A capsule look at the District 4 Class AAA semifinal matchup between No. 3 Selinsgrove and No. 2 Jersey Shore. The Bulldogs host the Seals today.

Selinsgrove PPG–19.1, PPA–29.0; YPG–228.6, YPA–336.5

Selinsgrove notes: Selinsgrove (5-5) is playing Jersey Shore in districts for a fourth straight year and for the 10th time in 12 years. This is only the second time that span that these rivals are not squaring off for the championship. They had played in three straight finals before this season with Selinsgrove winning a year ago, 44-19. Jersey Shore exacted a measure of revenge in Week 3, winning, 55-21. The Seals showed their prowess in the season opener, defeating Juniata, receiving honorable mention honors in the 4A state rankings, 14-6. Like Jersey Shore, Selinsgrove has played a demanding schedule in and out of the conference. Linebacker Ethan Miller is one of the district’s best and averages a team-high 11.1 tackles per game. A four-year starter, Miller has 366 career tackles, including 59 for loss. Safety Carlos Stuter averages 7.7 tackles per game and helped seal a 38-20 win against Berwick two weeks ago, returning an interception for a touchdown. The Seals held Shamokin to 16 offensive points in Week 6. Miller leads the team in rushing, producing 581 yards and quarterback Rocco Amato is 88 yards from reaching 1,000 in his first season starting. Gavin Bastian is one of the district’s top receivers and has 156 career catches for 2,549 yards, going for six catches, 73 yards and a touchdown in Week 3.

Selinsgrove player to watch–Devon Mitchell: The senior defensive end is a catalyst who has 9 ½ sacks over the past two seasons. Mitchell also has 21 tackles for loss during that time and provides backfield depth, running for 281 yards and three touchdowns.

Jersey Shore PPG–39.3, PPA–19.1; YPG–409.5, YPA–241.6

Jersey Shore notes: Jersey Shore (7-3) is trying to reach its seventh straight district final and won five straight championships before Selinsgrove ended its run a year ago. The Bulldogs lost three close 18 combined points and are trying to iron out the wrinkles which hurt them in those games. They did a good job of that last week, scoring 55 straight first half points in a convincing win at Central Mountain. Wide receivers Evan Snyder and Paul Hale both have caught 50 or more passes, just the second duo to achieve that in program history, joining Cayden Hess and Stanton Westlin from 2019. Hale has caught three touchdowns the past two weeks and Snyder led the area during the regular season with 13 touchdowns. He also has taken a punt return and interception for scores. Bo Sechrist has scored in six straight games and, he, 2,000-yard passer Elijah Jordan and Brodie Herr all have run for more than 440 yards. Sechrist also went over 100 tackles this season in last week’s victory. Slate Sechrist has 23 tackles for loss and Zeke Sechrist five sacks. Luke Thompson, Trent Severino and Talyn Lope also have multiple sacks. Jersey Shore has not been as opportunistic defensively as in years past, producing nine turnovers a year after forcing 38.

Jersey Shore player to watch–Owen Vandruff: The senior two-way lineman anchors an offensive line which has helped Jersey Shore lead the area in yards per game. He also provides muscle up front defensively and averages 5.8 tackles per game, while making eight tackles for loss. With Shamokin all but certain to beat Athens in the other semifinal, this will be the final home game for Vandruff and his fellow seniors, so look for them to be eager to make the most of this opportunity.

Winner plays: No. 1 Shamokin or No. 4 Athens

Outlook: A lot of times in recent years, the playoff encounter is vastly different from the regular season game in terms of points spread. That happened a year ago after they tied in the regular season. It could be the case again tonight because Selinsgrove is a battle-tested team, so anything goes as these rivals collide for the 22nd time since 2013.