Schuylkill-Colonial Preview and Predictions for Week-5 !

Tagged under: District 11, District 2, District 4, News

Daniel Reed | September 20, 2022

North Schuylkill Spartans(3-1) at Northern Lehigh Bulldogs(4-0)
Last Meeting: Spartans won 56 to 42(2021)
Streak: North Schuylkill has won (1)

Key Player(s) to Watch:
North Schuylkill – Jared Tanari(RB/OLB), Steven Davis Jr.(DE/T)
Northern Lehigh – Austin Smyth(TE/DE), John Abidelli(CB/RB)

Preview: Last time the Bulldogs defeated the Spartans was back in 2011 when Northern Lehigh won 28 to 0 in a District XI playoff game. Like last years game, look for this game to come to the wire again, most likely another very high scoring affair as well. The Bulldogs come into the matchup averaging around 390 yards a game offensively, scoring a nice 42 points a game, giving up just 13. North Schuylkill is definitely no slouch on offense themselves, averaging roughly 33 points a game, giving up just 12. Stats aside, North Schuylkill has played the better competition thus far between the two with their opponents combined record of 8-8 vs the 5-11 combined opponents record for Northern Lehigh. Spartans lone loss was to currently undefeated and PFN State Ranked #3 Class 2A Mount Carmel 25 to 17 in the season opener. This one for me is going to have to be a coin-toss between the QB battle… Nick Frame for the Bulldogs and Trevor Minalda for the Spartans… whoever commits the less turnover, will most likely squeak out the victory.
PREDICTION: Spartans by 1

Loyalsock Lancers(3-1 at Williams Valley Vikings(3-1)
Last Meeting: N/A
Streak: N/A

Key Player(s) to Watch:
Loyalsock – Jr-Tyler Gee(QB/FS), Sr-Davion Hill(RB/CB)
Williams Valley – Sr-Isaac Whiteash(QB), Sr-Logan Williard(WR)

Preview: Both teams come into the game following losses last week, Loyalsock falling to then PFN State Ranked #3 Class 3A Danville Ironmen in a close 17 to 14 final. Loyalsock is led by JR-QB Tyler Gee who has thrown the ball for 666 yards, completing 62% of his passes yet does have those 5 INTS. The Lancers also have a decent run game with SR-Davion Hill leading the charge with 672 yards and 5 touchdowns. For the Vikings, their offense is pretty loaded with Sr-Isaac Whiteash who has thrown for 609 yards and 9 touchdowns, 2 INTS. The Vikings also have a very good run game with Jr-Alex Achenbach out front with 572 yards and 10 touchdowns. Whiteash has a big target on the receiving core with Jr-Brady Evans who has 375 yards and 5 touchdowns. Like the other PFNDan570FB G.O.T.W., this one could easily come down to whoever has the ball last, and commits the less turnovers. I’m looking for a great, back and fourth contest with both teams being able to score.
PREDICTION: Lancers by 4

Palmerton Blue Bombers(3-1) at Notre Dame-Green Pond Crusaders(3-1)
Last Meeting: Crusaders won 48 to 7(2020)
Streak: Crusaders have won the last 3

Key Player(s) to Watch:
Palmerton – Sr-Dalton Drake(WR/CB), Jr-Matthew Machalik(QB/FS)
NDGP – Jr-Danny Darno(QB/WR), Jr-Josh Ludlow(RB/WR)

Preview: Palmerton enters the contest winning last week over Jim Thorpe 54 to 29, led by Machalik who threw for 305 yards and 4 touchdowns but the passing game wasn’t the only thing working as the running attack rushed for over 250 yards as well. The Crusaders enter this game winners of their last 2 games, with their only defeat coming to Southern Lehigh in a very close 29 to 28 final. The Crusaders are led by a pair of juniors, QB-Danny Darno who has thrown for over 500 yards and 350+ on the ground for a total of 10 touchdowns, and RB-Josh Ludlow, who has rushed for over 250 and scored 5 times. This one like the previous two, will be another shootout with both teams being able to score on big plays. On the defensive side, I feel the Crusaders have a slight advantage but that will remain to be seen this Friday.
PREDICTION: Crusaders by 8

Executive Education Academy Raptors(3-1) at Tri-Valley Bulldogs(4-0)
Last Meeting: N/A
Streak: N/A

Key Player(s) to Watch:
EEAC – Sr-Darmel Lopez(QB), Sr-Jyhmiek Roman(ATH)
Tri-Valley – Sr-Jake Scheib(FB), Layne Yoder(WR/CB/SS)

Preview: The Raptors enter the contest 3-1 in just their second year of existence, finishing the 2021 season 6-5. The Raptors are led by their quarterback who had thrown for over 700 yards. Tri-Valley comes in this game, undefeated at 4-0. The Bulldogs have posted 2 shutouts in their 4 games, scoring 35 points per game while giving up just 10. Tri-Valley has lots of other offensive weapons as well with Jolton Flory, and Reece Huntzinger. With this being the first time playing each other, I just feel the Bulldogs experience will lead them to a big victory at home.
PREDICTION: Bulldogs by 17

OTHER GAMES AROUND THE LEAGUE:

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS:
Nativity BVM Green Wave(2-2) at Marian Catholic Colts(2-2)
Last Meeting: Colts won 19 to 13(OT)-(2021)
Streak: Colts(1)
PREDICTION: Colts by 5

Panther Valley Panthers(2-2) at Minersville Battlin’ Miners(3-1)
Last Meeting: Battlin’ Miners won 57 to 22(2020)
Streak: Battlin’ Miners have won the last 5
PREDICTION: Minersville by 20

Saucon Valley Panthers(2-2) at Pottsville Area Crimson Tide(1-3)
Last Meeting: Crimson Tide won 35 to 7(2021)
Streak: Crimson Tide(1)
PREDICTION: Panthers by 2

Blue Mountain Eagles(2-2) at Southern Lehigh Spartans(3-1)
Last Meeting: Spartans won 16 to 13(2021)
Streak: Spartans have won twice dating back to 2011
PREDICTION: Eagles by 2

Northwestern Lehigh Tigers(3-1) at Lehighton Indians(1-3)
Last Meeting: Tigers won 49 to 7(2021)
Streak: Tigers have won 5 dating back to 2007
PREDICTION: Tigers by 24

Palisades Pirates(2-2) at Schuylkill Haven Hurricanes(1-3)
Last Meeting: N/A
Streak: N/A
PREDICTION: Pirates by 8

Riverside Vikings(1-3) at Mahanoy Area Golden Bears(3-1)
Last Meeting: N/A
Streak: N/A
PREDICTION: Golden Bears by 12

Shenandoah Valley Blue Devils(0-4) at Hancock Panthers(MD)-(0-3)
Last Meeting: N/A
Streak: N/A
PREDICTION: Blue Devils by 17

Wilson Area Warriors(0-4) at Bangor Slaters(3-1)
Last Meeting: Slaters won 37 to 6(2021)
Streak: Slaters(1)
PREDICTION: Slaters by 32

Salisbury Township Falcons(0-4) at Tamaqua Blue Raiders(1-3)
Last Meeting: Blue Raiders won 27 to 21(2021)
Streak: Blue Raiders(1)
PREDICTION: Blue Raiders by 33

SATURDAY FOOTBALL:
Catasauqua Rough Riders(1-3) at Pen Argyl Green Knights(1-3) 1:30pm
Last Meeting: Rough Riders won 42 to 15(2021)
Streak: Catasauqua(1)
PREDICTION: Green Knights by 2

Jim Thorpe Olympians(1-3) at Pine Grove Cardinals(1-3) 7:00pm
Last Meeting: Olympians won 16 to 9(2020)
Streak: Olympians(1)
PREDICTION: Olympians by 21

Be sure to Follow @PFNDan570FB and @Bptashinski on TWITTER for all your Schuylkill-Colonial League action and updates throughout the season !

Last Week’s Prediction Record: 0-0(out with sickness)

Week-3 Predictions Record: 10-5

OVERALL PREDICTIONS RECORD: 33-16

BE SURE TO TUNE IN THIS WEDNESDAY EVENING BETWEEN 6-8PM FOR PAFOOTBALLNEWS and THE FUNDING ZONE LIVE STREAM FROM MAGERKS PUB & GRILL, at 174 Eagleview Blvd. Exton, PA 19341. FOR Reservations, please call: 267-946-5777

Don’t forget to keep a look our for the Schuylkill-Colonial Mid-Season Report sometime next week.

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