Canton at Montgomery playoff preview
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Last Game: Montgomery 48, Canton 13, Week 2
Canton PPG--16.5, PPA--30.7; YPG--254.3, YPA--272.7
Canton notes: Canton (5-6) stormed back in the second half in last week's quarterfinals against Northwest, turning a 10-point halftime deficit into a 45-29 win. The Warriors scored the half's first 33 points and produced their fourth comeback win this season. Now, Canton gets a second crack against Montgomery. The offensive line may have played its best game against Northwest and senior Bailey Gardner ran wild, going for 262 yards and six touchdowns in his final home game. Gardner's yards were the most by a Canton player in the 2000s and his six rushing scores tied for the area's best in the 2000s. Gardner also is a quality receiver and one of the team's best defenders at linebacker. Canton has thrown the ball well this season and sophomore Owen Moore went over 1,000 yards by Week 8. When he was injured, freshman Brooks Wesneski stepped in and played well at Troy and last week, so Canton is utilizing both players. Wesneski threw for 208 yards at Troy and helped seal victory with a 38-yard fourth quarter touchdown to Rylan Wesneski against Northwest. Rylan Wesneski, a former quarterback, has excelled at receiver this season and torched Troy with five catches for 173 yards and two touchdowns. Monte Whitehead has made big plays in the passing game as well, and fueled a second-half comeback in the season opener against Cowanesque Valley, scoring on 80-yard pass.
Canton player to watch--Marcus Solomon: The senior linebacker has enjoyed an excellent final and leads the team in tackles. He made 11 against Northwest, including seven solos. Solomon also is among area sack leaders with eight and generated two each against Athens, Muncy and Cowanesque Valley.
Montgomery PPG--39.7, PPA--10.2; YPG--342.1, YPA--176.6
Montgomery notes: Montgomery (9-1) earned the top seed for the first time in the 2000s after repeating as NTL-II champions and winning its last six games. The Red Raiders earned a bye into the semifinals and will playing for the first time in 15 days after struggling offensively in a 28-13 win against CV. The defense and special teams picked up the slack in that game with Logan Joy (2) and Hayden Denton intercepting three passes and Briar Persing taking the second-half kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown. In the previous four games, Montgomery had moved the ball at will and Persing, Josh Knoebel, Trace Furman and Lincoln Miller all have gone over 500 yards rushing this season. Quarterback Gage Furman played well against CV, throwing for 115 yards. His 53-yard completion to Denton late in the first half helped Montgomery break a 13-13 tie and change the game's complexion. Montgomery has scored four defensive touchdowns this season and Denton and Knoebel returned interceptions for scores at Canton. Miller and two-way senior lineman Connor Jarrett have recovered fumbles for scores. Linebacker Cameron Woltz produced 13 tackles against CV and Gage Furman 11. Woltz has topped 100 tackles for a third straight year, leading Montgomery with 109, including six for loss. Miller has six sacks with 14 ½ tackles for loss; Trace Furman four interceptions and Gage Furman nine tackles for loss.
Montgomery player to watch--Briar Persing: That kick return against CV made it four different ways Persing has scored this season. After opening at quarterback this season, the senior moved to wing back and has flourished there, rushing for 537 yards. He also is a quality receiver who averages 24.6 yards per catch.
Winner plays: Line Mountain or Muncy
Outlook: Montgomery has had a long time to heal up and refocus following the regular-season finale. Canton has good momentum after last week's fantastic second half, so this could be more interesting than the first time around. Montgomery won the turnover battle, 4-1 last time, though, so Canton will have to protect the ball better to have a shot.