Bulldogs host Williamsport in a huge Week 6 game
Trending
Williamsport (4-1) is seeking its first win against Jersey Shore (3-2) in three tries since joining the HAC-I two years ago. A year ago, these two combined for 107 points and 1,165 yards in a 67-40 Jersey Shore victory.
Both teams were runners-up in their respect districts a year ago. Williamsport and Jersey Shore rank Nos. 1 and 2 among area teams in yards per game.
Williamsport is trying to start 5-1 for the first time since 2020 and is coming off a super defensive performance in a 23-8 win against Selinsgrove. The Millionaires blanked Selinsgrove for 3 ½ quarters as Davahjei Dymeck, Kason Ulmer and Anthony Manley all collected 10 or more tackles. Manley and defensive lineman Cordoza Minor share the area sack lead with four.
Dymeck averages 9.2 tackles per game and Minor and Ulmer have combined for 15 tackles for loss. The Millionaires are 2-0 on the road and rallied from 11 down in the final three minutes to take a lead against Shikellamy two weeks ago before dropping a 48-44 heartbreaker. Zion Hughes has played well in place of injured quarterback Tevin Williams, throwing for 440 yards and three touchdowns in two starts.
Trey Damschroder leads the area with 27 catches and has reeled in touchdowns in all five games. Jaylen Lilly also caught a score last week, catching five passes for 81 yards. Those two, Ulmer and Dalantae Haberstroh-Stotts all have double digit catches and over 100 yards. Freshman running back Za'Mire Hopking is making a big impact and ran for 133 yards and a touchdown against Selinsgrove. This, after he returned a kickoff 92 yards for a score against Shikellamy.
Williamsport is atop the District 2-4 Class 6A standings and the top four among the six teams advances to districts.
Eli Weaver, a junior linebacker has developed quite a knack for getting the ball, recovering fumbles in consecutive games. Weaver's 55-yard fumble return gave Williamsport a 44-41 lead late against Shikellamy. Weaver also has three tackles for loss, including two against Hazleton.
It speaks volumes about the success Jersey Shore has attained over the year that it it is experiencing its first two-game losing streak since 2018. The Bulldogs turned a 12-point second quarter deficit into a one-point third quarter lead a week ago at Shikellamy before turnovers loomed large in a 56-27 defeat. The Bulldogs had their chances against the state's top-ranked Class AAAA team Shamokin a week earlier, gaining more yards than any Indian opponent, but failing to score in three trips inside the 10-yard line.
Jersey Shore is in good position to reach districts for a 14th straight season and opened the season with three straight quality wins. Quarterback Nolen Pauling has topped 300 total yards in all five games and leads District 4 with 1,293 yards passing. Wide receivers Carter Rhinehart, who missed last week but is expected back, and Connor Winters are Nos. 1 and 2 among area receivers in yards.
Rhinehart caught six touchdowns in the first three games and Winters four in the last two. Zeke Sechrist ran for 50 yards and a touchdown at Shikellamy and fuels the defense, averaging a team-high 12.2 tackles per game. He, fellow linebacker Chase Ellison and defensive end Connor Yingling all have five tackles for loss.
Two-way lineman Isaac Shirey was a force in a Week 2 win at Montoursville and leads the team with four sacks and seven tackles for loss. Ellison and Yingling both have 2 1/2 sacks.
Khani McCray, a first-time football player, McCray has quickly become a big play threat who can stretch the field. His presence makes it hard to roll coverages toward Rhinehart and/or Winters. All three touchdowns McCray has caught have been from 20 or more yards out and his third quarter touchdown gave Jersey Shore a brief lead a week ago.
Both teams are busting with exciting playmakers, so this could be quite entertaining. Each also runs a rapid-fire no-huddle offense, so those watching will not have much time to catch their breaths. Williamsport and Jersey Shore are eager to make a statement, so a thriller is a definite possibility.