Loyalsock at Hughesville preview | News, Sports, Jobs

DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
Nick Stubbs (12) hands off to Jed Abernatha (31) of Hughesville in the third quarter against Montgomery in Week 1.

Loyalsock PPG–6.5, PPA–44.0; YPG–169, YPA–356.5

Loyalsock notes: Loyalsock is 0-2 for the first time since 2011, but has plenty of time to turn things around and secure a 14th straight playoff berth. The Lancers have faced two of the district’s stronger teams the first two weeks and that could help it going forward. Senior defensive tackle Jeremiah Johnson has sacks in each game as well as four tackles for loss, building on his strong 2024 campaign when he earned first team HAC-III honors along both lines. Junior safety Ivan Baker is having a breakout season, making a team-high 25 tackles, including 22 solos, in his first two games starting. Jalil Coates has added two tackles for loss, also leading the team in receptions and returning a punt for a touchdown. Tommy Pham has 15 tackles in his first year starting. Loyalsock has been unable to get the running game going after losing standout running back Dolan Harman, but quarterback Danny Dowell seems to have taken the next step after starting for the first time a year ago. He has topped 100 yards in both games, completing 13 of 21 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown against Mifflinburg. Loyalsock had two early chances to score against Southern Columbia last week but was unable to cash in and take an early lead.

Loyalsock Player to watch–Danny Dowell: Yes, he already was mentioned, but Dowell played one of his best high school games against Hughesville last year. Dowell threw for a career-high 227 yards and Loyalsock won, 30-3. He also ran for two touchdowns in that contest.

Hughesville PPG–19.0, PPA–7.0; YPG–211, YPA–86

Hughesville notes: Hughesville is coming off a defensive demolition in a 32-0 win at Towanda and is trying to beat Loyalsock for the first time since 2015. The Spartans built momentum for the game by limiting Towanda to minus-7 yards a week ago, including -27 rushing. Hughesville has produced six straight scoreless quarters and Carson Stackhouse capped the defensive clinic with an interception return for a touchdown at Towanda. Hughesville forced three turnovers and also harassed the quarterback nearly every time he dropped back to throw. Junior Jerry Barton has an area-high 11 sacks over the last two seasons, especially impressive since his first sack came in Week 4 a year ago. Linebacker Chase Fowler is one of the area’s leading tacklers during that time and is seeking a second straight 100-tackle season. Dylan McConnell added an interception in the opener against Montgomery. Hughesville’s offense started to click at Towanda and Chase Shrawder ran for a career-high 97 yards while Nick Stubbs found Connor Anstadt three times for 64 yards and a touchdown. Stubbs has thrown touchdowns in each of his first two varsity starts and Jed Abernatha ran for two touchdowns a week ago.

Hughesville Player to watch–Maliki Emmil: A first-time starter at linebacker, Emmil has made a quick impact and produced 10 tackles against Montgomery. Hughesville has had a pipeline of excellent linebackers come through there over the last decade and the junior playmaker could be one of the next ones.

Outlook: Loyalsock is probably better than the first two weeks result, so it’s hard to get a read on this one. The Lancers have allowed just three points in the last two meetings between these rivals and with how Hughesville plays defense it feels like the first one to two touchdowns win this one.