In the past, the 10th game of the season used to be Rivalry Week, but for many teams in the Times News area, that has become Week 8.

Besides the Game of the Week — Lehighton at Jim Thorpe (see page 9) — other rivals meeting on Friday include Northern Lehigh against Palmerton, Panther Valley versus Tamaqua, and Pleasant Valley facing Pocono Mountain East.

Northern Lehigh (5-2) at Palmerton (6-1)

When: Friday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.

Instant Replay

It’s rivalry time between the two teams. Northern Lehigh had a four-game winning streak snapped with a 35-7 defeat to Jim Thorpe. Quarterback Garrett Smoyer was 16 of 30 for 145 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. Smoyer also ran for a team-high 40 yards, while Colin Karetsky caught six balls for 66 yards. Chase Gall had 10 tackles, and Bill Slattery nine. On the season, Smoyer is 68 of 121 for 724 yards with nine touchdowns and four interceptions, and has run for 403 yards with four touchdowns. Karetsky has caught 19 passes for 278 yards with three scores, while Ryan Zambo also has 19 catches for 196 yards. Mason Rothrock has 295 yards rushing. Defensively, Slattery leads the team with 65 tackles with eight sacks, and Paul Porobenski has 56 stops with eight sacks. The Bulldogs are averaging 22.5 points, while allowing 16.8.

Palmerton suffered a 49-6 defeat to Notre Dame of Green Pond in a battle of unbeatens. Notre Dame posted a 35-0 lead at halftime.

Blue Bombers’ quarterback TJ Gursky was eight of 12 for just 11 yards, and Ryan Sammy ran for 53 yards. Carson Eckhart registered five tackles.

For the season, Gursky has completed 69 of 112 attempts for 999 yards with 19 touchdowns and zero interceptions. Eckhart has rushed for 353 yards with five touchdowns. Cale Young has 18 receptions for 289 yards with three scores. Gaven Meixsell leads the team in tackles with 30, Eckhart has 29, and Connor Lawless has 28. Meixsell also has two interceptions, while Colby Kohler has 2.5 sacks. The Blue Bombers are averaging 36.7 points per game, while allowing 18.6

Northern Lehigh has won the last two meetings, winning 37-25 last year, and 51-14 in 2024. Palmerton’s last win in the rivalry was 47-13 in 2023, but the Bulldogs have won four of the last five games between them.

Storyline of the Game

This will come down to the defenses, and which team can contain the rival quarterback, who are the playmakers here. Both veteran coaches will have their teams back with a laser focus, and clean up mistakes from last week. It also likely will be decided in the turnover battle.

Coach’s Corner

“We were very disappointed in the outcome of the game last week. We had a good week of practice, and it did not translate into our performance on Friday. Myself and our coaches need to do a better job in preparing our team for Palmerton on Friday. We had a couple of bright spots with Bill Slattery and Chase Gall, who both played excellent defensively.

“For us offensively, the key will be controlling the line of scrimmage. Defensively, we need to contain their quarterback. They will run outside speed, outside zone, and counters.

“Most importantly, this is our rival, and the game comes at a great time for us. We are looking for our team to play loose and with a bit of an edge.

If we come out and play physical football, limit penalties, and turnovers we feel confident that we will win this game.” - Northern Lehigh head coach Joe Tout.

“Last week we did not perform our best in many aspects against a very good football team. We need to get back to core principles and fundamentals as we move onto this week.

“Northern Lehigh will be a tough game. They have many athletes in the field and can run power and spread sets with efficiency. We must be disciplined and know where their key guys are all the time. We must play with more energy and passion this week. We need to execute in all three phases of the game. That is a must this week.” - Palmerton head coach Chris Walkowiak.

Panther Valley (3-4) at Tamaqua (3-4)

When: Friday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.

Instant Replay

Tamaqua needed one more stop. Its defense delivered. With North Schuylkill threatening deep in Blue Raider territory as the clock wound down, Tamaqua held on fourth down to secure a 12-7 road victory last Friday. The win snapped a three-game losing streak, and gave the Raiders a timely boost heading into the final three weeks of the regular season.

Ace Schickram supplied a 55-yard touchdown run, while Terrence McDowell continued to carry a significant workload in another ramped-up workload after returning from injury. After surrendering 42 points to Blue Mountain and 22 to Pottsville in consecutive losses, Tamaqua kept the Spartans to a single touchdown and protected its narrow lead when it mattered most.

Panther Valley’s night against Pottsville took a much different turn. The Panthers trailed just 7-0 after the first quarter before giveaways helped fuel a 35-point second quarter for the Crimson Tide. Pottsville went on to a 50-6 victory, with Panther Valley scoring with 11 seconds remaining.

It was the Panthers’ second straight loss after back-to-back wins over Greater Nanticoke Area and Tunkhannock. Both teams enter Friday at 3-4, but Tamaqua arrives with something to build on while Panther Valley looks to regain its footing.

Storyline of the Game

Tamaqua has an opportunity to turn last week’s defensive stand into a late-season push, while Panther Valley needs to keep mistakes from putting another game out of reach. There is plenty at stake beyond getting back to .500. The Raiders moved into sixth place in the District 11 Class 3A power ratings, while the Panthers occupy the eighth and final qualifying position.

Tamaqua’s offense still leans heavily on the ground game. McDowell leads the Raiders with 667 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, followed by Schickram with 363 yards and three scores. CJ Walker has added 292 yards. Together, they give Tamaqua multiple options to sustain possessions and keep Panther Valley’s offense off the field.

The Panthers present a different challenge with Cy Maynard’s ability to run and throw. Maynard has passed for 574 yards and rushed for a team-leading 344 yards and six touchdowns. Troy Nunez is close behind with 336 rushing yards, while Nate Rolon averages 7.3 yards per carry.

Chase McArdle is the primary receiving threat with 29 catches for 370 yards and three touchdowns. Limiting that connection without allowing Maynard or Nunez room to run will be a central task for a Tamaqua defense coming off its strongest scoring performance of the season.

Coach’s Corner

“I thought our kids did a really good job of holding their composure and making plays at the end of the game. That was something we emphasized all week, and I thought our kids did a really good job of doing that. Damian Jazowski had an awesome game for us. He’s our middle linebacker, and he’s a senior. He had a really big game. I thought that was the best game he’s played, probably since I’ve been coaching him. When we got back into the Schuylkill League, one thing I was really looking forward to was the local rivalries. It’s something we haven’t had for the last couple of years — games against Marian, games against Panther Valley ... There’s a lot on the line, not just this week, but the next three. Obviously, we’re focusing on this week. Panther Valley is always scrappy, and we know it’s a rival. We can’t have a lax week of practice. We’ve got to make sure we’re prepared the way we’ve been trying to prepare all year.” - Tamaqua head coach Sam Bonner

Marian (4-3) at Williams Valley (6-1)

When: Friday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.

Instant Replay

Marian held off a late Nativity really last week to come away with a 25-20 victory for the Colts’ second straight victory, and three of their last four. Tyler Price ran for 160 of the Colts’ 209 yards, while quarterback Greg Tirpak completed six of 15 passes for 120 yards with a pair of touchdown passes. Rocco Griguoli caught passes for 96 yards with a score. Price also had 12 tackles against Nativity. For the season, Price has 1,202 yards rushing on 162 carries with 12 touchdowns, including 17 overall, and leads the team in tackles with 70. Tirpak is 60 of 106 for 1,101 yards with 12 touchdowns and two interceptions. Griguoli has 31 receptions for 605 yards and six touchdowns. Nolan Marsh has two interceptions.

Price will be in a running back showdown with Williams Valley’s Fletcher Thompson, who had 197 yards rushing in its 36-34 overtime win over Minersville last week, gaining its fifth straight victory. Thompson has rushed for 1,403 with 14 touchdowns of the Vikings’ 1,564 total rushing yards in the run-heavy offense. Quarterback Cayden Witmer has struggled, completing 36 of 82 passes for 504 yards with five interceptions and one touchdown. Trevon Bair has a team-high 78 tackles, and Magnus Monger has 68.

Williams Valley won last year’s contest, 56-10, and it has won the last 10 meetings. Marian’s last win in the series was in 20-15 by a 35-7 score. Over its last five games, Williams Valley has outscored Marian 177-30. Marian has allowed 51 points in the first half, and 101 in the second.

Storyline of the Game

This one figures to come down to which team can control the ground game, but Marian has an advantage with its passing game. Marian’s run defense has been solid, but this will be a big test, as the Vikings’ defense has allowed just under 15 points per game.

Coach’s Corner

“We are always glad to come away with a win. Nativity and Coach Mason had a great game plan to shorten the game, and our lack of execution on offense in the first half meant we had to grind out a win. Jason Ashfield gave us another effective ballcarrier, and his play on the defensive line helped slow down their run game. Nolan Marsh had a big interception in the third quarter that helped make it a two-score game.

“We know we will be tested this week against a good Williams Valley team. We can’t have the same empty possessions on offense like we did last week, because Thompson and Bair will make you pay. They are talented running backs, and will be our biggest test to date. Offensively, our passing game needs to take advantage of open receivers and make some plays downfield to lighten the load on Tyler Price.” - Marian head coach Billy O’ Gurek.

Pleasant Valley (3-4) at PM East (5-2)

When: Friday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.

Instant Replay

Pleasant Valley snapped a four-game losing streak in emphatic fashion last week, rolling to a 60-0 victory over East Stroudsburg North. The Bears raced to a 20-0 first-quarter lead and stretched the advantage to 46-0 by halftime. Chris Ward rushed for 91 yards and three touchdowns on just six carries, while Sean Cobb Jr. added 84 yards and two scores on only two attempts. Cobb also returned an interception for a touchdown, while Zidan Moore contributed a 60-yard kickoff return for another score. Pleasant Valley piled up 317 rushing yards, and held a 332-62 advantage in total offense while forcing three turnovers.

Pocono Mountain East bounced back from a 39-0 loss to Easton with a 30-22 victory over East Stroudsburg South. Ceejay Serfass completed 19 of 30 passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns, connecting with Prince Albino (seven catches, 101 yards), MJ Bolinger (three catches, 84 yards) and Dean McCarthy for scores. Kevin Davis added seven receptions for 98 yards, while Evan Garrett rushed for 93 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. The Cardinals finished with 388 yards of offense.

Storyline of the Game

The Ol’ Oaken Bucket is on the line as Pleasant Valley looks to reclaim the trophy after Pocono Mountain East won the last two meetings. The Cardinals are second, and the Bears third, in the District 11 Class 5A rankings. Pleasant Valley’s rushing attack, led by Ward (915 yards, 13 touchdowns) and Cobb (520 yards, five rushing touchdowns), will face an East defense that has allowed 121 points in seven games. Dean McCarthy leads the Cardinals with 58 tackles, while Zakai Chambers has six sacks. Ward needs 85 yards to reach 1,000 for the season. The Bears will also look to reverse their struggles in close games after losing to Pottsville by one point, Whitehall by three and Northampton by seven.

Coach’s Corner

“The bucket game is a community event. The entire town and school rallies behind us in an effort to win. The kids are playing for more than themselves. They are playing for every ex-Bear player, coach and fan who experienced this rivalry. It is the number one goal of the seniors to win this game.” - Pleasant Valley coach Blaec Saeger

Wilson (1-6) at Northwestern (7-0)

When: Friday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m.

Instant Replay

The Tigers put together another dominant defensive performance against the run last week in a 35-17 win over Lehighton for their 39th consecutive regular season victory. Northwestern gave up just 32 yards to the Indians’ rushing attack and, on the season, is giving up just 40.2 rushing yards per game. Chase Sukanick continued his strong run of rushing performances, grinding out 126 yards on 24 carries with a rushing score. Brady Zimmerman also had a productive game for the Tigers with 108 total yards and a touchdown.

Wilson dropped its fifth consecutive game to Saucon Valley 27-6. The Warriors really struggled to stop the run, allowing 295 yards and four rushing touchdowns to the Panthers. Dual-threat QB Connor Patterson led Wilson with 97 yards rushing on 15 carries.

Storyline of the Game

The Tigers’ strength is in the trenches and in the run game, and the Warriors have struggled immensely with teams of that nature this season.

Coach’s Corner

“The goal at practice this week is to really work on the things that we need to clean up. Our timing has been a bit off; we’ve missed some shot plays the last few weeks, so our concentration and focus will be to clean that stuff and get better at execution in those areas. We also have to be more disciplined. We’ve had too many false starts on offense; just controlling the controllables. Because later in the season, that is the kind of stuff that can really hurt you. Wilson is an improved team. There have been some games where they have been able to do some nice things, but they haven’t been able to finish. Their quarterback is a guy who can make a lot of plays with his legs. If you don’t watch it, he can break a big one. Overall, we’re looking to play a sound and fundamental game. We always want to play our best game of the year every week, and this week is no different.” - Northwestern head coach Josh Snyder.