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 #6 Bishop McDevitt at #3 Harrisburg and Malvern Prep at #1 La Salle College HS.
#6 Bishop McDevitt (0-1) @ #3 Harrisburg (1-0) 1:00 PM Saturday District-3
Long-time rivals square-off in the Capital City for the second time since 2017.
Last year’s game featured a comeback victory for Harrisburg in a thriller. The Cougars defeated Bishop McDevitt 35-33 in overtime to win the “Battle of the Burg”.
Harrisburg made a big statement in opening win against Imhotep Charter, 40-26.
Can the Bishop McDevitt respond at rival Harrisburg on Saturday? The Crusaders were beaten thoroughly by Clarkson North (Canada) 27-7. Clarkson North was the far superior team and more physical on last week.
Guess what though, you throw out the records in a rivalry game. Nothing heals wounds quicker than beating your rival.
- Severance Field on Saturday
- Two veteran Coaches in this match-up, Harrisburg Calvin Everett and Bishop McDevitt Jeff Weachter
Key Players to watch:
Harrisburg
- 4-Star senior OT/DE Kevin Brown, committed to Penn State
- 4-Star senior RB/DE Messiah Mickens, also verballed to Penn State and PTOW nominee
- 4-Star senior WR/S Elias Coke, committed to Rutgers
- Senior ATH/CB Jaiyon Lewis and PTOW nominee
- Junior LB Rick Brown
- Junior QB Mikal Shank
Bishop McDevitt
- 3-Star senior RB/LB Nazir Jones-Davis
- 3-Star senior LB/RB Maurice Barnes
- Senior WR Gage Ruth
- Junior WR Jontai Quick
- Junior QB Sebastian Williams
Again, a fantastic match-up here in this rivalry game. My biggest key to the game is the Crusaders defense. How are the Crusaders going to defend the Cougars explosive athletes all over the field Saturday? Bishop McDevitt is going to have to create some pressure in the face of new junior Cougar QB Mikal Shank. On the flip side, can the Crusader offensive line protect junior QB Sebastian Williams and get some push in the trenches to establish a running game? You have to take some pressure off Williams, who has huge shoes to fill with 4-year starter Stone Saunders now in Kentucky. This game is going to be closer than the experts think. I think the Cougars pull away late in the fourth quarter and win 37-21!
Malvern Prep @ #1 La Salle College HS (1-0) 06:00 PM Battle at the Beach - Ocean City (NJ)
Great match-up on Friday night and there is a ton of talent littered on each roster.
La Salle College pulled out a close victory last year over Malvern Prep 21-17.
This is the opener for Malvern Prep. La Salle College had an impressive 23-6 win in the opener last week over Pittsburgh Central Catholic in the KDKA Kickoff Classic. The Explorers controlled the game and played outstanding last week. La Salle College really looked the part of a #1 ranked Class 6A team against Central Catholic.
- Coaches: Malvern Prep Dave Gueriera, La Salle College HS Brett Gordon
Key Players to watch:
Malvern Prep
- 4-Star senior DE/WR Jackson Ford, committed to Penn State,
- 3-Star senior RB Zeke Bates, committed to Minnesota
- 3-Star LB/TE Max Mohring, committed to Kentucky,
- Senior QB Jackson Melconian
- Emerging 4-Star sophomore DE George Parkinson IV, who has a slew of early offers and interest across the country.
La Salle College HS
- 5-star senior WR/CB and Notre Dame commit Joey O’Brien
- 3-star senior QB Gavin Sidwar, who is committed to Missouri
- 4-star senior and late bloomer OT Grayson McKeogh, committed to Notre Dame
- 3-Star senior RB Desmond Ortiz, committed to Brown
- 3-Star senior TE John-Patrick Oates, who is committed to Temple
- 3-Star junior LB Zykee Scott, who is a transfer from Imhotep Charter
As you can see there is a ton of gifted players in this game. La Salle College QB Gavin Sidwar is experienced and has SEC arm talent, but he better be aware of edge rusher Jackson Ford who can wreak havoc in the backfield. Although, I don’t think there is anyone as talented as Joey O’Brien and I think he will be the X-factor on Friday night. I have the Explorers over the Friars 27-20 in a really competitive game.
Quick Hitters Preview
Big School Class 4A-6A
#2 ranked St. Joseph’s Prep (0-1) @ DeMatha Catholic (MD) 08:00 PM Saturday @ Salesianum HS (Mid Atlantic Pigskin Classic)
How do the Hawks respond to the heartbreaking loss in South Florida last week to American Heritage?
There is no time to feel sorry for yourself as national power DeMatha Catholic comes to square off with St. Joe’s Prep in Delaware on Saturday night. This game is the opener for the Stags.
QB Charlie Foulke IV will lead the Hawks on offense. St. Joe’s Prep will need to find inspiration from senior DE and leader Alex Haskell on defense and talented juniors Brandon Lockley and Masiia Acrey.
#9 ranked Downingtown West (1-0) @ St. John’s College (DC) 08:00 PM @ Salesianum HS (Mid Atlantic Pigskin Classic)
The Whippets defeated Bethlehem Freedom 47-7 last week. Downingtown West is #10 in our Power 20 Rankings in week 1.
The Whippets Head Coach Tom Kline looks to keep his team rolling this week against an always tough and game St. Johns College team from DC.
#5 ranked Exeter Township (1-0) @ Boyertown (1-0) 07:00 PM
Another interesting game is a cross-regional match-up, Exeter Township out of District-3, and Boyertown out of District-1. Exeter Township crushed Daniel Boone 64-7 last week and Head Coach Matt Bauer looks to keep the Eagles humming in week 2 against a formidable Boyertown Bears squad.
Manheim Township (1-0) @ #8 ranked Central York (1-0) 07:00 PM District-3
This game is a match-up of big-time coaches, Manheim Township’s Mark Evans and Central York’s Gerry Yonchiuk. Central York looks to avenge last years 28-10 loss to the Blue Streaks.
Whitehall (1-0) @ Nazareth Area (1-0) 07:00 PM District-11
Whitehall goes on the road to play against a talented Nazareth Area team that features 4-star senior QB Peyton Falzone. Peyton is an Auburn recruit and is a POTW nominee.
Woodland Hills (0-1) @ Penn Hills (0-1) 07:00 PM District-7
These are two schools that college coaches always circle to visit when they are in the Pittsburgh area. This year is no different as the Wolverines have 3-Star senior LB Zykir Moore, who is a N.C. State recruit.
#1 ranked Pine-Richland (1-0) @ #5 ranked Pittsburgh Central Catholic (0-1) 07:00 PM District-7
Huge game in the WPIAL in week 2. How does Central Catholic bounce back after the disappointing loss to La Salle College last week?
The Vikings are angry from last week’s performance and looking for revenge for last year’s loss at Pine-Richland. Pine-Richland looked excellent last week against Finlay (OH). Both teams have accomplished rosters and possess a ton of D-1 prospects. Is this a recipe for success for Central Catholic? We will find out Friday night!
#3 ranked Peters Township (1-0) @ #3 ranked McKeesport Area (1-0) 07:00 PM District-7
Another enormous game in the WPIAL in week 2.
Can Peters Township’s defense that features senior OLB Reston Lehman and senior OLB Lucas Shanafelt shut down 5-star junior phenom RB Kemon Spell? The Indians will have to keep Spell in check to have a chance Friday night. Kemon is a POTW nominee.
#9 ranked Aliquippa @ Belle Vernon Area 07:00 PM District-7
This game is the opener for both teams. Two storied programs face off again on Friday night. We expect a hotly contested game on Friday. Aliquippa led the game 12-0 before the game was called due to weather last season. This year the Quips are on the road at Belle Vernon.
Big School/Small School Crossover
Central Valley (3A) (0-1) @ #6 ranked Thomas Jefferson (4A) (1-0) 07:00 PM District-7
Central Valley lost 27-20 last week to Montour and Warriors Head Coach Mark Lyons hopes to rebound this week. Thomas Jefferson started the season on a roll last week and smacked Baldwin 69-6 in a dominating victory.
Small School Class 1A-3A
Dunmore (0-1) @ Old Forge (0-1) 07:00 PM District-2
These two tradition-rich District-2 powers square off Friday night after losses in week 1. Dunmore lost a close game to Riverside 17-14 last week. Old Forge lost to West Scranton 20-7 in the opener. Both squads are looking to get their first wins of the 2025 season. Neither team wants to start the season 0-2!
#3 ranked Troy Area (1-0) @ Waverly (NY) 07:00 PM
This is an interesting game for the District-4 stalwart. The PIAA Class 2A defending state champions go on the road to play in New York. This game is the opener for Waverly.
Mount Union Area (1-0) @ Berlin-Brothersvalley (1-0) 07:00 PM District-6
The Trojans scored a 29-18 victory over Tussey Mountain last week and the Mountaineers cruised by Claysburg-Kimmel 35-7 last week. This should be a good game on Friday evening and a win here could spark a triumphant season for each team. It would be a huge victory for new Mountaineer Head Coach Dante Paul.
