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Jersey Shore PPG – 38.8, PPA – 11.0; YPG – 415.4, YPA – 162.6
Jersey Shore Facts: This is a Class AAAA District 4 Championship rematch tonight as Jersey Shore heads to Kemp Memorial Stadium. The Bulldogs moved up to No. 1 in the state standings this week following a loss to Thomas Jefferson. Jersey Shore swept away two Shamokin games last year, including 54-0 in the final, so they will face a supercharged Indian team. Despite a few blackouts last week, Jersey Shore used a strong finishing kick in the fourth quarter to pull away from Shikellamy and win their 12th consecutive conference game. The Bulldogs also finished strong in Week 4, scoring 34 straight second-half points against Lewisburg while rallying to beat late Selinsgrove and Montoursville in overtime. A young offensive line is freezing and the Bulldogs have scored 103 points over the past two weeks with the offense being both balanced and dangerous. Brady Jordan threw three touchdowns against Shikellamy and Cayden Hess caught two. All-State linebacker Haydn Packer is making the difference in the running back, with a rush of 228 yards and five touchdowns in the last two games. Elijah Jordan also ran well and Kooper and Karter Peacock are each a double threat. Defensive ends Connor Davis and Tate Sechrist each made five tackles for a loss while combining for six sacks, helping Jersey Shore maintain three single-digit teams. Luke Springman has a 4 1/2 sack record and Kooper Peacock returned an interception for a touchdown against Shikellamy. The Bulldogs are second in the zone in defense, but have been sensitive to big plays, especially over the past two weeks. However, the defense also remains opportunistic and produced four interceptions in those games. Jersey Shore has not lost a road game since Week 4 of 2019.
Jersey Shore player to watch – Connor Griffin: An emerging threat in the wide receiver, Griffin is second on the team in catches and yards. He came out on top in the overtime win over Montoursville, capturing both a 76-yard touchdown and the touchdown that forced overtime. He also gives the defense a boost and intercepted two passes.
Shamokin PPG – 22.8, PPA – 22.2; GPJ – 269.8, LPJ – 231
Shamokin Facts: Only a goal line that kept him inches from a 2-point winning conversion at Central Mountain prevents Shamokin from entering this game 4-1. The Indians are on a high note after ending Mifflinburg’s three-game winning streak and winning a 34-27 road thriller a week ago. Quarterback Brett Nye is healthier after a preseason foot injury and threw for a record 195 yards and two touchdowns. Nye burst onto the scene a year ago, throwing for 1,257 yards and 14 touchdowns in nine games. Four-year-old starting running back Max Madden is a workaholic who has crossed 100 yards three times and 90 yards four times. He ran for 151 yards and three touchdowns against Central Mountain. Although the defense allowed 313 yards against Mifflinburg, including 255 in the air, it also forced two critical turnovers. Shamokin coach Henry Hynoski is in his fourth year there and won a Super Bowl ring as the New Giants starting full-back in the 2011 season.
Shamokin player to watch – Tyler Whary: A jack of all trades, Whary was instrumental in last week’s win, returning an interception for a touchdown. He also ran for 57 yards and a score on nine carries and caught a 25-yard pass. Whary returned interceptions for touchdowns in Shamokin back-to-back wins.
Outlook: Shamokin has probably circled this one on the timeline for a long time, and Nye’s arm adds dimension to the offense. Jersey Shore takes each team’s best shot this year after last season’s state run and that will be another challenge.
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