Schuylkill-Colonial Week-10 Rivalry Special: *@PFNDan570FB Game of the Week * Pottsville Area at North Schuylkill Preview

Tagged under: District 11, News

Daniel Reed | October 27, 2022

@PFNDan570FB *Game of the Week*
Pottsville Area Crimson Tide(4-5) at North Schuylkill Spartans(7-2)
Last Meeting: Crimson Tide won 20 to 12 in OVERTIME(2021)
Streak: Pottsville Area has won 1
Series History: Pottsville Area leads the series 21-9-0 dating back to 1970.

Key Player(s) to Watch in this Game:
Pottsville Area – Tejay Allen(Sr.)-(QB/FS), Joey Palko(Sr.)-(TE/DE), Parrish McFarland(Jr.)-(RB/CB/WR), Amaree Bainbridge(Sr.)-(WR/CB/RB), Henry Mohl(Jr.)-(CB/RB/WR), Evan Drum(Jr.)-(DB/RB/WR)
North Schuylkill – Trevor Minalda(Jr.)-(QB), Jared Tinari(Sr.)-(RB/OLB), Joey Flail(Jr.)-(WR/CB/RB), Jack Dean(Sr.)-(TE/MLB), Collin Stanakis(Jr.)-(WR/CB), Robbie Weitz(Sr.)-(G/DT), Steven Davis Jr.(Sr.)-(T/DE), Collin McGee(Jr.)-(SS/WR)

Pottsville Area

North Schuylkill

Game Preview:

Pottsville comes in following a tough lost to Southern Lehigh last week 42 to 7. The Crimson Tide are 3-2 in their last 5 games this season scoring 26 points a game, giving up 24. North Schuylkill comes in winners in their last 4 of 5 games, scoring 31 a game, giving up 15. On paper, this game looks to be in favor of the Spartans by a long shot but, this would be the case in last seasons game as well which saw the Spartans fall in overtime 20 to 12 on a somewhat controversial call to end the game at the goal-line. We won’t go into the details of that ending but with that said, the Spartans are definitely looking for redemption.

With the game being played at Spartan Stadium, we at least won’t have to worry about a wet, soggy, slippery field like in last years game at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Pottsville. Offensively for the Spartans, they average roughly 300 yards total a game. For Pottsville, their offense isn’t as flashy but they too can rack up the yardage, piling up an average of just under 275 a game. Defensively, the Spartans have the edge, giving up just 14 points a game, while the Crimson Tide give up an average of 29.

Coaches Words:

Pottsville Area – Head Coach Tom McGeoy tells me that their starting LB Brenden Zelwalk and starting DT Mason Major are both back from injury. Winning Friday night would mean alot for many reasons, one of which is that it would have finishing the season at (5-5).500, which would keep us in the hunt for district playoffs depending on the outcome of another big game in the league at Blue Mountain, a team the Spartans shutout 21 to 0 earlier this season, while the Tide were shutout by the Eagles 17 to 0. For us to win, we must be much better defensively said McGeoy. Coach went onto to say that in order for the Tide to win, they must win the turnover battle and start fast in all phases of the game.
North Schuylkill – Offensive Tackle Sander Stokes will return after missing a few weeks. Coach mentioned how we will not discuss last year that “we are in a new year, so our focus has been on this game.” We need to focus on our assignments and doing the job on every play Coach Hall went on to say. Hall also mentions that this is first game in weeks that they are a full unit. We cannot forget about our special teams game with Gavin making a big difference with his leg.

My Outlook: This is the game I’ve been waiting on for a year but will not be attending as my game this year to end the regular season is in Hegins, to see the Battle of the Valley’s. I’m sure I will be able to feel the energy in the air however from Ashland when these two teams hit the field. If North Schuylkill can control the line, which they have done for the last few years, I see the Spartans winning this one decisively. The easy solution for the Crimson Tide would be to lock down their star WR, Joey Flail but that isn’t the case when you have 3 others that can catch and run like Jack Dean, Collin Stanakis, Jared Tinari, Collin McGee, and not to forget about the junior RB/MLB Jaxson Chowansky. Pottsville does have a few star athletes of their own in Parrish McFarland, Tejay Allen, Joey Palko and others, but the toughness and speed of the Spartans defense is just so dominant when they want to be. I look for Coach Hall to have his group fired up and ready for this one.
MY PREDICTION: North Schuylkill just too much, and too many weapons…. Spartans roll to victory 41 to 20

Don’t forget to tune in Friday Night as I will have LIVE UPDATES from the game in Hegins ! Follow @PFNDan570FB and @Bptashinski on TWITTER for all your Schuylkill-Colonial League and EPC action.

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