MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent
Lewisburg’s Jeremiah Davis (3) runs the ball against Loyalsock in the first quarter. The Green Dragons are 6-0 and are No. 2 in the Sun-Gazette power rankings.

1. Jersey Shore (5-1): Hollidaysburg will be the fourth defending district champion Jersey Shore has played this season. It also has battled state-ranked Shamokin and 6A Williamsport. One better believe this is a battle-tested team.

2. Lewisburg (6-0): Jeremiah Davis needs 43 yards to reach 1,000 for a second straight year. The area’s leading rusher also has topped 100 yards in 10 straight games. Ironically, the last team to hold Davis under 100 is tonight’s opponent, Midd-West.

3. Montoursville (4-2): Speaking of running back streaks, Montoursville junior Christian Banks has scored in every game this season. Going back to last year, Banks has scored in seven of his last eight games and gone over 100 yards six times in 10 contests.

4. Warrior Run (5-1): Cameron Milheim is doing a nice job turning defense into offense. The senior cornerback has returned both his interceptions for touchdowns. Milheim also has broken up six passes.

5. Muncy (5-1): Muncy has ascended to the top of the area defensive leaderboard in yards and points allowed per game. And even those numbers are somewhat deceiving since the starters have held all but one team scoreless over the last five weeks.

6. Williamsport (4-2): As frustrating as the last two weeks have been, Williamsport still controls its destiny as far as earning homefield advantage for the District 2-4 Class 6A playoffs. Having a shot at a first district title since 2016 should feel pretty exciting.

7. Loyalsock (4-2): Although Loyalsock lost last week its defense continues improving. The Lancers held Lewisburg to a season-low 241 yards. They also became the first team to hold Lewisburg to fewer than 300 yards.

8. Hughesville (3-3): Hughesville has quietly build a nice wide receiver reputation. Aiden Barlett is playing well in his first year at Lycoming and passed the torch to Conor Knight who is excelling this year. Carson Stackhouse could be the next in the pipeline and has either scored and/or gone over 100 yards in three straight games.

9. Montgomery (3-3): While I’m sure Montgomery was disappointed with last week’s result it still has come pretty far pretty fast. The Red Raiders have not had a winning season since 2001 and ending that drought is well within reach if they continue working hard.

10. Canton (3-3): Injuries have ravaged Canton the past two seasons. The Warriors were using a wide receiver and running back up front eight nights ago. Obviously, that creates a difficult situation but it also reveals the toughness of those players will to move up to the line.

11. South Williamsport (3-3): Nothing has come easy this season, but South has shown some impressive resolve the past two weeks, winning their games by eight combined points. For one of the area’s youngest teams, learning how to win under tough circumstances is ideal for its development.

12. North Penn-Mansfield (2-4): Win or lose, North Penn-Mansfield sure has been exciting throughout the past five weeks. And while last week’s game got away from it in the second half, North Penn-Mansfield holding a 21-17 second quarter lead against Warrior Run highlights its ability and potential.

13. Milton (2-4): Milton played decent defense last week. But when one has had as many injuries as the Black Panthers, special teams mistakes can be devastating and Milton allowed three touchdowns in that department.

14. Wellsboro (1-5): Marek Mascho is one of several underclassmen coming on strong for the Hornets. He has heated up the past few weeks and has moved to tenth among area receivers in catches.

15. Cowanesque Valley (1-5): CV gave South its biggest challenge since the Mounties joined the NTL. That is a good sign for another young team which has a quality foundation to build upon down the stretch and into next season.

16. Central Mountain (0-6): I know I sound like a broken record at this point, but there are some exciting young players Central Mountain possesses who can help this team climb the ladder in coming years. Highlighting that, sophomore linebacker Kole Corman made a program record 21 tackles last week.

17. Bucktail (0-5): Quarterback Brody Pentz is second among area players in rushing yards per game. And despite Bucktail having only eight games scheduled he still is on pace to top 1,000 yards for a second straight year. He already has totaled 1,233 yards and 11 touchdowns.