Around the Schuylkill League Week – 8 @PIAADistrictXI @BMSDAthletics @PAHSathletics @SCHLeague

Tagged under: District 11, News

Daniel Reed | October 30, 2020

This weekend we have a few games in the Schuylkill League that will have and provide much excitement and energy as this is the final game of the regular season for most every team in the league.  We will start with the BIG one from Pottsville, Pa known as the Clash of 61 Trophy Game between the Blue Mountain Eagles vs Pottsville Area Crimson Tide…

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: 7:00pm

1. Blue Mountain Eagles(4-3) @ Pottsville Area Crimson Tide(5-1)

Blue Mountain comes into the game on a 3 game win streak after suffering 3 straight tuff losses to Jim Thorpe 22 to 21, North Schuylkill 20 to 14 in overtime, and Pine Grove 20 to 12.  Pottsville is coming into the game winners of 5 straight after losing their season opener to Class 1a Nativity BVM 31 to 21. Last week, Pottsville defeated a very good Jim Thorpe(5-2) team 28 to 11, while Blue Mountain defeated Mahanoy Area(3-4) 54 to 26.  The Crimson Tide lead the series history 43 to 13 dating back to 1960.  Since the game has been deemed the Clash of 61 Trophy Game, the series is tied 4 to 4 with the Eagles holding the edge in points scored per game at 21.6 to 18.  The Tide have won the last two games by scores of 42 to 0 in 2019, and 41 to 40(overtime) in 2018. Pottsville will try to become the first team to win 3 straight Clash of 61 Trophies but the Eagles defense has been nothing but spectacular over the last few weeks.  With all the rain we had over the last 2 days, I’m feeling a wet, slippery field for this game, so the scoring might be minimal but the intensity will be over the top as usual, whoever can control the line and limit their turnovers, will win the game.

PREDICTION: Eagles come out fast and hold on to win this one in a close 28 to 24 battle !

2. Nativity BVM Green Wave(5-2) @ Jim Thorpe Olympians(5-2)

The last time these two programs played each other was back in 2002 with Nativity winning 32 to 31.  This one tonight shouldn’t be much different, as Nativity has a very good offense to go along with their at time, very good defense.  The same can be said about the always tough Olympians.  Nativity comes into tonight’s game winners of their last 3 of 4 games, including last weekends win over Schuylkill Haven 35 to 7, and Jim Thorpe comes into the game following a loss to Pottsville last week 28 to 11.

PREDICTION: In an upset, the Green Wave offense outgains the Olympians in a close one, and wins 35 to 33 !

3. Minersville Battlin’ Miners(3-3) @ Schuylkill Haven Hurricanes(2-5)

Schuylkill Haven has been struggling for much of the 2020 season compared to recent years past, but never underestimate their running attack which has been dominant over the years as Minersville has seen throughout the last 8 years in which the Hurricanes have won 8 straight by an average score of 53 to 10. Last time the Battlin’ Miners defeated the Canes was back in 2011 when they won 20 to 0.  As the Canes rely on their running game, the Battlin’ Miners rely on their passing game with QB Connor Schwalm. If Schwalm can find some holes in the Canes defense, this one could be a high scoring affair as I feel it will.

PREDICTION: Canes control the ball and run hard, Haven – 35, Minersville – 31 !

4. Pine Grove Cardinals(2-5) @ Tamaqua Blue Raiders(4-3)

Pine Grove enters tonight’s matchup trying to rebound from a tough loss last week to Lehighton 28 to 20. Tamaqua enters the game on a positive note following a victory last week vs Pen Argyl 30 to 14 after suffering 3 straight losses previously to Pottsville, Blue Mountain, and Jim Thorpe.  Last time Pine Grove and Tamaqua played each other was back in 1997 with the Blue Raiders coming out on top 22 to 14. This year won’t be no different as long as Tamaqua runs the ball like they didn’t last week.

PREDICTION: Blue Raiders run over the Cardinals 42 to 14 !

5. Tri Valley Bulldogs(3-1) @ Panther Valley Panthers(2-5)

Tri Valley looking to rebound from last week’s devastating late come back loss to Williams Valley 35 to 28, will most likely turn to their work horse, RB Chase Herb who was basically held in check by the Vikings.  The Bulldogs did show last week though, that they can also pass the pigskin.  Panther Valley on the other hand, will be trying to keep the momentum going after last week’s victory over Shenandoah Valley 34 to 6.  We had to look ” back to the future ” if you will, to find the last time these two played each other and found, it happened way back in 1987 when the Panthers defeated the Bulldogs 14 to 12.

PREDICTION: The Bulldogs running game just too much for the Panthers in this one… Bulldogs run out of Lansford with the victory 42 to 12 !

6. Williams Valley Vikings(6-1) @ Marian Catholic Colts(1-6)

Williams Valley comes into the contest tonight winners of their last 5 games. Marian Catholic enters the contest on the heels of a 4 game losing streak.  Since 2008, these two programs have met 7 times, with Williams Valley winning 4 of them, most recently in 2018 when the Vikings defeated the Colts 17 to 0 in a District XI playoff game.  Marian last defeated the Vikings in 2015 in a regular season game as well as in 2014.  The Colts are 3-4 vs the Vikings with all 4 of those losses coming in District XI playoff games.

PREDICTION: Viking through the air big, defeat the Colts 48 to 6 !

7. Shenandoah Valley Blue Devils(1-7) @ Mahanoy Area Golden Bears(3-4)

After snapping a 34 game losing streak 2 weeks ago, the Blue Devils come into this game following a loss to Panther Valley last week 34 to 6. Mahanoy Area comes into the game tonight, losing 3 of their 4 games at the hands of Williams Valley, Tri Valley, and Blue Mountain last week.  For the series between these two schools, this is the 112th meeting, at which the Golden Bears winning the last 7 by an average score of 40 to 11.  The last time the Blue Devils defeated Mahanoy Area was back in 2012 when they won 27 to 6.

PREDICTION: Golden Bears run wild with Ben Terry… score their 8th straight over the Blue Devils with a 56 to 12 victory !

SATURDAY: 1:00pm

8. Lehighton Indians(3-4) @ North Schuylkill Spartans(5-0)

Lehighton toughed out a huge victory over Pine Grove last week 28 to 20, while the Spartans haven’t played in 2 weeks due to COVID19 restrictions.  With that 2 week layoff, the Spartans should be rested and ready to get back on the field to play some hard nosed football.  North Schuylkill has won 13 straight Schuylkill League *regular season* games and 11 straight Schuylkill League Division 1 *regular season* games dating back to the 2018/2019 season.  Unless there is rust on the Spartans sideline, North Schuylkill should come out victorious.

PREDICTION: Spartans – 48, Indians – 21

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