Williamsport PPG–22.7, PPA–19.7; YPG–270.9, YPA–322.3
Williamsport notes: Williamsport (6-5) is playing in its first championship since 2021 and is seeking its first title since 2016. It’s been a roller-coaster season but the Millionaires took off at the perfect time and rallied for a 34-20 regular season finale win against Wilkes-Barre before defeating Hazleton, 15-6 in last week’s semifinals.
The Millionaires opened the season 4-0, losing five straight but scored 21 points in the final four minutes to turn a seven-point deficit into a 14-point advantage late against Wilkes-Barre. The defense then overpowered Hazleton last week with Jayden Ransom putting together one of the most dominant performances in recent history, collecting seven sacks. Williamsport allowed just 188 yards and held Hazleton to one offensive touchdown in two wins this season. Anthony Manley had a strong game at linebacker last week, producing 13 tackles and sophomore linebacker Lucas Naughton leads the area with 129 tackles. Jamel Bailey added a sack and also enjoyed his best offensive performance as the offensive line ran for 164 yards with two touchdowns. Bailey and fellow running back Kahyear Whaley are also good receiving backs, while Kyreek Bradshaw finished the regular season ninth among area players in catches. Giovanni White is a jack of all trades, who has scored touchdowns as a rusher, receiver and punt returner. Quarterback Elijah Way threw for 169 yards in the first Wilkes-Barre game and both Bradshaw and Zion Hughes caught five passes. Hughes also clinched the win and returned an interception for a touchdown. The sophomore also sealed the Hazleton win when he picked up an errant snap and threw a 2-point pass that made it a two-point game. Kicker Parker Johnson has a district-best 11 field goals and has placed 17 of his 49 punts inside the 20-yard line.
Williamsport player to watch – Samir Williams: The senior will play a key role in the secondary tonight and showed what he can do against undefeated Shamokin, intercepting two passes. Williams is also part of a deep receiving unit and had a big game against state-ranked Hollidaysburg, catching six passes for 145 yards and a touchdown.
Wilkes-Barre PPG–24.3, PPA–18.5; YPG–303, YPA–254.6
Wilkes-Barre notes: The Wolfpack (6-5) are trying to win their first district title and played one of their best games in the semifinals, beating Scranton 35-7. Quarterback Jake Howe passed for 2,000 yards this season, throwing for 231 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 57 yards. Treyvon Gembitski caught three passes for 102 yards and a touchdown. Leading rusher Davon Underwood is also a good receiver and caught two scores, while also rushing for 54 yards and a touchdown. Underwood has rushed for 679 yards and 10 touchdowns this year, while catching 37 passes for 521 yards and six touchdowns. He is one of four players to catch at least 21 passes with Jordan Kieselovsky hauling in 42 for 426 yards. Wilkes-Barre has won four of its last five games with its lone loss at Williamsport. In those five wins, the Wolfpack have allowed just 31 points. Linebackers Gene Ardo and Logan Sincavage light up the defense and both have gone over 100 tackles this season. Underwood has intercepted three passes and has a team-high five sacks. Wilkes-Barre went 6-5 last year and lost to Nazareth in the district’s 2-4-11 sub-regional tournament. When Scranton moved to 6A and added a fourth team, Districts 2-4 were able to have their own tournament again.
Wilkes-Barre Player to Watch – Rex Hrabal: Helping anchor the defensive and offensive lines, Hrabal has four pancake blocks and averages seven tackles per game. He had 10 tackles in a 21-14 win against Crestwood before adding two tackles for loss last week.
Winner to play: Either State College or Erie McDowell
Outlook: It was a thriller the last time these two played with Wilkes-Barre erasing a 13-point second-quarter deficit and Williamsport a late seven-point deficit. It’s hard to imagine the rematch not also being a close and entertaining fight.
