Jim Thorpe and Tamaqua will try to get back in the win column after suffering their first losses of the season last week.

Jim Thorpe at Lehighton

Friday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know:

ROLE REVERSAL

... JT Coach Mark Rosenberger is in the same shoes that were worn by Lehighton’s Coach Tom McCarroll last week. The Olympians will look to rebound after a big loss to North Schuylkill, while the Tribe were facing the same challenge after getting routed by Pottsville two weeks ago.

The Maroon and White rallied behind their mentor’s charge by putting up 60 points in a decisive win against Schuylkill Haven last Friday.

Regarding JT’s loss to the Spartans, Rosenberger said, “It’s a learning experience. We had a complete breakdown and we need to get better at every level. That’s are focus.”

Rosenberger already has one motivation card to pull out of his hat to fire up his troops. This traditional backyard brawl will determine which team gets to hoist the Route 209 Trophy after the final whistles blows. Thorpe has won two of the last three times, and holds a slight edge over a 10-year period.

NOT MANY SURPRISES

... McCarroll and Rosenberger have met on the gridiron for eight years now, so they pretty much know what to expect.

“Mark’s teams are very well coached,” said McCarroll. “He uses very effective schemes on offense that can be hard to put your thumb on, and their defense is always something to contend with.”

“We certainly know about their explosive receivers and their quarterback. We will need to stop the big plays,” said Rosenberger.

KEY MATCHUPS

... Lehighton’s dynamic duo of wideouts Hunter Crum and Zach Hunsicker - who have combined for over half of the Tribe’s TDs - will be a huge challenge for Thorpe’s secondary. QB Richard Fronheiser has done a good job of getting the ball to them in space.

“We’ve been striving to be more balanced with runs and passes,” said McCarroll. “Last week, JJ McDowell gained about 80 yards rushing through the third quarter.”

Thorpe runs six different running backs through their offensive schemes and will throw to multiple receivers, though statistically, Derryl Fisher might be quarterback Davier Calcano’s favorite target with 13 catches and three touchdowns.

“We need to play better up front, and be smarter with the football,” said Rosenberger.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

... Of course, the trophy is the physical prize, but since the players of both teams know each other well, neighborhood bragging rights also come along with the winner of the hardware.

“There will certainly be a lot of energy in this matchup,” said McCarroll. “It won’t be so much about Xs and Os as it will be about showing up and playing with emotion.”

PIVOTAL POINT

... McCarroll believes this game to be a pivotal point in this season. At 2-2, the Tribe can break the .500 mark and build on a winning season. On the other hand, Rosenberger believes it’s a game just like any other. “We’re 3-1 and we’re pretty happy right now, but of course we expect to play better than last week and win this game.”

Tamaqua at Blue Mountain

Friday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know:

BACK ON TRACK

… Both teams will be looking to bounce back this week after tough losses in Week 3. The Raiders (3-1) suffered their first loss of the season to Pottsville, while Blue Mountain (1-3) lost its third straight. Both the Raiders and Eagles will be turning to their physical rushing attacks to try to set the tone early in this one. The Tamaqua offense has rushed an average of 44.5 times per game, while Blue Mountain averages 37.5 rushing attempts per contest. The Raiders have been more successful on the ground than the Eagles, rushing for 1,114 yards on the season. Blue Mountain has struggled rushing the football, albeit against more solid defensive fronts (North Schuylkill, Jim Thorpe and Pine Grove), averaging just 3.6 yards per carry.

“I think this will be a good battle up front, and obviously it’s an important battle for whoever wants to come out on top in the game,” said Tamaqua head coach Sam Bonner. “Last week was the first week that we didn’t have the success we wanted, getting movement up front, so we’ve been working all week in practice to correct that. We have some physical kids and so do they, so it’s going to be hard-fought for sure.”

FALLING SHORT

… Blue Mountain dominated in its Week 1 win over rival Schuylkill Haven (35-0), but since then it has lost three straight. However, the Eagles have been in every game, losing to Jim Thorpe by one, dropping a tough one to North Schuylkill in overtime, and last week, with an eight-point defeat to Pine Grove. Blue Mountain has lost its three games by an average of just five points.

TURNOVER TOWN

… Tamaqua is plus-one in the turnover department this season, but it will have a chance to up that mark this week against an Eagles squad that hasn’t been able to take care of the football. Blue Mountain is averaging two turnovers per contest.

“Takeaways are huge in any game, and we’ve seen at times where they’ve had some turnovers that have really hurt them in close games,” said Bonner. “We had a few turnovers last week as well, but we were also able to create some, and that’s something we’ve done pretty well this season, while in turn, taking care of the football.”

DYNAMIC DUO

… If the Blue Raiders are going to have success offensively, their most likely going to come from their strong backfield duo of Nate Curvey and Logan Hess. Curvey has rushed for 396 yards and seven scores, while Hess has rushed for 308 yards and three touchdowns. The two have combined for 704 yards and 10 scores, including six yards per carry.

Marian at North Schuylkill

Friday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know:

MOVING FORWARD

… The young and inexperienced Colts squad that has 21 players on their roster this season that are new to the game of football are working hard to get better every week. Marian (1-3) was able to get its first win two weeks ago against Shenandoah Valley.

“Our players are working hard to get better each and every day. We’ve had some young guys really start to pick some things up and have settled into some starting roles,” said Marian head coach Stan Dakosty. “We just really need to focus on cleaning up our mistakes, which will help us move forward towards our goal of becoming a solid football team.”

SPARTANS DOMINATING

… Four weeks into the season, the Spartans (4-0) have proved to be the team to beat in the Schuylkill League. They had a huge win last week, dominating a good Jim Thorpe team by shutting them out, 36-0. The Colts lost to Jim Thorpe in Week 1 by a score of 43-0.

“We understand the challenge this week; we know we’re going to have our hands full. North Schuylkill is an outstanding football team. Our goal is going to continue to be to work hard and try and get better and to compete,” added Dakosty.

PUTTING UP NUMBERS

… In a tough opening slate against some strong defenses (Mahanoy, Pine Grove, Blue Mountain and Jim Thorpe) the Spartans have still been able to put up big offensive numbers. North Schuylkill is averaging 37 points per game and showed just how explosive its offense can be against what was a dominant Jim Thorpe defense last week. Freshman phenom Josh Chowansky rushed for 173 yards, while junior quarterback Jake Hall threw for 263 yards and three touchdowns a week ago. The Spartans racked up 439 total yards of offense against the Olympians.

Panther Valley at Williams Valley

Friday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know:

HEADS UP

... Coach Rick Jones’ challenge this week is keeping his Panthers’ heads up after a 35-point loss to Minersville last week. This week’s opponent is as tough, if not tougher, than the Battlin’ Miners. Williams Valley has averaged nearly 40 points in winning three out of four games. including a one-point victory over a resurgent Nativity team, and an eight - point win against Mahanoy Area a week ago.

PANTHER PROUD

... With a limited roster, Coach Rick Jones is very proud of his players’ efforts despite their lack of experience, including one who is playing out of position.

“Last week against Minersville, we had a freshman, three sophomores and a converted running back playing tackle on the offensive line and we still had nearly 400 yards rushing for the game. The problem is we were missing six starters on defense, and we couldn’t stop them.”

CARRYING THE LOAD

... Quarterback Michael Pascoe and running back Louis Clouser continue to be an effective one-two punch for the Panthers.

“Louis had seven carries for 200 yards at the half last week,” said Jones, “and that’s with him in and out of the game battling injuries. Michael’s been great. We’d like to throw more, but our receivers have to get more separation.”

WV AIRLINES

... PV’s defense will have to contend with Williams Valley’s vaunted passing attack. Quarterback Bryce Herb has already thrown for 1.028 yards and 10 touchdowns, nine of them to tight end Jesse Engle, who has snared 22 passes for 414 yards in leading the Vikings to a 3-1 record.

“They’re pretty basic with their schemes, but they have excellent execution. Herb will throw the ball up for grabs and their athletic ability, especially Engle’s, will get them to come away with the ball. They’ll mix in the run, but they really like to air it out.”

Northern Lehigh at Wilson

Saturday, Oct. 10 at 1 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know:

CLOSE CALLS

... The Bulldogs (0-2) have dropped their first two games of the season by a combined 15 points. Northern Lehigh fell to Palisades 35-27 in the season opener, and suffered a 21-14 setback against Southern Lehigh last week. The last time the Bulldogs started 0-3 was 2017. Bulldogs’ head coach Joe Tout pointed to some issues the team had with snaps in last week’s game, and noted that this week senior JD Hunter - who had been moved to guard to start the season to help with the offensive scheme - would be returning to the center position, where he was a three-year starter. “In a typical season, early on you’re trying to figure out who you are,” said Tout. “Every year is an adjustment, but we challenged our kids to knock out those issues, and I feel pretty good.” Sophomore Lucas Farmer will move from the center position to guard. “It’s a little transition, but we’re hoping that that translates,” said Tout.

UP AND DOWN

... Wilson (1-2) has alternated wins and losses through the first three weeks of the season. The Warriors lost to Palisades (42-20) in the season opener, before topping Pen Argyl 33-26 in Week 2. A 42-16 loss to Northwestern last week sent Wilson back under .500.

GOT THEIR NUMBER

... Northern Lehigh has won five of its past six meetings against Wilson dating back to 2014. The Warriors only victory during that time was a 39-20 triumph in 2017. Last year’s meeting resulted in a 14-10 Northern Lehigh victory.

RISE AND SHINE

... This week marks the first of two straight Saturday afternoon contests for the Bulldogs. Northern Lehigh will travel to Pen Argyl next Saturday for a 1:30 p.m. game.

HIGHS AND LOWS

... Through two games, the Bulldogs have a total of eight turnovers (five fumbles, three interceptions) and a -5 turnover differential, second-worst among area teams. However, Northern Lehigh’s eight penalties for 87 yards are second-fewest among area teams. The Bulldogs’ opponents have committed 14 penalties for 103 yards.

STAT LINE

... Wilson QB Cayden Stem was 12-of-23 for 148 yards with an interception last week against Northwestern. Senior CJ Fazio carried the ball 18 times for 74 yards. The Warriors finished with 292 yards of total offense. Wilson also ran 57 offensive plays to Northwestern’s 45, and had more first downs (15-12) in the contest. “Defensively, I think one of our big keys is that we can’t give up the big score,” said Tout. “They’ve struggled a bit to drive the ball consistently. What we’re kind of seeing with them is they’re having the big play when they score. That’s our plan, to focus on limiting the big plays.”

LEADING THE PACK

... Bulldog quarterback Dylan Smoyer has completed 15-of-29 passes for 231 yards with two scores and three INTs through the first two games of the season. Trevor Amorim (six catches, 89 yards, one TD) and Mike Repsher (four catches, 88) have been his top targets. Matt Frame has carried the ball 24 times for 123 yards and a score, while Repsher has put up 80 yards and one TD on 15 carries. “The big thing for us, whether it’s offense or defense, we have to control the game on the line of scrimmage,” said Tout. “We didn’t do that in the first two weeks. So on the offensive line and defensive line, we have to control things a little bit more this week. I like the matchup with us up front. But that’s what the game is going to come down to. I think our skill players this year match up within our league, or in 2A District 11. If we’re able to hold our own on the line, I like our chances.”

STANDOUT

... Tout praised the play of senior lineman Josh Schaffer through the first two games of the season. “He had a great game last week,” the coach said. “We had him for 12 tackles and two sacks. Josh definitely stepped up, and he’s been very good for us the first two weeks. He’s a kid we’re really leaning on right now.”

Brad Hurley, Rich Strack and Patrick Matsinko contributed to this story.