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 Twin Valley at #3 Wyomissing Area.
#5 Twin Valley (7-0) @ #3 Wyomissing Area (7-0) 01:30 PM Saturday District-3
A terrific match-up in the Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 4 and perhaps the Game of the Week across Pennsylvania. This weekend’s game is one of two games featuring undefeated Pennsylvania High School Football teams.
The unbeaten Raiders (7-0, 4-0) rolled to a 49-14 victory over Donegal last week and Wyomissing Area (7-0, 4-0) whipped Daniel Boone 55-6 last Friday night. This sets up the big showdown on Saturday between two teams that are ready to clash with first place at stake in the Section 4 standings.
Both Twin Valley and Wyomissing Area are listed as Teams to Watch in our Power 20 Rankings for Week 7. The Spartans were victorious 34-24 last year on the road at Twin Valley. The Raiders will be inspired to avenge last year’s defeat against Wyomissing Area.
- Bob Wolfrum Field on Saturday
- Two excellent coaches face off, Twin Valley’s Brett Myers and Wyomissing Area’s legendary Coach Bob Wolfrum.
Key Players to watch:
Twin Valley:
- Senior RB/FS Drew Engle
- Senior WR/CB Ben Grundy
- Senior OG/DE Greyson Miller
- Junior RB/LB Lucas Myers
- Sophomore QB Maverick Foster
Wyomissing Area:
- Senior FB/LB Chase Eisenhower
- Senior FB/LB Tyler Niedrowski
- Senior OT/DE Andrew Bresnahan
- Senior HB/DB Danny Fleischood
- Junior HB/CB Justice Hardy
- Sophomore QB Brady Eisenhower
Keys to the game:
This battle will be won at the line of scrimmage and will be decided by which team plays sound fundamental football and minimizes mistakes.
We expect another very tight game this week. Which team will play the most disciplined football and will eliminate costly penalties? These details matter in an even contest like this week’s big game. Although, we think dynamic playmaker Justice Hardy and the home crowd will be the X-factor on Saturday afternoon. Hardy will be the most talented player on the field during Saturday’s contest. We have the Spartans over the Raiders 33-26 in a really competitive game.
Quick Hitters Preview
Big School Class 4A-6A
Downingtown West (5-2) @ #8 Bishop Shanahan (6-1) 07:00 PM District-1
The Whippets and Head Coach Tom Kline pounded Great Valley 38-6 last week. Bishop Shanahan is cooking and has won three games in a row including a 41-7 victory over Sun Valley last Friday night.
New Oxford (7-0) @ West York (7-0) 07:00 PM District-3
This is the other game that features two undefeated Pennsylvania High School Football teams clashing on Friday night and could qualify for one of the Games of the Week. New Oxford shutout Kennard-Dale 46-0 last week and West York defeated South Western 37-23 last Friday night. This match-up highlights two excellent quarterbacks; Colonials senior QB Luke Frey and Bulldogs sophomore QB Jensen Ferber.
Shippensburg Area (6-1) @ Red Land (5-2) 07:00 PM District-3
The Greyhounds have been rolling and are on a six-game winning streak after losing the season opener. Shippensburg Area clobbered Gettysburg 47-12 last week. The Patriots and first-year Head Coach Jaimie Thomas are looking to rebound this week after losing two games in a row and dropping a 27-17 decision to Hershey last Friday night.
Haverford (5-2) @ Ridley (6-1) 07:00 PM District-1
Haverford is still smarting after a 35-21 defeat at Springfield-Delco last week and travels again to Ridley this Friday night. Ridley is cooking after pummeling Harriton 52-0 last Friday night and is on a six-game winning streak entering this contest.
Bethel Park (5-2) @ #8 Upper St. Clair (6-1) 07:00 PM District-7
Bethel Park pulverized Baldwin 75-14 last Friday night and Upper St. Clair destroyed South Fayette 50-14 last week. Which high-scoring offense will prevail in one of the better games in the WPIAL this week? Something has to give in this battle.
#2 Bonner-Prendie (5-1) @ #2 La Salle College HS (5-1) 01:00 PM Saturday District-12
The Friars have got back on track with two straight victories and defeated Father Judge 31-0 last week. The Explorers and Head Coach Brett Gordon are riding high after the giant 31-20 win over St. Joseph’s Prep last Saturday night.
#6 St. Joseph’s Prep (2-4) @ #2 Roman Catholic (4-2) 07:00 PM District-12
This game is a must win for the Hawks after dropping the gigantic game by a 31-20 score against La Salle College last Saturday night. Roman Catholic and Head Coach Ricky Prete are cooking after cruising by Cardinal O’Hara 33-7 last week and shocking La Salle College the previous week. Is another upset in store this week?
Bethlehem Catholic (5-2) @ Nazareth Area (6-1) 07:00 PM District-11
Bethlehem Catholic is bitter after losing 28-0 to Bethlehem Freedom last week. Nazareth Area won in a 52-42 shootout over Bethlehem Liberty last Friday night. Nazareth Area new sophomore QB Cooper Madson seems to be getting comfortable and confident after winning two straight games.
Bethlehem Liberty (5-2) @ #9 Easton Area (7-0) 07:00 PM District-11
The Hurricanes lost the 52-42 high-scoring affair to Nazareth Area last week and must regroup on the road this Friday at Easton Area. Easton Area looks the part and is one of the top teams in District-11 and in the state. The Rovers defeated Northampton 48-28 last Friday night.
Norwin (5-2) @ #4 Pittsburgh Central Catholic (6-1) 07:00 PM Thursday District-7
Norwin seems to be improving as the season continues and has two close loses on the year. The Knights scored a 33-26 victory over Hempfield Area last week and looks to challenge the Vikings this week. Pittsburgh Central Catholic has been humming since the opening loss and is #4 in our Power 20 Rankings this week. The Vikings were dominant again last Friday night and demolished Shaler Area 69-7.
Small School Class 1A-3A
#5 Southern Columbia (6-1) @ Montoursville (6-1) 07:00 District-4
The Tigers and legendary Head Coach Jim Roth keep the winning train rolling after beating Mifflinburg 21-14 last week. Montoursville hammered Central Mountain 44-0 last Friday night and has shutout three straight opponents. The Warriors defense is looking forward to the test this week.
#4 Bishop Guilfoyle (6-1) @ Forest Hills (6-1) 07:00 PM District-6
The Marauders and Head Coach Justin Wheeler have won five straight after getting by Bellwood-Antis 21-14 last week. The Rangers defeated Central Cambria 21-7 last Friday night and foresee another huge victory at home this week in one of the better match-ups across the Commonwealth.
Leechburg (5-1) @ #2 Clairton (6-1) 07:00 PM District-7
The Blue Devils have been smoking and have won fives games in a row after crushing Frazier 48-14 last Friday night. Head Coach Wayne Wade and his Bears thrashed Springdale 51-0 last week and are hosting Leechburg in what should be one of the better games in the WPIAL this week.
South Side Area (6-1) @ Neshannock (5-1) 07:00 PM District-7
This contest is another one of the top games in the WPIAL this weekend. The Rams are playing fantastic football and have won five straight games after destroying Northgate 63-13 last week. The Lancers have also won five games in a row after smashing Burgettstown last Friday. Something’s got to give in this clash.
Brockway (5-2) @ Karns City (5-2) 07:00 PM District-9
Brockway enters this game firing on all cylinders after drubbing Bradford 61-6 last Friday night. The Gremlins return home ecstatic after the enormous 28-24 upset victory over Westinghouse last week.
