Merry Christmas, football fans.

The 2025 high school football season is finally here.

Week 1 of the local slate kicks off tonight with 14 games tonight and one Saturday night.

Rivalries headline the docket with several backyard rivals — North Schuylkill-Mount Carmel, Schuylkill Haven-Blue Mountain, Upper Dauphin-Williams Valley — squaring off.

On the schedule tonight are Shamokin at Pottsville (WPPA), North Schuylkill at Mount Carmel (T-102), Schuylkill Haven at Blue Mountain, Minersville at Halifax, Northern Lebanon at Pine Grove, York Catholic at Tri-Valley, Upper Dauphin at Williams Valley, Col-Mon Vo-Tech at Shenandoah Valley, Catasauqua at Mahanoy Area, Marian at Hanover Area, Northern Lehigh at Lehighton, Pen Argyl at Tamaqua, Salisbury at Panther Valley and Jim Thorpe at Palmerton. Saturday, Nativity takes on Holy Redeemer at 7 p.m. at Wyoming Valley West High School.

Don’t forget, during the game, visit t102sportsnow.com and check the rolling ticker for updated scores. After the games, tune in to WPPA 1360 AM and 105.9 FM for the Goal Line post-game show. Comprehensive coverage of this weekend’s action can be found on T102 Sports Now later Friday night and Saturday morning.

Here’s a capsule look at the games involving area teams this weekend:

Friday’s games

Shamokin at Pottsville

2024 Records: Shamokin 12-1 (District 4 4A runner-up), Pottsville 6-6 (District 11 4A semifinalist)

Last year: Shamokin 27-13

Radio/TV: WPPA 1360 AM, 105.9 FM; WQMY-TV

Live Updates: Follow Bob Lipsky on X @BobLipskyRH

Game Preview: www.t102sportsnow.com/2025/08/22/hs-football-tide-face-test-in-opener-against-shamokin-area/

Game Notes: Pottsville has high hopes this season, and for good reasons. The Tide return QB Andrew Allen, RB JuJu Bainbridge, WR Christian Alvarez and several starting linemen (Logan Kessler, Brody Baddick, Cole Cesari). Allen threw for 1,814 yards and 13 TDs, while Bainbridge rushed for 1,128 yards and 16 scores. Need to find some defensive playmakers to replace Tsirell Curry and Brayden Evans. …. Shamokin returns a strong, speedy club that is ranked at or near the top of the WNEP-TV Super 16 and WBRE Great 8 polls. QB Logan Steele was an all-state pick after throwing for 1,814 yards and 25 TDs last year. Seniors Jayce Ginck and Za’Keem Clinton pace the Shamokin running attack while All-State lineman Izak Glover (6-3, 350) leads the way up front.

North Schuylkill at Mount Carmel Area

2024 Records: North Schuylkill 8-4 (District 11 3A runner-up), Mount Carmel 8-4 (District 4 3A semifinals)

Last year: North Schuylkill 37-30

Radio/TV: WAVT 101.9 FM

Live Updates: Follow Eli Doyle on X @iamelidoyle

Series History: Teams have played continuously since 1966 (except for COVID year), with Mount Carmel leading all-time series 41-17. North Schuylkill has won eight of the last nine meetings.

Game Notes: Spartans return dynamic duo of Caden Mengel and Luke Miller, plus WR Landen Smith and three 300-pound linemen in Temple commit Aiden Zilker, Gavin Wall and Kaiden Knox. ….. Red Tornadoes lost Luke Blessing and Division I lineman Noah Shimko, but return QB Gavin Marshalek (1,822 yards, 15 TDs), RB Michael Kimsal, all-state WR Jaylen Delaney (63-791, 6 TDs), RB Cooper Karycki, all-state TE/DE Max Karycki (94 tackles) and leading tackler LB Jason Klokis (124 tackles).

Schuylkill Haven at Blue Mountain

2024 Records: Schuylkill Haven 11-2 (District 11 AA runner-up), Blue Mountain 7-4 (District 11 4A qualifier)

Last year: Blue Mountain 19-14

Live Updates: Follow Leroy Boyer on X @pubsportsboss

Series History: Blue Mountain leads 40-21-1 in series that began in 1960. Did not play in 2010 and 2011. Eagles have won six straight and 20 of the last 25.

Game Notes: Chuck Kutz returns to Blue Mountain as the Eagles’ head coach after a drama-filled ending to last season. Eagles will be young, but talented. QB Cohen Kirby, RB/LB Reese Miller and young speedsters Chase Guers and Brody Foose headline offense behind big, powerful offensive line. …… Schuylkill Haven returns nearly its entire squad from last season, including a three-headed monster at running back in Niko Carestia, Niko Castillo and Reber. Feature pair of 300-pounders in Chase Williams and Wyatt Keefer up front. …. Battle in the trenches will be one to watch.

Minersville at Halifax

2024 Records: Minersville 7-4 (District 11 AA qualifier), Halifax 0-10

Last year: Minersville 39-0

Game Notes: Minersville returns UCF commit Dante Carr and WR Paiten LaPoint, but has holes at running back and on the offensive/defensive lines. …. Halifax returns eight starters on offense and 10 on defense. Athlete Teegan Carroll threw for 502 yards and rushed for 317 yards last year.

 

Upper Dauphin at Williams Valley

2024 Records: Upper Dauphin 5-6 (District 3 AA qualifier), Williams Valley 12-2 (District 11 AA champs, PIAA qualifier)

Last year: Williams Valley 21-6

Game Notes: Trojans lost QB Aidan Bingaman, RB Caleb Snyder and WR Tyler Erdley to graduation, but return a strong nucleus up front, led by TE/DE Eoghan Savage (6-4, 225). Snyder rushed for 1,790 yards a year ago. Top tacklers Wyatt Troutman and Hunter Grassmyer are back. A.J. Santiago is new QB. …… Vikings bring back a veteran-laden squad led by QB Brady Shomper, RB Fletcher Thompson, FB/LB Trevon Bair, WR/DB Evan Achenbach and a big, physical offensive and defensive line.

Marian Catholic at Hanover Area

 2024 Records: Marian 6-5 (District 2/11 semifinalist), Hanover Area 2-8

 Last year: Marian 35-0

 Game Notes: Hanover was very young last season and returns 11 players with starting experience, including QB Logan Richardson (1,015 yards, 8 TDs). Return nine starters on offense, eight on defense. …. Marian must find a new QB and lost TE Michael Gelatko to graduation, but RB Rory Dixon returns after rushing for 1,229 yards and 14 TDs last year.

Pen Argyl at Tamaqua

2024 Records: Pen Argyl 5-7 (District 11 AA semifinalist), Tamaqua 7-4 (Eastern Conference 3A champ)

Last year: Tamaqua 38-7

Game Notes: RB Caiden Faust (1,111, 15 TDs) was the Green Knights’ first 1,000-yard rusher since 2016. He’s back, along with QB Mason Soos (832 yards passing, 848 yards rushing) and RB Terrell Estes. Lost most of offensive line to graduation. Most of the Pen Argyl defense returns. ….. Blue Raiders were hit hard by graduation and will field a very inexperienced squad. Chase Serfass takes over at QB, WR Brady McCabe returns and Luke Frohnheiser anchors a very small line.

Catasauqua at Mahanoy Area

2024 Records: Catasauqua 3-8, Mahanoy Area 4-7 (District 11 AA qualifier)

Last year: Catasauqua 47-34

Game Notes: Catty won its first three games last year (Mahanoy, Wilson, Palisades), then lost last eight in veteran coach Joe Henrich’s first season with Rough Riders. QB Aiden Reilly threw for 1,325 yards and 12 TDs a year ago, while Manny Bolmer had 38 catches for 717 yards and eight TDs. ….. New coach Mick Connolly got late start with Golden Bears, who have a small roster. RB Kyler Quick (1,085 yards, 12 TDs) gives Mahanoy Area a strong offensive threat.

CMVT at Shenandoah Valley

2024 Records: Col-Mon Vo-Tech 6-4, Shenandoah Valley 0-10

Last year: Col-Mon Vo-Tech 48-17

Game Notes: Rams graduated RB Braxtyn Brown, who rushed for more than 2,000 yards and broke the school’s all-time rushing record. Brothers Myles and Axton Brown return at QB and WR, respectively. Myles threw for 719 yards and 10 TDs, while Axton had 16 catches for 263 yards and six scores. …… Shenandoah Valley scored just 87 points last year and gave up 485. QB Ethan Bench, RB Jonnuel Reyes and FB/LB Mike Elchisak all return.

Northern Lebanon at Pine Grove

2024 Records: Pine Grove 1-9, Northern Lebanon 3-7

Last year: Northern Lebanon 10-0

Series history: Pine Grove leads 11-10. Did not play in 2020 due to COVID. In 10 games played at Pine Grove, teams have split 5-5

Game Notes: Cardinals bring back QB Wyatt Snyder and RB Logan Troup, but need to improve an offense that averaged just 11.0 points per game a year ago. Only win was 28-21 over winless Shenandoah Valley. …. Vikings downed Donegal and Daniel Boone for their other two wins. Very young squad with just six seniors on roster. Last year, Northern Lebanon held Pine Grove to 75 total yards (49 passing, 26 rushing). Myles Watson scored game’s only touchdown.

York Catholic at Tri-Valley

2024 Records: York Catholic 2-7 (District 3 Class A runner-up), Tri-Valley 7-5 (District 11 Class A champ, District 2/11 Class A subregional runner-up)

Last year: Tri-Valley 36-16

Game Notes: Dawgs return a solid 1-2 punch in the backfield in Cole Gemberling and Parker Hatter and have some big boys returning up front. Need to find a quarterback, but optimism is high in Hegins.

Salisbury at Panther Valley

2024 Records: Salisbury 4-6, Panther Valley 2-8

Last year: Salisbury 28-6

Game Notes: Falcons opened last season 3-1, then lost five of their last six to miss the playoffs. Beat Wilson, Catty and Palmerton. The four wins were more than the previous three years combined. Salisbury will feature big, veteran OL led by four-year starter Sam Krauss and 6-5, 340-pound Griffin Lakics. …. Panthers bring back QB Brody Breiner, who missed most of last season due to injury, among several other starters.

Jim Thorpe at Palmerton

2024 Records: Jim Thorpe 3-8 (District 11 4A qualifier), Palmerton 3-7

Last year: Jim Thorpe 38-15

Game Notes: Olympians return several key weapons in dual-threat QB Cole Lazorick and RB/WR Josh Louk. Key for Jim Thorpe is defensively, where the Olympians gave up 40.5 points per game. …. Blue Bombers only wins were over Wilson, Palisades and Catty and they gave up 50-or-more points four times. All-State OL Logan Anthony leads a big unit on both sides of the ball. Very young team last year, need to find new QB, ballcarriers.

Northern Lehigh at Lehighton

2024 Records: Lehighton 5-7 (District 11 4A semifinalist), Northern Lehigh 7-4 (District 11 AA qualifier)

Last year: Northern Lehigh 15-14

Game Notes: Bulldogs are being touted as a team to watch in the Schuylkill-Colonial cooperative White Division and could be a threat to Haven and Williams Valley in District 11 AA playoffs. Junior QB Garrett Smoyer threw for 1,253 yards and 12 TDs while RB Grady Newhard ran for 821 and 9 TDs. RB Chris Frame ran for 523 yards and had 632 yards receiving with 13 TDs. Have four returning linemen. …… Lehighton is looking to build off the momentum gained in last year’s stretch run, where the Indians beat Tamaqua, Jim Thrope and Blue Mountain in a four-week span to reach the 11-4A semifinals. QB Jayse Lawrence, RB Lukas Crozier, TE Blake Roberts all return for Tom McCarroll’s club. Key comes up front, where Lehighton is inexperienced.

Saturday’s game

Nativity at Holy Redeemer

Where: At Wyoming Valley West HS

2024 Records: Nativity 6-5 (District 2/11 A subregional qualifier), Holy Redeemer 0-10

Last year: Nativity 52-0

Game Notes: Nativity was hit the hardest out of our area teams by graduation, lots of new names and faces this year for Pat Mason’s club. ….. Head coach Vito Quaglia took over in April, had good numbers at offseason workouts after that. Royals scored just 58 points last year. Sophomore QB Brady McDermott leads long list of returning players.