Central Mountain Football Prepares for Williamsport
By Bees O’Brien
MILL HALL- Central Mountain has already been tested during the first two weeks of the high school football season. The Wildcats dropped their opener to District 6 5A title contenders Mifflin County and then would run into the District 4 2A Bloomsburg in Week 2.
Week 3 will bring to town undefeated 6A Williamsport, in what will be the Millionaires PHAC Division I debut. Williamsport knocked off Wyoming Valley West and Hazleton 33-0 and 23-6 respectively. The Millionaires defense has been stout in only allowing 6 points all season. The Wildcats have managed to score just two touchdowns in two games.
Hunter Hoy’s scoring strike to Jase Seltzer in the fourth quarter of the Bloomsburg loss was the Wildcats’ offensive highlight this past Friday night. CM will need a big game from Hoy and the rest of the Wildcats, especially on defense against a quick and athletic Williamsport offense.
Selinsgrove, red-hot Shamokin, Montoursville, Mount Carmel, Troy and Jersey Shore are a combined 9-1 on the season and all remain on the Wildcats schedule.
Dawgs and Seals meet again
The next chapter in one of District IV’s epic rivalries is set to take place on Friday night in Jersey Shore. The undefeated Bulldogs will host 1-1 Selinsgrove. Thompson Street Stadium will be loud and Jersey Shore is flying high following wins at Dallas and their home triumph over Delaware Valley.
This is a far cry from the Selinsgrove team that swept Shore a season ago, including beating them in the D4 4A title game. There is no standout running back in Tucker Teats opposite the Bulldogs. Selinsgrove defeat D6’s Juniata before falling to Twin Valley 40-10 this past weekend.
Elijah Jordan’s signal calling will be key once again in this one.
A much needed break in Farwell
Bucktail suffered a 42-20 loss in Week 2 at home against D9 powers Coudersport in Region 3 play. Head coach Kevin Ransom and his 16-man roster will get a much needed bye week in Week 3. The Bucks were originally scheduled to play Elk County Catholic this week, but the Crusaders opted out of the 2024 season. That would leave the first of two holes in Bucktail’s schedule.
The Bucks fell behind early against the Falcons this past Friday night, but had small victories in the second half to build on. Stephen Heiser had a break out game by catching 3 passes for 39 yards and his first varsity score. Brody Pentz threw for 133 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another.
Pentz will need his top targets in top form on September 13 when league leading Otto-Eldred comes to Farwell. Aiden Ditty (1-39), Heiser (3-39 TD), Gavin Yachymiak (3-17 TD) and Teagan Stone (2-38) will all need to make plays against the 2-0 Terrors.
Banks leading the Warriors to fast start
Montoursville running back Christian Banks hit the century mark for the second straight game. Banks tallied up 100 yards in the Warriors 20-0 win over Milton.
Banks and quarterback Jimmy Mussina will be heavily called upon when Montoursville travels to Danville to meet a strong Ironmen squad. Danville crushed Bloomsburg 45-7 in their opener and easily took care of Mifflinburg 54-8 this past week.
If Montoursville wants to become a serious threat in District IV 3A, they’ll have to make a statement at Danville this week.
