Blue Mountain's Josh Hoover races for a touchdown during Friday's win over Palisades at the Eagles' Nest (Photo by Brook Koch-Guers).

Lehighton ended Blue Mountain’s season one year ago on the Eagles’ home turf.

You can be sure this year’s Eagles’ squad remembers that feeling when the Indians return to the Eagles’ Nest tonight in a Schuylkill-Colonial Red Division tussle.

Several key pieces remain from a Lehighton team that shocked second-seeded Blue Mountain last Halloween night in a District 11 Class 4A quarterfinal. While tonight’s game doesn’t carry the same win-or-go home magnitude, the matchup of 3-3 teams could go a long way toward seeding in this year’s district playoffs.

“I’m not sure how much last year affects this year,” Lehighton coach Tom McCarroll said. “We were both very different teams last year. I believe our experience has helped this season, but each opponent and each week brings its own unique challenges.”

Lehighton’s key to success in that dramatic, 29-28 playoff victory was the Indians’ ability to run the football against the Blue Mountain defense.

Quarterback Jayse Lawrence guides a balanced, veteran offense that can beat you with both the run and the pass. Tailback Lucas Croizier has rushed for 733 yards and five scores while Lawrence has completed 53-of-97 passes for 728 yards and eight scores.

Lawrence has plenty of targets to throw to, with Caden Meek (17-285, 2 TDs), Blake Roberts (17-128, TD) and Ty Nansteel (10-204, 5 TDs) each having double-digit receptions.

The Indians have outscored their opponents 154-119, with an improving defense tossing 35-0 shutouts at both Palmerton and last Friday against Pottsville.

Lehighton will look to end a pattern of loss-win, loss-win, loss-win when they hit the field tonight against Blue Mountain.

“Our ability to run the ball consistently has been what I’m most pleased with,” McCarroll said about his offense. “In all but one game this year, we have been able to establish a solid run game. We’ll need success in that area this week in order to have a chance (tonight).

“Our defense has grown tremendously throughout the season. We will need to match Blue Mountain’s physicality. They are as aggressive as team as we’ll see this year. We’re excited for the challenge.”

Blue Mountain enters tonight’s contest on the heels of back-to-back impressive victories over Bangor (35-0) and Palisades (42-21) after a 1-3 start. The Eagles’ three losses have come to teams with a combined 18-0 record — Schuylkill Haven, Southern Lehigh, Northwestern Lehigh — and Blue Mountain has been competitive in all three defeats.

Sophomore QB Cohen Kirby has settled in as the Eagles’ starter and seniors Carter Smith (42-398, 5 TDs) and Josh Hoover (11 catches, 226 yards, 3 TDs) have emerged as offensive weapons over the past couple of weeks.

If you’re looking for an area team on the rise, it’s Blue Mountain.

“The key to our improvement has been more reps,” Blue Mountain head coach Chuck Kutz said. “We are young in many spots and the inexperience showed early in the form of giving up big plays on defense and turnovers on offense.

“Practice reps and game experience have helped our confidence.”

The Eagles played that 2024 playoff game without fullback/linebacker Reese Miller, who was sidelined with an injury.

Now a senior, Miller has been a leader on both sides of the football this season for the Eagles, scoring five touchdowns on offense while leading the defense with 52 tackles, three tackles for loss and three sacks from his middle linebacker spot.

“Reese Miller is as fun to watch on film as he is to coach,” Kutz said. “He is the prototype inside linebacker who plays downhill and can roam side to side. He is big and strong with great quickness. He also is enjoying his role as a punishing runner. Reese is the heart of our defense and our players rally around him.”

Blue Mountain and Lehighton enter tonight’s contest ranked No. 4 and No. 5, respectively, in the District 11 Class 4A power rankings. Each team has a rough road ahead, with the Eagles facing North Schuylkill, Pottsville and Tamaqua and the Indians tackling Tamaqua, North Schuylkill and Jim Thorpe.

Tonight’s game could go a long way into which team settles in behind Bethlehem Catholic, Southern Lehigh and Allentown Central Catholic as the No. 4 seed and earns a quarterfinal home game.

“The keys for us are to win the battle up front as Lehighton is big and strong up front,” Kutz said. “Our defensive lineman like Ryan Clemas, Vaughn Helverson, Brody Shaner and Dylan Foose will have to keep their O-line off our linebackers.

“Turnovers and special teams will be big in this one, along with field position.”

Week 7 features 10 games involving local teams, all slated for Friday night.

Here’s a capsule look at those games. For a detailed look at the Pottsville-Northwestern Lehigh game, visit https://www.t102sportsnow.com/2025/10/03/hs-football-tide-face-another-test-against-nw-lehigh/

Friday’s games

Lehighton (3-3) at Blue Mountain (3-3)

Last week: Lehighton blanked Pottsville 35-0; Blue Mountain decked Palisades 42-21

Last year: Regular season, Blue Mountain 55-14; District 11 4A quarterfinals, Lehighton 29-28

Live Updates: Follow T102 Sports Now content editor Leroy Boyer on X @pubsportsboss

TV/Radio: Blue Ridge Cable 113

Breakdown: A rematch of last year’s District 11 Class 4A quarterfinal in which Lehighton used a late touchdown and two-point conversion to capture a 29-28 victory. The Indians will look to gain some consistency after alternating wins and losses so far this season. Blue Mountain, meanwhile, enters the game on a roll and has been one of the hottest teams in the area. Which team can successfully run the football … and stop the other’s running game … will be a major key to the game.

Mahanoy Area (1-5) at Nativity (3-3)

Last week: Mahanoy Area beat Pine Grove 22-20; Nativity defeated Shenandoah Valley 14-6

Last year: Nativity 50-8

TV/Radio: T-102 (101.9 FM)

Breakdown: An interesting Schuylkill-Colonial Blue Division game at Saint Clair’s Veterans Memorial Stadium that might be the most competitive of the five games in that division this week. The Golden Bears are coming off their first win, while Nativity showed great resiliency in coming from behind to upend Shenandoah Valley and even its record at 3-3. Both teams could use a victory to enhance their chances at making the District 11 playoffs. Neither team throws the ball much, so line play and turnovers will be big factors.

Northwestern Lehigh (6-0) at Pottsville (2-4)

Last week: Northwestern Lehigh surged past North Schuylkill 49-18; Pottsville lost to Lehighton 35-0

Last year: Northwestern Lehigh 35-0

TV/Radio: WPPA 1360 AM / 105.9 FM; PennSportsRadio.com

Live Updates: Follow T102 Sports Now writer Bob Lipsky on X @BobLipskyRH

Game Notes: The Crimson Tide are still searching for an identity offensively as they look to snap a two-game losing streak in this Schuylkill-Colonial Red Division game. The defending 3A state champion, Northwestern Lehigh has won 22 straight games dating back to December 2023 and showed its toughness and explosiveness with a strong second half performance last week in a win over North Schuylkill. Pottsville still hasn’t scored since senior tailback JuJu Bainbridge was lost for the season due to injury in the second half of the Tide’s Week 5 loss at Southern Lehigh. Finding a running back, and having some success in the ground game, will be critical to the Tide’s stretch run.

Marian (5-1) at Schuylkill Haven (6-0)

Last week: Marian lost to Minersville 38-7; Schuylkill Haven outlasted Williams Valley 43-29

Last year: Schuylkill Haven 36-0

TV/Radio: WLSH 1410 AM

Breakdown: Record-wise, this shapes up to be the best Schuylkill-Colonial Blue Division game of the weekend. Marian, however, enters with several question marks after a disappointing Homecoming loss Saturday night to Minersville. QB Gregory Tirpak didn’t play against the Miners due to undisclosed reasons and his status for tonight’s game is unknown. If he can’t go, freshman Cole Grochowski could be the starter, although Marian did use Rory Dixon at QB in a wildcat-type offense for the first half. … Schuylkill Haven, despite being down two senior leaders, used a big second half to down Williams Valley and remain unbeaten. Ranked No. 1 in the state in Class AA, the Hurricanes will look to overpower Marian with its dominant running game. Colton Reber is second in the area in rushing with 1,010 yards and 16 total TDs.

Bangor (0-6) at North Schuylkill (3-3)

Last week: Bangor lost to Tamaqua 20-0; North Schuylkill lost to Northwestern Lehigh 49-18

Last year: North Schuylkill 39-14

Breakdown: The perfect elixir to North Schuylkill’s woes? A Schuylkill-Colonial Red Division home game with Bangor. That’s exactly what lies ahead for the Spartans after a two-touchdown halftime lead against unbeaten Northwestern Lehigh disappeared last week. The winless Slaters have been outscored 233-55 and haven’t scored a point in eight quarters. Game should be a good tune-up for North Schuylkill as it prepares for a stretch run that includes games with Blue Mountain, Lehighton and Pottsville. Tailback Luke Miller leads the area in rushing with 1,240 yards and in scoring with 108 points.

Southern Lehigh (6-0) at Tamaqua (3-3)

Last week: Southern Lehigh outgunned Jim Thorpe 47-27; Tamaqua blanked Bangor 20-0

Last year: Southern Lehigh 43-7

TV/Radio: WMGH 105.5 FM

Breakdown: The Blue Raiders will look to play spoiler when they host unbeaten Southern Lehigh in a Schuylkill-Colonial Red Division game. Game is a great matchup of two top tailbacks as the Spartans feature senior standout Sean Steckert (cooperative best 1,299 yards, 18 TDs) and the Blue Raiders counter with sophomore sensation Terrence McDowell (168-995, 12 TDs). Southern Lehigh offers better balance, as QB Colton Sams needs 22 passing yards to surpass 1,000 for the season. Can Tamaqua run the ball against the Southern Lehigh defense? That’s the major question.

Jim Thorpe (2-4) at Catasauqua (3-3)

Last week: Jim Thorpe lost to Southern Lehigh 47-27; Catasauqua lost to Saucon Valley 49-26

Last year: Jim Thorpe 39-0

Breakdown: Cole Lazorick became the area’s first 1,000-yard passer last week in the Olympians’ loss to Southern Lehigh and he’ll look to put Jim Thorpe in the win column when it travels south to face the Rough Riders. Jim Thorpe has showed signs of greatness at times during the season and this Red Division/White Division crossover serves as a chance for the Olympians to put it all together. Catty has dropped two straight after a 3-1 start, allowing 106 points in losses to Notre Dame-Green Pond and Saucon Valley.

Shenandoah Valley (0-6) at Tri-Valley (4-2)

Last week: Shenandoah Valley lost to Nativity 14-6; Tri-Valley downed Panther Valley 42-0

Last year: Tri-Valley 42-10

Breakdown: The Dawgs’ defense proved it’s one of the best in the area last week with an impressive shutout win over Panther Valley. For the season, Tri-Valley has allowed just 58 points (9.7 ppg) with two shutouts. They’ll look to continue that same play tonight when they host a winless Blue Devils club looking to end a 22-game losing streak in a Schuylkill-Colonial Blue Division clash. Both teams possess strong running games, with Mike Elchisak (89-442, 5 TDs) leading the Shenandoah Valley attack and Tri-Valley countering with its 1-2 punch of Parker Hatter (96-587, 9 TDs) and Cole Gemberling (35-229, 4 TDs)

Pine Grove (1-5) at Minersville (4-2)

Last week: Pine Grove lost to Mahanoy Area 22-20; Minersville beat Marian 38-7

Last year: Minersville 31-14

Live Updates: Follow T102 Sports Now writer Eli Doyle on X @iamelidoyle

Breakdown: The Miners continue to break school records as wide receiver Paiten LaPoint (TD receptions) and T102 Sports Now Fanelli, Evans & Patel Athlete of the Week Jordan Bowers (kicking points) etched their names into the Minersville career record books during last week’s impressive win at Marian. Tonight in this Schuylkill-Colonial Blue Division game, QB Dante Carr needs 21 yards to go over 1,000 yards passing for the season and could close in on 1,000 yards rushing — he has 724 so far. Defense was the story for the Miners last week as T.J. Bowers, John Lutsky and Gavin Allan all made big plays vs. Marian. … For Pine Grove, the Cards will look to establish some consistency on both sides of the ball after last week’s tough loss to Mahanoy Area.

Panther Valley (2-4) at Williams Valley (5-1)

Last week: Panther Valley lost to Tri-Valley 42-0; Williams Valley lost to Schuylkill Haven 43-29

Last year: Williams Valley 47-0

Breakdown: A Blue Division matchup of two teams looking to bounce back from rough losses. The Panthers saw their two-game win streak snapped with a blowout loss to Tri-Valley, while the Vikings couldn’t hold a halftime lead in a loss to Schuylkill Haven in a battle of unbeatens. For both clubs, establishing the running game will be important.