Week 6 is here, and Mr. PA Football is bringing you the top high school football matchups from across Pennsylvania and beyond. This week’s slate features three standout games, including a clash between unbeaten District-4 powers in Central Pennsylvania, a battle between WPIAL Class 1A contenders in Western Pennsylvania, and an important Lancaster-Lebanon League Section-2 matchup between two 4-1 teams.
Here’s our look at the biggest games across Pennsylvania.
#1 (2A) Southern Columbia (5-0) @ #8 (3A) Mount Carmel (5-0)
Friday 7:00 PM District-4
Two undefeated District-4 powers meet Friday night when No. 1 Southern Columbia travels to face No. 8 Mount Carmel in one of Pennsylvania’s biggest Week 6 matchups. Both teams enter at 5-0, setting the stage for a showdown between two of the state’s most accomplished small-school programs.
Southern Columbia has continued its impressive start under legendary head coach Jim Roth. The Tigers opened the season with a 34-27 victory over Wyomissing in the Mr. PA Football Kickoff Classic before rolling through Williams Valley, Montoursville, Lewisburg and Central Columbia. Southern Columbia dominated Central Columbia, 46-6, last Friday, rushing for 414 yards.
Senior quarterback Ayden Hockenbroch gives the Tigers an experienced leader, while junior running back Grady Garcia and senior running back Joey Williams lead a dangerous backfield. Garcia rushed for 183 yards and three touchdowns on only five carries against Central Columbia, while Hockenbroch threw three touchdown passes.
Southern Columbia also has plenty of experience on defense, led by senior defensive end Chase Williams, senior defensive tackle Jaden Carter, senior linebacker Nolan Wittig and senior defensive back Kaden Zachman.
Mount Carmel enters the game 5-0 under head coach John Darrah and has been one of the highest-scoring teams in the state. The Red Tornadoes defeated Danville, 42-21, last Friday, scoring 28 points in the third quarter.
Senior Jaylen Delaney is now leading the offense at quarterback and is one of Mount Carmel’s most versatile weapons, capable of making plays as a passer, runner, receiver, defensive back and returner. Senior Cooper Karycki has been a key part of the Red Tornadoes’ rushing attack, while Max Karycki, Jason Klokis, Aidan Brokenshire and Josh Blessing give Mount Carmel several experienced players who contribute on both sides of the ball.
- The Silver Bowl in Mount Carmel on Friday night.
- Two of District-4’s most accomplished coaches, Southern Columbia’s Jim Roth and Mount Carmel’s John Darrah, will square off Friday night.
- Both teams enter the matchup undefeated at 5-0, making this one of the biggest games in District-4 this week.
Key Players to watch:
Southern Columbia
- Senior QB Ayden Hockenbroch
- Junior RB/DB Grady Garcia
- Senior RB/LB Joey Williams
- Senior WR/DB Blaise Kissinger
- Senior TE/DE Jace Malakoski
- Senior DE/TE Chase Williams
- Senior OT/DT Jaden Carter
Mount Carmel
- Senior QB/ATH Jaylen Delaney
- Senior RB/CB Cooper Karycki
- Senior DE/TE Max Karycki
- Junior LB/RB Jason Klokis
- Junior WR/LB Aidan Brokenshire
- Senior LB/TE Kenny Miller
- Senior LB/DL/OL Josh Blessing
Keys to the game: Southern Columbia will look to establish its powerful rushing attack with Garcia and Williams while using Hockenbroch to make plays through the air. Mount Carmel must limit the Tigers’ explosive plays while finding ways to get Delaney and Karycki into space. The Red Tornadoes will also need to handle Southern Columbia’s experienced defense and protect the football. This should be a physical matchup between two undefeated District-4 powers, and Mount Carmel’s home-field advantage should keep it close. We have Southern Columbia over Mount Carmel, 34-27.
Fort Cherry (4-1) @ #9 (1A) Burgettstown (5-0)
7:00 PM District-7
Two of the top teams in the WPIAL Class 1A Black Hills Conference meet Friday night when Fort Cherry travels to face undefeated Burgettstown. The Blue Devils enter at 5-0, while Fort Cherry is 4-1 and coming off a dominant Week 5 victory, setting up one of the biggest small-school matchups in Western Pennsylvania this week.
Fort Cherry has put together another strong season under head coach Tanner Garry. The Rangers opened the season with wins over Chartiers-Houston, California and Laurel before suffering a narrow 14-12 loss at Monessen. Fort Cherry bounced back in a big way last Friday, defeating Sto-Rox, 49-8.
Senior Eli Salvini has been a major part of the Rangers’ rushing attack and enters the week averaging 156 rushing yards per game. Freshman quarterback Colin Sieg has directed the offense, while senior Landon Trnavsky and senior Nathan Wolfe give Fort Cherry experienced targets and playmakers on both sides of the ball. Junior Joey Barna also gives the Rangers a big-play threat after returning a punt 60 yards for a touchdown in last week’s win over Sto-Rox.
Burgettstown has been one of the biggest stories in the WPIAL this season under head coach Mark Druga. The Blue Devils have opened the season 5-0 after consecutive 1-8 seasons, and their defense has allowed only 13 points through five games while recording three shutouts. Burgettstown’s latest win was a 10-6 victory at Monessen.
Senior Blake Neal has helped lead the turnaround, including the game-winning one-yard touchdown run with 28 seconds remaining against Monessen. Neal also connected with senior Bryce Speer six times for 143 yards in that game, while junior Brady Rightweiser is closing in on 500 rushing yards this season. The Blue Devils have also received strong play up front from senior Wyatt Speicher, junior Cameron Jackson and junior Bryson Grubb.
- Hill Memorial Stadium in Burgettstown on Friday night.
- Fort Cherry head coach Tanner Garry and Burgettstown head coach Mark Druga lead two teams battling near the top of the Black Hills Conference.
- Burgettstown enters 5-0, while Fort Cherry is 4-1, making this a major conference matchup with both teams coming off Week 5 victories.
Key Players to watch:
Fort Cherry
- Senior RB/LB Eli Salvini
- Freshman QB/FS Colin Sieg
- Senior WR/CB Landon Trnavsky
- Senior WR/FS Nathan Wolfe
- Junior WR/DB Joey Barna
- Senior RB/LB Ryan Huey
- Senior DE/TE Josh Silveira
Burgettstown
- Senior QB/CB Blake Neal
- Senior WR/CB Bryce Speer
- Senior RB/LB Caleb Matalik
- Junior RB/LB Brady Rightweiser
- Senior OG/DE Wyatt Speicher
- Junior C/NG Bryson Grubb
Keys to the game: Fort Cherry will need to establish its powerful rushing attack with Salvini while finding ways to create big plays through Sieg, Trnavsky, Wolfe and Barna. Burgettstown will look to control the line of scrimmage and keep its defense playing the way it has all season. Neal and Speer give the Blue Devils a dangerous passing combination, while Rightweiser will be important in the running game. The biggest question will be whether Fort Cherry’s explosive offense can break through a Burgettstown defense that has surrendered only 13 points all season. We have Fort Cherry over Burgettstown, 28-21.
Exeter Township (4-1) @ Elizabethtown (4-1)
Friday 7:00 PM District-3
Two 4-1 teams meet Friday night when Exeter Township travels to face Elizabethtown in an important Lancaster-Lebanon League Section-2 matchup. Exeter has won three-straight since its Week 2 loss to Spring-Ford, while Elizabethtown has won four consecutive games.
Exeter Township has put together a strong start under head coach Matt Bauer. The Eagles opened the season with a 28-6 victory over Norristown before falling to Spring-Ford, 21-7. Exeter then responded with victories over William Penn, Ephrata and Governor Mifflin, including a 28-6 victory over Governor Mifflin last Friday.
Senior running back Joshua Jackson has been a key part of the Exeter offense and rushed for 98 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries against Governor Mifflin. Junior quarterback Aidan Gerhart and junior wide receiver Brady Adams are also important pieces of the Eagles’ offense, while senior Donovyn Alvarez contributes on both sides of the ball.
Elizabethtown has won four-straight after opening the season with a 21-14 loss at Donegal. The Bears have since defeated Manheim Central, J.P. McCaskey, Lebanon and Warwick, including a 33-18 victory at Warwick last Friday. Head coach Tom Gallagher has Elizabethtown at 4-1 entering Friday night’s Section-2 matchup.
Junior running back Prince Wratto was one of the biggest standouts in Week 5 and is a Mr. PA Football Player of the Week nominee. Wratto finished with 315 total yards and three touchdowns in Elizabethtown’s 33-18 victory over Warwick, including 120 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. Junior quarterback Kolton Eckinger also had a big game, completing 13 of 19 passes for 191 yards and three touchdowns.
- White Family Dental Stadium in Elizabethtown on Friday night.
- Exeter Township head coach Matt Bauer and Elizabethtown head coach Tom Gallagher lead their teams into an important Section-2 matchup.
- Exeter enters 4-1 after winning three straight, while Elizabethtown is 4-1 and has won four consecutive games.
Key Players to watch:
Exeter Township
- Senior RB/SS Joshua Jackson
- Junior QB/CB Aidan Gerhart
- Junior WR/CB Brady Adams
- Senior RB/LB Donovyn Alvarez
- Senior WR/S Nicky Pashley
- Senior TE/LB Braylon Reinert
Elizabethtown
- Junior RB Prince Wratto
- Junior QB Kolton Eckinger
- Senior WR/LB Gannon Shank
- Senior WR Matthew Beck
- Senior LB Porter Avers
- Senior DE/C Noah Lloyd
- Freshman FS/WR/SB Rudy Brisbane
- Sophomore WR/LB Beckett Shank
Keys to the game: Exeter will need to establish Jackson in the running game while finding ways for Gerhart to connect with Adams and the Eagles’ other playmakers. Elizabethtown will look to get Wratto involved early after his huge Week 5 performance, while Eckinger gives the Bears another weapon through the air. Exeter’s ability to slow Wratto and prevent explosive plays will be critical, while Elizabethtown will need to contain Jackson and keep the Eagles from controlling the clock. We have Elizabethtown over Exeter Township, 28-24.
Quick Hitters Preview
Big School Class 4A-6A
Penn Manor (4-1) @ Hempfield (3-2) 07:00 PM District-3
Hempfield returns home Friday night after a 42-21 win at Spring Grove, where Ramel Lyles rushed for 166 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries. Penn Manor enters at 4-1 following a 31-7 victory over J.P. McCaskey, as Jalen Dupree scored three touchdowns while Christian Herman helped fuel a disruptive defensive effort with multiple sacks, a forced fumble and a blocked punt. The Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1 rivals meet in a key District-3 Class 6A matchup.
#3 (6A) State College (5-0) @ Cumberland Valley (2-3) 07:00 PM District-3
State College brings a perfect 5-0 record into Cumberland Valley after rolling past Cedar Cliff, 44-0, last week, with quarterback Connor Kulka throwing for 238 yards and two touchdowns and Zach Spicer rushing for 141 yards and a score. Matt Lintal’s Little Lions now face a Cumberland Valley team coming off a 20-0 loss at Bishop McDevitt, as Josh Oswalt’s Eagles look to rebound at home. The Eagles will have their hands full Friday night against the unbeaten Little Lions in a Mid-Penn Commonwealth matchup.
Littlestown (4-1) @ Hanover (5-0) 07:00 PM District-3
Littlestown carries a three-game winning streak into Friday’s matchup at unbeaten Hanover after a 42-13 victory over York County Tech, with Cole Hiker leading the Thunderbolts with four receptions for 121 yards and two touchdowns. Hanover enters at 5-0 after pulling away for a 37-14 win over York Catholic, as Steve Wiles’ Nighthawks forced three interceptions, including a pick-six. Both teams are 2-0 in South Central Athletic Conference Division-III play, making Friday’s matchup an important early test in the division race.
#9 (5A) Chester (5-0) @ Interboro (5-0) 07:00 PM District-1
Chester brings a perfect 5-0 record into Friday night’s road matchup at Interboro after opening the season with five consecutive victories. Freshman Sa’Mhad Williams has powered the Clippers’ ground game, averaging 124.3 rushing yards per game while scoring 10 total touchdowns through the first five weeks. Patrick Fisher’s Interboro squad is also unbeaten at 5-0 and is coming off a 42-6 win over Bristol, with Momodu Rogers averaging 163.0 rushing yards per game with eight total touchdowns. The District-1 Class 5A teams meet Friday night in a Delaware Valley League matchup between two unbeaten programs.
Coatesville (3-2) @ Downingtown West (4-1) 07:00 PM District-1
Coatesville heads to Downingtown West on Friday night after rolling past West Chester East, 42-21, last week. Matt Ortega’s Red Raiders have won three-straight, with running back Andre Watson Jr. rushing for 246 yards and four touchdowns while quarterback Malik Shank threw for 266 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. Tom Kline’s Whippets have won four consecutive games since a 51-20 opening-week loss to Freedom, with Amari Cannon rushing for 204 yards and four touchdowns in last week’s 31-3 win over Bayard Rustin. The District-1 Class 6A rivals open Ches-Mont League North Division play Friday night.
West Chester Henderson (4-1) @ Great Valley (5-0) 07:00 PM District-1
West Chester Henderson travels to unbeaten Great Valley on Friday night after a 33-6 win over Upper Moreland. Bob Brice’s Warriors have won two straight and open Ches-Mont League South Division play against the 5-0 Patriots. Great Valley is coming off a 39-7 victory over Sun Valley, with Beau Kosmalski rushing for 224 yards and five touchdowns on 17 carries. The District-1 Class 5A rivals meet Friday night in the Ches-Mont South.
#7 (6A) Downingtown East (4-0) @ Bishop Shanahan (4-1) 07:00 PM District-1
Downingtown East carries an unbeaten 4-0 record into Friday night’s road matchup at Bishop Shanahan after overwhelming Oxford, 49-0, last week. Mike Matta’s Cougars rushed for 341 yards, with Juelz Chiron-Robinson rushing for 134 yards and two touchdowns and Christian Ippolito adding 103 yards and two scores. The Cougars’ defense is anchored by Notre Dame commit Abraham Sesay, a nationally regarded Class of 2027 prospect who posted 80 tackles and 13 sacks as a junior. Paul Meyers’ Bishop Shanahan Eagles enter at 4-1 after a 20-14 victory at Avon Grove.
Norwin (3-2) @ North Hills (4-0) 07:00 PM District-7
Norwin travels to unbeaten North Hills after a 22-3 victory over Mt. Lebanon. Giovanni Rothrauff rushed for two touchdowns in the win, while Maddox Pivarnik caught a touchdown pass from Max Ritz. North Hills enters 4-0 after a 43-9 win at Penn Hills. Bo Wilcox threw two touchdown passes to Jack Broderick, who finished with four catches for 135 yards and two scores, while Nicco Thomas added three rushing touchdowns. Mike Brown’s Knights visit Eric Kasperowicz’s Indians in a nonconference clash.
Bethel Park (2-2) @ West Allegheny (3-2) 07:00 PM District-7
Bethel Park travels to West Allegheny for a key Class 5A Allegheny Six Conference matchup. The Indians are coming off a 21-13 victory over Moon, rallying with two fourth-quarter touchdowns to improve to 3-2. Quarterback Mason Bryan has been West Allegheny’s top rushing threat, averaging 90 yards per game, while Brodie Cornell leads the team with eight total touchdowns. Bob Palko’s Indians host Phil Peckich’s Black Hawks in the opening week of conference play.
Blackhawk (5-0) @ New Castle (3-2) 07:00 PM District-7
Blackhawk takes a perfect 5-0 record to New Castle after a 40-0 shutout of Shaler Area. Brayden McCarthy and Hayden Magill have provided key production for the Cougars’ rushing attack during the unbeaten start. New Castle enters at 3-2 after a 42-21 victory over Aliquippa, with Jermaine Walker and Kai Cox each scoring twice. Trevor George’s Cougars visit the Red Hurricanes in the opening week of Parkway Conference play.
Peters Township (2-3) @ #7 (5A) Upper St. Clair (5-0) 07:00 PM District-7
Peters Township travels to unbeaten Upper St. Clair after a 20-10 win over McKeesport. Jaden Blair rushed for 178 yards and two touchdowns, including scoring runs of 1 and 53 yards, as the Indians handed the Tigers another loss. Upper St. Clair improved to 5-0 with a 31-7 win over South Fayette. Josh Snyder threw a touchdown pass, while John Banbury, Luca Coury and Max Ligier each scored on the ground. T.J. Plack’s Indians visit Mike Junko’s Panthers in a Class 5A Allegheny Six Conference matchup.
Canon-McMillan (2-3) @ North Allegheny (2-3) 07:30 PM District-7
Canon-McMillan heads to North Allegheny after a 38-34 overtime loss at Hempfield. The Big Macs surrendered a 34-21 second-half lead as Hempfield quarterback Camden Lippman threw for 340 yards and three touchdowns in the comeback victory. North Allegheny comes off a 40-7 loss to Pine-Richland, with Jayden Rucker catching a touchdown pass from Carson Meyer in the loss. Mike Evans’ Big Macs visit Art Walker Jr.’s Tigers in a key WPIAL Class 6A Quad County Conference matchup at Newman Stadium.
Armstrong (4-1) @ Plum (5-0) 07:00 PM District-7
Armstrong carries a four-game winning streak into its road game at unbeaten Plum after a 14-12 victory over Gateway. Jaydon Oliver threw two touchdown passes, including a 40-yard scoring strike to Theron Cupec. Plum is 5-0 following a 29-28 win over Kiski Area. John Nonnenberg threw four touchdown passes, while Semaj Robinson caught two touchdown passes in the Mustangs’ comeback victory. Frank Fabian’s River Hawks visit Matt Morgan’s Mustangs in a WPIAL Class 5A Northeast Conference matchup.
McDowell (4-1) @ Cathedral Prep (5-0) 07:00 PM District-10
McDowell carries a four-game winning streak into Friday night’s rivalry matchup with unbeaten Cathedral Prep after a 48-21 victory at Boardman, Ohio. Quarterback Evan Kuhn threw for 232 yards and five touchdowns to four receivers, while Chase Carrick accounted for two touchdowns—one on a reception and one on the ground. Cathedral Prep enters at 5-0 after a 14-0 shutout of Oil City. After a scoreless first half, Camden Miller broke the game open with a 55-yard touchdown run, and Eli Elwell followed with an 83-yard punt-return touchdown. Aaron Slocum’s Trojans face Mike Mischler’s Ramblers at Veterans Memorial Stadium in a nonconference rivalry game.
#9 (4A) General McLane (5-0) @ Harbor Creek (4-1) 07:00 PM District-10
General McLane takes a perfect 5-0 record to Harbor Creek on Friday night after a 42-14 victory at Corry. Charlie Bennett rushed for 180 yards and two touchdowns on just nine carries, while Josh Caro added 40 rushing yards and two touchdowns as the Lancers remained unbeaten. Harbor Creek enters at 4-1 after a 14-10 loss to Fort LeBoeuf. Gavin Zillman has been the Huskies’ top offensive weapon, rushing for 178 yards and four touchdowns on 13 carries in a 62-0 victory over Franklin earlier this season; he also rushed for 144 yards and a touchdown in last week’s loss. Marshall McCormick’s Lancers visit John Angerer’s Huskies in a key District-10 Class 4A Region 5 matchup. General McLane enters with a seven-game road winning streak dating to last season.
Roman Catholic (2-2) @ #2 (4A) Bonner-Prendie (3-2) 07:00 PM District-12
Roman Catholic heads to Bonner-Prendie after a 28-6 victory over Springside Chestnut Hill Academy. Jahmil Hawkins rushed for three touchdowns and threw an 84-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Alford as the Cahillites won their second consecutive game. Bonner-Prendie enters at 3-2 following a 28-14 victory over Conwell-Egan. Jack Muldoon’s Friars host Rick Prete’s Cahillites in a Philadelphia Catholic League Red Division matchup.
#4 (6A) St. Joseph’s Prep (2-1) @ #10 (4A) Cardinal O’Hara (4-1) 07:00 PM District-12
St. Joseph’s Prep travels to Cardinal O’Hara after a 12-7 victory over Malvern Prep. In his first varsity start, quarterback Nickee Holden completed 15 of 19 passes for 168 yards, while Jett Harrison caught 10 passes for 120 yards. Dariel Jaquez recorded two interceptions as the Hawks improved to 2-1. Cardinal O’Hara enters at 4-1 after a 44-42 loss at Smyrna, Delaware. The Lions had averaged 43.8 points per game through their first five contests. Tim Roken’s Hawks visit Mike Ewing’s Lions in a Philadelphia Catholic League Red Division matchup.
Big School/Small School Crossover
Panther Valley (3-2) @ Blue Mountain (4-1) 07:00 PM District-11
Panther Valley travels to Blue Mountain after a 27-18 victory at Tunkhannock. Cy Maynard accounted for 148 passing yards and a touchdown, while Troy Nunez rushed for 74 yards and two touchdowns. Chase McArdle caught six passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns as the Panthers improved to 3-2. Blue Mountain enters at 4-1 after a 42-7 win at Tamaqua. Quarterback Cohen Kirby completed 7 of 9 passes for 176 yards and three touchdowns in the Eagles’ fourth straight victory. Mark Lavine’s Panthers visit Chuck Kutz’s Eagles in a District-11 matchup.
Small School Class 1A-3A
Lakeland (5-0) @ Riverside (5-0) 07:00 PM District-2
Lakeland brings a perfect 5-0 record into Friday night’s road matchup at Riverside after a 40-6 victory over Carbondale Area. Jackson Pochas accounted for 235 yards of total offense, returned a second-half kickoff 56 yards to set up a touchdown and scored twice on the ground as the Chiefs piled up more than 400 yards of offense. Dave Piwowarczyk’s Chiefs have won all five games this season, but Jim Tucker’s Vikings are equally unbeaten after holding off Old Forge, 35-28, in the 81st edition of the Triboro Rivalry. Brayden Rose rushed for 137 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries, added an interception and a tackle for loss, and opened the game with a 47-yard kickoff return.
Punxsutawney (3-2) @ Port Allegany (4-1) 07:00 PM District-9
Port Allegany returns home Friday night after dominating Bradford, 64-0, last week. Kellen Veilleux rushed for 77 yards and three touchdowns on just six carries, while Brennan Fillhart added a rushing touchdown and a touchdown pass as the Gators improved to 4-1. Punxsutawney comes in at 3-2 following a 41-27 win at St. Marys, with Ian Leseman rushing for 151 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. Justin Benkowski’s Gators host Brandon Snyder’s Chucks in a non-league District 9 matchup Friday night.
Berlin Brothersvalley (5-0) @ Meyersdale (4-1) 07:00 PM District-5
Meyersdale returns home Friday night after a 42-13 victory over Tussey Mountain. Spencer Whitfield threw for 154 yards and four touchdowns while adding a rushing score, and Caleb Sines rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries as the Red Raiders improved to 4-1. Berlin Brothersvalley enters unbeaten at 5-0 after surviving Northern Bedford, 30-29, in overtime. Brady Janidlo threw for 153 yards and three touchdowns and added an interception on defense, while Ryan Janidlo caught three passes for 82 yards and two touchdowns. Ryan Donaldson’s Class 1A Red Raiders host Doug Paul’s Class 2A Mountaineers in an Inter-County Conference South Division matchup between teams carrying a combined 9-1 record.
Philipsburg-Osceola (4-1) @ Bellwood-Antis (4-1) 07:00 PM District-6
Philipsburg-Osceola travels to Bellwood-Antis Friday night after a 22-14 victory over Bald Eagle Area. Damarcus Law rushed for 122 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries, Connor Guenot returned a fumble 55 yards for a touchdown, and Warren Rafferty added an interception as the Mounties improved to 4-1. Bellwood-Antis is also 4-1 after a 37-14 victory over Tyrone. Alex McCartney rushed for 75 yards and two touchdowns, while the Blue Devils ran for 259 yards as a team and recorded a pick-six in the rivalry win. Jeff Vroman’s Mounties face Nick Lovrich’s Blue Devils in a Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference matchup between two District-6 programs.
Neshannock (4-1) @ Freedom Area (4-1) 07:00 PM District-7
Neshannock travels to Freedom Area after a 48-6 win over Mohawk. Justin Edworthy has been a focal point of the Lancers’ ground game, while Jared Corey directs the offense at quarterback. Freedom Area returns home after a 24-13 loss to Beaver Falls. Kaden Bailey leads the Bulldogs’ offense as the teams open Midwestern Athletic Conference play in a matchup of 4-1 District-7 Class 2A programs.
