Williams Valley's Fletcher Thompson (27) picks up yardage Friday night during a 42-7 victory over Tri-Valley. (Photo by Charlie Roth)

Williams Valley and Schuylkill Haven engaged in a pair of intense wars last season.

Expect another one tonight.

The unbeaten Vikes (5-0) and once-beaten Hurricanes (4-1) square off at Rotary Field in a battle of teams that are both 4-0 in Schuylkill/Colonial Blue Division play. The game is the T-102 Game of the Week, with the pre-game starting at 6:30 p.m. and kickoff set for 7 p.m.

The teams met twice last season, with Schuylkill Haven winning 24-21 in a regular-season matchup Sept. 8 at Rotary Field and the Vikings claiming a 49-35 victory in the District 11 Class AA championship game Nov. 11 at North Schuylkill.

The teams have played off and on since 1980, with Schuylkill Haven owning 10-6 series lead that includes four playoff wins. Including last year’s district final victory, Williams Valley is 4-1 against the Hurricanes since leaving the Tri-Valley League and joining the Schuylkill/Colonial cooperative for the 2020 season.

“We are familiar with Haven,” Williams Valley coach Stephen Sedesse said. “They have a great program and an established system.

“You have to try to limit the big plays, force some mistakes and get them behind the chains. Coach (Mike) Farr has been doing this a long time. He understands adjustments, so you have to be prepared for anything.”

Williams Valley has played the tougher schedule to date, scoring victories over Upper Dauphin (21-6), Mahanoy Area (48-6), Nativity (34-31), Minersville (42-36) and Tri-Valley (42-7).

Senior quarterback Brady Shomper had an impressive first half, completing 41-of-74 passes for 775 yards and 11 touchdowns while rushing 60 times for 311 yards and six more scores. Freshman Fletcher Thompson has emerged as the Vikings’ go-to back with 96 carries for 590 yards and five TDs, while senior wideout Kian Krzyzanowski (27-521, 7 TDs), junior wideout Evan Achenbach (4-113, 2 TDs) and senior tight end Brayden Crisswell (7-108, 2 TDs) have been Shomper’s top targets in the passing game.

Maintaining that balance offensively, Sedesse said, is a key for the Vikings in Friday’s game.

“It’s super important for us to stay balanced and execute,” Sedesse said. “(Haven does) really well versus the run game, so we have to be able to make them think throughout the game.

“We’re off to a great start … we have to continue to get better every week. We have tough, gritty kids, they like to work hard. We have to play our game and maintain our discipline.”

Haven is coming off an amazing 72-52 victory at Minersville in which the Hurricanes rushed for 531 yards on 35 carries and had three players gain more than 100 yards.

Junior running back Niko Carestia, who was the Fanelli, Evans & Patel Athlete of the Week, rushed 22 times for 274 yards and seven touchdowns, while Niko Castillo had five carries for 136 yards and two TDs and Colton Reber gained 121 yards on eight carries with a score.

For the season, Carestia leads the area in rushing with 983 yards and 17 touchdowns, while Reber (31-569, 8 TDs) and Castillo (22-318, 5 TDs) are also among the area leaders.

As a team, Haven averages 14.2 yards per carry and 420.4 yards rushing per game. Quarterback Brayden Fasnacht has attempted only six passes all season.

“The key to the running attack are the guys up front (Brody Brand, Brian Moran, Ethan Kline, Wyatt Keefer, Chase Williams, Adam Malinoski) and the running backs,” Farr said. “Their ability to execute the blocking schemes is the key. Quarterback Brayden Fasnacht is doing a good job distributing and taking care of the football.”

This game could ultimately be decided in the trenches. Williams Valley’s offensive line of Cameron Green, Jesse Koons, Robbie Hoffman, Tyler Koppenhaver, Killian Kocher, Bryce Zilinski and Crisswell has also been impressive this season, as the Vikings average 225 yards rushing per game and 380 yards of total offense per game.

Both coaches expect a war.

“It’s important in any football game to control the line of scrimmage,” Farr said. “Williams Valley game is no different. In small school football you need to run the football and stop the run successfully to win games.”

All 16 of our area teams are in action Friday night. Below is a capsule look at this weekend’s games.

For a preview of Pottsville’s game against Lehighton, visit https://www.t102sportsnow.com/2024/09/27/pottsville-to-entertain-lehighton-on-homecoming/

Game Capsules

Tonight’s games

Williams Valley (5-0) at Schuylkill Haven (4-1)

Radio/TV: WAVT 101.9 FM

Live updates: Follow T102SportsNow writer Bob Lipsky on X @BobLipskyRH

Last week: Williams Valley beat Tri-Valley 42-7, Schuylkill Haven outgunned Minersville 72-52

Last year: Schuylkill Haven won 24-21 in regular season; Williams Valley won 49-35 in District 11 Class AA championship game

Statistical leaders: Williams Valley — QB Brady Shomper 41-74, 775, 11 TDs; RB Fletcher Thompson 96-590, 5 TDs; WR Kian Krzyzanowski 27-521, 7 TDs. Schuylkill Haven — RB Niko Carestia 69-983, 17 TDs; RB Colton Reber 31-569, 8 TDs; RB Niko Castillo 22-318, 5 TDs

Breakdown: Clash of Blue Division unbeatens should be a thriller. Vikings must find a way to control Haven’s running game, which broke loose for 531 yards and 72 points last week against Minersville. Haven, conversely, must find a way to limit Williams Valley’s passing attack after giving up 452 yards in the air last week. Team that controls the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball will win.

Northwestern Lehigh (5-0) at North Schuylkill (3-2)

Radio/TV: Blue Ridge Cable TV-113, PennSportsRadio

Last week: North Schuylkill beat Jim Thorpe 50-7; Northwestern Lehigh topped Lehighton 42-7

Last year: Did not play

Statistical leaders: Northwestern Lehigh — QB Shane Leh 32-57, 449, 3 TDs; RB Eli Zimmerman 45-562, 8 TDs rushing, 8-91, TD receiving; WR Mason Bollinger 12-153, 2 TDs. North Schuylkill — QB Caden Mengel 50-84, 749, 7 TDs passing, 51-233, 3 TDs rushing; RB Luke Miller 89-562, 9 TDs rushing, 21-340, 3 TDs receiving; K Gavin Mentzer 14-14 XP, 3 FGs.

Breakdown: The Spartans will look to build off last week’s impressive rout of Jim Thorpe when they host the unbeaten Tigers. North Schuylkill is 2-0 at home, with big wins over Mount Carmel and Notre Dame-GP. Like they did in those games, the Spartans will need to control the line of scrimmage, control the clock, run the football and capitalize on NW Lehigh mistakes. Mengel was 14-of-15 for 231 yards and three TDs last week vs. Jim Thorpe. Northwestern Lehigh has been the talk of the league to date, outscoring its five opponents 230-29. Leh and Zimmerman had big games in last Friday’s rout of Lehighton.

Bangor (0-5) at Tamaqua (5-0)

Radio/TV: WMGH 105.5 FM

Last week: Bangor lost to Blue Mountain 49-7, Tamaqua routed Salisbury 49-7

Last year: Did not play

Statistical leaders: Bangor — QB Jackson Kreider 47-94, 530, 3 TDs, 9 Int; RB Riley Waldron 69-227; WR Alex Farensbach 14-133, TD; WR Antony Pelucacci 5-98, TD. Tamaqua — QB Luke Kane 36-58, 620, 6 TDs passing, 40-343, 5 TDs rushing; RB Bradley Whalen 77-527, 4 TDs; RB/WR Victor Schlosser 24-238, 3 TDs rushing, 22-404, 4 TDs receiving.

Breakdown: First-ever meeting between the Slaters and Blue Raiders is a matchup of two teams going in the opposite direction. The Slaters have scored just 35 points all season and are giving up 38.2 per game. Blue Raiders have been clicking on all cylinders, meanwhile, recording a 48-7 win over Jim Thorpe and a 49-7 win over Salisbury in their last two meetings. Expect those two trends to continue.

Blue Mountain (4-1) at Palisades (1-4)

Last week: Blue Mountain decked Bangor 49-7, Palisades edged Pen Argyl 21-20

Last year: Did not play

Statistical leaders: Blue Mountain — QB Brady Strause 47-79, 885, 8 TDs; RB Tyler Stahley 88-508, 5 TDs; WR Gaige Guers 18-256, 2 TDs; TE Bradley Renninger 12-292, 3 TDs. Palisades — Not available

Breakdown: Records are unavailable, but this is believed to be the first-ever meeting between the Eagles and Pirates in football. Blue Mountain makes the long trek to Kintnersville for this Red Division/White Division crossover game looking to notch its second straight victory and continue to build momentum for a tough three-game closing stretch. Palisades won its first game last Saturday, rallying to beat Pen Argyl. Pirates have struggled for most of season, being outscored 159-79.

Jim Thorpe (1-4) at Southern Lehigh (4-1)

Last week: Jim Thorpe fell to North Schuylkill 50-7, Southern Lehigh topped Pottsville 34-25

Last year: Did not play

Statistical leaders: Jim Thorpe — QB Cole Lazorick 65-112, 691, 4 TDs passing, 56-147, 4 TDs rushing; RB Josh Louk 20-159, TD rushing, 16-125, TD receiving; WR Aaron Curran 22-221, TD, WR Justin Yescavage 25-322, TD. Southern Lehigh — QB Colton Sams, RB Sean Steckert, WR Luke Kawczenski, TE Andrew Olesh.

Breakdown: The Olympians have really struggled the past four weeks, dropping games to Pottsville, Blue Mountain, Tamaqua and North Schuylkill by a combined 195-21 score. Things don’t get any easier this week against the Spartans, who have averaged nearly 35 points per game in three straight wins over Lehighton, North Schuylkill and Pottsville. Steckert had a big game vs. the Tide, rushing 38 times for 228 yards and scoring four touchdowns. He ran for 117 yards and two TDs in Week 4 against North Schuylkill. Sams has been hot as well, throwing for 257 yards and three scores vs. Spartans and 232 yards and two TDs against Pottsville.

Marian (3-2) at Minersville (3-2)

Radio/TV: WLSH 1410 AM

Last week: Marian lost to Mahanoy Area 27-7, Minersville lost to Schuylkill Haven 72-52

Last year: Minersville won twice, 41-39 in regular season and 28-12 in District 11 Class A championship game.

Statistical leaders: Marian — QB Dylan Rodino 17-42, 276, 3 TDs; RB Rory Dixon 114-734, 7 TDs; TE Michael Gelatko 10-107, 2 TDs. Minersville — QB Dante Carr 53-92, 1,111, 14 TDs passing, 39-670, 13 TDs rushing; RB Easton Schultz 47-204, TD; WR Paiten LaPoint 21-437, 6 TDs; WR Logan Hutsko 16-313, 3 TDs.

Breakdown: Intriguing Blue Division clash between teams looking to bounce back from disheartening losses. While Dixon and the Colts’ running game has been productive all season, the Marian passing game has been slow to develop. Freshman Gregory Tirpak started at QB last week for the Colts but struggled. Marian needs a win in this contest to stay in the District 2/11 Class A playoff race. Minersville, meanwhile, is looking to shore up its run defense after surrendering big chunks of yardage in back-to-back losses to Williams Valley and Schuylkill Haven. Carr was injured in the loss to Haven but should play in tonight’s game.

Panther Valley (1-4) at Tri-Valley (3-2)

Live updates: Follow T102SportsNow writer Tim Demko on X @TimDemko

Last week: Panther Valley lost 60-0 to Nativity, Tri-Valley lost 42-7 to Williams Valley

Last year: Tri-Valley 42-12

Statistical leaders: Panther Valley — QB Brody Breiner 58-259 rushing, 25-69, 224, 4 TDs passing; RB Brennan Kunkel 18-42; WR Brady Jones 15-138. Tri-Valley — QB Blake Schwartz 29-54, 441, 3 TDs; RB Cole Gemberling 63-324, 8 TDs; RB Parker Hatter 43-219, 2 TDs; WR Max Masser 4-92, TD; TE Lucas Schwartz 7-72, TD.

Breakdown: The Panthers continue to battle the injury bug, as Breiner missed last week’s game against Nativity and Kunkel played QB. The Dawgs are looking to bounce back from a pair of losses, including a rough one to backyard rival Williams Valley.

Pine Grove (1-4) at Mahanoy Area (1-4)

Live updates: Follow T102SportsNow.com writer Eli Doyle on X @iamelidoyle

Last week: Pine Grove defeated Shenandoah Valley 28-21, Mahanoy Area downed Marian 27-7

Last year: Did not play

Statistical leaders: Pine Grove — QB Wyatt Dixon 14-49, 169, 1 TD, 6 Int; Logan Troup 87-314, 3 TDs; TE Robbie Schaeffer 8-73. Mahanoy Area — QB Levi Terry 8-21, 268, 3 TDs passing, 69-340, 5 TDs rushing; RB Kyler Quick 63-377, 3 TDs; RB/WR Michael Oblas 39-188, 4 TDs rushing, 5-165, 2 TDs receiving.

Breakdown: Both the Cards and Bears recorded their first victories last Saturday and will look to make it two in a row in this Blue Division matchup. Both teams rely heavily on the run. Pine Grove controlled the line of scrimmage in its win over Shenandoah Valley as Troup rushed for 150 yards and two scores. Bears, meanwhile, rushed for xxx yards in their victory over Marian as Oblas scored three times. Mahanoy’s offense will be a different look for Pine Grove, which will pose problems for the Cards’ defense.

Shenandoah Valley (0-5) at Nativity (4-1)

Last week: Shenandoah Valley lost to Pine Grove 28-21, Nativity beat Panther Valley 60-0

Last year: Nativity 32-19

Statistical leaders: Shenandoah Valley — QB Ethan Bench 18-33, 248, 3 TDs; RB Jonnuel Reyes 16-61, TD; RB Joel Nunez 41-166, 2 TDs rushing, 9-203, TD receiving. Nativity — QB Ben Kreitzer 28-61, 727, 9 TDs; RB Sam Spolski 53-385, 8 TDs; RB Sam Walborn 44-420, 6 TDs; WR Noah Dolbin 16-392, 4 TDs.

Breakdown: The Green Wave will play at home for the only time in a six-game window, having been on the road the past two weeks, then playing on the road for three straight weeks Oct. 4, 11 and 18. They host a Shenandoah Valley squad that played better in Saturday’s loss at Pine Grove. Freshman QB Bench had plenty of positives in his first varsity start and must continue to build on them each week. Nativity has been on a roll, averaging 46 points per game so far this season. Green Wave have 10 interceptions in five games and returned four for touchdowns.