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Last meeting: Have never played in Mount Carmel's 134 years
Wellsboro PPG―16.1, PPA―25.1; YPG―202.3, YPA―291
Wellsboro notes: Wellsboro (4-6) won three of its final four games to reach districts for a second straight season. That included last week's 41-0 win against North Penn-Mansfield. The Hornets allowed just 79 yards and have held five opponents to 14 or fewer points. Wellsboro collected six sacks and linemen Jordan Hines and Levi Champaign helped it control things up front on both sides, each producing two. It was the second time this season, Wellsboro registered at least six sacks in a game. Quarterback Griffin Morral missed most of three games with an injury but the junior has gone over 3,000 career passing and 1,000 rushing yards. He threw touchdowns to Kody Enck and Gideon Lawton against North Penn-Mansfield and also ran for 58 yards and a score. Max Mascho has run well down the stretch and gained 74 yards and scored a touchdown on eight carries last week. Since 2013, Wellsboro has reached districts 10 times.
Wellsboro player to watch―Reed Richardson: The junior linebacker helps spark the defense and has put together a fantastic season. Richardson has a team-high 79 tackles and was on his way to a big night two weeks ago against South Williamsport before an injury sidelined him after making six early tackles. Richardson had a sack last week and also ran for a touchdown.
Mount Carmel PPG―43.7, PPA―17.1; YPG―419.3, YPA―278.1
Mount Carmel notes: Mount Carmel (10-0) is the clear favorite to capture the district crown, capturing the HAC-II championship and earning big wins against Southern Columbia and Shamokin. The Tornadoes are the only team to beat Southern in its last 25 games, rallying in the final two minutes for that 27-26 victory. They then shut down Shamokin, allowing just 100 yards in a 23-7 win. That defense produced seven sacks and has come on strong after a slow start this year. Four players have at least four sacks and Kenny Miller leads the way with eight, as well as a team-best 17 tackles for loss. Linebacker Jason Klokis has 102 tackles and Max Karycki and has 13 tackles for loss. Mount Carmel features the district's best running attack and quarterback Jaylen Delaney and running back Cooper Karycki both went over 1,000 yards by Week 9. Delaney has played wide receiver and running back as well in high school and ranked among the program's top 10 in receptions following a big sophomore season. Karycki has returned two punts for touchdowns and Delaney took a kickoff 92 yards for a score against Southern.
Mount Carmel player to watch―Josh Blessing: The senior defensive lineman has been on a tear the last six weeks, generating all 6 ½ of his sacks in that time. That included 1 ½ last week. Blessing also has 13 tackles for loss and tore up Danville in Week 5 for 3 1/2 sacks and 10 tackles.
Winner plays: Either Montoursville or Lewisburg
Outlook: There's no sugar coating this one. Mount Carmel will win and win by a lot. The experience, however, could help Wellsboro as it moves toward the future. Several starters return next fall and playing against a state title contender could help it gets where it wants to go.