GAMEFACE: Week 9 Preview Capsules
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North Schuylkill (2-6) at Pottsville (5-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
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Where: Veterans Memorial Stadium
Last: North Schuylkill lost to Blue Mountain, 49-10; Pottsville beat Pine Grove, 61-14.
The Buzz: North Schuylkill fell to Blue Mountain 49–10 last week — its second straight loss after winning back-to-back games the two weeks prior. Now, the Spartans will have to take on a Pottsville Crimson Tide team that nobody wants to face right now: winners of five of their last six games and four straight. The Crimson Tide offense has become a dynamic force with sophomore quarterback Tommy Welsh under center, averaging 43 points per game during the four-game winning streak.
Shamokin Area (8-0) at Blue Mountain (7-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: Blue Mountain High School Stadium
Last: Shamokin Area beat Hanover Area, 65-14; Blue Mountain beat North Schuylkill, 49-10.
The Buzz: This will be the hottest ticket in town on Friday night as Blue Mountain hosts Shamokin Area. It will be one of the few Schuylkill League matchups featuring multiple FBS-level prospects, including Blue Mountain’s Chase Guers (a West Virginia commit) and Shamokin Area’s Logan Steele (a Wake Forest commit). Shamokin enters the weekend as a legitimate state title contender, having outscored opponents by an average of 47–7.75.
Schuylkill Haven (4-4) at Minersville (2-6)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where:Veterans Memorial Stadium
Last: Schuylkill Haven beat Tri-Valley, 39-24; Minersville beat Mahanoy Area, 14-6.
The Buzz: Schuylkill Haven, after an 0–3 start, has won four of its last five games—all four coming in blowout fashion—and looks like a well-oiled machine heading into the postseason. Running back Colton Reber continues to be outstanding for the Hurricanes, racking up nearly 1,500 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns this season. Minersville snapped a six-game losing streak last weekend by beating Mahanoy Area 14–6, but the Battlin’ Miners have played competitive football over the last three weeks overall, marked by narrow losses to Shenandoah Valley and Williams Valley.
Nativity BVM (1-7) at Tri-Valley (5-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: Bulldog Stadium
Last: Nativity lost to Shenandoah Valley, 28-12; Tri-Valley lost to Schuylkill Haven, 39-24.
The Buzz: Nativity will look to snap a six-game losing streak on Friday night in Hegins, coming off two of its better performances this season in a 25–20 loss to Marian Catholic and a 28–12 loss to Shenandoah Valley. Meanwhile, Tri-Valley will look to get back in the win column following a 39–24 loss to Schuylkill Haven, having dropped two of its last three games overall.
Mahanoy Area (3-5) at Marian Catholic (4-4)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: Men of Marian Stadium
Last: Mahanoy Area lost to Minersville, 14-6; Marian Catholic lost to Williams Valley, 42-20.
The Buzz: Mahanoy Area has faltered in recent weeks, dropping four of its last five games—including a 14–6 loss to Minersville last week—and will now look to finish the regular season on a high note with matchups against Marian Catholic and Shenandoah Valley. Marian Catholic fell to Williams Valley last week, but won three of its previous four contests before that setback. When playing at their best, the Colts remain one of the stronger teams in the league.
Pine Grove (2-6) at Panther Valley (3-5)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: Panther Valley Stadium
Last: Pine Grove lost to Pottsville, 61-14; Panther Valley lost to Tamaqua, 38-7.
The Buzz: Both Pine Grove and Panther Valley enter the final weeks of the season desperate for wins as they look to keep their postseason hopes alive. The Cardinals have endured a brutal three-week stretch against larger programs in North Schuylkill, Blue Mountain, and Pottsville, while the Panthers navigated a similarly daunting gauntlet against Blue Mountain, Pottsville, and Tamaqua. With a more balanced matchup on deck, this clash has the potential to be one of the best games on Friday night’s slate.
Tamaqua (4-4) at Selinsgrove (3-5)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: Harold L. Bolig Memorial Field
Last: Tamaqua beat Panther Valley, 38-7; Selinsgrove lost to Central Mountain, 21-14.
The Buzz: Tamaqua has caught some late-season momentum with back-to-back wins and faces a manageable final two weeks of the regular season, beginning Friday night with an hour-and-a-half trip out to Selinsgrove. On the other side, the Seals defeated Danville last week to snap a three-game losing streak.
Williams Valley (7-1) at Shenandoah Valley (6-2)
When: Saturday, 1 p.m.
Where: Veterans Memorial Stadium
Last: Williams Valley beat Marian Catholic, 42-20; Shenandoah Valley beat Nativity BVM, 28-12.
The Buzz: Williams Valley has won six straight games and is shaping up to be a legitimate Class A state championship contender, largely due to a dominant defense allowing just 15.5 points per game. Shenandoah Valley enters the week with a chance to reach seven wins in a season for the first time since 2012.