Selinsgrove in Jersey Shore Preview | News, Sports, Jobs

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent The Jersey Shore football team runs onto the field before their game against Delaware Valley.

Selinsgrove PPG–12.0, PPA–23.0; YPG–193, YPA–247

Selinsgrove notes: No District 4 team has played more times since 2013 than Selinsgrove and Jersey Shore. This will be the 21st meeting in that span, and the rivals have met in nine of the last 11 district championships. Selinsgrove ended Jersey Shore’s five-year reign last season by becoming the first District 4 team to beat the Bulldogs since Southern Columbia in 2019. The Seals have traded away a number of title contenders and have a new coach. They remain a serious title contender and have shown a knack for turnovers over the years. The defense remains stout and held Juniata in a rematch of the state quarterfinals in the season opener. Senior linebacker Ethan Miller has been one of the district’s top players since his freshman year, with 279 tackles, including 50 for loss. He has 24 rushes in the first two games this year, while defensive end Carlos Stuter has 21. Devon Mitchell and Tegan Minier have added sacks. Brett Rice is one of several players expected to receive passes tonight, and he showed his explosiveness against state-ranked 90-yard Twin Valley by returning a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown. Quarterback Rocco Amato completed 10 of 17 passes for 123 yards.

Selinsgrove player to watch — Gavin Bastian: The senior quarterback made his presence felt for the Jersey Shore in two games last season, most notably in the district finale when he was a game-changer, catching six balls for 159 yards and three touchdowns. Bastian also scored a point in the regular-season contest and surpassed 2,000 career receiving yards last week. He’s also an excellent defender.

Jersey Shore PPG – 21.0, PPA – 15.5; YPG–303, YPA–254

Jersey Shore notes: Jersey Shore plays the defending district champion for the third straight week after winning thrillers against Dallas and Delaware Valley in District 2 in the first two weeks. Jersey Shore came from behind in both games, erasing a 14-point deficit late in the third quarter at Dallas and a three-point deficit in the second quarter against Delaware Valley. The defense didn’t allow a point in the final 32 minutes against Delaware Valley and made a last-second save in the red zone to preserve the victory. Senior two-way linebacker Slate Sechrist was a force in the game, collecting five tackles for loss and a sack. Zeke Sechrist added eight hurries and produced two sacks against Dallas, while All-State linebacker Bo Sechrist had 14 tackles last Friday. Elijah Jordan and Evan Snyder added an interception and a fumble recovery, respectively. The two have also formed a formidable passing duo. Jordan has thrown four touchdowns in his first two starts at his new position, while Snyder came within a yard of his second consecutive 100-yard game last week. Paul Hale and Luke Ryan are also dangerous, as is Trent Severino, who caught the game-winning touchdown with 43 seconds left in Dallas. The running game has struggled at times, but Brodie Herr ripped off a 40-yard touchdown run to score the game’s first points last week, and Bo Sechrist scored the tying touchdown against Dallas. The Jersey Shore shared the HAC-I championship with Selinsgrove last year and has won at least a share of six consecutive league crowns.

Jersey Shore Player to Watch – Luke Thompson: Coming off a breakout season a year ago, Thompson has been a key part of Jersey Shore’s defensive success and has made 13 tackles, including four for loss. He had a sack against Delaware Valley, and the junior also returned a fumble 10 yards against Dallas.

Outlook: Both teams are certainly as seasoned as they come, as each will face state-ranked teams and/or teams that went deep at state last fall in their first two games. Both have offensive prowess, but these teams know each other very well and each has built their proud traditions on stifling defense, so I think this will be a low-scoring, close game.