South Williamsport at Northwest preview

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent
South Williamsport quarterback Tadd Lusk (5) hands off to Eli White (28) during a high school football game against Montgomery.

South PPG–21.8, PPA–25.7, YPG–270.8, YPA–288.3

South notes: South (4-5) is tied with Loyalsock for the area’s longest district playoff streak (12) and likely needs a win tonight to extend that streak. The Mounties are eighth in the District 4 Class AA standings and the top eight teams advance.

Reaching the postseason would be a nice achievement for a team which took a big graduation hit and which starts mostly underclassmen, including multiple freshmen. South won three straight games following a 1-3 start, making a late stand against Wyalusing before erasing a 10-point fourth quarter deficit at Cowanesque Valley. Freshmen running backs Cade Lusk and Eli White have combined for 966 yards and 11 touchdowns. Quarterback Tadd Lusk has run for a team-high eight touchdowns and Paxton Gephart and Max Wilton have helped anchor a young, new-look offensive line. Caleb Johnson is the only player to intercept 1,000-yard Troy quarterback Evan Woodward this season and freshman Kasim Davenport leads the team in sacks. Cadden Smith helps up front and blocked a field goal which led to a Tadd Lusk return touchdown in a season-opening win against Athens.

South player to watch–Dylan Scheller: The senior earned all-state honors in the secondary last year and has three interceptions this season. He also is the only South receiver in the 2000s to reach 80 catches. He has been double teamed often this season but continues providing consistent production. His 1,503 career yards also are the most by a South receiver in the 2000s.

Northwest PPG–8.6, PPA–39.8,

Northwest notes: Northwest (1-8) is trying to build momentum for next season after losing its last four games. The Rangers also are seeking their first home victory with their 17-14 win coming at New Hope-Solebury. Quarterback Jace McCoy has thrown for 1,207 yards and six touchdowns, while Noah Arnett, Loegan Diltz and RJ Moyer all have caught at least 24 passes. Arnett is a freshman; Diltz a sophomore and they have combined to catch 69 passes for 678 yards and four touchdowns. McCoy also leads the team in rushing with 290 yards and four touchdowns. Freshman Shane Hempel has run for 205 yards.

Northwest player to watch–Ben Bonham: The sophomore linebacker leads Northwest in tackles, averaging 8.8 per game. He has collected at least 10 tackles four times and had a strong game against Wellsboro last week, producing four tackles for loss and a sack.

Outlook: Northwest has a good young nucleus like South does. The Mounties, however, are having the better season and should roll here if they are focused and play hard.