Rivalries, redemption and playoff positioning highlight Week 5 as area teams hit the midpoint of the season. Here’s a look at Friday’s matchups, with key storylines, stats and quotes from area coaches.

Pleasant Valley (1-3) at

ES South (1-3)

When: Friday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m.

Instant Replay

Pleasant Valley has dropped back-to-back games to unbeaten state powers Exeter Township (No. 4 in 5A) and Parkland (No. 5 in 6A). Despite the lopsided losses, coach Blaec Saeger praised his team’s effort. Down 28 points in the first quarter against Parkland, the Bears put together a 12-play drive capped by a 6-yard TD run from Isaac Westerman. In the second half, Jaxson Haines hit Nico Payan on a long pass to set up Chris Ward’s 31-yard score. Ward has been PV’s top playmaker, with five touchdowns and 11 catches this season.

East Stroudsburg South has also faced a tough slate, allowing 149 points through four games. Dual-threat QB Ivan Laubach, a three-year starter, has thrown for 361 yards and four TDs, while senior RB Gianni Gonnella has rushed for 252 yards and two scores, including 133 in last week’s win over William Allen.

Storyline of the Week

Both teams are looking to get back on track in a matchup of 1-3 squads. Expect PV to lean heavily on Ward, with Payan and Westerman complementing the ground game. Haines has completed more than 70 percent of his passes, giving the Bears balance through the air.

Coach’s Corner

“Against two formidable opponents, we knew what we were up against, but we showed guts and never stopped fighting,” Saeger said. “South is a well-coached team led by an excellent quarterback who can run and pass. We’ll try to maintain clock possession, stop the run, get after the QB and make them one-dimensional. The good news is we’re fully healthy for this game, and even though we prefer being at home, it’s only a short ride to South. We’ll be ready.”

Salisbury (2-2) at

Tamaqua (1-3)

When: Friday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m.

Instant Replay

Tamaqua nearly pulled off a comeback last week, erasing a 21-0 deficit to tie Jim Thorpe 21-21 in the third quarter before falling 35-27. Sophomore RB Terrence McDowell carried 41 times for 263 yards and three TDs. He has rushed for 580 yards and seven scores this season, averaging 5.1 yards per carry. QB Chase Serfass has thrown for 265 yards and a TD.

Salisbury, 2-2 after winning just four games a year ago, features dual-threat QB Keaton Frye and sophomore RB Jarrod Blunt in a balanced offense.

Storyline of the Week

Tamaqua has shown resilience, but slow starts have been costly. Against Jim Thorpe, the Raiders found their rhythm after the first quarter but can’t afford another early deficit. The defense will need to contain Frye, who brings similar challenges to the Olympians’ attack last week.

Coach’s Corner

“Unfortunately, we just got off to such a slow start,” Tamaqua coach Sam Bonner said. “But our guys did a heck of a job coming back and actually had a chance to take the lead. We have a lot of young guys gaining experience in close games, and it’s just a matter of finding a way to finish. We’ve got to come out ready from the first series on and put together a full four quarters.”

Jim Thorpe (2-2) at

North Schuylkill (2-2)

When: Friday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m.

Instant Replay

Jim Thorpe topped Tamaqua 35-27, scoring the winning TD in the final minute on Cole Lazorick’s 23-yard pass to Spencer Gothard. Gothard caught three TDs and added an interception. Josh Louk rushed for 166 yards and a score on 16 carries.

North Schuylkill dropped its second straight, falling 34-14 to Southern Lehigh after losing to state-ranked Notre Dame-Green Pond. Luke Miller ran for 90 yards, but the Spartans surrendered 253 yards rushing.

Storyline of the Week

Both teams will try to establish the run. Thorpe allowed over 320 rushing yards against Tamaqua, while North Schuylkill gave up over 250 against Southern Lehigh.

Coach’s Corner

“We need to do a better job against the run and eliminate the big play,” Thorpe coach Mark Rosenberger said. “North Schuylkill’s RPO game has hurt us before, so we need to be ready. On offense, we have to control the clock and execute when we take our shots. At 2-2, we’ve been competitive, and I like the growth I’ve seen from our young team.”

Northwestern (4-0) at

Lehighton (2-2)

When: Friday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m.

Instant Replay

Northwestern survived a tough test from Blue Mountain, 34-28. QB Shane Leh threw for 246 yards and two TDs, while RB Braxton Lakatosh rushed for 152 yards and a score. The Tigers piled up 506 yards of offense.

Lehighton rolled past Palmerton 35-0, rushing for 237 yards and forcing four turnovers. Lukas Croizier ran for 122 yards and a TD. The defense allowed just 55 rushing yards, and the Tribe scored on one-play drives of 68, 60 and 23 yards.

Storyline of the Week

Lehighton will try to slow down Northwestern’s offense, which averages 46.5 points and 420 yards per game. The Tigers, meanwhile, want to clean up mistakes on special teams after surrendering two long returns last week.

Coach’s Corner

“It wasn’t our best performance last week — too many mistakes and breakdowns on special teams — but we still put up a lot of yards,” Northwestern coach Josh Snyder said. “Lehighton is a sound team that’s getting better every week. They’re physical, and they can control the line of scrimmage.”

“Northwestern doesn’t rebuild; they reload,” Lehighton coach Tom McCarroll said. “We’ll need to slow the game down with our size up front and keep their offense off the field. I was proud of our defense last week, but we can’t afford three-and-outs or turnovers against a team like this.”

Marian (4-0) at

Mahanoy Area (0-4)

When: Friday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m.

Instant Replay

Rory Dixon ran for 140 yards and three TDs in Marian’s 34-6 win over Shenandoah Valley. The Colts led 28-0 at halftime, and improved to 4-0 for the first time since 2012. Marian is ranked No. 10 in the state in Class A.

Mahanoy Area fell 69-0 to Schuylkill Haven, and has scored just six points this season while allowing 181. RB Kyler Quick leads the Golden Bears with 137 rushing yards.

Storyline of the Week

The Colts look to stay focused and avoid a trap game before meetings with Minersville and Schuylkill Haven. Marian also has payback on its mind after losing to Mahanoy last year.

Coach’s Corner

“I was very happy with our execution last week,” Marian coach Billy O’Gurek said. “We knew Shenandoah would try to limit our possessions, so it was key to convert early, and we did. This week we need another efficient performance. Our kids know the importance of this rivalry and are excited for another shot after last year’s loss.”

Panther Valley (1-3) at

Nativity (2-2)

When: Friday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m.

Instant Replay

Panther Valley earned its first win with a 26-7 victory over Pine Grove. QB Brody Breiner ran for 116 yards and a TD and threw for another. Freshman Carson Jones added 65 rushing yards and a score. Gavin Yuricheck (19 catches, 205 yards) and Chase McArdle (17 catches, 136 yards) continue to lead the receiving corps.

Nativity has lost two straight, including a 42-13 setback to Tri-Valley in which it managed just 74 total yards. The Green Wave opened with wins over Holy Redeemer and Pine Grove.

Storyline of the Week

PV will look to establish its running game against a Nativity defense that gave up nearly 300 rushing yards last week. The Panthers also want revenge after a 60-0 loss to the Green Wave last season.

Coach’s Corner

“We were happy with the way we played last week, especially up front,” PV coach Mark Lavine said. “Our offensive and defensive lines had their best game. Brody Breiner and Carson Jones both ran well. Against Nativity, we need to keep the run game going, stay balanced and tackle well on defense.”