Hollywood’s Cutting Room Floor- Regular Season Finale in the EPC
Tagged under: District 11, News, pfn
Brian Ptashinski | October 26, 2022
Nine of the Eighteen Teams in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Have Clinched a Playoff Berth.
Seems like the 2022 high school football season just begun and poof, just like that it’s over, at least for the regular season come Saturday. We still have jockeying of District XI playoff positions in the 6A classification with six of the eight teams that will qualify coming from the EPC. Hazleton and Wilkes-Barre Area from District 2 will round out the field, but the Wolfpack will have to take care of business against winless Wyoming Valley West.
5A Has three of the four qualifiers in place. The final spot will come down to Pocono Mountain West and East Stroudsburg South. While in 4A only one team has locked up a spot, that being Allentown Central Catholic. Bethlehem Catholic, Bangor Blue Mountain and Pottsville still have life to to make the four team playoff.
So let’s look at what games are going to be contested this week as it is rivalry week and you know the saying, sometimes you can throw the records out the window, when it comes down to these games.
1-8 EAST STROUDSBURG NORTH TIMBERWOLVES at 3-6 EAST STROUDSBURG SOUTH CAVALIERS Friday night at The Purple Pit.
East Stroudsburg North were routed by William Allen 60-13. East Stroudsburg South lost to Stroudsburg 23-8. North would like nothing better than to geth their second win of the season over South, and may be build off a win going into next season. The Cavs trying steady the ship after losing their last five games and struggled to score as they have scored eight or fewer points in four of those losses. South only had 139 yards in loss to Stroudsburg. South will need a win and hope that Pocono Mountain West loses to have any thoughts of defending their District championship.
Hollywood says South will win this game convincingly by 45.
2-7 LOUIS DIERUFF HUSKIES at 1-8 WILLIAM ALLEN CANARIES at J. Birney Crum Stadium Saturday 2pm.
Dieruff lost to Northampton 43-26 last week. Allen got their first win of the season 60-13 0ver East Stroudsburg North.
“The Battle of Allentown” used to draw 12,000-16,000 fans to what was also known as Allentown School District Stadium. The heyday of Allen and Dieruff football may be a thing of the past, but there is still pride at both schools. Clarence Watkins scored four times last week while gaining 145 yards on 10 carries. Macus Morales added 201 yards on 13 carries and scored twice for the Canaries. The Huskies have won won five in a row over Allen and eight out of the last ten with a 49-12 win last year. Dieruff had 257 yards against unbeaten Northampton last week but also had two costly turnovers.
Hollywood sees this one going Dieruff way as well by 24
4-5 POCONO MOUNTAIN WEST PANTHERS at 1-8 POCONO MOUNTAIN EAST Friday 7pm
PME were shutout by Allentown Central catholic last week 35-0. PMW also came up on the short end of a 26-14 decision to Pleasant Valley. The Cardinals did have some success with their ball control off against The Vikings as they only had two pass attempts. DJ Kelly had 32 yards on 10 carries. The Panthers had 2 great chances in the red zone versus Pleasantt Valley but could not convert those posssessions into points and the defense allowed a 16 play 99 yard drive to the Bears.
Pocono Mountain West will get the win by 30 says Hollywood.
6-3 STROUDSBURG MOUNTAINEERS at 6-3 PLEASANT VALLEY BEARS Friday 7pm
Stroudsburg took care of East Stroudsburg South 23-8. Pleasant Valley picked up a 24-14 win over Pocono Mountain West.
Stroudsburg has qualified for the District XI playoffs, but have not beaten a team with a winning record. Andre Reames Jr, had 188 yards rushing and three touchdowns against South. A goal-line stand late in the contest followed by a 99 yard drive propelled the Bears win over PMW. Fela Olaniyan carried the rock 37 times for 186 yards and three scores for the Bears.
Hollywood says this should be a close game and could go either way but going with Mounties by 2.
2-7 BETHLEHEM LIBERTY HURRICANES at 7-2 BETHLEHEM FREEDOM PATRIOTS Saturday 1pm at BASD Stadium.
Liberty lost to Parkland 56-19 last week. Freedxom got by Bethlehem Catholic 24-13. Liberty’s QB Tommy Mason threw for 143 yards and two scores against Parkland. The Hurricanes have not been that competitive last three games losing by an average of 35 points, a win over “Christmas City” Rival Freedom would certainly take the sting out of this season. The Patriots have won six games in a row. Last yaer the Patriots blew open a 13-7 lead at half by scoring 21 points. Jalen Fletcher leads the ground attack with 1.185 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Expect Freedom to win it’s seventh straight game Saturday by 28. Hollywood will be in attendance.
8-1 NAZARETH BLUE EAGLES at 3-6 EASTON RED ROVERS Friday 7pm at Cottingham Stadium
Nazareth coming off an impressive 35-7 win over Whitehall. Easton was doubled-up by Emmaus 42-21. Easton has had a better second half to it’s season, but will probably not make District playoffs. The Rovers only had 121 yards against the Green Hornets. Aiden Hutchison had two scores. Collin wells rushed for nearly 140 yards for the Blue eagles. Sonny Sasso threw for nearly 220 yards. Nolan Lobb and Mason Kuehner each had two touchdown receptions.
Expect Nazareth to continue it’s winning way by 21 over Easton.
5-4 ALLENTOWN CENTRAL CATHOLIC VIKINGS at 4-5 BETHLEHEM CATHOLIC GOLDEN HAWKS at BASD Stadium Friday 7PM.
Central Catholic shutout Pocono Mountain East 35-0 last week. Bethlehem Ctholic lost to cross-town rival Freedom 24-13. “The Holy War” has a lot at stake a Golden Hawk win will allow them to contend for a district championship, a loss does not eliminate Becahi either. Luke Thomas tossewd the ball for 154 yards against Freedom. Central Catholic finally got it’s passing game in order going for 217 yards and four touchdowns. Jareel Calhoun had four catches for almost 50 yards and three scores Armonie Torres caught five passes for 90 yards and a touchdown.
This should be a dandy with so much at stake, but expect the Vikings to get it done by 2 points.
5-4 WHITEHALL ZEPHYRS at 9-0 NORTHAMPTON KONKRETE KIDS Friday 7pm
Whitehall lost to Nazareth 35-7 while the Konkrete Kids beat Dieruff 43-16. “The Cement Belt Title” is at stake in this contest. Last year Northampton pulled out a 7-0 win. Nigel Linton had the only score for the Zephyrs last week a 92 yard run. The Zephyr offense were limited to 54 yards passing and 137 yards rushing. Northampton looks to get their second win against a EPC South foe. the defeated Becahi earlier in the season.
Hollywood feels this could be an upset special being the disappointing performance against Nazareth. Zephs by one.
6-3 PARKLAND TROJANS at 8-1 EMMAUS GREEN HORNETS Friday 7pm EPSD Stadium.
Parkland took down Liberty 56-19. Emmaus defeated East 42-21. “The Battle on Cedar Crest” has the Trojans coming in on four game winning streak and have Luke Spang and Trey Tremba healthy. Spang threw for 273 yards against Liberty and two scores. Tremba ran for almost 100 yards and a couple of touchdowns. Jake Fotta had a big night passing and running for the Hornets 282 yards on 18-24 passing and 2 touchdowns as well as running for 78 yards and three scores. Dylan Darville had 232 yards receiving a new school record on nine catches.
Hollywood will be at this game Friday. Expect a close game but Emmaus by 3..
Stay tuned for our District XI playoff previews. My Colleague Daniel Reed swill have the 1-3A coverage and I will have the 4-6A outlook. Stay tuned to PAFOOTBALLNEWS FOR ALL YOUR PLAYOFF COVERAGE.
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