Montourville at Mount Carmel playoff preview
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Last Game: Mount Carmel 35, Montoursville 14, Week 7
Montoursville PPG--25.7, PPA--16.3; YPG--331.2, YPA--244.3
Montoursville notes: Montoursville (7-4) and Mount Carmel are colliding for the second straight year in the semifinals and for the fourth time in two seasons. The Warriors won a thrilling 43-42 triple overtime contest a year ago, but undefeated Mount Carmel exacted some revenge four weeks ago when it won at Memorial Stadium. Montoursville is coming off its best defensive performance of the year, allowing just 124 yards against Lewisburg in last week's quarterfinals. The Warriors produced their third shutout and have held opponents to one or no offensive touchdowns in six of seven wins. They also have allowed just seven points over the last seven quarters. James Williams and Elijah Eck intercepted passes against Lewisburg and Branson Fogleman and Riggs McGraw each had 1 ½ sacks. Jay Houseknecht shadowed explosive receiver Jaylen Walker and Brayden Burkett has six interceptions this year, returning two for touchdowns. Defensive end Zane Butler has made 12 tackles for loss and safety Maxton Williamson has had quite a breakout year, averaging 7.4 tackles per game. Linebacker Jacob Schon has had a terrific junior year, making 110 tackles, including 12 for loss. Eck became the fourth player in program history to reach 2,000 passing yards in a season last week and also ran for a score. Houseknecht caught two key first down passes and is one of six players who has double-digit receptions this year. Running back Kaden Kleinman has gone over 90 yards and scored a touchdown in consecutive games and Fogleman ran for 58 yards with two scores two weeks ago against Loyalsock. Mason Lapinski also has run well down the stretch and freshman Bryson Fillman caught four touchdowns in a 35-8 win at Danville.
Montoursville player to watch--Cole Snyder: The tight end has surged at the perfect time, catching four passes for 163 yards and a touchdown the past two weeks. Snyder has super speed for a tight end and also is a quality playmaker at linebacker. He has intercepted two passes, returning one for a touchdown, while adding seven tackles for loss.
Mount Carmel PPG--44.1, PPA--15.5; YPG--423.6, YPA--261.1
Mount Carmel notes: Mount Carmel (11-0) has not lost since last year's semifinal at Montoursville and is aiming for its first district championship since 2011. The Tornadoes bulldozed Wellsboro, 49-0 in last week's quarterfinals, building a 42-point halftime lead. Mount Carmel averages 44.2 points per game, second behind only Southern Columbia, and has allowed just seven points in its last two games. Senior Max Karycki (370 tackles) and junior Jason Klokis (325) are Nos. 5 and 8, respectively, on Mount Carmel's all-time tackle list. The Tornadoes have a district-best 34 sacks and Kenny Miller leads the way with 8 ½. Josh Blessing has 6 ½; Chance Swatski 5 ½ and Aiden Brokenshire five. Mount Carmel has run the ball at will this season, averaging 380.6 yards per game. It produced 373 against Montoursville in Week 7, with Cooper Karycki going for 161 and two scores. Quarterback Jaylen Delaney ran for 88 yards and Klokis 74. Delaney (1,238) and Karycki (1,195) are third and fourth among District 4 rushers and Karycki needs five yards to make them the first duo in program history to reach 1,200 yards in the same season. While Mount Carmel has not thrown a lot, it has been highly effective when doing so. Of Delaney's 33 completions, 12 have gone for touchdowns. Brokenshire has five touchdowns on 10 catches, including one at Montoursville. Miller also caught one that night. Mount Carmel rallied late to beat Southern Columbia, 27-26 in Week 6 and is the only team to defeat it in the last 26 games.
Mount Carmel player to watch--Lance Glenney: The sophomore defensive back has enjoyed a strong season, intercepting three passes. One of those came at Montoursville and he also averages 4.2 tackles per game. He likely will play a big role again tonight.
Winner plays: Mifflinburg or Athens
Outlook: It's no secret what Mount Carmel is going to do, but the hard part is containing it. While the Tornadoes have proven effective when taking to the air, the Warriors obviously would rather force them there and get them into third-and-long situations. Montoursville has played well in its last two games and played Mount Carmel tough the first time. The Tornadoes are a clear favorite, but Montoursville has upset potential if it can play defense like it did last week and offense like it did in Week 10.