Six area teams will hit the road this week looking to pick up big wins that could improve their playoff positioning as the regular season winds down.

Bangor (4-2)

at Lehighton (2-4)

Friday, Oct. 6, 7 p.m.

Storyline of the Week

: The Indians will have to “clean up” their offensive mistakes and finish drives against a solid Slaters’ defense. The Tribe’s defense will be up against senior quarterback Greg Campbell, who has rushed for 520 yards and seven touchdowns thus far this season.

Quote

: “We hope to have quarterback Brady O’Donnell back this week from an injury. Our offense has to cut down on mistakes. We shoot ourselves in the foot with untimely penalties and turnovers. We also misfired on some passes to wide-open receivers against Blue Mountain last week. Our defense played very well despite the lopsided score, which included a pick-six and a TD on a kick return. This week, we expect Bangor to run the ball and try to establish the line of scrimmage. We certainly have to prepare for their very athletic quarterback, who looks to run first and pass second. To win this game we need effort, intensity, and execution on both sides of the ball.” - Lehighton head coach Tom McCarroll.

Pottsville (2-4)

at Northwestern (6-0)

Friday, Oct. 6, 7 p.m.

Storyline of the Week

: The Tigers will have to be on guard this week to avoid a letdown against the Crimson Tide, who despite their record, have lost to two powerhouse programs, and last week upset a then-4-1 Bangor team on the road.

Quote

: “We played fast and sharp last week with offensive efficiency, especially on first and second downs. Our first scoring drive was five first-down plays. Dylan Clymer was outstanding. The more touches he gets, the better he gets. Once he gets a head of steam, he is tough to bring down and he broke a couple of big touchdown runs in the game. Our games with Pottsville are always intense. We’re similar programs built on tough, physical play. We’ll have to play a clean game in all three phases, grind it out, and make the most of our opportunities. They run a four(-)man front on defense and are physical. We will have to win the line of scrimmage to win the game.” - Northwestern head coach Josh Snyder.

Panther Valley (2-4)

at Schuylkill Haven (5-1)

Friday, Oct. 6, 7 p.m.

Storyline of the Week

: After getting routed by Palisades a week ago, the Panthers face another tough opponent in the Hurricanes, who after losing their season opener, have won five games in a row.

Quote

: “We really have nothing positive to take from last week. We got banged up a little, and now we need a total regroup. We had been coming along as a balanced offense for the first five weeks, having thrown for 271 yards against Minersville, but we have to do a better job picking up the blitz and protecting our quarterback. Haven is big and physical with strong running backs and speed on the outside. We’ll have to tackle better than we did last week, and stop their long drives. It will be another test for us for sure.” - Panther Valley head coach Mark Lavine.

Jim Thorpe (2-4)

at North Schuylkill (5-1)

Friday, Oct. 6, 7 p.m.

Storyline of the Week

: Coming off a disappointing loss last week, the Olympians have to regroup. Against the Spartans, they will need to have all cylinders clicking to pull off the upset.

Quote

: “We lacked an energy level last week that rolled over from a week of not our best practice. That can’t happen this week if we expect to play well. North Schuylkill is the usual physical up tempo team with great athletes. Chowanski is a load to stop. Their quarterback is coming along as a runner, and (Joey) Flail is another threat we have to keep from making big plays. On defense, we won’t have time to substitute between plays, so clear communication at the line of scrimmage will be key. On offense, we need to establish a running game behind our quarterback, Cole Lazorick. We can’t just rely on a passing game to give us a chance to win this game.” - Jim Thorpe head coach Mark Rosenberger.

Marian (4-2)

at Shenandoah Valley (2-4)

Friday, Oct. 6, 7 p.m.

Storyline of the Week

: Freshman running back Rory Dixon put together a solid outing last week, rushing for 92 yards and two touchdowns in a 21-13 win over rival Mahanoy Area. The Colts will look to once again set the tone with its bruising rushing attack this week on the road against the Blue Devils.

Quote

: “Our offensive line deserves a lot of credit for the way we were able to run the ball last week, and then Rory Dixon and Jesse Rodino did a nice job for us running hard. Again, defense was consistent, and played well, but we just need to be a little better during what they now call the middle eight minutes of the game. This week, we need to continue to execute. Limiting big plays will also be key. They have some athletes who can go the distance. For us, we just need to continue to get better. We have been getting better each and every week, so we just need to keep working.” - Marian head coach Stan Dakosty.

Palmerton (6-0)

at Salisbury (0-6)

Friday, Oct. 6, 7 p.m.

Storyline of the Week

: Led by its rushing attack, Palmerton was once again explosive on offense last week, scoring 41 points. The Bombers are averaging 43 points per game and 445.5 yards per game, and they head to Salisbury this week to face a Falcons team that has given up 42-plus points in five-out-of-six contests.

Quote

: “Salisbury is a team that on film you can see is getting better every week. They have shown some really good flashes at times this season, so we are focused and prepared to take on a team that is going to give us a tough fight. Going into this week, we have to find some more balance offensively. We are always going look to establish the run, and we are always going to take what the defense gives us. But we do need to find some more balance offensively.” – Palmerton head coach Chris Walkowiak.

Tamaqua (2-4)

at Pine Grove (1-5)

Friday, Oct. 6, 7 p.m.

Storyline of the Week

: The Raiders have been playing well, winning their last two against Salisbury and Jim Thorpe, and look to continue that momentum this week on the road against the Cardinals.

Quote

: “It was nice to come away with a win last week over a Jim Thorpe team that was playing some good football. We’re a team that is getting better and healthier ,and we need to continue working at that. Bradley Whalen and Declan Coleman have made a real impact for us since returning, and they have really given us a spark. This week, Pine Grove really has some nice size up front, and with us being smaller up front, we are going to need to come off the ball fast and really execute our technique. They also have a big, strong, talented back in Lehman, so we need to make sure we wrap up, play fundamental and don’t let him break any big runs. He’s made some big plays against some good teams this season.” - Tamaqua head coach Sam Bonner

Northern Lehigh (3-3)

at Notre Dame GP (3-3)

Friday, Oct. 6, 7 p.m.

Storyline of the Week

: Northern Lehigh continues to fight for a spot in the District 11 1A playoffs with a young team, and by far the toughest regular season slate of the 1A squads. A win on the road over the Crusaders this week would put it in prime position for a district playoff berth.

Quote

: “This is definitely a big game for us. We’re looking at these next three games really as all very important games us for us. Getting to 3-3, we have put ourselves in position to play meaningful football down the stretch, and that’s where you want to be. Last week, I was really happy with our passing game. We threw for around 150 yards, and that was our best performance through the air this season, which is something we can build off. This week, it all starts with us containing their quarterback Darno. We can’t let him run for big gains. We have to try and control the line of scrimmage.” - Northern Lehigh head coach Joe Tout.

By Brad Hurley and Rich Strack.