Each week Mr. PA Football brings you a preview of the top high school football action in Pennsylvania. Here’s what you need to know about the biggest games this weekend, including #5 State College at #6 Bishop McDevitt.
#5 State College (8-1) @ #6 Bishop McDevitt (7-2) 07:00 PM District-3
A tremendous match-up this week in the Mid-Penn Commonwealth Division. Both teams are coming into the contest red-hot, with State College posting six straight victories and Bishop McDevitt posting seven straight wins.
Two dominant senior running backs in D’Antae Sheffey and Nazir Jones-Davis are getting ready to go head-to-head. State College (8-1) claimed a reverberating 58-8 win over Carlisle last week and Bishop McDevitt (7-2) stormed past Central Dauphin East, posting a 49-7 victory last Friday night. This sets up the big showdown on Friday and both teams are focused on gearing up for a potential run to the championship game in their respective classifications.
State College is ranked #6 in our Power 20 Rankings and Bishop McDevitt is listed as a Team to Watch in our Power 20 Rankings for Week 9. The Little Lions outlasted the Crusaders 58-55 last year in State College so Bishop McDevitt will be motivated to avenge last year’s defeat against the Little Lions.
- Rocco Ortenzio Stadium on Friday
- Two terrific coaches face off, State College’s Matt Lintal and Bishop McDevitt’s Jeff Weachter.
Key Players to watch:
State College:
- 3-Star Senior RB D’Antae Sheffey, a Syracuse recruit
- Sophomore QB Connor Kulka
- Senior WR/FS Daimear Coad
- Senior LB Trayce Brennan
- Senior TE/LB/DE Jake Lukac
- Senior WR/CB Hank Lustig
- Junior SS/RB Rowan Walker
Bishop McDevitt:
- 3-Star Senior RB/LB Nazir Jones-Davis, an Eastern Michigan commit
- 3-Star Senior LB/RB Maurice Barnes, Jr.
- Senior WR/DB Ishmael Palmer
- Senior LB R.J. Duffy
- Junior QB Sebastian Williams
- Junior WR/DB Jontai Quick
- 3-Star Sophomore RB Jerome Larue, Jr.
Keys to the game:
This battle will be decided by which team can stop the opponent’s rushing attack and which defense can limit the big plays in the passing game. State College has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 219.2 rushing yards per game. Bishop McDevitt is averaging 171.6 rushing yards per game which is very formidable.
We expect another very tight game and this contest could go either way this week. Which team will play sound fundamental football and minimizes costly mistakes? The team that manages to take care of the football and limits turnovers will win this week’s gigantic game. We think the Bishop McDevitt secondary will defend the passing game better and stop the explosive plays this year. This will ultimately be the difference on Friday night along with the home-field advantage. We will see if the change in venue makes a difference at all on Friday. We have the Crusaders over the Little Lions 38-34 in a really close football game.
Quick Hitters Preview
Big School Class 4A-6A
Downingtown East (7-2) @ Downingtown West (7-2) 07:00 PM District-1
The massive battle of Downingtown takes place on Friday night! The Whippets and Head Coach Tom Kline pounded Coatesville 33-0 last week on the road and have now won six straight games. Downingtown East Head Coach Michael Matta and his Cougars defeated Bishop Shanahan 35-26 last Friday night and expect another victory against rival Downingtown West this week.
#10 Strath Haven (8-1) @ #5 Springfield-Delco (9-0) 07:00 PM District-1
An awesome top ten match-up in District-1 on Friday night. The Panthers and legendary Head Coach Kevin Clancy have won four games in a row after smashing Lower Merion 42-7 last week. Springfield-Delco has been dominant this season and beat Garnet Valley 28-7 last Friday night to remain undefeated.
#10 Manheim Township (8-1) @ #9 Wilson West Lawn (8-1) 07:00 PM District-3
The Lancaster-Lebanon Section 1 title is on the line again on Friday night. Manheim Township is looking for revenge this year after losing 34-16 to the Bulldogs at home last season. The Blue Streaks and Head Coach Mark Evans defeated Penn Manor 34-13 last week. Head Coach Doug Dahms and his Bulldogs have won six straight games after pummeling J.P. McCaskey 56-0 last Friday night.
#7 Easton Area (9-0) @ Nazareth Area (7-2) 07:00 PM District-11
The Rovers and Head Coach Matt Senneca edged Bethlehem Freedom 17-14 to remain unbeaten last week. Easton Area travels to Nazareth Area on Friday night with their undefeated record on the line. Nazareth Area is hoping to rebound this week after losing to Northampton 41-28 last Friday night and would like nothing better than upsetting the Rovers in the final regular season home game.
Shippensburg Area (7-2) @ Mechanicsburg (8-1) 07:00 PM District-3
The Greyhounds rebounded last week with a 28-7 home victory over Northern York and travel to face off against Mechanicsburg this week. The Wildcats shutout Hershey 7-0 on the road last Friday night and had another very strong defensive performance. Watch out for Mechanicsburg junior RB Rece Miller who is a Week 9 Player of the Week nominee.
Big School/Small School Crossover
Pittston Area (8-1) @ #9 Wyoming Area (8-1) 07:00 PM District-2
The Patriots nipped Wallenpaupack Area 14-13 last week and travel to face off against rival Wyoming Area this week. The Warriors whipped Greater Nanticoke Area 60-7 last Friday night and host Pittston Area feeling confident heading into the big rivalry game this Friday night.
#5 Hickory (8-1) @ #9 General McLane (8-1) 07:00 PM Thursday District-10
The Hornets whacked Slippery Rock 42-14 last week and Head Coach Bill Dungee is anticipating another humongous road win this week at General McLane. The Lancers had an immense home victory over powerhouse Cathedral Prep 28-14 last Friday night and are expecting another big home win on Thursday night. Keep an eye on General McLane senior QB/LB Matt Caro who is a Week 9 Player of the Week nominee.
#1 Southern Lehigh (9-0) @ #2 Northwestern Lehigh (9-0) 07:00 PM District-11
A humongous game on Friday night with the Colonial-Schuylkill Red Division championship hanging in the balance. The Spartans enter this contest undefeated after crushing Saucon Valley 56-20 last week and are ranked the #1 Class 4A team in the state. Keep track of Southern Lehigh junior QB Colton Sams who is a Week 9 Player of the Week nominee. The defending PIAA Class 3A State Champion Tigers are ready to show their dominance again after beating Southern Lehigh 23-17 last season and clobbering Tamaqua 56-16 last Friday night. Southern Lehigh is motivated to avenge last season’s defeat on Friday.
Small School Class 1A-3A
#6 Lackawanna Trail (8-1) @ Riverside (2) (8-1) 07:00 PM District-2
The Lions have won six straight games after losing to Berwick earlier this season. Lackawanna Trail hammered Holy Cross 53-12 last week and has a big road game this week. Head Coach Harry Armstrong and his Vikings are expecting another huge home victory after routing Old Forge 49-8 last week.
#3 Bishop McCort (9-0) @ #4 Bishop Guilfoyle (8-1) 07:00 PM District-6
A fantastic match-up in District-6 on Friday night. The Crushers enter this contest undefeated with a 9-0 record and after thrashing Forest Hills 73-47 last Friday. The Marauders and Head Coach Justin Wheeler defeated Clearfield 20-13 last week and are looking to slow down the Bishop McCort offensive juggernaut this week.
Karns City (7-2) @ Wilmington Area (7-2) 07:00 PM
An interesting cross-regional match-up, Karns City out of District-9, and Wilmington Area out of District-10. The Gremlins had an enormous 35-23 win at Punxsutawney last week and have another big road game at Wilmington Area. The Greyhounds enter this game cooking after trouncing Sharpsville 51-7 last Friday and have now won three straight games.
Washington (8-1) @ #9 Seton LaSalle (8-1) 07:00 PM District-7
The Prexies are entering this contest red-hot, winning seven games in a row and after destroying Carlynton 62-0 last Friday night. The Rebels and Head Coach Tim Storino have been equally impressive after winning eight straight games. Seton LaSalle demolished Keystone Oaks 55-0 last week and are counting on another gigantic victory this Friday.
California (8-1) @ Jefferson-Morgan (8-1) 07:00 PM District-7
The Trojans are coming into this game humming, winning six straight and after pounding Bethlehem Center 38-3 last week. The Rockets bounced back well last Friday night after smashing Avella 47-6 and are anticipating another huge home victory against California this Friday night.
#8 Richland (8-1) @ Huntingdon Area (7-2) 07:00 PM District-6
The Bearcats defeated Penns Valley Area 35-23 last Friday night and square off against Richland at home this week. The Rams have won five straight games after beating Bedford 42-14 last week and are expecting a big road victory at Huntingdon Area on Friday night.
