There are many story lines in Week 7 of the high school football season.

Northwestern looks to remain undefeated, while Northern Lehigh and Pleasant Valley have hopes to keep their opponents winless.

Marian and Tamaqua both face teams with perfect records and No. 1 state rankings in their respective classes.

Palmerton (2-4) at Palisades (4-2)

When: Friday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.

Instant Replay

Palmerton picked up its second win of the season last week over Wilson, 35-0. The Bombers turned in their first truly clean game of the season, not turning the ball over against the Warriors. Quarterbacks T.K. Gursky and TJ Weller combined for 129 yards passing and three touchdowns with zero interceptions. Senior Vincent Taglieri rushed for 108 yards and two scores on just 11 carries, and also caught four balls for 73 yards and a receiving touchdown. Palmerton shut down Wilson’s rushing attack in the second half, holding it to just 21 yards on 14 carries.

Palisades has lost two games in a row, with an upset loss to Pen Argyl in Week 5, and a loss last week to a good Blue Mountain team. The Pirates have been struggling on the defensive side of the ball in their two losses. They gave up 431 yards of offense to the Green Knights, and 412 yards of offense to the Eagles. Quarterback Jack Trickel and wide receiver Lincoln Cook make the Palisades offense go. Cook has had some big games already this season. He hauled in eight catches for 81 and two touchdowns last week.

Storyline of the Week

Palmerton standout offensive guard/defensive tackle Logan Anthony, and standout linebacker Dillon Anthony both left the Wilson game last week with what looked to be multiple week injuries. The Bombers are already thin in the numbers department, so it will be even more crucial for them to play mistake free football on the road in a tough place to play.

Coach’s Corner

“We need to replicate the disciplined approach and the clean game we had from last week. No turnovers and no penalties. I thought we played complementary football. We also need to keep the run game going. Establish the run, and then take our timely shots and be efficient in the passing game. Defensively, I thought we played well and we played downhill last week and made plays. There’s no doubt we need to overcome some injuries, so guys are going to have to make the most of their opportunities. And then obviously we have to contain Cook. He can hurt you in different ways. Palisades is a tough and gritty team. And it’s never an easy task to win there. But again, we need to replicate the way we played last week and play a clean game in all three phases.” — Palmerton head coach Chris Walkowiak.

N’western (6-0) at Pottsville (2-4)

When: Friday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.

Instant Replay

Northwestern rallied from an 18-6 second-quarter deficit to score 43 unanswered points and roll to a 49-18 win over North Schuylkill and extend its win streak to 22 games. The Tigers amassed 540 yards of offense, 369 on the ground behind Chase Sukanick (16 carries, 101 yards) and Braxton Lakatosh (14-119). On the season, Lakatosh has 618 yards (11.66 average per carry, seven touchdowns), and Sukanick has 502 (10.24, 7). Shane Leh has completed 59 of 87 passes for 973 yards with 10 touchdowns and one interception. Northwestern has rolled up 1,592 yards rushing, and the Tigers have outscored their opponents by a whopping 215-52 margin in the first half through six games.

Pottsville managed just 146 yards of total offense in a 35-0 loss to Lehighton, and are riding a two-game losing streak. Max Clews paced the Crimson Tide with 53 yards on eight carries and six receptions for 21 yards. Quarterback Andrew Allen threw for 62 yards on 10-of-17 passing. Juleon Bainbridge is the Tide’s leading rusher with 497 yards and five touchdowns. Pottsville suffered a 35-0 defeat to the Tigers last season, and they have dropped the last four meetings by a 154-63 deficit.

Storyline of the Week

Can Pottsville find a way to slow Northwestern’s offensive juggernaut? The Tigers will look to be in sync early.

Coach’s Corner

“Rough start to the first half last week, but the guys battled and stuck together. Made some adjustments at halftime, and the kids came out and played probably the best half of the season. Proud of the way they responded and made plays in all the phases. Pottsville is always a tough place to play, with a ton of history and great atmosphere. They have been up and down this year, and at times have played some really good football. They have been hit with injuries. We’re going to have to play our best game of the season and look to improve in all three phases.” — Northwestern head coach Josh Snyder.

Marian (5-1)

at Schuylkill Haven (6-0)

When: Friday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.

Instant Replay

Marian had its five-game winning streak snapped by a 38-7 thrashing by Minersville on its homecoming night. The Colts were dealt a damaging blow when starting quarterback Gregg Tirpak was unable to play, and running back Rory Dixon and backup Cole Grochowski filled the need. Dixon had two interceptions on defense and ran for 82 yards, raising his season total to 577 with 10 touchdowns. Minersville quarterback and Central Florida recruit Dante Carr lived up to his billing with 166 yards passing with two touchdowns, to go along with 149 yards rushing. Marian has outscored its opponents in the opening half by a 75-42 margin.

Top-ranked Class 2A Schuylkill Haven rallied for 15 unanswered points in the third quarter to erase a 22-21 deficit, and went on to a 43-29 victory over previously undefeated Williams Valley. Colton Reber ran for 170 of the Hurricanes’ 203 rushing yards, as he broke free for a 54-yard scamper in the third quarter. The Hurricanes allowed 216 yards rushing, which can be a good sign for Marian. Schuylkill Haven won last year’s meeting, 36-0, while Marian won the season opener for both teams in 2023, 27-0.

Storyline of the Week

Marian will need to play ball control with Dixon and get off to a good start. The Hurricanes started slowly last week in a tight battle, but they will benefit with a likely raucous home crowd.

Coach’s Corner

“We knew we would need to take advantage of every opportunity we had to beat a team like Minersville. Three trips to the red zone without scoring a point did not help. But I was proud of our effort. We were able to run the football in the first half and control the time of possession, but we needed to convert those red zone opportunities to be successful. We face another great challenge in state No. 1 ranked Schuylkill Haven. Their offensive line and running backs are a load. We will need to take the same type of game plan as last week. Control possessions, and try to get our athletes in space to make some plays.” – Marian head coach Billy O’Gurek.

Panther Valley (2-4)

at Williams Valley (5-1)

When: Friday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.

Instant Replay

Panther Valley had its two-game winning streak snapped, as Tri-Valley blanked them, 42-0. The Panthers were held to 144 yards of offense. Brody Breiner threw for 83 yards with a pair of interceptions, and also ran for 46 yards. Breiner had run for 446 yards and thrown for 687 on the season. Chase McArdle caught six passes for 32 yards, and has 30 receptions for 220 yards with a touchdown, while teammate Gavin Yuricheck also has 30 grabs for 311 yards with a touchdown. The Panthers have been outscored, 119-46, in the first half overall this season.

Third-ranked Class 2 A Williams Valley had its five-game unbeaten streak snapped with a 43-29 loss to top-ranked Schuylkill Haven. Vikings’ running back Fletcher Thompson ran for 94 of their 216 yards rushing in the loss, and quarterback Brady Shomper threw for 103 and ran for 88 with a touchdown via the air and one on the ground. Williams Valley won last year’s meeting, 47-0.

Storyline of the Week

Panther Valley will need to regroup after a lackluster performance and try to keep the ball on the ground. Williams Valley is coming off its stiffest test of the season.

Coach’s Corner

“I was very disappointed after last week. I don’t think we played with much energy or enthusiasm, and you can’t play like that and expect to beat good teams. I thought going in that we matched up well — especially up front. But they took it to us on both sides of the ball. We have another strong team with Williams Valley this week, who is No. 3 in the state and is always good. We have to regroup and come to play this Friday.” – Panther Valley head coach Mark Lavine.

Jim Thorpe (2-4)

at Catasauqua (3-3)

When: Friday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.

Instant Replay

Jim Thorpe (2-4) gave a historically strong Colonial League team, Southern Lehigh, everything it could handle last Friday night, but came up just short in a 47-27 homecoming loss at Olympian Stadium. JT quarterback Cole Lazorick delivered a spectacular performance, completing 22 of 40 passes for 250 yards and a touchdown while also rushing 11 times for 77 yards and two scores. The signal-caller orchestrated a methodical 12-play opening drive, capping it with a 1-yard scoring plunge to give the Olympians an early lead. The highlight of Lazorick’s night came on a perfectly executed 55-yard touchdown run where he kept the ball on a read option, showcasing the dual-threat ability that makes him so dangerous.

The Olympians received solid contributions across the board. Bobby Levins hauled in seven catches for 58 yards and a touchdown, while Spencer Gothard added five receptions for 60 yards. Connor Zurawa made big plays downfield with three catches for 64 yards, and Josh Louk contributed two receptions for 29 yards. Southern Lehigh’s powerful rushing attack proved difficult to contain, with Sean Steckert carrying 22 times for 320 yards and three touchdowns. The Spartans’ high-powered offense racked up 520 total yards, but Jim Thorpe never stopped fighting.

Storyline of the Week

Jim Thorpe faces an immediate test of character Friday night when the Olympians travel to Catasauqua (3-3) for a showdown between two teams searching for momentum. The Rough Riders have given up a combined 107 points in back-to-back losses against Notre Dame and Saucon Valley. It appears Catty’s three wins have come against some smaller schools having challenging seasons. According to Lehigh Valley Live, senior running back Tray Dunn has been the bell-cow for Catty this season with 368 yards and four touchdowns. Receivers Manny Bolmer and Omar Pacheco Jr. have combined for 30 catches this year.

Jim Thorpe, meanwhile, must channel the positives from a hard-fought loss and turn dominant stretches into complete victories. The challenge for the Olympians is clear: match the intensity and execution they showed against Southern Lehigh, but this time finish the job in the fourth quarter.

Coach’s Corner

“Our four seniors have been very good leaders for us. Cole and Louk have been excellent. I think our senior leadership is really doing a great job of helping the maturity of the young kids. I thought we played with outstanding effort every single game. The Blue Mountain game, we didn’t meet the standard for sure, but even last week against the No. 1 team in the state, we were toe to toe in a six-point game going to the fourth quarter.

“Our kids fought and played hard and were severely outsized because we’re not a really big football team as far as physically and also numbers-wise. We’re dressing like 29 kids right now. We were very proud of our kids’ effort last week. Obviously, you’re never satisfied when you lose a football game, but there were a lot of positive things we took from last week.”

“We’ve struggled defensively. There’s no doubt in that. We have to make sure we play better defensively this week to try and slow down their big plays. And they have a nice, physical offensive line, so it’s going to be a great challenge. We’re pretty banged up right now, unfortunately, and we’ve got to have some other younger kids step in and make some big plays for us.” ­— Jim Thorpe head coach Mark Rosenberger.

Southern Lehigh (6-0)

at Tamaqua (3-3)

When: Friday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.

Instant Replay

Tamaqua (3-3) delivered its most complete performance of the season last Friday night, shutting out Bangor 20-0 at Bangor Memorial Park to even its record heading into a crucial stretch. The Raiders’ defense set the tone early and never relented. Tamaqua held the Slaters to negative-23 yards rushing on 15 attempts while limiting the total offense to just 53 yards for the game. Bangor managed only 66 passing yards and never threatened to cross midfield with any consistency. Terrence McDowell continued his dominant season, carrying 31 times for 188 yards and a touchdown. The sophomore running back has now rushed for 995 yards and 12 touchdowns through six games, averaging 5.92 yards per carry. Malachi Stewart added 44 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. Quarterback Chase Serfass managed the game efficiently, completing 7 of 11 passes for 66 yards and a touchdown. The senior connected with Brady McCabe on a 17-yard touchdown strike in the third quarter. The Raiders’ defense stifled Bangor throughout. The Slaters managed only four first downs, and Tamaqua’s front seven dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. The shutout marked Tamaqua’s first of the season. Through six games, the Raiders have established themselves as a run-first offense, accumulating 1,384 rushing yards (86% of total offense) compared to 355 passing yards.

Storyline of the Week

Tamaqua faces its most daunting challenge of the season Friday night when undefeated Southern Lehigh (6-0) visits Schuylkill County. The Spartans enter riding a six-game winning streak and are fresh off a 47-27 victory over Jim Thorpe last week. Southern Lehigh’s offense has been virtually unstoppable, racking up 520 total yards against the Olympians while showcasing a balanced attack that can beat opponents through the air or on the ground. The Spartans rushed for 322 yards against Thorpe, led by running back Sean Steckert, who carried 22 times for 320 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Colton Sams adds another dimension, completing 12 of 16 passes for 185 yards and four touchdowns last week.

For Tamaqua, the formula is clear: control the clock with McDowell and keep Southern Lehigh’s explosive offense on the sideline. The Raiders’ defense will need a similar performance to last week against a Southern Lehigh offense that has averaged over 500 yards per game in recent weeks. Tamaqua’s offensive line will also face a stiff test against a Southern Lehigh defense that has been solid throughout its undefeated start.

The path to victory requires near-perfect execution. Tamaqua must win the time of possession battle, limit turnovers, and force Southern Lehigh into long drives where mistakes can happen.

Northern Lehigh (3-3)

at Wilson (0-6)

When: Saturday, Oct. 4 at 2 p.m.

Instant Replay

Northern Lehigh hung with undefeated Notre Dame-Green Pond, currently the top-ranked team in the 3A class of District 11, before dropping a 40-21 decision. The Bulldogs controlled time of possession, running 72 plays to the Crusaders’ 33, but were hurt by special teams. Notre Dame began the game by returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown, and also took advantage of a shanked punt, as its return man fielded the ball on a bounce and raced a short distance to the end zone. Despite quickly falling behind 13-0, Joe Tout’s club battled back and trailed just 26-21 at the break. But Nolehi was kept off the scoreboard in the second half to drop to 3-3.

Wilson suffered its first shutout of the season at Palmerton last Friday, losing 35-0. The Warriors are winless this season and have now lost 37 games in a row. J’son Johnson, a junior, ran for 99 yards on 17 carries but the team’s defense allowed three touchdown passes, as well as 108 rushing yards and two scores to Vincent Taglieri. The Blue Bombers registered two touchdowns in both the first and second quarters and built a commanding 28-0 lead by halftime.

Storyline of the Week

While the Bulldogs are hoping to rebound and prevent Wilson from ending its long losing streak, they are also hoping this will start a string of four straight wins to end the regular season. The record of their remaining opponents (Wilson, Catasauqua, Salisbury and Saucon Valley) have a combined mark of 8-16, with none of them owning a winning record. In comparison, two of Northern Lehigh’s three losses have come against undefeated clubs (Northwestern, Notre Dame) and one of its wins is the only loss suffered by that team (Pen Argyl). The Bulldogs have gotten off to slow starts many times this year, and are hoping to prevent that again on Friday. Tout and his team don’t want to give a young and struggling team any reason for hope in the early going. The Warriors use two quarterbacks, one that predominately runs the ball and the other who does most of the throwing. Tout noted the team doesn’t run a wing-T but likes using concepts of that type of offense.

Coach’s Corner

“I’m not a big fan of Saturday games because high school kids get used to a routine. This is the only Saturday game we have. It makes it a little longer week, so we try to be smart with it and adjust things during the week. They’re used to going to school Friday and being in that routine. They’re looking for that signature game where they’re competitive the whole time, and we don’t want to fall into that trap where we’re traveling and it’s a different scenario playing on a Saturday. The more we can off to a fast start, that’s going to help. So that’s what we’re looking for, and not a sluggish start.

“The turnovers and special teams are also a big focus for us. We did a lot of positive things on Friday. We’ve been very good holding onto the ball ... but we’re not necessarily creating the turnovers so that’s another area that we’re looking to make that a focus as well.” — Northern Lehigh head coach Joe Tout

Pleasant Valley (2-4)

at Eastburg North (0-6)

When: Friday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.

Instant Replay

Pleasant Valley is looking to rebound after a 43-6 loss to Nazareth last Thursday. Despite a tough schedule that included Exeter, Governor Mifflin, Parkland and Nazareth, the Bears have shown their potential in decisive wins — 34-7 over Dieruff in Week 2 and 35-6 over East Stroudsburg South in Week 5.

Through six games, the Bears are averaging 227.5 yards per contest (146.5 rushing, 81 passing) and scoring 18.0 points per game, while allowing 31.8. Chris Ward leads the team with 295 rushing yards on 38 carries (7.76 avg.) and eight total touchdowns, including one receiving. Niko Payan adds 192 rushing yards with four scores, while quarterback Jaxson Haines has thrown for 478 yards and three TDs. Ward is also the team’s leading receiver with 14 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown.

East Stroudsburg North started freshman quarterback Austin Finnerty in last week’s 47-0 loss to Liberty. He completed one pass for two yards on seven attempts, while Brandon Roca carried 12 times for 25 yards. On the season, senior Wayne King has completed 26 of 55 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns, and has rushed 44 times for 158 yards and one score. Roca has carried 44 times for 148 yards, while Kendrick Sympson leads the receiving corps with nine catches for 157 yards and two touchdowns. The Timberwolves have been shut out three times this fall and outscored 163-22.

Storyline of the Week

Pleasant Valley opens a four-game North Division stretch with an opportunity to reset its season and finish with a surge. If the Bears can establish the run early and continue to build confidence, they could build momentum ahead of the District 11 playoffs in Class 5A. North will look to capture its first win and build momentum behind a young quarterback and its senior leaders.

Coach’s Corner

“It’s definitely a weird week for me because I teach at North, so there’s some playful ribbing with the kids there,” said PV head coach Blaec Saeger. “But once Friday night comes, it’s all business. We’ve taken a couple lumps from really good teams, but our kids have handled everything well. At 2-4, we’re in about as good of a spot as a two-win team can be. With four straight North Division games, there’s a big prize at the end if we’re able to take care of business. I’m proud of our guys for being who they are, for competing, and for giving us a chance to finish the year out strong.”