Week 3 Games To Watch – East

Tagged under: District 1, District 11, District 12, District 2, District 3, District 4, News

Pa Football News | September 17, 2015

Here are some interesting games to keep an eye on for Week 3 of the Pennsylvania High School football season.

DISTRICT 1/12

Conwell-Egan (2-0) at Upper Moreland (2-0)
(2014 Result: Upper Moreland 35-28)
Neither of these teams are expected to be state contenders, but for the second straight year, one of them will be 3-0. When the Eagles lost last year, it was the beginning of a stretch that saw them drop 8 of 10. They have higher aspirations in 2015 and the defense is off to a very good start allowing only 6 points in their first two games. They have to find more offense with junior quarterback Kendall Jones who has struggled early. Meanwhile, the Bears have seen plenty of offense putting up 55 points so far and running the football with authority. Running backs Rodney Morgan and Nick DeLucas both rushed for 100 yards last week. DL Connor Dolan has led the Upper Moreland defense.

Benjamin Franklin (2-0) at Northeast (2-0)
(2014 Result: Benjamin Franklin 39-20)
Two unbeaten Philly City League teams will try to remain unbeaten this Friday. The Electrons won the 4A title last year and were unbeaten until they ran into St. Joe’s Prep in the District 12 championship game. They want to keep that title and this will be a good test for them. Watch WR Jordan Williams who is capable of making a big play at anytime.  Northeast started off 0-2 last year but managed to pull out two close victories to start 2015. The Vikings trailed Father Judge 13-0 going into the fourth quarter before rallying. Amir Paulk and Keith Moore had long fourth quarter touchdown runs to put the Vikings in the win column again.

DISTRICT 2

Lakeland (1-1) at Valley View (2-0)
(2014 Result: Valley View 14-7)
Lakeland had a tough three-point loss to state-ranked Old Forge last week while Valley View has run away with their first two games. The Chiefs have had a running back by committee approach to start the season and their big offensive line has been able to open up holes for whoever the ball carrier is. Valley View has a great bunch of skill players led by RB Scot Wasilchak and receivers Ethan and Evan Carey. This will come down to the war up front. If the Cougars win that battle, their skill players are too good for anyone in District 2 to handle.

DISTRICT 3
Central Dauphin (2-0) at Wilson (2-0)
(2014 Result: Wilson 14-12 & 21-10)
A rematch of a regular season and district championship games sees two of the best 4A teams in the state. The Bulldogs are ranked No. 2 while the Rams are No. 8. CD will have to find a way to deal with the Wilson QB Collin Powers. The first year starter has been very good and especially last week without star running back Shane Dantzler available (knee). Meanwhile, Wilson has to find a way to slow down DE Micah Parsons. He sat out Week 1 but bounced back with 8 tackles and 3.5 sacks last week. This is probably just a warmup for the District 3 playoffs, but a win by the Rams seems more urgent considering what happened last season.

Garden Spot (2-0) at Exeter (2-0)
(2014 Result: Garden Spot 28-26)
Great game last year, the Eagles will look for revenge and try to prove they are a legit contender this season. They have the horses with players like Penn State recruit Michal Menet leading the way. The defense has been especially good and they will need to be ready Friday. The Spartans’ Jahad Jeffers rushed for school-record 344-yards last week and the offense is running on all cylinders. Eagles D vs Spartans O. Classic battle of wills.

DISTRICT 4
Athens (2-0) at Jersey Shore (2-0)
(2014 Result: Jersey Shore 23-0)
Athens has put up 84 points to start the season while Jersey Shore has scored 28 points in just over a quarter to rally last week to remain unbeaten. The Bulldogs are led by Levi Lorson, who is one of the better players in District 4. Senior quarterback Aaron Berry has been strong for the Wildcats. It will be interesting to see how Athens handles a team that shut them out last season. If they can play with the Bulldogs, they could make some noise in the very competitive 2A.

DISTRICT 11

Lehighton (2-0) at North Schuylkill (1-1)
(2014 Result: North Schuylkill 28-25)
Lehighton got mentioned in the PFN 3A rankings this week while North Schuylkill dropped out after a loss. It has been a rough start for the Spartans who lost the district title game last year, barely escaped with a win in Week 1 and were beaten by Blue Mountain. Meanwhile, the Indians have outscored their opponents 81-12. Yes, this will be a bigger challenge for them, but it will also be a good measuring stick.  The Spartans will have to find a way to stop RB Wyatt Clements and also rediscover their running attack. They also have to find a way to get the ball in talented WR Tevin Murray’s hands more.  He had only one catch in Week 2.

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