2022 PIAA District XI Class 3A Semi-Final Preview: Palmerton at North Schuylkill *Round-2*

Tagged under: District 11, News, Playoffs

Daniel Reed | November 9, 2022

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2022 PIAA District XI Class 3A Semi-Final Preview:
Palmerton Blue Bombers(7-4) at North Schuylkill Spartans(9-2) *Round-2*

click to see brackets

Earlier this season, about four weeks ago, North Schuylkill hosted the Blue Bombers in a matchup that saw the Spartans defeat the Blue Bombers 35 to 21. Palmerton, who took an early lead, was able to stay with the Spartans until about mid-way through the third quarter until North Schuylkill’s size, speed and depth took over.

Palmerton comes into this game 2-1 since their loss to the Spartans, and winners last weekend in their playoff game against Tamaqua 45 to 6. The Spartans enter the game winners of 5 straight including their playoff victory last weekend over Lehighton 54 to 7. North Schuylkill is seeking their third straight District XI Class 3A Championship. The Blue Bombers, last season got the District XI Final in Class 2A, losing to a Northern Lehigh team that went all the way to the PIAA state semi-finals.

Below you can take a look at some comparisons with common opponents to see what these two programs stand going into tomorrow game.

This matchup will once again pit two teams that can score with quickness as the Blue Bombers average 39ppg and the Spartans average 35ppg. The advantage defensively definitely goes to North Schuylkill as they give up an average of 13ppg, while Palmerton gives up 29ppg. The Spartans are led by a slew of players such as junior quarterback, Trevor Minalda, junior wide receiver Joey Flail, who has broken just about every receiving record at the position for the Spartans, and some seniors Jared Tinari-RB, Jack Dean-MLB, and Steven Davis Jr-T/DE along with their sophomore kicker Gavin Mentzer. Minalda has thrown for 1669 yards, with 23 touchdowns and 12 interceptions(most of which came early in the season). Tinari has rushed for 1218 yards, scoring 14 times and Flail leading the way receiving with 697 yards, scoring 13 touchdowns to go along with his 4 he has rushing. Defensively for the Spartans, they have Jack Dean, who leads the team in tackles with 62, followed by Steven Davis Jr., who has 56, as well as 4 sacks.

Palmerton has a few stud players as well coming in, starting with the leader, the quarterback Matt Machalik. Machalik has throw for over 2400 yards, 31 touchdowns, does have 8 interceptions but has also run the ball for 1112 yards, scoring another 19 touchdowns giving him a whopping 3500+ yards in total, with 50 touchdowns. Matt isn’t too shabby on defense either recording 3 interceptions of his own. Machalik’s main target on the receiving core is senior, Daniel Lucykanish who has caught 47 passes for 831 yards, and 11 scores. Lucykanish has also gone over the 1000 threshold for the season, looking to add more tomorrow as the game, and a lot of others have been moved to tomorrow due to severe weather headed this way.

My Outlook: Controlling the line of scrimmage and limiting turnovers are key in most games and this one will be no different. Whichever defense can cause that one extra turnover will be victorious.

PREDICTION: Spartans are just too strong defensively, North Schuylkill wins 41-23

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