South Williamsport at Bloomsburg playoff preview
Trending
Last Game: Bloomsburg 17, South Williamsport 12, Week 5, 2019
South PPG--43.3, PPA--5.6; YPG--368.8, YPA--141.1
South notes: South (9-2) won its first playoff game since 2023 a week ago, pasting Warrior Run, 49-7 in the quarterfinals while avenging a playoff loss from a year ago. The Mounties have won seven straight games, six via mercy rule. Its defense leads District in both points and yards allowed and has surrendered just 33 points during the winning streak. Linebackers Colton Paulhamus and Cade Lusk each intercepted passes against Warrior Run and are two of the five Mounties who have multiple picks this year. Garrett Lorson has four and Dominik Goode three, along with five sacks. The offensive line has surged throughout the season's second half, helping Eli White become the area's only 1,000-yard rusher. White ran for 86 yards and a score last Friday, while Lorson continued his late-season eruption. The sophomore topped 200 yards of total offense for a second straight week, rushing for 163 yards and four touchdowns. He has 11 touchdowns, counting a pass, over the last three games. He, White and Lusk all have gone over 500 rushing yards for a second straight year. Levi Butler became the program's all-time leader in catches (101), hauling in Cole Gerber's first quarter touchdown. Butler has caught scores in five straight games. Tight end Neeko Bowen has two touchdowns in the last three games and Samir Moy has returned two kickoffs and a punt for touchdowns. Caleb Johnson has a team-high 11 pass break-ups and Moy seven. Gavin Lumbard has sacks in consecutive games.
South player to watch--Kamdyn Bubb: One of the NTL's premier linemen, Bubb helps anchor an offensive line which has helped South average more points than all District 4 teams except Southern Columbia and Mount Carmel. A three-year starter, Bubb became an all-star as a sophomore and has taken another step forward this fall. He also has five tackles for loss and two sacks.
Bloomsburg PPG--38.0, PPA--15.5; YPG--447.6, YPA--202.8
Bloomsburg notes: Bloomsburg (10-0) produced its first undefeated season when it hammered Northwest, 54-7 in its regular-season finale. The Panthers earned both the top seed and a bye into the semifinals, having off last week. They present South its toughest challenge this season, featuring an explosive offense which leads District 4 in yards per game. Quarterback Shane Frey has dazzled in his first year starting and is a mobile threat who needs 21 yards to reach 2,000 passing. Jharee Moore-Stewart and Julius Serrano are one of the district's best tandems, doing damage as receivers and rushers. Moore-Stewart has scored touchdowns six ways his first three years and has totaled 1,500 receiving/rushing yards, going over 600 rushing and closing in on 1,000 receiving. Serrano also has gone over 1,000 total yards, producing 1,104 and 15 touchdowns. Brayden Holbert adds 20 catches and Frey has topped 500 yards rushing. The defense has come on strong and Zane Thomas leads the unit with 83 tackles. He, Frey (4 interceptions) and Wyatt Schrader all have 9 ½ tackles for loss. Kicker Oakley Woadhouse is one of the district's best, drilling three field goals, including a 40-yarder.
Bloomsburg player to watch--Marshall Tagba: The two-way sophomore lineman has made a big impact since his first game at Bloomsburg a year ago, producing six sacks. He is second on Bloomsburg in tackles, making 64 and a big part of the offense's success as well. Tagba had a career-high 15 tackles against rival Central Columbia and 10 more the following week against Lewisburg.
Winner plays: Southern Columbia or Troy
Outlook: This is strength vs. strength across the board, especially as pertains to South's defense against Bloomsburg's offense. Many have been talking about a Southern-Bloomsburg championship since the season's midway point. South may have something to say about that and likely will be motivated by that chatter. Don't be surprised if this is one of tonight's top playoff games.