HS Football: Week 6 preview, Hurricanes, Vikings square off in unbeaten showdown
Schuylkill Haven's Niko Carestia (44) attempts to break the grasp of Williams Valley's Trevon Bair (24) during the 2024 District 11 Class AA title game at Blue Mountain's Eagles Nest. (Photo by Charlie Roth)
It’s the game that’s been circled on calendars since the summer.
Unbeaten Schuylkill Haven.
Unbeaten Williams Valley.
A rematch of the last two District 11 Class AA championship games.
A battle of the No. 1 and No. 3 teams in the Class AA state rankings.
A Friday night showdown between the pines in Williamstown.
It doesn’t get any better than this.
The Hurricanes (5-0) and Vikings (5-0) square off tonight in a Schuylkill-Colonial Blue Division battle of unbeatens at 7 p.m. at Gerry Stauffenberg Field at Viking Stadium. The T-102 Game of the Week, the showdown pits two of the top three Class AA teams in the state in what is expected to be the first of two clashes this season.
“It’s been a game we look forward to,” Williams Valley coach Stephen Sedesse said. “Anytime you get to play a team with a lot of talented players, it’s a challenge but it’s also a chance to see where your team is at midway through the season.”
Tonight’s game will be the fifth meeting between the teams in a two-year span, with Schuylkill Haven winning the regular-season meetings in 2023 and 2024 and Williams Valley prevailing in both District 11 Class AA title games.
It’s the first time in the regular season both teams enter unbeaten.
When you break down this contest, there are several key matchups. Let’s look at a couple of them:
Schuylkill Haven running game vs. Williams Valley defense
The Hurricanes are coming off a 48-38 victory over Minersville in which T102 Sports Now Fanelli, Evans & Patel Athlete of the Week Colton Reber rushed for 353 yards and four touchdowns. Niko Castillo added three more scores as Haven racked up 494 yards rushing and 520 yards of total offense, scoring on its first seven possessions of the game.
For the season, the Hurricanes are averaging an area-best 51.8 points per game and 359.8 yards rushing per game. Reber ranks second in the area in rushing with 845 yards and 10 TDs, while Castillo (32-293, 8 TDs rushing) has scored 11 touchdowns.
QB Max Heim has been efficient, completing 19-of-32 passes for 457 yards and nine touchdowns, but it’s the ground game that drives the Haven offense.
“We have to get to the football and stick to our assignments,” Sedesse said. “Their backs are tough runners so we must run to the ball and not allow chunk plays. They are very different from a year ago, so we have to account for some new things.”
The Hurricanes will be without senior fullback/linebacker Niko Carestia, who rushed 41 times for 333 yards in Haven’s 38-30 win over the Vikes last Sept. 27 at Rotary Field. Carestia suffered a leg injury in a Week 4 win over Mahanoy Area and is expected to be sidelined until the postseason.
In last year’s District 11 final, the Vikings held Schuylkill Haven to just six first downs and 112 yards rushing, forcing the Hurricanes to punt six times.
Junior linebacker Trevon Bair (53 tackles, 7 TFLs) leads a Vikings defensive unit that has allowed just 47 points in five games, tossing three shutouts.
Can Williams Valley shut down Haven’s running game again?
“We did not execute our run game in last year’s final,” Schuylkill Haven coach Mike Farr said. “You cannot make those types of errors when you face a great team like Williams Valley.”
Williams Valley passing game vs. Haven defense
The Vikings have focused on running the ball the past two weeks in key Blue Division victories over Minersville and Tri-Valley, but Williams Valley possesses a potent passing game.
(Photo by Fred James)
Senior quarterback Brady Shomper has completed 32-of-52 passes for 477 yards and eight touchdowns while also rushing 83 times for 520 yards and nine scores.
Sophomore running back Fletcher Thompson paces the run game with 609 yards and seven TDs, but wide receivers Evan Achenbach (13-170, 2 TDs), Blazer Lords (7-126, 2 TDs) and Colin Crisswell (7-72, 2 TDs) give Shomper plenty of options in the passing game.
Minersville QB Dante Carr threw for 215 yards and two touchdowns last week against the Haven secondary, but was sacked twice by Triston Davis and was picked off by Aaron Gilbert at the end of the first half.
Can Haven’s defense get enough pressure on Shomper and cover the Vikings’ receivers?
“Shomper is a great athlete,” Farr said. “But up front, they are big and physical. That’s what carries their team.
“Shomper is very patient. They have other great players so you just have to execute defensively and do not give them anything easy.”
The battle up front
Ultimately, this game will be won up front as both teams possess gigantic lines.
For the Vikings, Brayden Archer (6-2, 245), Camron Green (6-1, 290), Robbie Hoffman (5-11, 230), Koen Zilinski (6-1, 265) and Bryce Zilinski (6-3, 220) man the offensive line while Shawn Romberger (6-0, 333) and Eli Weiss (6-2, 215) join Bryce Zilinski, Green and Koen Zilinski on the defensive front.
For Haven, Chase Williams (6-3, 342), Wyatt Keefer (6-3, 320), Ethan Kline (6-0, 290), Davis (6-1, 245), Brody Brand (6-0, 255) and Bryce Reber (5-11, 235) mix in on offense, with Keefer, Williams and Kline manning the defensive front.
If you want to see great line play, this is the game to watch.
Looking ahead?
Both teams, and fan bases for that matter, realize that these are the two best Class AA teams in District 11 — maybe the state — and should meet again the playoffs.
In the grand scheme of things, while it’s a matchup of two state-ranked 5-0 teams, the ultimate goal for both teams is winning the bigger prize in early November.
Does that take away from this matchup? That remains to be seen.
“This is just another week for us,” Farr said. “Focused on film study and individual drill work to get better. Our guys get excited to play every week.
“Our mindset remains the same, get better every week. Our preparation is the same this week like any week. Nothing different.”
Added Sedesse: “I think we treat every game like a big game. We respect their program and understand we have to play disciplined football and not make many mistakes. They capitalize quickly on mistakes.”
For the first time in several weeks, there is not a Thursday night game involving local teams. The Week 6 slate includes nine games tonight and the Minersville-Marian game on Saturday night.
Here’s a capsule look at the games involving area teams this weekend. For a detailed look at the Pottsville-Lehighton game, visit https://www.t102sportsnow.com/2025/09/26/hs-football-pottsville-lehighton-look-to-rebound-in-red-division-battle/:
Friday’s games
Schuylkill Haven (5-0) at Williams Valley (5-0)
Last week: Schuylkill Haven beat Minersville 48-38; Williams Valley fended off Tri-Valley 14-7
Last year: Regular season, Schuylkill Haven 38-30; District 11 Class AA final, Williams Valley 28-13
TV/Radio: T-102 (101.9 FM)
Live Updates: Follow T102 Sports Now content editor Leroy Boyer on X @pubsportsboss
Series History: Schuylkill Haven 11-7. Williams Valley has won five of last seven.
Game Notes: The Pennsylvania Game of the Week in Class AA as the No. 1-ranked Hurricanes face the No. 3-ranked Vikings in a battle of Schuylkill-Colonial Blue Division unbeatens between the pines in Williamstown. These teams and coaching staffs know each other very well, so expect some fireworks. Like most battles between top teams, the team that controls the line of scrimmage, wins the turnover battle and makes more explosive plays will emerge victorious. Should be a dandy.
Pottsville (2-3) at Lehighton (2-3)
Last week: Pottsville lost to Southern Lehigh 35-17; Lehighton was blown out by Northwestern Lehigh 50-0
Last year: Pottsville 21-3
TV/Radio: WPPA 1360 AM / 105.9 FM
Live Updates: Follow T102 Sports Now writer Eli Doyle on X @iamelidoyle
Game Notes: The Crimson Tide have dominated Lehighton since Pottsville joined the Schuylkill League in football for the 2016 season, going 8-1 against the Indians and winning the last seven meetings. During that span, Pottsville has outscored Lehighton 271-58. Tonight’s meeting in Lehighton will be tougher for the Tide than those previous contests. Offensively, Pottsville will have to figure out how to replace RB JuJu Bainbridge (88-497, 6 TDs), who suffered a fractured leg in last week’s loss to Southern Lehigh and is out for the season. QB Andrew Allen has completed 58-of-106 passes for 662 yards and six TDs, but Pottsville will need to find somebody to lead the running game to balance the offense. Defensively, Lehighton poses a veteran-led offensive attack guided by QB Jayse Lawrence, who has passed for 580 yards and five TDs. RB Lucas Croizier (84-590, 4 TDs) is fifth in the area in rushing while TE Ty Nansteel (9-189, 4 TDs) and WR Caden Meek (11-187, TD) give Lawrence options in the passing game. For Pottsville to continue its dominance, the Tide will have to win the battle up front and make plays defensively.
North Schuylkill (3-2) at Northwestern Lehigh (5-0)
Last week: North Schuylkill downed Jim Thorpe 36-14; Northwestern Lehigh pummeled Lehighton 50-0
Last year: Regular season, Northwestern Lehigh 49-7; District 11 Class 3A final, Northwestern Lehigh 36-7
TV/Radio: Blue Ridge Cable TV 13, PennSportsRadio.com
Game Notes: The Spartans will look to end a five-game losing streak against the Tigers and hand the defending PIAA Class 3A state champions their first loss since December 2023, a span of 21 straight games. Doing that won’t be easy. Northwestern is averaging 47.2 points per game and has scored more than 50 points three times in five games. The Tigers blasted Lehighton 50-0 last week. The Tigers are led by the 1-2 running punch of Braxton Lakatosh (39-499, 6 TDs) and Chase Sukanick (39-341, 5 TDs), while QB Shane Leh has thrown for 802 yards and 8 TDs. Michael Lagowy (15-218, 2 TDs) and Mason Bollinger (15-199, 3 TDs) have been his top targets. ….. The Spartans’ Luke Miller leads the area in rushing (86-971, 11 TDs), touchdowns and scoring and is coming off a 361-yard, 4-TD performance against Jim Thorpe. The return of WR Landen Smith (8-219, 3 TD) from injury should help balance the NS offense.
Palisades (4-1) at Blue Mountain (2-3)
Last week: Palisades lost at Pen Argyl 38-21; Blue Mountain blanked Bangor 35-0
Last year: Blue Mountain 63-13
Live Updates: Follow T102 Sports Now writer Bob Lipsky on X @BobLipskyRH
Game Notes: It’s easy to look at Blue Mountain’s record and think the Eagles have struggled this season. That’s not the case. The Eagles have three competitive losses to teams that are a combined 15-0 and seem to be hitting their stride at the midway point. A Red Division/White Division crossover contest against the surprising Pirates will provide another good test. Last Friday, the Eagles rushed for 289 yards in a win over Bangor as senior Carter Smith (8-130) scored three TDs and Brody Foose (6-74) reached the end zone twice. Sophomore QB Cohen Kirby was an efficient 9-of-13 for 108 yards as Blue Mountain dominated on both sides of the ball. …. Palisades is coming off its first loss of the season, a 38-21 Saturday afternoon defeat at Pen Argyl. QB Jack Trickell will look to spread the Eagles’ defense, having passed for 972 yards and nine TDs so far. WR Lincoln Cook leads District 11 in receptions with 34 for 491 yards and 4 TDs. LB Max Woerner is among the top tacklers in the cooperative with 55 stops.
Tamaqua (2-3) at Bangor (0-5)
Last week: Tamaqua decked Salisbury 42-8; Bangor lost to Blue Mountain 35-0
Last year: Tamaqua 51-0
Game Notes: It’s been a breakout three-week span for “Touchdown Terrence” McDowell, as the sophomore running back has carried the ball 97 times for 637 and 10 TDs the past three games. He is far and away the area overall leader in carries with 137 through five games. The Blue Raiders will no doubt give him the ball plenty of times tonight as they look to even their overall mark at 3-3 when they make the long trek to Bangor. Tamaqua has to avoid this becoming a trap game as the bulk of the Blue Raiders’ schedule awaits with a final four-game stretch of Southern Lehigh, Lehighton, Northwestern Lehigh and Blue Mountain. The Slaters are looking for their first win after being outscored 213-55 in their first five games.
Southern Lehigh (5-0) at Jim Thorpe (2-3)
Last week: Southern Lehigh beat Pottsville 35-17; Jim Thorpe lost to North Schuylkill 36-14
Last year: Southern Lehigh 56-12
TV/Radio: WMGH 105.5 FM
Game Notes: Jim Thorpe’s inability to convert in the red zone was its downfall last Friday in a loss to North Schuylkill that was much closer than the final score indicated. The Olympians will need to execute much better if they hope to upend the unbeaten Spartans, who are ranked No. 1 in Class 4A in the latest state rankings by PennLive.com. Southern Lehigh used a big fourth quarter to pull away from Pottsville last week after the Crimson Tide led 17-14 in the third quarter. The Spartans are led by RB Sean Steckert, who tops the Schuylkill-Colonial cooperative rushing chart with 140 carries for 979 yards and 15 touchdowns. QB Colton Sams has thrown for 793 yards and six TDs. …. Jim Thorpe has the talent to be competitive with Southern Lehigh but will need to avoid turnovers and mistakes at key times. They’ll also need to be better at stopping the run, something the Olympians couldn’t do the past two weeks against Tamaqua and North Schuylkill.
Tri-Valley (3-2) at Panther Valley (2-3)
Last week: Tri-Valley lost to Williams Valley 14-7; Panther Valley beat Nativity 41-24
Last year: Tri-Valley 49-7
Radio/TV: WLSH 1410 AM
Breakdown: An interesting Schuylkill-Colonial Blue Division matchup between two teams looking to build some momentum for the stretch run. The Dawgs battled backyard rival Williams Valley tough last week before falling 14-7. Cooper Carl had a pair of interceptions to lead what has been a very stingy Tri-Valley defensive unit so far (11.6 ppg). The 1-2 running tandem of Parker Hatter (84-474, 7 TDs) and Cole Gemberling leads the TV offense. …. Panther Valley, meanwhile, has won two straight after an 0-3 start and has found some balance offensively. QB Brody Breiner is the field general, ranking fourth in the area in passing with 618 yards and four TDs while running for 400 yards and five more scores. WRs Gavin Yuricheck (26-281, TD) and Chase McArdle (24-188, 2 TDs) are 1-2 in the area in receptions. …. Both teams could use a win to bolster their playoff situations as both have tough games left on their schedule in the second half.
Mahanoy Area (0-5) at Pine Grove (1-4)
Last week: Mahanoy Area lost 35-13 to Marian; Pine Grove edged Shenandoah Valley 28-26
Last year: Mahanoy Area 48-22
Breakdown: It’s been 45 games since Pine Grove has won back-to-back football games. The Cardinals will look to end that drought tonight when they host the winless Golden Bears on Military Appreciation Night. The last time Pine Grove won consecutive games was in October 2020, the final two games of the makeshift COVID season when the Cardinals downed Pequea Valley 43-6 and Columbia 25-0. Pine Grove has gone 8-37 since. The Cards enter tonight’s game on the heels of a 28-26 victory over Shenandoah Valley that ended a nine-game losing streak. RB Logan Troup (90-389, TD) leads a Pine Grove club that’s played solid defensively but struggled to score points, being outscored 118-48. Troup rushed for 148 yards in the win over Shenandoah Valley. …. The young Golden Bears have been outscored 216-19 through five games but have a solid running back in Kyler Quick. Mahanoy Area was much-improved in last week’s loss to Marian, scoring a pair of second-half touchdowns.
Nativity (2-3) at Shenandoah Valley (0-5)
Last week: Nativity lost to Panther Valley 41-24; Shenandoah Valley lost to Pine Grove 28-26
Last year: Nativity 50-0
Breakdown: It’s been a tough three-game stretch for the Green Wave, who have given up 49, 42 and 41 points, respectively, in losses to Williams Valley, Tri-Valley and Panther Valley. Nativity will look to end that slide tonight when they travel to Shenandoah to face the winless Blue Devils. QB Colt Mason (62-270, 6 TDs) leads the ground-oriented Nativity attack. …. Shenandoah Valley, meanwhile, will look to end a 21-game losing streak that dates back to Sept. 23, 2023, when the Devils beat Hancock, Md. RB Mike Elchisak (82-416, 5 TDs) continued his breakout season last week by rushing for 153 yards and two TDs against Pine Grove, while sophomore QB Ethan Bench threw for 161 yards and two scores. Controlling the line of scrimmage and winning the turnover battle will be key factors in this one.
