Pleasant Valley began its 2022 season with a 5-0 record, which included a 7-6 victory over Eastern Pennsylvania Conference rival East Stroudsburg South in Week Three.

But recently, the Bears were forced to face three straight Lehigh Valley powerhouse teams. That didn’t go well as they dropped all three to Parkland, Northampton and Freedom by a combined score of 133-14.

Obviously, it was a tough three weeks for head coach Blaec Saeger and his squad.

“We have survived the gauntlet of the Lehigh Valley going through Parkland, Northampton and Freedom,” Saeger said. “We’re very healthy and our mindset is where it needs to be. We knew those three would be immense challenges. We’re set up here for the stretch run with Pocono Mountain West and Stroudsburg with a potential district qualifying game on the line. (We have) Pocono rival teams and teams we look forward to playing, so we’re very excited about this week.”

Pleasant Valley junior quarterback Valentino-Byers Robinson was responsible for the two Bears touchdowns during the Lehigh Valley stretch, scoring against both the Trojans and the Konkrete Kids.

Week Nine for PV features a contest with EPC rival Pocono Mountain West Friday night. The Bears are currently third in the district 5A class, while West is fourth. Four team make the district playoffs in 5A.

Pocono Mountain West is coming off a 10-8 victory over against the Cavaliers at East Stroudsburg South Memorial Stadium to improve to 4-4. West blanked Pleasant Valley 19-0 in last year’s game on a Saturday afternoon in Brodheadsville.

“I haven’t beaten them since I got the job at PV and I’ve beat them many times when I was at East Stroudsburg North,” Saeger said about West. “Coach McCarroll does a tremendous job of having his team ready. Very multiple team; they can show you a lot of stuff on both sides of the ball.

“They also have some quality athletes that can play, and they’re always going to be well-coached and tough. It’s going to be fun, Pocono-rival football and we’re looking forward to the opportunity.”

West faced Lehigh Valley giants Northampton and Bethlehem Catholic in the first two weeks, and the Panthers got their first win of the season in Week Three against Dieruff. West dropped to 1-3 after a Week Four loss to Stroudsburg and picked up the winning ways again the next week in a 43-12 victory over East Stroudsburg North.

The Panthers are riding a two-game winning streak into Friday night’s game after wins against Allen and East Stroudsburg South.

Pleasant Valley will be ready for Pocono Mountain West in a game that could change the look of the District 5A rankings.

“They were mentally focused and it’s nice to have a team that we can watch on film and prepare for,” Saeger said. “We’ve got to go out and play. We haven’t beat West in the three years I’ve been here. By all means, it’s not going to be easy. We will give it everything we’ve got.”