SAFR Football Helmet Covers: Safer Through Science
 
PA Football News Scoreboard powered by Circle W Sports
 
Leading Edge Fundraising
 
 
 

Hittin’ The Road With Travelin’ Matt – Week Six (Coal Country Football!)

 
Tagged under: District 11, District 4, Gameday Hub, News, pfn, The STATE of PA Football

| October 5, 2026

Each week Travelin’ Matt traverses Pennsylvania attending the hottest high school football games and best matchups in the Commonwealth.  Follow his exploits each week as he documents his journey from Week One to the Pennsylvania State Football Finals!

 

Wednesday, September 30

The State of PA Football Live Show

 

Thursday, October 1

3A Tamaqua (2-3) vs 4A Pottsville (2-3)

 

Friday, October 2

2A #1 Southern Columbia (5-0) vs 3A #8 Mount Carmel (5-0)

 

ROUNDTRIP – 78 MILES

 

Wednesday, September 30

After a light week last week, I jumped back on the horse and kicked off the week with the PA Football News Weekly STATE of PA Football Show.  It’s hard to believe we’re midway through the regular season, and we tossed around that topic on the show, discussing which teams have been a surprise and what teams have been a disappointment.

Watch the full STATE of PA Football Show here…

 

Thursday, October 1

My doubleheader of Coal Country football kicked off at Pottsville’s Veterans’ Memorial Stadium in the heart of Schuylkill County as the hometown Tide welcomed the Blue Raiders of Tamaqua in a District 11 duel.  Veterans’ Memorial is a throwback stadium highlighted by impressive masonry work from yesteryear.  Here’s a look around the stadium…

 

You never know what each game has in store when you walk through the gates, but halfway through this one and deep into the 3rd quarter, I was believing it was headed for a 0-0 final score.  Pottsville and Tamaqua battled, both stringing together lengthy drives in the first half before stalling out for no points.  Tamaqua amassed a 17-play drive while Pottsville put together a 15-play drive of their own to no avail.  It wasn’t before Tide wide receiver Shay Strencosky took over the game in the second half that the lightbulbs on the scoreboard got a workout as the Pottsville pass catcher put up three touchdowns en route to a 22-0 home team victory.

Watch the highlights from Pottsville vs. Tamaqua here…

 

 

 

 

Friday, October 2

The biggest game in the State of Pennsylvania took place just a dozen miles from my house, and I couldn’t resist the opportunity to witness a marquee matchup like the 15-time State Champion Southern Columbia Tigers as they visited the 5-time State Champion Mount Carmel Red Tornadoes.  These two PA gridiron stalwarts are well-acquainted with each other, having faced off dozens of times over the years, including some of the most notable games in state football history.

I arrived at historic Silver Stadium in Mount Carmel well before kickoff to take in the pre-game sights and sounds…here was the setting before the fans packed the stands…

 

 

And, a trip to a Mount Carmel football game isn’t complete without a stop at one of the most delicious concession stands across the Commonwealth…check out those homemade soups!

 

After the pomp and circumstance of the pre-game hype, it was time for the teams to take the field, and few high school stadiums do it like Mount Carmel with fireworks and community participation!

 

Heavyweights Southern Columbia and Mount Carmel battled from the opening kickoff to the final seconds of the game, and it was the Red Tornadoes that came out on top in front of a raucous crowd!  Mount Carmel do-it-all athlete Jaylen Delaney was the star on the night, contributing big plays all night, including the game-winner with just over a minute remaining in the game.

Check out the highlights from Mount Carmel vs. Southern Columbia…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With 20 games of PA high school football games complete this season, I wrapped up my sixth of 16 weeks and headed home to plan for next week’s schedule of contests.

Follow along next week as Travelin’ Matt takes you across the state on another PA High School Football journey.

 

 

2026 SEASON RECAP – 1762 TOTAL MILES (20 GAMES)

 

Week 1

Bishop Canevin 40 –  University Prep 0

Pittsburgh Central Catholic 45 –  Bergen Catholic NJ 30

Westinghouse 20 – Hickory 6

Farrell 33 – Clairton 6

Woodland Hills 43 – New Castle 15

 

Week 2

Lehighton 35 – Pocono Mountain West 0

Notre Dame Green Pond 38 – North Schuylkill 7

Southern Columbia 30 – Williams Valley 12

 

Week 3

Pope John Paul II 26 – West Chester Rustin 14

State College 27 – Bishop McDevitt 20

Twin Valley 42 – Wyomissing 14

Montgomery 12 – South Williamsport 6

 

Week 4

Northwest 76 – CMVT 0

Parkland 35 – Stroudsburg 0

Shamokin 35 – Jersey Shore 14

Milton-Hershey 39 – Middletown 7

Easton 20 – Bethlehem Catholic 14

 

Week 5

Mount Carmel 42 – Danville 21

 

Week 6

Pottsville 22 – Tamaqua 0

Mount Carmel 27 – Southern Columbia 26

 
 
PA Football News Scoreboard powered by Circle W Sports
 
Showcase by Circle W Sports
 
 
 
x