Williamsport at Hollidaysburg preview
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Williamsport PPG--33.0, PPA--23.0; YPG--391.6, YPA--356.3
Williamsport notes: Williamsport (6-2) has clinched the top seed and homefield advantage for the District 2-4 Class 6A playoffs but certainly would like trying to exact some revenge against a team which drubbed it, 69-6 last year. The Millionaires beat Berwick for the first time since 2020 last week, shutting it out, 28-0, while allowing just 175 yards. Anthony Manley produced his eighth sack; Kason Ulmer his seventh and Vincent Moyer intercepted a pass. Cordoza Minor also has seven sacks and a team-high 15 tackles for loss. He, Manley and Ulmer all have multiple-sack games. Linebacker Davahjei Dymeck averages a team-high 8.4 tackles per game and Jaylen Williams has three interceptions. Freshman Mha'si Strickland made a game-clinching interception at Jersey Shore as well. Tevin Williams returned from a four-week absence and made a huge impact last week, topping 100 yards passing and rushing, while totaling 280 yards and four touchdowns. He has gone over 100 yards rushing and passing in all four starts this year. Zion Hughes brilliantly replaced Williams while he was sidelined and settled back in at running back at Berwick, catching an 81-yard touchdown and rushing for 73 yards. Trey Damschroder is second among area receivers with 40 catches and has scored in seven of eight games. Ulmer also is among the area's top 10 in catches and the tight end has especially come on strong the last few weeks.
Williamsport player to watch--Austin Beaghley: The sophomore linebacker started his season in fantastic fashion before missing four games with an injury. His return bolsters the defense and Beaghley showed how dangerous he can be in a Week 2 win against Hazleton. There, he made 10 tackles, four for loss, and collected two sacks.
Hollidaysburg PPG--33.4, PPA--16.6; YPG--347.6
Hollidaysburg notes: A year after going 13-1 and reaching the 5A state quarterfinals, Hollidaysburg (5-2) is gathering steam and coming off a 50-18 rout of Jersey Shore. Despite losing 2,000-yard, all-state running back Carter Muth one game into the season, the offense has adjusted well and produced 470 yards last week. Quarterback Vince Albarano played his best game, going over 1,000 yards this season, and throwing for 273 with four touchdowns. He also has run for 340 yards this season, including 108 in a 50-12 win against Butler. JJ Stultz caught six passes for 102 yards and three scores against Jersey Shore and Ethan Coke had five for 120 with a touchdown. The offense was balanced as well with Isaac Vent running for 127 yards. Vent leads the team in rushing with 636 yards and six touchdowns; Albarano adding seven rushing scores. Linebacker Brandon Dawson averages a team-high 7.6 tackles per game and Will Padamonsky has seven tackles for loss, adding 14 catches for 171 yards. Hollidaysburg, 418-84 in last year's game, but the 2024 contest was a thriller, Williamsport leading Hollidaysburg late before losing, 30-26.
Hollidaysburg player to watch--Lucas Darnell: The senior two-way lineman has provided both offense and defense a strong building block. His blocking has helped Hollidaysburg reach 50 points in consecutive games and Darnell has three sacks, along with six tackles for loss.
Outlook: Hollidaysburg dominated up front in last year's win, so both the Williamsport offensive and defensive lines will need to step up. Williamsport was right with Shamokin, the state's top-ranked team, for a half two weeks ago, and that game could help going into this one. Hollidaysburg is the favorite, but Williamsport has the ability to make this one interesting.