Jim Thorpe and Tamaqua will look to move to 3-0 this week, while Panther Valley will try to build on its first victory of the season against Marian.

As Colonial League teams Palmerton and Northern Lehigh get set to begin their 2020 seasons, Northwestern has stopped football activities through Oct. 2 due to a positive coronavirus case. The Tigers were scheduled to play Bangor this week and Wilson the following week.

Jim Thorpe at Pine Grove

Friday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know:

SWARMING RUN D

… The Olympians are out to a 2-0 start after a big win over Blue Mountain last week due in large part to their Red Swarm run defense. Thorpe surrendered just 2.8 yards per carry against the Eagles, and on the season is allowing just 57.5 rushing yards per game at a stingy 1.95 yards per carry. Pine Grove, the Olympians opponent this week, rushed for 41 yards on 39 carries against a similarly talented North Schuylkill defensive front.

OPPORTUNISTIC

… The Olympians have taken advantage of the opposition’s miscues this season. Thorpe is already plus-four in the turnover department and came up with two huge turnovers last week that resulted in scores against Blue Mountain. An interception returned for a touchdown, and a bad snap on a punt recovered in the end zone helped propel JT to the victory. Thorpe had three blocked punts in its opening week win over Marian. Pine Grove had a punt blocked and two interceptions last week against the Spartans.

“We’ve been able to take advantage of our opponent’s mistakes, and then most importantly convert those turnovers into scores. We’ve been really good on punt team at being able to get pressure. Our coverage on special teams needs to be a little better, but overall on special teams and defense we’ve been able to create turnovers, and that’s huge.” - Jim Thorpe head coach Mark Rosenberger.

CHALLENGE FOR THE SECONDARY

… If Pine Grove quarterback Josh Leininger is able to play this week after leaving last week’s contest early in the fourth quarter, the Olympians secondary will need to be dialed in. Leininger threw for 211 yards and three scores last week, and his top target, Shea Morgan, was able to fight through double teams throughout the game to catch 10 balls for 172 yards. Morgan’s 10 receptions are a school-record.

“They have exceptional athletes at quarterback, running back and wide receiver; it will certainly be a challenge. They have good speed, so we will need to be fundamental in our tackling and keep everything in front of us. We can’t give up the big play, and that will be our main focus,” added Rosenberger.

IMPACT ADDITION

… Junior Derryl Fisher’s arrival at Jim Thorpe this season has been impactful to say the least. Fisher, who isn’t big in stature (5-10, 140) makes up for that with his big play ability. In two weeks, Fisher has six catches at almost 20 yards per catch, with two touchdown receptions. He’s also returned an interception for a touchdown, and has been explosive for Thorpe on both kick and punt returns as a returner.

Tamaqua vs. Riverside

Friday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know:

STEPPING UP

… The Raiders graduated 15 of their 22 starters from a season ago, but despite that, they’ve gotten out to a great start at 2-0. Nate Wickersham (QB/LB), Logan Hess (RB/LB), Nate Curvey (RB/LB) and Lucas Schickram (OL/DL) were important parts of Tamaqua’s impressive 2019 run to the 3A state semifinals, and they’re helping lead a young Raiders squad that is gaining more confidence each and every week.

“Everybody talks about how young we are, but those four guys I just talked about in Nate, Nate, Lucas and Logan helped out a ton last season and they’re leading us this year, and you can see our younger guys gaining confidence. Those guys all play really hard and are extremely dedicated, and that’s making a big impact for us.” - Tamaqua head coach Sam Bonner.

GROUND AND POUND

… If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it. Bonner’s offenses can always run the football with success, and this season is no different. In two games, the Raiders have ran it 84 times for 600 yards at an impressive 7.14 yards per carry and eight rushing touchdowns. Curvey leads the way with 227 yards and three scores. Hess has 182 yards and three scores, while Wickersham has added 75 yards and a touchdown. Seven Raiders have over 15 or more rushing yards on the season.

TOUGH SCHEDULE

… Riverside, the Raiders opponent this week, is 0-2, but that can be a deceiving mark. The Vikings have played defending 3A state champion Wyoming Area and a talented Academy of the New Church squad from outside of Philadelphia.

SIGNAL CALLER

… Riverside goes as its quarterback, Johnny Gilchrist, goes. Gilchrist - a Patriot and Ivy League prospect - threw for 2,952 yards with 39 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season.

“They have some quick kids that can make plays, so we need to focus on not giving up the big play. They like to throw it about 60 percent of the time, and they have a great quarterback to do it. He’s someone we will need to key on and keep pressure on,” added Bonner.

Panther Valley vs. Schuylkill Haven

Friday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know:

QB/RB DUO

… The Panthers might have found a nice one-two punch this season in the run game with quarterback Mike Pascoe and running back Louie Clouser. Pascoe rushed for 117 yards and Clouser - before exiting with an injury in the second half - rushed for 75 yards on just five carries against Marian last week.

STRUGGLING UP FRONT

… Schuylkill Haven struggled to stop the Mahanoy Area rushing attack last week. The Hurricanes surrendered 305 rushing yards to the Golden Bears. The Panthers rushed for 201 yards last week against Marian.

“We need to continue to be physical and run the ball hard. A key for us early on will be matching their aggressiveness. Our passing game this week will be important as well; we can’t be one-dimensional. Another week of football is another week to improve and get better.” - Panther Valley head coach Rick Jones.

WINLESS

… Schuylkill Haven will be looking for its first win of the season after a 35-0 loss to rival Blue Mountain in Week 1, and a 31-20 loss to Mahanoy last week.

STOPPING THE RUN

… Panther Valley will need to be tough in the trenches against the run game this week. After the Hurricanes struggled to run the football in Week 1 against Blue Mountain, they were able to bounce back last week, rushing for 209 yards. Mason Reber led Haven in rushing against the Bears with 93 yards on the ground.

Marian at Shenandoah Valley

Friday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know:

STEP BY STEP

... Despite last week’s 28-7 loss to Panther Valley, Marian head coach Stan Dakosty saw plenty of signs that his team is headed in the right direction. “I thought we made some strides last week,” said Dakosty. “Especially in the second half, when we gave up just the late touchdown. We actually moved the ball inside the 20 a couple times in the second half, but we didn’t put it in. So we’re at the point now where we have to finish things; we have to finish it now. But I was pleased with the progress we made as far as our kids went on Friday and the way we played in the second half.”

UPS AND DOWNS

... The Colts (0-2) held the Panthers to just a fourth-quarter score last Friday after falling behind 12-0 and trailing 20-7 at the intermission. Xavier Ocasio scored a five-yard touchdown for Marian midway through the second quarter to make it 12-7, but a 92-yard return for a touchdown on the ensuing kickoff swung momentum back to Panther Valley before halftime. “That was critical,” said Dakosty. “We can’t allow big plays. We’ve been hurt by big plays early; that’s what’s really kind of done us in is big plays. We’re working on keeping our kids in position, our tackling has to improve. Every week we work on our tackling. We’re a work in progress. This is a long-term project ... but the kids are working hard. We showed some progress, and now we have to build on it.”

RUNNING MAN

... Ocasio carried the ball 25 times for 107 yards in the contest. “He had an outstanding game,” said Dakosty. “He’s a true warrior. He injured his foot in the game and played through it. He had a great game for us.” Dakosty described Ocasio’s status for Friday’s game against Shenandoah Valley as “50/50.” While Dakosty has liked what he’s seen from Ocasio, the veteran coach will also be looking for quarterback Julian Cerullo, who was 4-of-10 passing for 53 yards against the Panthers, to find more success through the air to keep the offense balanced.

DEVILS ON DECK

... Marian’s contest against Shenandoah (0-2) will feature two teams looking to crack the win column for the first time this season. The Blue Devils suffered a 49-7 setback against Tamaqua in Week 1 before falling 54-0 to Williams Valley last week. The Colts lost 43-0 to Jim Thorpe in the season opener before falling to the Panthers a week ago. Dakosty knows his team can’t look past Shenandoah. “They’re very dangerous,” he said. “They’ve got some big play threats, and I think this is going to be a battle. They throw the ball down the field, and they’re impressive.”

BIG BOOT

... Dakosty praised senior punter Mike Baloga, who averaged 52 yards on four punts last week against Panther Valley. One of Baloga’s boots was mishandled by the Panthers, setting the Colts up at the PV 5-yard line and leading to Ocasio’s touchdown. “I thought he had an outstanding game,” Dakosty said. “He’s done a great job for us changing field position, and he deserves a lot of credit for the job he’s been doing.”

Palmerton vs. Catasauqua

Friday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know:

IMPROVED NUMBERS

… The Bombers will start the season with 34 players on their roster, 10 more than they had at their disposal at the start of last season. In Palmerton’s final game of the year it had 14 healthy players that were available to compete. A freshman class of 12 players will help to solidify the Bombers roster.

MULTITALENTED DUO

… Palmerton will be giving two quarterbacks a look this season in sophomore Cole Searfoss and freshman Matt Machalik. Searfoss will get the starting nod against Catasauqua, but Machalik will see time there as well. Junior Lucas Heydt, who has also played quarterback for the Bombers in the past, is an option as well if he is needed, but Heydt will serve as mostly a utility player, as he can play multiple offensive skill positions due to his athletic ability.

“We have two guys we really like, and they both bring different elements to the table that can frustrate defenses. We’re going to look at matchups, and we’re going to take advantage and utilize each of their strengths.” - Palmerton head coach Chris Walkowiak.

ROUGH YEAR

… Catasauqua will be breaking in a new coaching staff this season led by Travis Brett after a 0-11 campaign in 2019.

“In times like this, you don’t have much tape or anything to prepare off, especially with a new coaching staff coming in for them, so you have to expect the unexpected. We’re just going to try and control what we can; play fundamental football defensively and try and force turnovers, and offensively keep the sticks moving and take care of the football,” added Walkowiak.

EXPERIENCE RETURNING

… Palmerton lost most of its offensive production from a season ago, so it will be depending on contributors Heydt (247 yards rushing, two TDs, 310 yards receiving, two TDs), James DeNicola (183 rushing yards, one TD, 217 yards receiving, three TDs) and Ethan Recker (175 yards receiving, two TDs) from last season.

Palisades at Northern Lehigh

Friday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know:

THE WAIT IS OVER

... While a lot of teams across Pennsylvania have played football the last two weeks - including Palisades - this will be Northern Lehigh’s season opener. The Colonial League voted to not start the season until Sept. 25, though it gave league schools the option of scheduling nonleague games the previous two weeks. The Northern Lehigh School Board decided not to go with the early start.

SPEED KILLS

... Northern Lehigh head coach Joe Tout is counting on some talented skill players to hopefully produce some offensive fireworks this season. “We like our skill players,” said Tout. “We got some nice speed, size and experience.” Among the players who should see touches for the Bulldogs are quarterback Dylan Smoyer; running backs Matt Frame, Mike Repsher and Joe Abidelli; and receivers Trevor Amorim and Evan Zambo.

PALISADES SO FAR

... The Pirates opened the season with a 36-28 loss to Northwestern, but bounced back last week to beat Wilson 42-20 in a game where it rushed for 378 yards.

PIRATES TO WATCH

... Tailback Mason Smeland has had two impressive games for Palisades, running for 158 yards against Northwestern and 130 yards against Wilson. He has four TDs through the team’s first two games. Last week against Wilson, Ben Haubert burst onto the scene offensively as he rushed for 118 yards and three TDs. “Smeland and Haubert are both extremely dangerous,” said Tout. Smeland has great vision and excellent speed. If he gets an alley, he’s gone. Haubert is their fullback. They run him on a lot of dives. He’s a powerful kid.”

BATTLE UP FRONT

... It will be important for the Bulldogs to win the battle in the trenches if they hope to control a Palisades offense that is averaging 35 points a game during the first two weeks of the season. “If we can’t totally shut them down, we at least need to limit what they get on the ground,” said Tout. “In order for us to do that, we have to win the battle up front. That means we will be looking to our seniors like Josh Schaffer and JD Hunter to come up big for us.”

Patrick Matsinko, Brad Hurley and Emmett McCall contributed to this preview story.