DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Dolan Loyasock’s Harmon is tackled by Warrior Run’s Eli Butler. The Lancers host undefeated and state-ranked Shamokin tonight.
Shamokin PPG – 37.4, PPA – 10.3; YPG–399.3, YPA–195.1
Shamokin writes: Shamokin (8-0) won the HAC-I championship a few weeks ago and is the No. 6 ranked 4A team in the state after defeating Lewisburg 17-12 in an undefeated showdown last week. Ta. Jersey Shore was the only team to score more than 20 points against a stout defense that held Lewisburg to a season-low 202 yards.
The defense also returned three turnovers for touchdowns. Chase Pencil is an all-around threat, and last week he made one of the biggest plays of the game, faltering with a leaping interception that robbed him of a potential game-winning touchdown. Pencil is the team’s top receiver and running threat, returning kickoffs for touchdowns and kicking three field goals, including the winning goal at Jersey Shore. Last week, sophomore quarterback Logan Steele passed for over 1,000 yards in his first full season as a starter, and Jace Gink and Zakem Clinton form a strong tandem in the backfield, each passing for multiple 100 yards. Got the yard game. Clinton also had four sacks and Blake Hockenbrock is an all-state lineman. Shamokin almost secured the top seed in the District 4 Class AAAA playoffs and the home field advantage that comes with it. If the Indians win tonight, it could become official.
Shamokin player to watch – Zhenxin Shui: The 6-foot-4 tight end will play football for the first time after being a starter for three years in basketball. Shuey caught 13 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns, and his height and strength help create opportunities for others. He caught a key touchdown against Jersey Shore, but defensively coming off the edge can be difficult to deal with.
Royasoc PPG – 21.5, PPA – 21.8. YPG-291.1, YPA-255
Loyalsock said: Loyalsock (5-3) is seeking its 13th straight district playoff berth. The Lancers are third in the Class AA standings, but that’s depth and the No. 9 team has four wins, so a lot could change over the final two weeks. Loyalsock is playing an undefeated team for the second straight week since hosting Danville, the state’s top-ranked 3A team, last Friday. Loyalsock put up a fight against Danville, and the defense played especially well. But the Lancers turned the ball over five times, which spelled doom. Loyalsock has proven to be a resilient team all season, bouncing back from its past two losses to win and rallying in the fourth quarter to pull off thrilling wins over Bloomsburg and Warrior Run. Loyalsock also stood at the goal line in the opening game to stop the onrushing Mifflinburg. Defensive end Isaiah West had three tackles for loss and two sacks in a big game against Danville. He and Jeremiah Johnson are few and far between up front, and linebackers Preston Gross, Derik Kulp and Blake Phillips all average more than six tackles per game. Chase Wright had three interceptions, including the game-clincher against Warrior Run, and Jahlil Coates added two picks. Coates had a big game against the Warriors, making two consecutive catches for 90 yards, including the winning touchdown late in the game, and also ran for 52 yards and a score. Dolan Herman is 16 yards away from reaching 1,000 yards, but has gone over 90 yards in six straight games and seven of eight. Quarterback Danny Dewell returned from injury last week and threw for 227 yards in a 30-3 win over Hughesville six weeks ago. Kicker Evan Summers has been a weapon, kicking field goals in back-to-back games.
Loyalsock Players to Watch – Jadon Wagner: The senior linebacker was a big part of Loyalsock’s strong defense against Danville, recording a season-high eight tackles and one loss. Wagner made a key interception in a one-point win against Mifflinburg and has recorded at least five tackles in five of the last six games.
Outlook: Loyalsock showed last week that it’s not intimidated against an undefeated, state-ranked opponent. Obviously, this is a tough challenge tonight, but if Loyalsock can clean up the mistakes that hurt him a week ago, things could get interesting.
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