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 #2 La Salle College HS at #5 St. Joseph’s Prep.
#2 La Salle College HS (4-1) @ #5 St. Joseph's Prep (2-3) 07:30 PM Saturday, District-12
A fantastic match-up in the Philadelphia Catholic League and the Game of the Week across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This game will probably be the first time they meet this season because both teams could potentially square off again in the District playoffs.
La Salle College is #3 in our Power 20 Rankings and St. Joseph’s Prep is #12 in our Power 20 Rankings for Week 6. The Explorers are smarting from the 39-36 upset loss to Roman Catholic last week, but should be angry and ready to battle the Hawks. St. Joseph’s Prep seems to be hitting their stride at the right time after whipping Father Judge 58-0 last Friday and now has won two games in a row.
These teams arguably have the most talent in the state and college prospects are littered all over their rosters.
- Franklin Field on Saturday
- Two superb coaches square off, La Salle College’s Brett Gordan and St. Joseph’s Prep’s Tim Roken. Coach Gordan is in his second year as Head Coach of the Explorers.
Key Players to watch:
La Salle College HS:
- Senior QB Gavin Sidwar, a Missouri recruit
- 5-Star Senior WR/CB Joey O’Brien, a Notre Dame commit
- 4-Star Senior OT Grayson McKeogh, a Notre Dame recruit
- Senior RB Desmond Ortiz, a Brown commit
- Senior TE/WR John-Patrick Oates, a Temple recruit
- 4-Star Junior LB Zykee Scott
St. Joseph’s Prep:
- 3-Star Junior QB Charlie Foulke IV
- 3-Star Senior Simaj Hill, a West Virginia commit
- 3-Star Senior DE/DT Alexander Haskell, a Penn State recruit
- 4-Star Junior LB Brandon Lockley
- 3-Star Junior CB/ATH Masiia Acrey
- 5-Star Sophomore WR Jett Harrison
Keys to the game:
Everything is on the line in this one Saturday night!
This clash will be won at the line of scrimmage and will be decided by which team forces the most turnovers and capitalizes on those opportunities.
We expect another very close game this week. How does La Salle College rebound this week after the heartbreaking loss last week to Roman Catholic? The most opportunistic football team wins on Saturday night and we think the Hawks keep the momentum going and pull out an evenly matched 31-29 victory.
Quick Hitters Preview
Big School Class 4A-6A
Pennridge (6-0) @ Neshaminy (5-1) 07:00 PM Distrct-1
The Rams enter this match-up undefeated and Head Coach Kyle Beller has his team cooking this season. Pennridge trounced Abington 43-8 last week and debuted in our Power 20 Rankings this week at #19. Neshaminy is humming too and is coming off a gigantic 28-18 win over Central Bucks West last Friday.
Exeter Township (6-0) @ Muhlenberg (6-0) 07:00 PM District-3
This game is the best match-up in District-3 this week as two really gifted teams square off on Friday night. Both teams are undefeated, Exeter Township shutout Ephrata 24-0 last week and Muhlenberg defeated Elizabethtown 35-21 last Friday night. Watch out for the Muhls senior running back Cameron Small who is a Player of the Week nominee.
Hollidaysburg (6-0) @ Jersey Shore (5-1) 07:00 PM
An intriguing cross-regional match-up, Hollidaysburg out of District-6, and Jersey Shore out of District-4. The Golden Tigers enter this game unbeaten and edged Fort Hill (MD) 35-30 last week. The Bulldogs blasted Williamsport 67-40 last Friday night and are on a roll after winning two straight games.
Bethlehem Liberty (5-1) @ Nazareth Area (5-1) 07:00 PM District-11
Nazareth Area and new sophomore QB Cooper Madson rebounded nicely after the loss to Parkland with a 43-6 rout over Pleasant Valley last week. Bethlehem Liberty pounded East Stroudsburg North 47-0 and enter this game in a groove after winning five games in a row.
South Fayette (5-1) @ #8 Upper Saint Clair (5-1) 07:00 PM District-7
Upper St. Clair comes home hostile and looking for revenge this week after last week’s 24-20 last second loss to Peters Township. South Fayette whipped Baldwin 49-13 last Friday night and is on a three-game winning streak.
Big School/Small School Crossover
Big Spring (5-1) @ West Perry (5-1) 07:00 PM District-3
This game is actually a Mid-Penn Colonial Division contest. Big Spring and Head Coach Joe Sinkovich come into this game riding a three-game winning streak and after clobbering Boiling Springs 53-7 last week. West Perry nipped East Pennsboro 28-27 last Friday night in a game that the Mustangs were lucky to claim the victory.
Small School Class 1A-3A
Everett (5-1) @ Windber (4-1) 07:00 PM District-5
Everett rolls into Windber after a 28-0 shutout victory over North Star last week. The Ramblers had a bye last week and are led by senior RB/LB Nokosi Fowler-Whetstone. Winder also defeated North Star 27-19 the previous week.
#5 Southern Columbia (5-1) @ #7 Mifflinburg (5-1) 07:00 PM District-4
Legendary Head Coach Jim Roth and his Tigers enter this game riding a five-game winning streak and after cruising by Danville 41-21 last Friday night. Mifflinburg bounced back with a vengeance after the loss to Hollidaysburg and demolished Milton 49-7 last week.
Juniata Valley (5-1) @ Mount Union Area (5-1) 07:00 PM District-6
Juniata Valley is anticipating another big road victory after routing Moshannon Valley 28-6 last Friday night. Mount Union beat Glendale 34-27 last week and is led by junior ATH/FS Nasir Collins.
Kane Area (5-1) @ Union-AC Valley (6-0) 07:00 PM District-9
Kane Area squeaked by Smethport 28-22 last week. Union/Allegheny-Clarion Valley spanked Moniteau 44-0 last Friday night and is led by senior RB/LB Max Gallagher.
Marian Catholic (5-1) @ #1 Schuylkill Haven (6-0) 07:00 PM District-11
Marian Catholic lost to Minersville Area 38-7 last week and is hoping to rebound this week against Schuylkill Haven. Head Coach Mike Farr and his Hurricanes are the #1 ranked PIAA Class 2A team in the state. Schuylkill Haven defeated Williams Valley 43-29 in a humongous Colonial-Schuylkill League Blue Division showdown last Friday night.
#3 Notre Dame-Green Pond (6-0) @ Pen Argyl (5-1) 02:30 PM Saturday District-11
The Crusaders are on the road this week at Pen Argyl after defeating Northern Lehigh 40-21 last week. Keep an eye on Notre Dame-Green Pond senior QB Mat Bodnar who is one the best gunslingers in the state. The Falcons topped Salisbury Township 20-19 last Friday night and are poised to host one of the top PIAA Class 3A teams in Pennsylvania.
