Tamaqua will take on a Schuylkill Haven team that is desperate for a victory in Week 3.

Sch. Haven at TamaquaFriday, Sept. 8, 7 p.m.Here's what you need to know:RECENT ADVANTAGE... Haven is 8-5 against Tamaqua since 2004. The Hurricanes have won the last two meeting against the Raiders.FEW YEARS AGO... The last time the Hurricanes started off 0-2 was in 2012, when Haven ended up going 7-5 overall. However, they did lose to the Raiders by a 27-6 margin that season. "You watch them on film, and they're a lot better than an 0-2 team. The two teams they lost to, Lehighton and Jim Thorpe, haven't lost a game yet. So they're 4-0 between them. Schuylkill Haven's going to be hungry. Obviously, they had a lot of hype going into the season. They're a good, quality team with two tough running backs and a quarterback who is maturing as well as a big offensive line. So we're gonna have our work cut out for us. We gotta continue doing the things that we do well, as well as not making those mistakes that we did the last two weeks as far as big penalties on touchdowns. I think we had three touchdowns called back. That's something that'll kill us in a bigger game like (Friday's)," said Tamaqua head coach Sam Bonner.BASHING BACKFIELD... Tamaqua's Nick Breiner and Nate Boyle are No. 1 and 2, respectively, across the TN area in rushing yards. During last week's 30-14 loss to Lehighton, the Hurricanes allowed an uncharacteristic 206 rushing yards.ONLY ONE... Schuylkill Haven is the only SFL Division 2 team to beat Tamaqua since the beginning of the 2015 season.Sch. Valley at LehightonFriday, Sept. 8, 7 p.m.Here's what you need to know:DIDIN'T TRAIL… During Week 2's big 30-14 win against Schuylkill Haven, the Indians (2-0) never trailed.DOUBLE TROUBLE… The Tribe seems to have two explosive playmakers in the backfield now. Quarterback Cody Scherer and senior running back TaQuan Chambers both cracked 100 yards, and both ranked in the Top 5 TN individual rushing performances last week. "He is definitely a dynamic running back," said Lehighton head coach Tom McCarroll. "He has managed to fit himself in nicely with our offense. When you have a QB like Cody, anytime you add another weapon, the offense becomes more dangerous. TaQuan has a great attitude and has worked very hard to put himself in a position to contribute."RECENT HISTORY… Last season was the first meeting between Lehighton and Schuylkill Valley. The Indians were victorious, 33-14.HOT START… Schuylkill Valley defeated Pequea Valley (34-6) in Week 1, and rolled by Fleetwood in Week 2, 42-20. Both Lehighton and Schuylkill Valley have blown out Fleetwood so far this year. "The most important thing we know about them is that they are 2-0," said the Lehighton coach. "Any team that has won their first two games has to have confidence. They seem to have some new faces, but they do some nice things on both sides of the ball. We need to play a complete game in all three facets to be successful this week."PLAYMAKERS… Keep an eye on two Panthers that helped Valley put up mega points in Week 2. Jackson Brown had 136 yards on 18 carries, while receiver Logan Grauer had seven receptions for 114 yards.BIG PLAYS ON D… Lehighton used a big pick-six by Chris Whiteman last week to help keep momentum on its side against the Hurricanes. "The defense played well in key spots," McCarroll said. "Whiteman's pick-six was huge for us. We had some offensive drives that stalled, so we needed a boost and he gave it to us. The defense came up with big plays at big moments. I was disappointed in the amount of rushing yards we gave up, but they preserved the victory for us."No. Lehigh at BangorFriday, Sept. 8, 7 p.m.Here's what you need to know:ROUGH START... Bangor has faced two of the Colonial League's toughest teams on the road in the first two weeks of the season. The Slaters opened the year with a 43-13 loss to Saucon Valley before falling 34-6 to Notre Dame Green Pond last Friday.ROOM TO WORK... The Bangor defense has had trouble stopping the run and the pass this season. The Slaters allowed five rushing touchdowns to Saucon Valley. It didn't get any better against Notre Dame. Crusaders quarterback Cole DeFranco completed 21-of-33 passes for 396 yards and four touchdowns last week. DeFranco spread the ball around, too, throwing touchdown passes to three different receivers, while six different players had at least three catches.BACK TO BASICS... Northern Lehigh fell behind 21-0 before falling 38-20 to Catasauqua last week. The Bulldogs fell into an early hole in part because of a fumble and interception that were returned for a touchdown, though they did cut the deficit to 24-20 in the fourth quarter. Northern Lehigh head coach Joe Tout has the Bulldogs focusing on the fundamentals ahead of this week's game against Bangor. "This week we are focusing on ourselves more than our opponent. Offensively, we took a step back with our fundamentals. We had three turnovers and two returned for touchdowns. So we are focusing on ball-handling fundamentals. We didn't give up, and I thought we were in good shape at halftime. I think if we are able to cut out the turnovers and penalties we will have a chance to win," Tout said.UNDER PRESSURE... Though Notre Dame moved the ball on Bangor, it wasn't always easy. "I thought they were more physical compared to Notre Dame last week - Bangor's O-line got good movement and they sent a lot of pressure against ND when ND had the ball. Notre Dame's QB (DeFranco) got beat up pretty bad last week but did connect on a couple of deep passes," Tout commented.LIKE-MINDED... More smash-mouth than up-tempo, Bangor had success running the ball last week against Notre Dame, with Gavin DeBoer rushing for 122 yards and a score on 23 carries, and Shemar Petrie adding 66 yards on 16 carries. It's a style much like the one Northern Lehigh employs. "Bangor is a similar style to us. The will huddle and aren't a tempo team. They will use pro, twins, trips, and two-by-two formations. We have to shut down Iso, Trap, Power, and toss (plays). I was impressed with the QB's (Bo Meyers) arm. They also do a good job of mixing in play action, and they will take shots down the field. They are not a big play, explosive offense, but they will grind the ball down field. They do bring back both their O-line and much of their D-Line. So they do have some veterans," said Tout.Northwestern at PalisadesFriday, Sept. 8, 7 p.m.Here's what you need to know:RUN, PIRATES, RUN... The Pirates already have two players over 200 yards rushing in just two games. Junior Trey Gretzinger has rushed for 228 yards, and senior Jared Colletti is right behind him with 220. In the season-opener against Notre Dame Green Pond, Palisades collected 349 yards rushing.WHO'S LEFT?... Wide receiver/defensive back Ryan Haas hasn't played this season because of a shoulder injury, and running back/linebacker Tyler Lobach is also nursing a shoulder injury suffered against Palmerton in the season-opener and won't play against Palisades. Last week, tight end/defensive end Hayden Ledeboer went out with a broken arm, creating another hole that needs to be filled for Northwestern."The lack of depth right now is really hurting us," admitted Snyder. "When we go from offense to defense and vice versa, we're leaving 10 of the 11 kids out there. Obviously, we would rather not do that, but there just aren't any alternatives right now."SOMETHING TO BUILD ON... As the Tigers look to establish a ground game this season, they may have found a piece of the puzzle in Jayden Allen. The sophomore running back was called on for 21 carries against Salisbury, collecting 62 yards on the night.ANYBODY OPEN?... While the Pirates offense collected 349 yards rushing against a tough Notre Dame team in Week 1, their defense showed some holes, particularly in controlling the Crusaders passing game. Quarterback Cole DeFranco threw for 322 yards and two touchdowns, but it wasn't enough to combat the Palisades ground game asNotre Dame lost to Palisades.KICK IT GOOD... Hunter Miller has provided some help for the Tigers with his kicking game. Miller has put a number of kickoffs through the end zone this season to keep opponents from getting good field position. Last week against Salisbury, Miller nailed a 39-yard field goal that easily cleared the goal post and gave the Tigers a 3-0 lead. In practice, Miller has been hitting from as far away as 50 yards. When called on to punt this season, Miller is averaging 36-yards-per punt, with his long being 49 yards.Saucon Vy. at PalmertonFriday, Sept. 8, 7 p.m.Here's what you need to know:LOOKING TO REBOUND… After an offensive outburst in Week 1 against Northwestern, Southern Lehigh blanked Palmerton in Week 2, 44-0. The Bombers had only 88 yards of total offense.GOT THEIR NUMBER?… Saucon Valley is 4-0 against Palmerton over the last four meetings, holding the Bombers to 20 total points during the stretch.NO PROBLEMS… Saucon Valley (2-0) has throttled past its first two opponents this season. The Panthers defeated Bangor 40-13 in Week 1, and roared by Pen Argyl in Week 2, 57-14.FRI(ENDZONE)… Last week, senior Saucon tailback Zach Petiet ran for 174 yards on 13 carries and four scores. Quarterback Alstan Wolfe added 91 more yards on the ground and a pair of scores. "Saucon Valley has good team speed and size," said Palmerton head coach Chris Walkowiak. "Petiet has big- play potential every time he touches the ball. Gang-tackling and pursuit to the football are a priority. Their line is big and has been equally impressive. The key to our success is playing fundamental football from beginning to end, while also playing complimentary football in all three phases of the game."HE CAN THROW, TOO… In Week 1 against the Green Knights, Wolfe was 7-of-9 for 105 yards and a score. "Wolfe is very athletic and can make plays with his arm and feet," Walkowiak said. "We have to do our best to stay in pass rush lanes and keep him contained."CHECK OUT THE FIELD!… Palmerton will show off its beautiful brand new turf field on Friday. "It's a great addition to the community and for all of the athletes," the Palmerton coach said. "It's not just a football stadium- it's a stadium that track, soccer, and field hockey is gong to use. We're really happy and very fortunate to be playing on it."No. Schuylkill at MarianFriday, Sept. 8, 7 p.m.Here's what you need to know:CRAZY RALLY… North Schuylkill (2-0) used a 29-point fourth quarter in Week 2 to help defeat Steel-High, 35-20. The Spartans were outgained by almost 71 total yards, but didn't turn the ball over and used an interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to help seal the deal. They took care of the ball by not comitting a fumble, and only yielded two penalties for 10 yards. "We saw a different kind of team last year," said Marian head coach Pat Morgans of last year's Spartans. "(Richard) Zahodnick was more of a running quarterback. Wiest came in late last year and took the team right down field. A lot of those kids are back. Wagner is a great back who runs down field and hard. Wiest throws a great football."BACK-AND-FORTH… Marian (1-1) is 7-6 against North Schuylkill since 2004.BLANKED… Jim Thorpe shut out the Colts last week, 27-0. The "Red Swarm" held Marian to just 24 rushing yards on 35 carries.WHO'S AT QB?… Marian sophomore quarterback Mason Miller completed 9-of-16 passes for 84 yards, before leaving the game with an injury. He returned to the sidelines on crutches and will not play on Friday. Keith McCall came in and completed 2-of-7 passes. "We gotta get a running game going," said Morgans. "We didn't have one, and it'll take some of the pressure off Keith, who will be filling in for Mason. We don't want to put it on him. We want to mix up some passes and get our offense going. We have to execute, we had opportunities last week inside the 20-yard line, but just stalled out."LAST YEAR?… Marian topped the Spartans, 14-12. The Colts were shut out in the first half, but scored twice in the second half to post the upset victory over North Schuylkill.Pleasant Vy. at N'hamptonFriday, Sept. 8, 7 p.m.Here's what you need to know:UP-AND-DOWN... Northampton has had an uneven start to the year. The Konkrete Kids were dominant in a 31-0 Week 1 win over East Stroudsburg North. But the roles were reversed last Friday in a 48-0 loss to Bethlehem Catholic. "Our message is that we are 0-2," said Pleasant Valley head coach Mark Versuk. "It's not where we wanted to be. There are no excuses, and it starts with me. I have to do a better job of finding answers for injured guys. I need to put the younger guys in positions that they can be successful in, and I need to do a better job of making sure they are prepared for Northampton Friday night."RUN, RUN, RUN... In the win over East Stroudsburg North, Northampton piled up 213 yards on the ground on 49 attempts. Hunter Wacik (78 yards), Tyrese Brandon (69 yards) and Josh Smith (41 yards) all scored rushing touchdowns. "Northampton is a big physical team. They run a Wing-T style offense that is designed to run the ball. They will pass at times but their focus is the running game. Their running backs run hard and will break through arm tackles. We need to be able to align properly to their many formations and do our assignments defensively. We need to play for four quarters and tackle much better. We would like to keep them in third-and-medium and third-and-long situations if we can," said Pleasant Valley head coach Mark Versuk.LAST YEAR... Last season was the first meeting between both schools. Pleasant Valley was victorious, 55-35. "We have not put a complete game together," said the Pleasant Valley coach. "We would like to play four quarters of football and live with the results, win or lose. The experience from the underclassman is only good if they are showing signs of progress; currently we have not seen that. Hopefully, over time, we see a team that is getting better each and every week."INJURY RIDDEN... Bryce Hampton (LT), Justin Kautzch (LB), Michael Brown, Brent Beck, and Adam Tacorante are all out for Friday. Angelo Santana, Zach Altemose, Samir Hoxha, and Nasai Moon are all game-time decisions.