MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Muncy's football team charges onto the field before their game against South Williamsport Friday.

Delone road to quarterfinals: In District 3, beat York Catholic, 21-14; in states, beat Belmont Charter, 28-22

Delone PPG–25.7, PPA–17.2; YPG–282.1, YPA–242.1

Delone notes: Like Muncy, Delone is coming off a thrilling first round win, rallying in the final minute to defeat Belmont Charter. After Belmont had erased a 12-point deficit, Delone moved down the field and took the lead with 18 seconds remaining when Zack Staub found Braden Smith for a game-winning 11-yard touchdown. The Squires won their first state tournament game and are trying to reach the Final Four for the first time. They have won seven straight games and 10 of their last 11. Delone has played well in close games and also broke a 14-14 tie in the district final with a fourth quarter touchdown. They also won consecutive early-season games against Northern Lebanon and Biglerville by three combined points. Staub is a senior who has completed 132 of 200 passes for 1,494 yards, 16 touchdowns and four interceptions. He had a big game last Saturday, throwing for 200 yards and four touchdowns. Smith is a versatile weapon who went over 1,000 yards rushing in the Belmont win. Smith, also a senior, has run for 1,002 yards and nine touchdowns, while catching 20 passes for 193 yards and three scores. He also has intercepted four passes. Levi Hohenstein moved from tight end to the backfield this year and has run for 389 yards and four touchdowns. Brayden Clabaugh adds depth, rushing for 180 yards and catching 14 passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns. Delone spreads the ball around in the passing game and Logan Ford has caught a team-high 43 passes for 453 yards and four scores. He caught the go-ahead fourth quarter touchdowns in the district final against York Catholic with six minutes remaining. Chris Cole has caught 35 passes for 409 yards and three touchdowns. His late interception against Belmont set up the game-winning drive. Tight end Kaden Hix had a big game in the first round, turning two catches into 86 yards and two touchdowns. Linebacker Ryan Smulian helps fuel the defense and has a team-high 85 tackles. J.D. Seig is an excellent lineman on both sides of the ball and earned first team all-league honors.

Delone player to watch–Kaden Hix: In addition to playing well at tight end, Hix also is a first team league all-star at defensive end. The senior has a team-high eight sacks and also recorded tackles for loss in all nine regular season games.

Muncy road to quarterfinals: In District 4, beat Canton, 56-14 and Line Mountain, 42-6; in states, beat Lackawanna Trail, 47-46

Muncy PPG–47.8, PPA–18.5; YPG–419.3, YPA–259.1

Muncy notes: Muncy also is trying to reach the Final Four for the first time and is coming off a dramatic comeback win. The Indians went 68 yards in 35 seconds against Lackawanna Trail, going ahead, 47-46 on Stiles Eyer’s 32-yard touchdown to Austin Johnnson and Johnson’s ensuing 2-point run. Eyer sealed the win with an interception at the 10-yard line. The Indians have reached wins for the first time in the 2000s and won their first state tournament game since 2019. They also secured the first league and district titles in the same year for the first time since 1986. Eyer went over 1,000 yards for a second straight year in last week’s win, throwing for 142 yards and two touchdowns, while running for 39 yards and a score. Johnson has the fifth-highest rushing total of an area running back in the 2000s and ran for 284 yards against Lackawanna Trail, while Landyn Wommer ran for 80 yards and a score, going over 1,200 yards this season. Wommer and Paxton Derr also had key first down catches on the game-winning drive. The offensive line has helped Muncy average 465 yards during the postesason and Muncy has topped 20 points in every game this season. Safety Dominic Guardini intercepted two passes last week, including one which set up a go-ahead second quarter touchdown. Eyer, Carter Feigles, Johnson and Wommer all have returned interceptions for touchdowns. Sophomore Nixon Lamper has come on strong up front and had 3 ½ sacks in an Old Shoe victory against Montgomery, while Nassir Miller played a strong game up front against Line Mountain. The defense did not allow an offensive point against Line Mountain and forced four turnovers in that contest. Muncy has done damage in the return game at times and has five touchdowns there with Wommer, Nate Rogers and Gavin Barrows all scoring.

Muncy player to watch–Evan Trostle: Muncy’s center has been at the heart of the line’s success this season and has played particularly well during the playoffs, helping Muncy average 48.3 points.

Winner plays: District 8 champion Westinghouse or District 6 champion Bishop Guilfoyle

Outlook: It’s the state quarterfinals, so obviously these are both excellent teams. Expect a hard-fought close game between two resilient teams.