Schuylkill League programs Jim Thorpe and North Schuylkill have proved over the years to be perennial league and District 11 title contenders. Often times, when the teams square off neither team has a blemish entering the game. In fact, entering their last four matchups, including this season, the Olympians and Spartans have a combined 34 wins and two losses.

On Friday, the two will face off for yet another battle of the unbeatens at a special venue - Panther Valley Stadium - to see who will have a clearer path to the big-school division crown.

The Spartans (3-0, 2-0 SL) have been a thorn in the Olympians (3-0, 2-0 SL) side over the past five seasons, winning five of their last seven against Thorpe. Over the past two seasons - which has seen the two squads battle each other for both the Schuylkill League and District 11 3A championship - it’s been North Schuylkill that’s been able to come out on top.

The Spartans defeated the Olympians twice in 2018 by an average margin of 5.5 points, propelling them to both a league and district title, and they were also able to come through with a 41-20 victory last season to make it three in a row against Thorpe.

As is usually the case when these two programs hook up, the battle up front in the trenches will more than likely decide the outcome.

“You have two programs that pride themselves on toughness and physicality up front, and that’s where it all starts for both of us. Whatever team is more successful in that area is usually the team that will come out on top,” said Jim Thorpe head coach Mark Rosenberger. “We’re excited for the opportunity; we understand it will be a physical challenge against a good opponent, but we’re excited to get out there for the first time in front of some of our fans and try to get over the hump against a team that’s had our number here for the last few seasons.”

An encouraging sign for the Olympians heading into their matchup with the Spartans is that they’ve been able to win by playing well in all three phases. Thorpe has not had to depend on just one unit to carry the load, as its offense, defense and special teams can all claim scores on the season.

In Week 1, Thorpe blocked three punts; in Week 2 it returned an interception for a touchdown and recovered a bad snap from a punt in the end zone; and in Week 3, its punt team pinned its opponent inside the 2-yard line twice, setting up a safety for the defensive unit.

In a time where COVID-19 did not give coaches and players their usual preparation time leading up to the start of the season, the Olympians are still firing on all cylinders in all three areas.

North Schuylkill is a team that has been able to play well in all three aspects as well this season, defeating Blue Mountain in overtime last week on a fake field goal that resulted in a touchdown.

“I think our play in all three phases, especially special teams, is a testament to each player taking their role seriously. Everyone that’s been out there has tried to make things happen. We preach that, whether you’re on the field for seven plays or 70 plays; go out there and make something happen,” said Rosenberger. “In a game like this week, where the teams are so evenly matched, those are the type of plays that can really make a difference.”

The Olympians offense has had somewhat of an up-and-down start to the season. The rushing attack has been good for Thorpe, as it’s been able to spread the ball around with four players having 50-plus yards on the ground, but penalties and some missed opportunities in the passing game have stalled some of their offensive drives, specifically inside the red zone.

Last week against Pine Grove, Thorpe had two offensive possessions inside the Cardinals 20-yard line, only to come away with no points.

“That’s something we need to clean up; we’re hurting ourselves there with penalties and turnovers. It’s been a lot of self-inflicted stuff for us in those type of situations where we have struggled,” added Rosenberger.

North Schuylkill will bring a balanced attack to Lansford on Friday to try and make it four straight wins against Thorpe.

The passing game has been the surprise early on for the Spartans, as in its first two games of the season, North Schuylkill quarterback Jake Hall threw for a combined 626 yards and nine touchdowns.

However, the Spartans went back to their bread and butter last week against a more physical opponent in Blue Mountain with their rushing attack, as attested by their rushing and passing ratio of 34 to 12.

North Schuylkill may have to yet again depend heavily on the run game when it faces off against a tough Jim Thorpe defensive front that generated a ton of pressure on highly-regarded Pine Grove quarterback Josh Leininger a week ago, tallying four sacks.

The Olympians’ defense has held their opponents to just 200 yards of total offense per game, 10 points per game, and has yet to give up a touchdown in the fourth quarter.