer leads all District 4 tight ends with 30 catches and Delantae-Haberstroh-Stotts and Jaylen Lilly also have had quality seasons. The defense has been up and down but was at its best two weeks ago at Berwick, earning a shutout in a 28-0 win. It was the third time that unit allowed one or no touchdowns in a game. Ulmer, Anthony Manley and Cordoza Minor have combined for 20 sacks and linebacker Davahjei Dymeck averages 8.4 tackles per game.
Williamsport player to watch--Anthony Manley: The three-year starter and captain went over 300 career tackles earlier this season and is tied for the area lead with eight sacks. Tough up front on the offensive line as well, Manley has returned an interception for a touchdown and forced two fumbles.
Outlook: Wilkes-Barre is fighting for its playoff life which makes it a dangerous team. It also is a well-coached squad which could be dangerous if it qualifies. Williamsport, however, also should be motivated after how last year's district final went. This should be a good one.