TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Shore’s Bo Sechrist (5) prepares to run through multiple defenders during a football game vs. Hollidaysburg. The team faces Penn Wood on Friday.

Penn Wood (1-6) has lost six straight games since opening the season with a riveting 40-32 win against Norristown in five overtimes. Penn Wood gave Interboro a battle last week, losing 32-29.

It was a breakout game offensively after the Patriots had been shutout three times and scored 25 points in five games. Penn Wood had some success throwing the ball, but was limited to minus-3 yards in last year’s 42-8 loss against Jersey Shore.

Jersey Shore (5-2) is trying to bounce back following its worst defeat since 2019 a week ago. Hollidaysburg scored 52 straight points in that 52-7 win, but Jersey Shore still has its goals there for the taking and is second in the District 4 Class AAAA standings. It would earn a home semifinal if it holds that spot. One more win also ensures Jersey Shore of an 11th straight winning season, the second-longest active streak among area teams.

Turnovers were the main culprit against Hollidaysburg but the offense still ranks first among area teams in points and yards per game. Quarterback Nolen Pauling leads the area in passing yards and running back Bo Sechrist is second in rushing. Carson Watkins and Luke Ryan have combined for 61 catches and Carter Rhinehart and Conner Winters have emerged as big-play threats.

The defense is allowing its most yards and points per game since 2013. It has played well at times but also struggled to stop big plays with teams scoring most of their points the last three games off long touchdowns, also a culprit in Friday’s loss. Sophomore Conner Yingling has burst onto the scene and is tied for the area lead in sacks (6), while Talyn Lope has added four and Luke Thompson has a team-best 13 tackles for loss.

Watkins leads the area with five interceptions and freshman Chase Ellison collected his first sack a week ago.

Luke Ryan, a Jersey Shore senior, has emerged as a strong possession receiver and caught a career-high seven passes against Hollidaysburg. Ryan is fifth among area players in catches with 30 and averages 4.3 tackles per game at safety.

It’s always hard to get a read on teams that District 4 squads rarely play, and Penn Wood comes from one of the state’s premier big school districts. Still, Jersey Shore should be able to get going again and build momentum for the stretch run.