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Hittin’ The Road with Travelin’ Matt – Week 9 (Rivalry Week)

Tagged under: District 11, Gameday Hub, News, pfn

| October 28, 2025

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 Zero to the Pennsylvania State Football Finals!

 

Thursday, October 23

1A Nativity (4-5) at 1A Marian Catholic (6-3)

 

Friday, October 24

4A #1 Southern Lehigh (9-0) at 3A #2 Northwestern Lehigh (9-0)

 

Saturday, October 25

6A Bethlehem-Liberty (6-3) at 6A Bethlehem-Freedom (5-4)

 

ROUNDTRIP – 362 MILES

 

Thursday, October 23

It was a District 11 rivalry tripleheader for me this week as I made my way around the eastern part of the state from Tamaqua to New Tripoli to Bethlehem.

There’s many football versions of the “Holy War” and on this night I was witness to Schuylkill County’s entry as Marian Catholic of Tamaqua hosted Nativity of Pottsville…two Catholic schools separated by just 18 miles.  The 1990 PA State Champs of Marian Catholic welcomed rival Nativity on a brisk Fall night and the host Colts found the end zone early and often in a convincing 41-14 victory prior to heading to the playoffs next week.

Here’s a handful of highlights from the Marian Catholic vs. Nativity “Holy War”…

 

 

While the games on the field are my primary focus throughout the season one of my favorite aspects of attending so many contests across the state is also shining a spotlight on local history in the towns I’m visiting.

On this night, it was the 100th Anniversary of the 1925 National Football League Championship won by the Pottsville Maroons but not awarded by the league due to a controversy of epic proportions.  The story has captured the attention of many over time and at the Marian Catholic/Nativity game a movie producer and an actor from the film in full uniform was promoting a new motion picture about the 1925 Pottsville Maroons due out in December!

If you’ve never been privy to the story of the Pottsville Maroons and their 1925 NFL Championship read the short version here…

 

Something that also may be of interest for fans is the premiere of the new movie “MaRoons” and your opportunity to attend the unique local sports and entertainment event at Nativity High School on December 7.

For more information visit https://maroons.entre.one

 

Friday, October 24

The most anticipated matchup in the state took place in New Tripoli this week as 4A #1 ranked Southern Lehigh visited 3A #2 and defending State Champ Northwestern Lehigh in what has become an every year end of the year donnybrook for the Colonial-Schuylkill League Red Division title.  Northwestern Lehigh had triumphed over Southern Lehigh for five straight matchups dating back to 2019  and this night they made it six in a row vs. the Spartans with a 36-28 victory.

Check out some highlights from Northwestern Lehigh vs. Southern Lehigh…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plenty of post-game coverage on this one check it all out here…

 

Read the game story below…

 

And flip through the photo gallery on this dandy contest below…

 

 

Saturday, October 25

My third Rivalry Game of the week was the Battle of the Bethlehems as Freedom and Liberty faced off for city supremacy.  The activity surrounding this game each year fills the school parking lots and the surrounding neighborhood with tailgates, music and food.  If you’ve never been to this season-ending battle put it on your To Do list for next season!

This year was Liberty’s to shine as the Hurricanes downed the Patriots handily by a tally of 42-14 thanks to a dynamic performance by quarterback Antonio Fontanez who accounted for five scores (four through the air and one on the ground).

Here’s some highlights from a jam-packed BASD stadium to see Freedom vs. Liberty…

 

 

 

 

What’s unique to these two schools you ask?  How about one of the best high school bands you’ll ever see and a kicking tee retrieving dog!  Here’s a look at both!

 

 

That’s it for the PA Football Regular season and we’re headed to the playoffs!

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

 

 

2025 SEASON RECAP – 3548 TOTAL MILES (32 GAMES)

 

Week 0

North Allegheny 28 – Woodland Hills 26

LaSalle College 23 – Pittsburgh Central Catholic 6

McKeesport 51 – Delaware Valley 24

Westinghouse 22 – Steel Valley 12

Elizabeth Forward 28 – West Mifflin 14

 

Week 1

Northern Highlands 27 – Holy Spirit 12

Ocean City 32 – Oakcrest 0

Bergen Catholic 22 – East St. Louis 21

IMG Academy 35 – Winslow Township 14

Abraham Lincoln 43 – Germantown Academy 34

LaSalle College 42 – Malvern Prep 35

 

Week 2

Pocono Mountain East 45 – Scranton 0

 

Week 3

Jim Thorpe 35 – Tamaqua 27

Shamokin 43 – Jersey Shore 42 (2OT)

Easton 35 – Bethlehem Catholic 9

 

Week 4

Schuylkill Haven 48 – Minersville 38

Parkland 42 – Nazareth 6

North Pocono 24 – Abington Heights 10

Bethlehem Catholic 28 – Allentown Central Catholic 24

 

Week 5

Chester 78 – Chichester 7

Lansdale Catholic 20 – West Catholic 14

 

Week 6

Vaux Big Picture 18 – Kenisngton 12

Southern Columbia 21 – Mifflinburg 14

LaSalle 31 – St. Joe’s Prep 20

 

Week 7

North Schuylkill 42 – Blue Mountian 21

Berwick 63 – Williamsport 19

 

Week 8

Parkland 53 – Whitehall 7

Susquehannna Townwhip 24 – Trinity 14

Harrisburg 27 – Central Dauphin 0

 

Week 9

Marian Catholic 41 – Nativity 14

Northwestern Lehigh 36 vs. Southern Lehigh 28

Bethlehem-Liberty 42 – Bethlehem-Freedom 14

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