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District 4 Class 3A-4A Playoff Preview

Tagged under: District 4, News, Playoffs

| November 4, 2022


It has been a very successful year in PIAA District IV football. In the district’s four classifications each of the top seeds finished their regular seasons undefeated. With the majority of the teams returning to post-season play there are also a few newcomers this year as well.

Below are previews for each game by PIAA classification.

Class AAA

Athens Wildcats (6-4) vs. Montoursville Warriors (4-6)

The Wildcats come into this game without a win over a team with a winning record and lost their last contest to Tioga NY. That’s not to say they can’t play football. Mason Lister is tearing up the field with his throwing arm, connecting on 123 of 197 attempts for 1,562 yards and 16 scores. Running back Caleb Nichols has carried the ball for 567 yards. Head Coach Jack Young will have his team ready to play. On defense Josh Martin and Brandon Jennings lead the team in tackles. Look for the Wildcats to get Lister going early to set the pace.

For Montoursville, they’ve struggled at times this year to put points on the board. In their defense, they’ve faced some powerful teams. Their losses have come to powerhouses SCA, Danville, Jersey Shore, Selinsgrove, Loyalsock and Troy, all ranked teams at one point this season. Bryce Eberhart has thrown for over 1000 yards and to compliment him Matthew Conklin has run for over 800 yards. They’ll come to play with emotion for coach Mike Boughton who is battling cancer.

click to see brackets

 

Loyalsock Lancers (9-1) vs. Lewisburg Green Dragons (2-8)

The Lancers, coached by Justin Van Fleet, are having an incredible year. Their only loss came in an epic battle with undefeated Danville, a game they had a chance late to win. They have weapons all over the field, starting with quarterback Tyler Gee. He’s thrown for nearly 2000 yards and 17 tds. With weapons like 1000 yard receiver Jaylen Andrews, Gage Patterson and Davion Hill out of the backfield it’s no wonder Gee leads D4 in passing production. Speaking of Hill, Davion leads D4 in rushing with 1,300 yards and 14 tds. He’s a big, bruising back that is tough to take down with break away speed. Defensively the Lancers tough. They play close to the vest but you’ll see them take chances to make a play for the ball.

Lewisburg has hit tough times. Their only wins came against 1-9 Midd West and Bloomsburg in somewhat of an upset. Senior QB Wade Young leads the team with nearly 1000 total yards, 748 of them through the air. If the Green Dragons can’t get him going early it’s going to be a long night.

Mifflinburg Wildcats (8-2) vs. Warrior Run Defenders (3-7)

What a season the Wildcats and qb Troy Dressler are having. The record breaking qb has thrown for 1500 yards and 12 td. Running the rock for the Wildcats is Andrew Diehl with 1200 yards and 17 trips to the paint. Defensively the Wildcats pitched 4 shutouts.

Warrior Run is a nice team, but not yet ready for prime time. The did knock off an undefeated Northwest midway through the season, but it’s not been a good year for the Warriors. There is a bright spot for the future. Ryan Newton has thrown for over 1700 yards and has 14 td passes. Newton will get his in this game, but the ‘Cats are just stronger.

Class AAA

Milton Black Panthers (9-1) vs. Selinsgrove Seals (8-2)

The Panthers lone loss comes to top ranked Mt. Carmel. Coach Phil Davis’ squad has had a great year. When you talk about Milton, you have to talk about all everything player Xavier Minium. He’s got speed and athleticism on both sides of the ball. Leading the Panther offense is senior qb Cale Bastian. He can throw the ball and has steady receivers in Dylan Reiff, Peyton Rearick and Cale Bastian.  Defensively Milton is strong, but this Seals team has an offense that can match them

Selinsgrove is led by Mark Pastore behind center. He’s gone over 1000 yards passing and has a great target in sophomore Gavin Bastian. Running the ball for coach Derek Hicks Seals is Tucker Teats. Teats is strong for the Seals on both sides of the ball. Linebacker Corey Rumberger is going to be a menace for the Panther offense.

This looks like one of the best games across the state and people should get their monies worth and more.

Jersey Shore (10-0) vs. Shamokin Indians (5-5)

What can you say about the Bulldogs that hasn’t already been said? They average 57 points a game, have meryruled all but one team, scored over 50 points eight times. Brady Jordan has been spectacular at qb. Kicker Breck Miller is money, connecting on 75 of 81 pat’s and has 3 field goals. Haydn Packer, Jordan, Tate Sechrist and Elijah Jordan have combined for over 2000 yards on the ground. Kooper Peacock and Conner Griffen are solid receivers. Defensively, there are few holes to run or pass through. Coach Tommy Gravish has this team wanting another shot at a state championship, and they’re looking good enough to get it.

For Shamokin, Coach Henry Hynoski can only hope to contain the Bulldogs. Shamokin has some nice athletes and if they can put it all together they can make a game of it. Brett Nye is a workhorse at qb and has great skills when throwing. Wisdom and Knowledge Artis-Jones are a couple of dozers in the backfield and will get some yards. But this is a tough task for the Indians.

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