Pleasant Valley will try to keep the Old Oaken Bucket for another season this week against Pocono Mountain East.

Elsewhere, Northern Lehigh travels to unbeaten North Schuylkill, while Tamaqua looks for its third straight win against undefeated Notre Dame Green Pond.

Palmerton will try to keep rolling after a big win against Catasauqua against Schuylkill Haven, and Lehighton will be in action tonight against Blue Mountain.

Pleasant Valley at PM East

Friday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m.

Storyline of the Week:

The Old Oaken Bucket is up for grabs

Pleasant Valley looks to retain the Old Oaken Bucket after a convincing 42-0 win over Pocono Mountain East last November. PV is coming off a 28-12 win over Dieruff after rushing for 319 yards against the Huskies defense. “We did what we had to do and move on,” PV head coach Blaec Saeger said. “We got to put it behind us. You can only celebrate for so long and with a game coming up like this, it was pretty easy. The Bucket game coming up, all our attention is now.” Pleasant Valley rebounded after a tough loss to East Stroudsburg South the week before. All the attention now to turns to playing longtime rival Pocono Mountain East. East’s lone win of this season came against Allen on Sept. 17. East won the Bucket game from 2017 to 2019 but wasn’t able to keep the trophy in Swiftwater in last year’s contest. “They’re going to give us everything they have, that I can guarantee it,” Saeger said. “This is their Super Bowl, and their record is not indicative of what they are. They’ve played some monster teams like Easton and East Stroudsburg South. By no means are we expecting anything easy.” Regardless of the game, Saeger said the same effort is put int each week. “We put in the same effort for a big or small game, it doesn’t matter,” Saeger said. “They’re all the same. As coaches go, we put in our time and preparation so the kids are honed in on what we have to do. With this game, there are some outside distractions in the school that we have to circumvent around, but this is a huge deal for us.” There will be pre-game festivities during the week before Friday night’s matchup. The distractions can’t get in the way of either team’s playing on the field. “The kids know it’s important, and we don’t downplay it,” Saeger said. It is important. It’s very important to the community and the school. We got to make sure our kids are ready for such a game. We know what we’re in for. It’s going to be a great game. It’s not just our rivalry. They’re coming for us, and we know that.”

Players to Watch:

Robert Papaleo, Pleasant Valley

Papaleo had a big rushing game of 210 yards against Dieruff last Friday. Expect the senior quarterback to get most of the carries against Pocono Mountain East.

Ryan Blass, Pleasant Valley

Blass picked off Dieruff quarterback Jovan Rodriguez three times in a 28-12 win. The senior wide receiver also caught the lone pass Papaleo threw on the night.

James Syracuse, Pleasant Valley

Syracuse had an interception in the Dieruff game, and the PV defense limited the Huskies to 57 rushing yards. The secondary has to be careful not to allow big-pass plays like in the last few weeks when Dieruff was able to score on two touchdown catches from Christopher Sell in the game.

No. Lehigh at No. Schuylkill

When: Friday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m.

Storyline of the Week

: No margin for error

Northern Lehigh improved to 3-2 with an impressive 35-7 win over Palisades last week. The Bulldogs will have to slow down a 5-0 Spartans squad that is averaging 38.8 points per game this season. “We have to play a very clean game,” said Northern Lehigh head coach Joe Tout. “And that’s been a strength. We’ve been winning the turnover battle, limit penalties, and that’s going to be our formula. This is probably the best team that we’ve faced so far, but the same time, we feel if we play our best game and it’s a clean game, we’re going to have a chance to win. The biggest thing we have to limit for them offensively is big plays. Because you’ll watch them, they’ll go tempo, and especially against Jim Thorpe, we watched a lot of that film. They would get limited, be limited, be limited, and then there’s a 70-yard touchdown. And that’s what we can’t let happen ... because you limit them, you limit the passing game, and then (Josh) Chowansky is one we have to contain, especially, because he likes to bounce outside a lot. And that’s our focus. Because I think they kind of lull you ... they don’t run a lot of formations, but they’re going to throw and throw and throw, and then they’re going to catch you off guard, and if you’re not disciplined and in your lanes, Chowansky’s going to bounce it outside. We have to limit that. They can pop one, maybe two, but you have to contain them other than that. If we do that, and then offensively, we have to play clean, can’t have the penalties and the turnovers. And special teams will be big as well. They will come after punts at certain times. You can’t give up a return. They had a punt return Saturday against Pen Argyl which was called back. We’re going to have to win in all three facets. But if we’re clean, we’re going to have opportunities to win the game Friday, we truly believe that.” Northern Lehigh has seen two potential all-state QBs in Northwestern’s Justin Holmes and Notre Dame Green Pond’s Collin Quintano already this season, and will face another good one in the Spartans’ Jake Hall this week. “From that end, you feel good, and we talked about that with our kids that we’ve seen high-level quarterbacks, this is going to be another one,” said Tout. “And a player like (Cade) Christopher from Northwestern, we’ve seen speed, and this is what Chowansky is going to be like; make sure you adjust to it. As far as the speed is concerned, we’ve seen that. I just think we’ve seen a mix and match. And Palisades last week, their front is pretty good, Muncy’s front is pretty good, so we feel pretty tested at this point.”

Players to Watch:

Jake Hall, North Schuylkill

The senior quarterback completed 28-of-38 passes for 365 yards and six touchdowns in the undefeated Spartans’ 60-27 rout of Pen Argyl.

Josh Chowansky, North Schuylkill

Chowansky rushed for 1,260 yards and 11 scores, including 266 yards and three TDs in last year’s district final win (49-35) over Notre Dame-Green Pond.

Dylan Smoyer, Northern Lehigh

Smoyer completed 12-of-15 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s 35-7 win over Palisades.

Pen Argyl at Jim Thorpe

When: Friday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m.

Storyline of the Week

: Jim Thorpe looking to take care of the football better this week against Pen Argyl

The Olympians will look to get back on track this week after a loss on the road Monday night to a very good Notre Dame Green Pond squad (ranked No. 4 in the state in 3A), 49-21. Thorpe will welcome a winless Pen Argyl squad that has struggled this season. For the Olympians, this week they will be about getting back to the fundamentals. Turnovers have hurt Thorpe in big games this season, and that trend continued against the Crusaders with three lost fumbles, all in crucial moments of the contest. For the season, the Olympians are (-3) in the turnover department. “We have to do a better job of eliminating our mistakes. Ball security was a definite problem for us last week, so that’s something we will need to have some urgency about. We have some bad habits right now, habits that in practice you need to take serious. We need to get serious about correcting them, and then transfer that over to the game,” said Jim Thorpe coach Mark Rosenberger. “We have another opportunity on Friday night to get better, and we’re looking forward to it against a physical team in Pen Argyl.” The Green Knights started off the season with a spread offense approach, but injuries have taken them back to their roots in being a run-first offense that will look to be physical at the line of scrimmage. Kris Kessler leads the team in rushing with 128 yards. Offensively, the Olympians are banged up themselves, especially at the running back position, but are facing a Pen Argyl defense that has given up 42 points per game on the season. This may be the week when Thorpe will look to go to the air more often. Olympians’ quarterback Brett Balliet has thrown for 593 yards, with six touchdowns and six interceptions. Offensively, Thorpe could certainly use a breakout outing, as it’s averaging just 17 points per game.

Players to Watch

Cameron Tinajero, Jim Thorpe

Tinajero has 268 yards rushing and 143 yards receiving, with four total scores this season.

Cole Dorshimer, Pen Argyl

Dorshimer has 217 yards passing, with two touchdowns and two interceptions with 75 yards rushing for the Green Knights.

Sch. Haven at Palmerton

When: Friday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m.

Storyline of the Week

: The Bombers will need to be tough in the trenches this week against an always-physical Schuylkill Haven rushing attack

Palmerton will need to be ready to line up on the defensive side of the ball, and be ready to play some smash-mouth football against a Schuylkill Haven team that got its run game going in a 14-7 win over Pine Grove last week. The Hurricanes rushed for 225 yards, and Aidan Myers rushed for 157 yards in the victory over the Cardinals. Haven attempted just six passes in the game, meaning there is no secret what it will try to do this week to an explosive Palmerton offense that is averaging just under 40 points per game, and 359 yards of total offense per game. “We know they’re going to try and keep the ball away from us and our offense off the field. The goal is to always get out to a good start, build a lead and put them in some uncomfortable positions, making them throw the ball a bit,” said Palmerton head coach Chris Walkowiak. “We’re going to need to match their physicality at the line of scrimmage, and defensively it’s going to be important to get off the field on third down. Defensively, we’ve been able to play fundamental football throughout the season, while being aggressive, so we’ll be looking to continue that trend this week as well.” A little foreshadowing in this one could be coming from an adjustment Pine Grove made against Haven when it was struggling to run the football, putting in a more athletic runner at the quarterback spot. That quarterback had success, finishing with 97 yards and bursts of 34 and 53 yards. Palmerton signal caller Matt Machalik has shown his ability to escape the pocket this season, rushing for 475 yards and nine scores at 8.5 yards per carry. Obviously, containing Machalik will be a tough task for the Hurricanes, but will almost certainly be one of their priorities come Friday night.

Players to Watch:

James Denicola, Palmerton

Denicola has caught nine balls for 185 yards and two scores. He’s averaging over 20 yards per catch.

Ty Sander, Palmerton

Sander has shown some flashes this season, rushing for 165 yards and two touchdowns at 11 yards per carry.

Aidan Myers, Schuylkill Haven

Myers is a tough runner and has rushed for 423 yards and four scores.

Conner Goehring, Schuylkill Haven

In three games, Goehring has rushed for 241 yards and three touchdowns.

Marian at Tri Valley

When: Friday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m.

Storyline of the Week

: Getting better

After a 26-9 loss to Shenandoah Valley dropped Marian to 0-5 on the season, Colts’ head coach Stan Dakosty saw some things his team needs to do to get better. But the veteran coach also found plenty of positives to build on. “We’re just focused on ourselves, to be honest with you,” said Dakosty. “I thought our kids did so many things so well against Shenandoah. But we fumbled eight times, and put ourselves in holes. The attitude of the kids is great; they’re working hard, and 80% of our roster is freshmen and sophomores. We’re getting some kids back now ... we had a nice JV game this week, so we’re just working on getting Marian better. We’re excited about playing a quality team like Tri Valley, and we’re preparing our kids, and they’re going to be ready to play a good ballgame against a good team. We’ve got kids that are going in there and are playing hard, and as a coach, that’s all you can ask.” The Bulldogs have given up just 43 points in four games (10.75 ppg.) this season. Despite the loss last week, Dakosty saw several younger players make the most of their playing time last week. “We were down nine starters, and the kids that went in there, some of them playing out of position, and they played hard, they played well. We found some things we liked, and we had some freshmen kids play that we never thought would be playing varsity, and they stuck their nose in there. We had 18 first downs, and over 300 yards of offense ... what we have to do is correct our mistakes, keep correcting ourselves and play the best possible game we can play. If we do that and we’re successful, fine; if we do it and we’re not, it’s still OK because we did everything we could. We just have to cut down on the turnovers. I’m really positive about our kids. I like our kids, they’re good kids and they’re playing hard, they’re working hard and they’re getting better. We’re just trying to build off the positive things we did in the Shenandoah game, and correct the negative things that happened.”

Players to Watch:

Matt Martin, Marian

Martin carried the ball 30 times for 206 yards and one touchdown, plus made 10 tackles in a loss to Shenandoah Valley.

Jonas McGrath, Tri Valley

The senior quarterback has completed 33-of-66 pass attempts for 555 yards with seven touchdowns and two picks this season.

Jacob Scheib, Tri Valley

The junior has carried the ball 49 times for 251 yards and three touchdowns.

Notre Dame at Tamaqua

When: Friday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m.

Storyline of the Week

: Can the improving Raiders keep the high octane Notre Dame offense off the field by grinding out the clock in the run game?

The Raiders have been one of the most physical football teams in the area during head coach Sam Bonner’s tenure, and they will need to conjure every bit of their physicality this week against the No. 4-ranked team in the state in 3A in Notre Dame Green Pond. All the Crusaders did last week was put up 49 points, and throw for over 500 yards against Jim Thorpe’s “Red Swarm” defense. Controlling the clock will undoubtedly be the key for Tamaqua. The Raiders average 165 yards rushing per game. “They have an offense that can score, and score quickly. They have a really good experienced quarterback and a ton of weapons, so you have to do your best to just control the time of possession,” said Bonner. “We’re a young team and we’re getting better; we just have to really focus on going out there and playing physical and moving the ball, and most importantly, not putting the ball on the ground. That’s been an issue for us at times. You turn it over against a team the quality of Notre Dame, and all of a sudden you look up at the scoreboard and they’ve put a few in on you.” Tamaqua is coming into this week off back-to-back wins over Pen Argyl and Salisbury, and look to be finding some go-to weapons on the offensive side of the ball. Sophomore Zander Coleman has been starting to emerge and leads the team in rushing yards, receiving yards and touchdowns. Starting running back Warren Stewart also returns from injury this week after Love Ortiz did a nice job last week filling in.

Players to Watch

Zander Coleman, Tamaqua

Coleman has amassed 705 yards of total offense and five total touchdowns.

Nate Gregoire, Tamaqua

Gregoire has thrown for 468 yards, with four touchdowns and four interceptions.

Collin Quintano, Notre Dame GP

Quintano has put up some video game like numbers this season, throwing for 1,628 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Panther Vy. at Williams Vy.

When: Friday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m.

Storyline of the Week

: The Panthers have to find more offense to compete with the Vikings

The task to win its first game of the season doesn’t get any easier for Panther Valley this week as they travel to Tower City to take on 4-1 Williams Valley. “Against Nativity last week, we held our ground pretty well on defense at times, and sacked their quarterback three times for minus yards,” said PV coach Rick Jones, “but we have to find a way to generate more offense and sustain drives.” The Panthers were shut out against Nativity, and managed just seven first downs in the game. They ran for 99 yards, while their passing game totaled just 39 more. Add to that the fact that PV had five punts in the first half alone, and the numbers don’t lie about their lack of scoring punch. They have not shown the big-play strike, the ability to move the chains, or keep their opponents’ offenses off the field. This week, Jones plans to give speedy freshman Nasir Irvine more snaps behind center. Irvine showed flashes of his athletic ability late in the game against Nativity. Jones expects Williams Valley to be very aggressive. “Their program has had a lot of success in the past few years. They always have tough kids. This team likes to run, but you have to be ready for when they throw the ball deep. We will have to improve our football discipline, and be in the right spots to make plays on both sides of the ball. We also have to not get penalties at key times after we make good plays.” The Panthers continue to shuffle players around to different positions, some due to injuries and others in an attempt to put more points on the board. “We have a great core of kids here who come to practice each day and work hard to get better. That’s a true testimony to them because we’ve been struggling. We’ll get there, but it’s going to take some more time.”

Players to Watch:

Nasir Irvine, Panther Valley

Last week, Irvine averaged four yards a carry and showed he has the speed to bust the big play. Look for him to get more snaps at quarterback with leading rusher Michael Pascoe moving over to running back.

Isaac Whiteash, Williams Valley

In their win against Bloomsburg last week, the Vikings had three players throw passes, but their go-to-guy is Whiteash, who completed nine passes for 95 yards and one touchdown.

Lehighton at Blue Mtn.

When: Thursday, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m.

Storyline of the Week

: Lehighton looking to give the future a chance earlier than expected due to unexpected injury bug

Lehighton travels to Blue Mountain for a Thursday night contest. The Indians sit at 1-4 on the season, having lost the last three contests. Meanwhile, Blue Mountain enters the contest with an overall record of 2-3, having lost three of its last four games. In the last five games, the Indians have watched their opposition rack up over 1,154 yards on the ground, plus almost surpass the same 1,000-yard mark through the air - with 840 yards in passing. So, this week against the Blue Eagles, which offensive strategy does Tribe coach Tom McCarroll and his staff expect from the hosts? “I think they try to establish the run first, and I think that is their overall primary goal,” said McCarroll on what game plan to expect from the Blue Eagles this week. “I think they do a nice job of that, and I think it allows them to be able to step up play action pass. But they’re very balanced.” McCarroll acknowledged the Indians have been hit by a bit of an “injury bug” over the last few weeks, especially last week in a tough 43-8 setback to Pottsville. “It’s kind of a situation that I have never seen before,” McCarroll stressed. “We have lost two more starting offensive linemen last week. So, that’s four out of our starting five that we have that originally started the season are out.” It has forced McCarroll and his staff to change things around a bit and get creative in their game plan. While he wants the best for his team and the program, McCarroll is giving the youth within the program a chance. “Regardless of the outcome, I think this is one of the games that is going to help us move forward I think as a program,” McCarroll said. “Maybe not just this year, but in the future because of how many new kids and young kids are going to be getting more significant time than they’re used to. There will be some kids starting that I guarantee that they thought at the beginning of the season they would have never been starting, yet alone getting as much significant time as they are.”

Players to Watch

Ethan Buchert, Lehighton

Buchert plays on both sides of the ball for the Indians. He lines up on the outside as a wide receiver, and has caught five passes for 74 yards, which adds up to a 14.80 yard average per catch. However, it has been his defensive effort that helps him standout most of all, as he has 24 tackles on the season, four of which have tallied for tackles for losses.

Brady O’Donnell, Lehighton

O’Donnell, the young sophomore quarterback, keeps getting better and better each week with each snap. He has completed 50 of his 98 passes attempted this season for an impressive 707 yards and four touchdowns, to just two interceptions. He also has rushed 36 times for 94 yards and one touchdown.

Kreese Stablein, Blue Mountain

Stablein has hauled in seven receptions this season for 92 yards and one touchdown. Stablein also handles the place-kicker position, and has 15 PATs on the season, while going 0-for-1 in field goal attempts.