Wilkes-Barre at Williamsport preview

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent
Williamsport’s Kyreek Bradshaw rushes against Selisngrove during a game earlier this year. The Millionaires host Wilkes-Barre tonight in the regular-season finale.

Wilkes-Barre PPG–23.6, PPA–18.1

Wilkes-Barre notes: Wilkes-Barre (5-4) has won three straight games and four of its last five to move from fourth to first in the District 2-4 6A standings. Williamsport (4-5) is the fourth seed, so if the Wolfpack win tonight, they will host the Millionaires next weekend in the semifinals.

Conversely, Williamsport is close enough in the standings that it could potentially earn a home playoff game if it wins. Wilkes-Barre has allowed just 24 points during its winning streak and is coming off a 21-14 win against Crestwood. Logan Sincavage had a big game, making 16 tackles, including 12 solos. Christian Gayle added 15 tackles with 12 solos. Wilkes-Barre collected four sacks and Sincere Carter intercepted a pass. Quarterback Jake Howe through for 169 yards and two touchdowns, continuing his strong season. Howe has thrown for 1,631 yards with 17 touchdowns and five interceptions. Davon Underwood is a versatile running back who has run for 604 yards, while catching 29 passes for 410 yards and totaling 10 touchdowns. He is one of four players who has caught at least passes. Treyvon Gembitski leads the way with 43 catches for 535 yards and eight touchdowns.

Wilkes-Barre player to watch–Gene Ardo: The junior linebacker helps fuel Wilkes-Barre’s defense and averages 11.7 tackles per game. He generated two sacks against Crestwood and also has 11 tackles for loss. Despite missing a game, Ardo is just eight tackles from reaching 100.

Williamsport PPG–22.3, PPA–21.2, YPG–276.3, YPA–340.6

Williamsport notes: Williamsport made major improvement last week, taking a 10-point fourth quarter lead against state-ranked Hollidaysburg before dropping a 30-26 heartbreaker in the final minute. The Millionaires showed dramatic improvement offensively and against the run, although the pass defense struggled. It was a nice step forward for a battle-tested team which received a lift from Giovanni White who returned a punt 69 yards for a touchdown. Jamel Bailey ran for a season-high 80 yards and Samir Williams caught a career-high five passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns. That came a week after Kyreek Bradshaw topped 100 yards and caught two scores against Berwick. Elijah Way, Zion Hughes and Tevin Williams all have played well at quarterback, combining for 1,266 yards and 15 touchdowns. Linebacker Lucas Naughton leads the area in tackles and was the first area player to reach 100 this season, doing so in Week 8. Bailey and Anthony Manley also average nine or more tackles per game. Manley is a sophomore as is Cordoza Minor who has a team-best seven tackles for loss. Minor, Jayden Ransom and Aiden Everett all have two sacks.

Williamsport player to watch–Parker Johnson: Kicking for the first time this season, Johnson has become quite a weapon. He leads the area in points with 45 and field goals (9). The senior also helps a lot with field position, sending 26 of his 45 kickoffs for touchdown and placing 16 of his 39 punts inside the 20-yard line.

Outlook: Hazleton and Scranton both have challenging games tonight, so Williamsport could really help itself if it can exact revenge against a team which pounded it last year. If the Millionaires play the way they did last week this should be one of the night’s more exciting games.