Tamaqua will look to stay undefeated — and unscored upon — Friday night against the Tide.

Tamaqua at Pottsville

Friday, Sept. 28, 7 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know:

STREAKIN’

… The Raiders’ shutout streak has reached five games, as Tamaqua (5-0) blanked Blue Mountain 28-0 last Friday. Tamaqua is the only team in the state that hasn’t allowed a point yet this season. Aliquippa (five games) and Mastbaum (four games) are the next best with both having allowed just six points this season.

EVERYWHERE

… According to MaxPreps, Tamaqua’s Nate Boyle recorded 15 tackles during last week’s win. He now has 30 on the year, following up on a strong sophomore campaign that saw him record 90.

ON A ROLL

… Pottsville (4-1) has ripped off four-in-a-row after an opening-week loss to Hazleton. They’ve scored at least 30 points in each of their last three games. “They do some play-action stuff, and they also have a big roster and can rotate a lot of different people in,” said Tamaqua head coach Sam Bonner. “They’re definitely one of the biggest teams up front size-wise that we’ll have to face so far.”

KISTLER DELIVERS

… Raiders’ receiver Matt Kistler had a big night against Blue Mountain last week, hauling in three passes for 120 yards and two scores.

RECENT BATTLES

… The Tide have beaten the Raiders the past two years by a total margin of 61-19. “They’re very balanced,” Bonner said. “We watched a lot of their film from last year, and I thought we kind of laid an egg last year . We need to shut down the pass against their big 6-5 receiver, and they also have a good run-game. We need to keep doing what we’re doing defensively. Offensively, I think it’ll be important that we have a big game from both of our running backs. We need to break some big runs and get positive yards on first down.”

Blue Mtn. at Lehighton

Friday, Sept. 28, 7 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know:

RECENT HISTORY

… Lehighton is 4-1 against Blue Mountain across the last five years.

LOOKING TO TURN IT AROUND

… After starting the season with three-straight wins, and three-straight shutouts, the Eagles (3-2) have dropped their last two games. “I think Blue Mountain is a very tough, physical team. That’s what they kind of hang their hat on. They’re going to be coming off a week where they had a little bit of a letdown against Tamaqua, and they’re going to be looking to get back on track themselves. I think we’re going to be getting a very angry Blue Mountain team that’s ready to make a name for themselves, just like we’re trying to do,” said Lehighton head coach Tom McCarroll.

FOR REAL

… After rushing for 100-plus yards in each of Blue Mountain’s first-four games, Tamaqua held senior tailback Ben Kramer to just 14 yards on 13 carries last week.

OUTBURST

… Lehighton’s (3-2) 45 points during a 45-7 rout of Panther Valley last Thursday was a season-high. The last time the Tribe scored 45-plus points was last October against Blue Mountain.

HITTING THEIR STRIDE

... Last week’s 45-7 win over Panther Valley was Lehighton’s second-straight victory, something McCarroll hopes to build on heading into the second half of the season. “Coming off two big wins, playing well, getting better every single week, and on top of that, we’re getting some bodies back that have been banged up. So it seems like things are getting tied together here for the stretch run, which is certainly what we need, given how good our division is. Sometimes you never really know until it’s game-time, but I think we’re definitely where we want to be. Our seniors are stepping up, they’re playing the way they’re supposed to play. And then we have some real nice pieces with our underclassmen that are coming in, and they’ve progressed really well. They’re starting to figure it out, what the grind of a varsity football game is like. I think they’re getting used to that, and hopefully that’ll payoff when you get into the tough teams like Blue Mountain, and all the way down the line,” said McCarroll.

Marian at Minersville

Friday, Sept. 28, 7 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know:

SERIES

... Marian is 12-4 against Minersville since 2004, but has dropped the last two meetings against the Battlin’ Miners. “You can expect a little of everything from them,” said Marian head coach Patrick Morgans. “They have a nice running game with a good back, and the quarterback Schwalm throws a nice ball, and Ellinger is a nice receiver. They’re balanced and physical, they’re going to be a challenge for us.”

BOUNCE BACK

... After winning two of its first three games to start the year, Minersville (2-3) has dropped its last two games, and got shutout 31-0 by Schuylkill Valley last week. Marian (0-5) is coming off a 60-14 loss to Schuylkill Haven. “We have to balance our attack,” said Morgans. “We need to be able to run and throw, and keep teams off balance. It’s good to see our passing game come along a little bit, but we need to be able to keep teams honest.”

ESTABLISH THE RUN

... Minersville had only 11 yards on 15 carries during last week’s loss. They’ve shown flashes of success on the ground in 2018, such as the Miners’ Week 2 win over Nativity, when they rushed 62 times for 327 yards.

SPARKS?

... Marian’s Nick Falls carried the ball six times for 50 yards and a score against the Hurricanes last week. In Keith McCall’s second game back since Week 1, he tallied 109 yards receiving. “He’s getting there; I think he’s about 90-perecent now,” said Morgans of McCall. “He’s coming along, it’s a big plus for us, and he had a real nice game last week.”

IT’S BEEN A WHILE

... The last time Marian started a season 0-5 was in 1995.

No. Lehigh at So Lehigh

Friday, Sept. 28, 7 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know:

ROLLING

... Southern Lehigh has owned the series in recent years. The Spartans have won the last five meetings, outscoring Northern Lehigh 222-25 during that stretch. Southern Lehigh has not scored less than 40 points in any of those victories. The Bulldogs most recent win against them was a 33-7 triumph in 2012.

“The reality is they are a healthy 5A school, and we are a small 3A,” said Northern Lehigh coach Joe Tout. “So yes, it has been tough to compete against them on a year-in, year-out basis. But I think we match up well with them this year. They are a solid football team, but we absolutely believe we can beat them this year.”

STATEMENT WIN

... Southern Lehigh knocked off undefeated and defending District 11 Class 3A champ Palisades 40-15 last week. Quarterback Logan Edmund had a huge game, completing 12-of-17 passes for 241 yards and five touchdowns. Dalton Musselman finished with eight catches for 163 yards and four scores, while Trey Trevis hauled in four passes for 78 yards and one score. Edmund also added 107 yards rushing and one touchdown on 15 carries.

WATCH THOSE GUYS

... Edmond and Dalton Musselman are the two toughest guys to contain on the Spartans roster. The problem is that they’re not just one-dimensional players, as they can both do a number of things well to beat you. The task for the Bulldogs is to contain those two guys and keep them from doing damage.

“We have been preaching to play fast and physical this week. It all starts with Edmond; he is bar far their best player, both offensively and defensively. We must contain him when he runs, and he is running the ball a lot this year,” said Tout. “And we must not let Musselman beat us. He plays in the backfield and as a receiver, and they also use him on punt returns and kickoff returns. So our goal is to contain those two players. If we are going to win, it will be because we are the more physical team. If we do that and limit turnovers, we like our chances to win this Friday.”

CLEAN SLATE

... Northern Lehigh was not penalized in last week’s 42-14 loss to Saucon Valley. The Bulldogs are the least penalized team in the area this season, getting flagged just six times for a total of 49 yards.

LOOKING FOR BALANCE

... While Northern Lehigh had 121 yards on the ground last week against Saucon — including 41 on nine carries from Justin Paul — the Bulldogs finished with just two yards passing. Look for Northern Lehigh, which finished with eight pass attempts and ran the ball 23 times against the Panthers, to try to open up the Southern Lehigh defense with a consistent passing attack to open up the running game. “It’s a matter of being more effective in the passing game. We had two interceptions last week, so we need to improve in that aspect,” said Tout. “Other than last week, I though we have been effective in the passing game, and we are happy with our progress this year.”

N’western at Palmerton

Friday, Sept. 28, 7 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know:

STARTING EARLY

… One of the key factors in this one will be what team can get off to the best start. Northwestern has played well in the first quarter throughout the season, outscoring its opponents 62-21. Palmerton, on the other hand, has taken some time to get going, as its been outscored 42-28 in the first.

STOPPING THE RUN

… One of the Blue Bombers main goals on the night will be to slow down the Tigers rushing attack. Northwestern is averaging 251 yards rushing per game. Quarterback Deven Bollinger and running back Nick Henry have combined for 1,035 yards and 13 touchdowns. “They’re a physical, run-heavy team, they run the ball very well, so stopping the run will be important for us,” said Palmerton head coach Chris Walkowiak. “Bollinger is a dual-threat, so he can be problematic, and the offensive line is big and strong. We need to hold our ground and make plays, and a key will be if we can force some turnovers.”

NOT OVERLOOKING

… Despite Palmerton’s 1-4 start, Northwestern head coach Josh Snyder isn’t looking past the Bombers. Palmerton has played arguably the toughest slate of games in the first half of the season in the Colonial League, facing off with Palisades, Southern Lehigh, Saucon Valley, Notre Dame Green Pond and Pen Argyl. “They’ve played a really tough early schedule,” Snyder said. “I’m not sure anyone has had a tougher schedule than they have, and they’ve competed well and could have won a couple of those games, but for whatever reason, they didn’t. Their skill guys are as good as the skill guys that any team has.”

ESTABLISHING THE RUN

… When the Bombers have been able to run the football, that’s when they’ve been at their best in their spread offense. Establish the run, and then spread the ball around to their athletes on the outside, has been the most consistent way Palmerton has been successful offensively. Look for Aaron Stasko (315 yards rushing), Andrew Sabo (315 yards rushing, 5 touchdowns) and Jordan Nelson, who had a big game last week, rushing for 141 yards and two scores, to be used heavily in the run game.

Shenandoah at Panther Vy.

Friday, Sept. 28, 7 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know:

ON A ROLL

... Panther Valley has defeated Shenandoah Valley in each of the past two years. The Panthers picked up a 30-6 victory last year, and won 34-30 in 2016. Shenandoah grabbed a 13-6 win in 2015. “I think Shenandoah is very well-coached. I think they have a lot of young talent, and some hard-nosed kids on defense. Tons of respect for Coach Keating. For us, we need to be disciplined. We need to execute the little things. We will win or lose this game by executing fundamentals,” said Panthers’ head coach Scott Price.

HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

... The Panthers (1-4) finished with a positive number in total yardage last week for the first time since Week 2. Panther Valley had 93 yards of total offense in Thursday’s game against Lehighton after being held to -19 yards against Jim Thorpe and -17 yards against Tamaqua.

BEEN A WHILE

... Shenandoah’s (0-5) last victory was a 37-0 triumph against Kutztown in Week 3 of last season.

BLANKED

... Since their 27-20 loss to Jenkintown in Week 2, the Blue Devils have been shut out in each of their last three games and been outscored 101-0. Shenandoah has been outscored 169-28 this season.

LOOKING AHEAD

... Panther Valley’s next four opponents after Shenandoah enter Week 5 with a combined record of 7-13. “I think the Division 2 schedule is great, but we treat every game like it’s a D1 game because there’s so much talent in the league. The five remaining teams we play are all very talented, so even though its D2, we still have to bring it every night,” said Price.

PM East at Pleasant Valley

Friday, Sept. 28, 7 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know:

NO EXTRA MOTIVATION NEEDED

... Friday’s contest is the annual battle for the Old Oaken Bucket. Before last year’s 28-19 victory, Pocono Mountain East (1-4) had lost eight straight games to Pleasant Valley. The Cardinals previous win was a 7-0 triumph in 2008. “It’s my first bucket game, there’s a buzz around the community, so that’s pretty neat. I’m excited to see what this bucket game’s all about,” said Bears’ head coach Matt Kosciolek.

TAKE-AWAY (S)

... Pleasant Valley (0-5) forced five turnovers — four fumbles, one interception — against Dieruff on Saturday. Though the Bears fell 27-15, head coach Matt Kosciolek loved the effort he say from his team. “Our point of emphasis this week was trying to get take-aways. And we did that today. Defensively, we looked fine. We just didn’t take advantage of opportunities, and they did. Our emphasis was turnovers, just ball-hawking, trying to get our offense as many possessions as we can, because we’ve been struggling. We just gotta figure out a way to get it in the end zone,” Kosciolek said after the game.

GOT ONE

… Pocono Mountain East topped Dieruff 26-20 in Week 4 for its only win of the season. The Cardinals have been outscored 162-90 this year.

KEEPING PACE

… Though the Cardinals fell to Stroudsburg 41-27 last week, senior quarterback Dylan Rinker went 20-of-36 for 277 yards, with three touchdowns and just one interception. Darius Robinson (10 catches, 83 yards, touchdown), Drew Altemose (four catches, 71 yards, TD) and Triston Hilliman (three catches, 95 yards, TD) hauled in long scores of 23, 49 and 44 yards, respectively.

BACK IN ACTION

... After not carrying the ball against Emmaus, running back Nasai Moon had 16 carries for 108 yards against Dieruff. “Nasai had a good game on Saturday, and we’re gonna keep trying to get him going. He can be a difference-maker. But we have to execute plays. There are times that he’s doing stuff, and it’s just all him. He’s making plays because he’s that good. If we can execute, with outside receivers blocking, and our interior guys on the line blocking, and really hit our schemes, we’re gonna be OK. But he’s a guy we need to get going,” said Kosciolek.