Northwestern takes part in one of two Saturday games this week as the Tigers travel to Pen Argyl looking to stay unbeaten.

Northern Lehigh picked up its first win of the season against the Green Knights last week, and will visit Pine Grove in the other Saturday contest, while Pleasant Valley will try to secure its third straight win after topping ES South on Monday.

Northwestern (3-0)

at Pen Argyl (2-1)

Saturday, Sept. 16, 1:30 p.m.

Storyline of the Week

: Following a big win against Blue Mountain, the undefeated Tigers and their diverse attack turn their focus to the pass-happy Green Knights as they aim to go 4-0.

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: “Last week was a really good win for us. We played a solid four quarter game against a team coming off a big win against North Schuylkill, playing their first real home game on their brand-new turf field. We took some of their Mike Tyson punches early and gave up a big play big play, but we were resilient and with the game on the line, we came away with a win in a hostile environment. This week we face a team in Pen Argyl that has two identities. They like to line up in a spread offense and stretch the field and they will run out of a single wing. We have to take away their top receiver in Damian Tyminski. On offense, this year we throw more than last. We like to take our running game in short chunks to set up our play action pass and screens that helped us get 200 yards last week.” – Northwestern head coach Josh Snyder.

Northern Lehigh (1-2)

at Pine Grove (1-2)

Saturday, Sept. 16, 7 p.m.

Storyline of the Week

: Northern Lehigh’s young football team is coming off a big win over previously unbeaten Pen Argyl last week. The Bulldogs were able to get their run game working, rushing for 191 yards and two touchdowns. Jack Tosh led NL on the ground, rushing for 101 yards and two rushing scores. Pine Grove is coming off a lopsided 48-0 loss to North Schuylkill. Cardinals’ halfback Lane Lehman rushed for 123 yards against the Spartans. On the season, Lehman has been the catalyst to the Pine Grove offense, leading the team with 445 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

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: “Last week was a really big, quality win for us. It was big for our confidence. We were finally able to get out to a lead in a game and I think that got our player’s confidence back and then we were able to go out and get the victory from there. Defensively, I was proud of the way we played last week. The defensive line group did a great job against the run and our young secondary held their own out there. We had three freshman and two sophomores in our defensive backfield, so really proud of that group. Pine Grove, a team where their record is a bit deceiving. It all starts with No. 33 in Lehman at running back, so we have to try and keep him check. Our passing offense is also going to be key this week. They’re a team that is setup defensively to stop the run, so we have to be able to execute in our pass game.” - Northern Lehigh head coach Joe Tout.

Pleasant Valley (2-1)

at Allen (0-3)

Friday, Sept. 15, 7 p.m.

Storyline of the Wee

k: Pleasant Valley is coming off a gritty defensive performance against East Stroudsburg South, and now turns its attention to Allen.

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: “Very big win. Anytime you beat South, it’s a big deal. One of the premier programs up here. The kids did what they had to do. We got the job done and ended up with the victory. The defense, time after time after time turning them away. Coach (Brian) Miller and the defensive staff and those kids are just flat-out tough kids. We try to move on from it for now and a very short week here. Allen is a whole different test. They are struggling, first-year head coach, I know what that’s all about. They have some athletes and size and pose a challenge. They’re going to be hungry, I know it, so our kids realize that. We’re not going to take them lightly. We got to able to move on from a very emotional win at times. - Pleasant Valley head coach Blaec Saeger.

Sayre (0-3)

at Marian (1-2)

Friday, Sept. 15, 7 p.m.

Storyline of the Week

: Marian is looking to get back on track this week after back-to-back losses to tough teams in Minersville and Catasauqua. The Colts will welcome back running back Jayden Fermin this week, who has missed some time due to injury over the past two weeks. Fermin had 142 yards rushing in Marian’s week one win over Schuylkill Haven and leads the team in rushing with 173 yards and two touchdowns. Sayre has gotten off to a rough 0-3 start, but has already squared off with two of the best teams in the state in 1A in Canton and Muncy.

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: “I think Sayre’s record is a little deceiving, considering the quality teams that they have played, so far, this season. But they have a physical team that is going to come down here and they’re going to play hard. Getting our tailback back this week is going to be good for us offensively. We’re looking forward to getting him back. We’re also looking forward to coming out and performing better on the defensive end this week. I think we played a little out of character on that side of the ball against Catty. Credit to Catty, that is probably the best team we will see all year, but we have had a good week of practice and again are looking forward to the opportunity to go out there and compete.” - Marian head coach Stan Dakosty.

North Schuylkill (2-1)

at Tamaqua (0-3)

Thursday, Sept. 14, 7 p.m.

Storyline of the Week

: The young Raiders face another daunting task of trying to get stops on the high-powered Spartan offense.

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: “We need to get better starts to games. Last week, Notre Dame hit us with an 80-yard touchdown on the second play of the game. When we fall behind by a couple of scores, we don’t have the ability yet to pick ourselves up and make it a game. This week we face more of a run-oriented attack in North Schuylkill. Like Notre Dame, they are loaded with athletes, play fast and are strong up front. When we have the ball, we have to do better on first downs and not get us into second and longs. Our offense has to help our defense stay off the field.” - Tamaqua head coach Sam Bonner

Wilson (0-3)

at Lehighton (1-2)

Friday, Sept. 15, 7 p.m.

Storyline of the Week

: The Indians are looking to ramp up their offense against the winless Warriors.

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: “Last week we had opportunities, we failed to cash in. Our defense played better than the final score shows against Pottsville, but our offense didn’t show up. This week we play a team that hasn’t won yet which makes them dangerous. Wilson has good players at the skill positions and they tend to pass more than run from which they’ve had some success. We need to start fast and score early and not give them belief that they can win. We’re pretty healthy this week and we hope to get back a couple of wide receivers, but our go to guy is Dylan Moyer. When our line opens holes for him, we like to lean on his shoulders.” - Lehighton head coach Tom McCarroll.

Panther Valley (1-2)

at Shenandoah Valley (1-2)

Friday, Sept. 15, 7 p.m.

Storyline of the Week

: The Panthers will be looking to sustain drives to score more points against Shenandoah Valley.

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: “Despite the lopsided score last week, we were down only 6-0 with a 1:20 to go in the first half and we had the ball. We got deflated when they ran back the second half kickoff. This week, Shenandoah will show us a spread offense with a lot of different formations, including empty sets. We have to be aware of their great receiver, Nick Ryan (6-3, 192 with 14 catches, 309 yards, and seven TDs). We think we can be more physical and run the ball on them, exploit their defense, get an early lead, and keep their offense off the field.” - Panther Valley head coach Mark Lavine.

By Rich Strack, Kyle Magda and Brad Hurley.