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 #3 Parkland at Nazareth Area.
#3 Parkland (4-0) @ Nazareth Area (4-0) 07:00 PM District-11
A humongous game in District-11. These class 6-A traditional powers clash on Friday night in what is one of the most-anticipated games of the area high school football regular season!
The Trojans and the Blue Eagles both enter this big match-up undefeated in the 2025 season. Parkland whipped Pleasant Valley 58-13 last Friday and Nazareth smashed Bethlehem Freedom 56-21 last week. As you can see both teams are coming off respectively dominant wins in Week 4.
Although, the biggest news regarding this match-up is the health of Nazareth star QB Peyton Falzone. The Blue Eagle quarterback, who has committed to Auburn, is apparently done for the season. Falzone suffered a fractured clavicle in his left, non-throwing shoulder, while being tackled on a first-quarter run in Friday night’s 56-21 win over Bethlehem Freedom. Sophomore Cooper Madson, who now has enormous shoes to fill, will be the starting quarterback when Nazareth hosts Parkland on Friday night. In addition, Nazareth also lost senior RB/S Jayden Wolf again to injury for the season two weeks ago.
- Andy Zinic Field on Friday
- Two seasoned coaches square off, Parkland’s Tim Moncman and Nazareth Area’s Tom Falzone
Key Players to watch:
Parkland:
- Junior RB/LB T.J. Lawrence
- Senior WR/CB Nassim Adams
- Junior RB/S Naquan Thomason
- Junior QB Finn Coen
- Senior DE Domenic Martrich
- Junior WR/DB Jackson Geroulo
Nazareth:
- 3-Star senior RB/CB Marquez Wimberly, a Sacramento State recruit
- Senior TE/DB Tanner Zelachowski
- Senior OL/DL Jake Bendekovits
- Sophomore QB Cooper Madson
- Sophomore WR/DB Luke DePietro
Keys to the game:
It is not a good situation for Nazareth sophomore QB Cooper Madson to make his first career start against an experienced Parkland front seven. The positive news is that Madson was thrown in the fire last week against Bethlehem Freedom. He gained some valuable experience in the second half. Will Nazareth Head Coach Tom Falzone lean on his running game and senior RB/CB Marquez Wimberly early in this game? We would assume that Coach Falzone would script some easy reads and throws for Madson to build some confidence early in this contest. The Blue Eagles need to get the ball to its playmakers in space. Trojan junior QB Finn Coen has been steady and efficient this season and looks to manage this game similarly on the road. Although, this battle will be ultimately won in the trenches and it could be decided by Parkland’s standout DE Domenic Martrich.
We think this will be another terrific game this week. The Trojan defense takes advantage of some mistakes from Nazareth sophomore QB Cooper Madson and Coen continues his steady play Friday night. Parkland picks up the huge victory and wins 28-17!
Quick Hitters Preview
Big School Class 4A-6A
#9 Coatesville (4-0) @ West Chester East (4-0) 07:00 PM District-1
Red Raider Head Coach Matt Ortega has his Coatesville team clicking this season and is eyeing a big road victory. The Red Raiders defeated Perkiomen Valley 28-13 last Friday and West Chester East beat Pottsgrove 35-20 last week.
North Pocono (4-0) @ Abington Heights (4-0) 01:00 PM District-2
Abington Heights skipper Josh Repshis looks to keep the early season momentum going at home Friday night. The Comets crushed Valley View 45-7 last week and North Pocono routed Wallenpaupack Area 38-13 last Friday.
Spring Grove (3-1) @ Conestoga Valley (4-0) 07:00 PM District-3
Spring Grove junior RB Malik Cain hopes to rebound this week against Buckskins senior QB Sawyer Esbenshade. Esbenshade was a player of the week nominee. Conestoga Valley hammered Ephrata 31-7 last week.
Shikellamy (3-1) @ Jersey Shore (3-1) 07:00 PM District-4
Jersey Shore Head Coach Tom Gravish has to regroup this week after last week’s heartbreaking loss to Shamokin. The Bulldogs have a tough Shikellamy team in their backyard Friday night. The Braves beat Williamsport 35-14 last Friday.
Mars Area (3-1) @ Montour (3-1) 07:00 PM District-7
Mars Area enters this contest smarting after a 19-6 loss to Aliquippa. Montour pounded Knoch 41-8 last week.
Big School/Small School Crossover
#7 Steelton-Highspire (3-0) @ #9 Susquehanna Township (4-0) 07:00 PM District-3 Thursday
The best match-up in District-3 this week as two really talented teams square off on Thursday night. Both teams are undefeated, Susquehanna Twp. and senior QB Torin Evans trounced West Perry 55-7 last week and the Steamrollers whacked Upper Dauphin Area 48-7.
#7 Mifflinburg (4-0) @ Hollidaysburg (4-0) 07:00 PM
A thrilling cross-regional match-up. Mifflinburg out of District-4 and Hollidaysburg out District-6. Mifflinburg coasted by Montoursville 35-7 last week and Hollidaysburg defeated Butler 33-6 last Friday to remain unbeaten.
Punxsutawney (4-0) @ #9 Karns City (3-1) 07:00 PM District-9
Karns City hosts an undefeated Punxsutawney team this week after scoring a 55-7 victory over Moniteau last week. The Chucks edged Clarion Area 24-21 last Friday night.
Small School Class 1A-3A
Richland (3-1) @ Forest Hills (4-0) 07:00 PM District-6
The Rams are anticipating bouncing back on the road this week after the disappointing loss to Bishop McCort 31-12 last week. Forest Hills is led by skipper Justin Myers and his Rangers topped Chestnut Ridge 19-14 last Friday to remain perfect this season.
Hopewell (3-1) @ #1 Avonworth (4-0) 07:00 PM District-7
Avonworth smacked Thomas Jefferson 41-14 last week and keeps rolling this season. The Antelopes look like the best team in class 3-A right now and Hopewell is coming off the heart-rending 51-50 loss to Beaver Area last Friday night. Hopewell sophomore QB James “Booboo” Armstrong is a player of the week nominee.
Monessen (4-0) @ #1 Fort Cherry (4-0) 07:00 PM District-7
Fort Cherry whipped Chartiers-Houston 44-14 last week and Monessen beat Serra Catholic 13-6 last Friday. Will the Rangers and superstar senior QB Matt Sieg finally be tested this week?
Sharon (2-2) @ Farrell (3-1) 07:00 PM District-10
The “Steel Bowl” rivalry is renewed on Friday night! Farrell demolished Mercer 66-0 last week and Sharon is hoping to regroup after the back-breaking 21-19 loss to Hickory last Friday night.
