Wyoming Valley West at Williamsport playoff preview
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Last Game: Williamsport 41, Wyoming Valley West 21, Week 1
Valley West PPG--21.9, PPA--21.6; YPG--318
Valley West notes: The Spartans (6-5) are coming off their best performance this season, avenging a Week 8 loss against Hazleton and routing it, 35-7 in the semifinals. A physical offensive line overpowered the Cougars, paving the way for 330 rushing yards. Malique Campbell ran for 170, going over 1,000 this season, and Gadgidas Reisinger added 145 yards. Campbell has 1,082 yards with 12 touchdowns and Reisinger 569 yards with five scores. Both also are strong receivers, combining for 647 yards and five scores. Williamsport knows as well as anyone that while Valley West ran well last week, it is dangerous via the air, too. Quarterback Damien Easton threw for 251 yards and three touchdowns against the Millionaires in the opener, averaging 35.9 yards per completion. Reisinger caught three passes for 111 yards and a touchdown, while Noah Council hauled in an 85-yard score and Jaheir Cooper-Mickens a 41-yard scoring strike. Eastman has thrown for 1,353 yards and 13 touchdowns with just one interception. Izrel Davis leads the defense in tackles, averaging 7.6 per game. Josiah Sienkiewicz and Omare Otway Kellom each have five sacks; Amor Sims adds four sacks and 14 tackles for loss. Valley West has enjoyed a big turnaround season, making a five-win improvement. The Spartans won four straight following an 0-2 start and have won their last two games as well.
Valley West player to watch--Tanner Ragukas: The senior linebacker is having a fantastic season and leads the team with both four interceptions, including one last week, and 16 tackles for loss. Ragukas averages 7.5 tackles per game and has 207 tackles the past three years. A fullback/tight end, Ragukas also has caught 12 passes for 140 yards.
Williamsport PPG--34.4, PPA--24.7; YPG--390.4, YPA--367.5
Williamsport notes: Williamsport (8-3) is making its third straight finals appearance and trying to win its second championship during that time. The Millionaires rallied from a late four-point, first-half deficit to win the opener against Valley West, but that game was so long ago that it basically was last season since both have undergone some big changes. Williamsport has won three of its last four games and built a 35-point halftime lead in a 38-13 semifinal win against West Scranton. While, the Millionaires dominated the second half, they appeared to take their foot off the gas in the second half with West Scranton outscoring the starters in the third quarter. The offensive line played well and paved the way for touchdowns on five of six first-half possessions. Quarterback Tevin Williams produced at least three touchdowns for a seventh time and Zion Hughes ran for 113 yards and a touchdown. Trey Damschroder and Jaylen Lilly caught touchdowns, Damschroder doing so for the 10th time in 11 games. Lilly, Delantae Haberstroth-Stotts and tight end Kason Ulmer all have caught at least 21 passes this year with Lilly scoring five times. Ulmer had a big defensive game last week, coming off the edge to produce 1 ½ sacks and an interception. Fellow defensive end Anthony Manley leads the area with 8 ½ sacks; Ulmer is right behind at 7 ½ and versatile lineman Cordoza Minor has seven. Linebacker Davahjei Dymeck also played a strong game against West Scranton and leads the team in tackles. Damschroder intercepted a pass in that win and sophomore Jaylen Williams and freshman Mha'si Strickland have combined for five interceptions. Brayden Ungard kicked his area-high fourth field goal a week ago.
Williamsport player to watch--Kamar Stroud: A vital part of an experienced offensive line, Stroud helped set the tone for the offense a week ago. He also provides Williamsport an experienced player in the middle of the defensive line. Stroud had a sack in a Week 2 win against Hazleton and has four tackles for loss the past two years.
Winner plays: State College or Erie McDowell
Outlook: Both teams get long-awaited second chances tonight. Valley West earns another crack at Williamsport following the season opener and the Millionaires a shot at erasing last year's finals frustration. Both know each other well and are playing well at the right time, so expect a good battle tonight.