Jim Thorpe puts its undefeated record on the line at Pottsville.

Jim Thorpe vs. Pottsville

Friday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m.

What you need to know…

HAIL MARY WIN

… For those of you who don’t know, the Olympians pulled out a thrilling 30-26 victory over Tamaqua last Friday. The winning play was a 37-yard Hail Mary pass with just six seconds remaining from quarterback Nick Rosahac to running back Justin St. Hill. What may be overlooked is that against Tamaqua it was the Jim Thorpe passing game, not the running game that was the catalyst for its offensive success. Rosahac threw for over 200 yards and four touchdowns, including the game-winning 58-yard drive where he pin-pointed passes along the sidelines to get the Olympians in manageable scoring position. “Nick and the whole team did a great job of executing our two-minute offense last week. They all showed a lot of poise when the game was on the line,” said Olympians head coach Mark Rosenberger. “Our passing game is still progressing and with the athletes we have, it’s key for us to take advantage when teams play man to man against us. I like our skill players and what they can do in both the running and passing game.”

ELIMINATING MISTAKES

… For the first time on the season, the Olympians lost the turnover battle against the Raiders by committing two fumbles and an interception. Thorpe is still an impressive plus-12 on the season, but against a team like Pottsville that likes to grind and wear teams down, forfeiting possessions will not bode well for the Olympians. “There’s no doubt we have to eliminate the turnovers and the negative plays this week,” said Rosenberger. “We can’t give Pottsville extra opportunities. We’ve done a really good job of taking care of the football this season, so we have to learn from last week, correct those mistakes, and get back to protecting the football.”

BASH BROTHERS

… The Olympians rush defense has been one of the best in not only Schuylkill League Football, but all of District 11 AAA. Thorpe is giving up just 70 yards per game rushing on the season at 2.35 yards per carry. The Olympians held the dynamic duo of Nick Breiner and Nate Boyle in check last week and this week they will need to replicate that performance. That’s because the hard-running duo of Sam Siminitus and Ian Murhon will be looking to ground and pound come Friday night. Siminitus has rushed for 617 yards and four scores, while Murhon is the big play back, rushing 555 yards at 8.4 yards per carry and seven touchdowns. “Big running plays hurt us against Pottsville last season and we didn’t play as well as we wanted to up front against Tamaqua last week, we definitely need to be more consistent and fundamental up front against Pottsville,” said Rosenberger. “They like to get you with the outside zone runs and then they will also hit you with the inside trap with Murhon. We have to stay disciplined, and everybody needs to be around the football.”

Palmerton at Salisbury

Friday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m.

What you need to know…

FINISHING STRONG

… After a two-game losing streak, the Bombers came up with a 26-7 victory over Catasauqua last week and they did so by moving the ball efficiently in this one. Head coach Chris Walkowiak wanted to see more consistency out of his offense against the Roughies and he got it. Palmerton was able to move the chains throughout the night and sealed the game with a fourth quarter 93-yard scoring drive that lasted seven minutes and thirty-one seconds. That type of offensive approach will once again be key for the Bombers against Salisbury this week. “We came out in the first half and we didn’t look very crisp, it was only 12-7 at the half, but I have to give credit to my kids, they really stepped it up in the second half,” said Walkowiak. “We moved the chains and we converted on third down multiple times and even fourth down twice. It was good to see our offense clicking and making plays.

BACK TO BASICS

… The Bombers got back to fundamental football against the Rough Riders. Playing solid defense, taking care of the ball, and moving the chains offensively has been the recipe for success in all of Palmerton’s five wins on the season. Takoah Guedes was a big reason for that last week. Guedes got back on track after a rough week against Palisades two weeks ago, rushing for 137 yards, while throwing for 164 yards against Catasauqua. Palmerton will try to continue to build off its two second half offensive drives from last week that helped them come away with the “W.”

FLOCK OF FALCONS

… Salisbury likes to run the football and it has a host of players that can do so. In fact, the Falcons have four players that have rushed for over 230 yards. Salisbury is led by Tim Buda, who has rushed for 440 yards and five touchdowns and Kyle Pingarelli, who has helped with 327 yards and two scores. Alex Glenn and Lucas Irwin are both near the 250-yard mark. Glenn has four rushing touchdowns on the season. “I think we really took a step forward last week defensively. Our guys just made a lot of plays,” said Walkowiak. “We held one of the best receivers and passing attacks in the Colonial League in check and what I was really happy with was our tackling. We finished and we wrapped up, we didn’t give them any extra yardage after contact. I was also pleased with the pressure we got on the quarterback last week. Multiple kids had sacks. We need to bring that same focus, and physicality that we brought last week into this game.”

Lehighton at Blue Mtn.

Friday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m.

What you need to know…

HMMMMM

... Lehighton is 3-1 against Blue Mountain since 2014. However, the Eagles blanked the Indians last season, 31-0. “They have some nice size on the line,” said Lehighton head coach Tom McCarroll. “They’re aggressive on defense. If they get some penetration in the backfield, that’s going to cause some problems for us.”

FINISHER

... TaQuan Bradley-Chambers has been on a tear over the last two weeks. He has rushed for a combined 620 yards over the last two weeks against Tamaqua and Pottsville. That total would alone rank him eighth in the Times News area in rushing. He’s now up to 1,341 on the season. “We have some momentum with some big wins over the last few weeks,” McCarroll said. “We’re going to try and carry that over, but the kids really have to focus on this week and what’s going on right now. They have to stay discipline and we will be successful.”

TOUGH TO FIGURE OUT

... Blue Mountain was shut out by North Schuylkill last week, 22-0, one week after handling Pottsville, 20-6. This isn’t your typical 2-6 team. “Anybody who thinks this is going to be a walk in the park is sadly mistaken,” McCarroll. “You see them on field, they’re the best team around that has the record the way they do. They’re going to poise a challenge no doubt about it.”

POINTS AFTER POINTS

... The 54 points Lehighton posted is the most by the Indians in a regular season game since 2015, when the Tribe put up 62 against Panther Valley.

Minersville at Marian

Friday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m.

What you need to know…

HERE WE GO

... Marian has posted at least 40 points over the last four weeks. The Colts smacked Shenandoah in a 44-0 Schuylkill League Division 2 victory last Friday. “All three facets of our game have been contributing,” said Marian head coach Pat Morgans. “We had two defensive pick-sixes, and we’re scoring points in all three phases which is what we need. It’s a total team effort on all three facets.”

DOING THE RIGHT THINGS

... Marian currently has the third-best TN area plus-minus at plus-seven. The Colts are finding ways to move the ball and take care of it, despite having yet to throw a touchdown this season. “I told the kids that two weeks ago every game we face now is going to be a playoff game,” Morgans said. “We’re in a must-win now mode, and we have to give 100 percent from here on out. Every game means something. We’re in a struggle to get that third playoff spot. It’s going to be tough, but it starts with Minersville. They’re a good football team with a good receiver and strong linebackers.”

GOT EM’ LAST YEAR

... Marian is 12-3 since 2004 against Minersville. However, the Miners’ topped the Colts last season, 13-7. The Colts posted at least 40 points in the prior three meetings. “Our front has been getting a lot of pressure on people,” said Morgans. “Our defensive line is getting penetration, and when you do that, good things happen. I’m happy with our kids hanging in and we finally got to that .500 mark now. They hit a lot of adversity early but continued to improve.”

THE FOCAL POINT

... Morgans mentioned that junior receiver Bryce Ellinger will be the man to watch on the Miners’ offense. Ellinger has posted 27 catches for 589 yards, displaying his speed with a 21.8 yards per catch rate. “Ellinger is legit,” said Morgans. “We have to contain him, but he’s not their only target. It all starts with stopping their run. If we do that, we can contain the pass and keep the quarterback in the pocket. We need to get our offense clicking and sustain drives and keep the ball out of our opponent’s hands.”

Mahanoy at Panther Vy.

Friday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m.

What you need to know…

RECENT HISTORY

... Mahanoy Area has won the last four meeting with the Panthers and are 7-6 against them since 2004. Panther Valley last defeated the Golden Bears in 2012 by a 34-6 margin.

NEW FACES

... Ethan Reis got hist first varsity start at quarterback against Schuylkill Haven last week and completed three of nine passes.

DISTRICT RACE

... Panther Valley is currently holding onto the fourth seed in 2A, while Mahanoy is just ahead in third. A potential win for the Panthers would be huge in terms of seeding. “We got smacked in the mouth tonight and we didn’t respond,” said Panther Valley head coach Scott Price after last week’s loss to Schuylkill Haven. “We’ll see what kind of team we are at practice this week as we prepare for Mahanoy.”

BOUNCED BACK

... After a 41-28 setback to Marian two weeks ago, the Golden Bears earned a 21-14 Schuylkill League win over Minersville last week.

PM East at Pleasant Valley

Friday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m.

What you need to know…

BUCKET GAME

… Pleasant Valley (2-6) returns home after a 34-14 win over East Stroudsburg North for the annual Bucket Game. “Going into the rivalry game against Pocono Mountain East, they’re really a much-improved team. Coach (Rob) Melosky and his staff do a great job ,” said Bears’ head coach Mark Versuk.

DID YOU KNOW?

… Melosky has been head football coach at Freedom, Nazareth and Parkland. He led the Trojans to a state championship in 2002. Melosky’s last coaching stint covered six seasons at Nazareth where he went 42-29 from 2008-2013 and won a District 11 title in 2011.

HOW MANY?

… With a 3-5 record heading into this week’s game, Pocono Mountain East already has more wins than the last two seasons combined. The Cardinals were 0-10 in 2016, and 2-8 in 2015.

ONE-SIDED

… Pleasant Valley has held the edge in the series’ recent history, and it hasn’t been close. The Bears have won the last eight meetings, including last year’s 57-0 victory. Pocono Mountain East’s last win was a 7-0 triumph in 2008.

Tamaqua at No. Schuylkill

Friday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m.

What you need to know…

BUMP IN THE ROAD

… Tamaqua (5-3) has lost three straight games since a 48-28 win over Blue Mountain on Sept. 22. The Blue Raiders face a stiff test this week against the Spartans before closing out the regular season with a rivalry game against Marian.

DOWN (AND UP)

… Tamaqua allowed just 15.2 points-per-game during a five-game winning streak to start the season. The Blue Raiders have allowed 33 ppg. during their three-game losing streak.

ROAD WARRIORS

… Tamaqua is 3-1 on the road this season. Pottsville handed the Blue Raiders their only setback away from home, 42-12 in Week 6.

KEEP IT CLOSE

… North Schuylkill (6-2) has won several nail biters this season. The Spartans edged Schuylkill Haven 18-17 in Week 4, before knocking off Mount Carmel 21-20 the following week. North Schuylkill has shown on several occasions it can win the close games. Will Friday be another one? After losing a heart-breaker against Jim Thorpe last week, Tamaqua head coach Sam Bonner is ready for the challenge.”It was back and forth, just like last week at Lehighton, and we’ve just got to find a way to win one of these close games,” the coach said.