Jim Thorpe, Marian and Tamaqua will all try to keep their unbeaten starts intact as the season shifts into Week 2.

Jim Thorpe (1-0)

at Pottsville (0-1)

When: Friday, Aug. 30, 7 p.m.

Instant replay

Junior quarterback Cole Lazorick’s dual-threat abilities were on full display last week in a win against Palmerton as he threw for 266 yards, four touchdowns and just one interception and also ran for 127 yards and two scores. JT wide receiver Aaron Curran hauled in five catches for 108 yards and a touchdown. Pottsville will host Thorpe this week after a 27-13 loss to Shamokin. Tsirell Curry led the way for the Tide, catching four passes for 119 yards and a touchdown. Pottsville struggled against the run last week, giving up 316 yards on the ground.

Storyline of the Week

The big play was huge for the Olympians last week as they established a host of playmakers who made an impact. Thorpe will be taking on a Pottsville team that can match its athleticism.

Coach’s Corner

“Any time you look back at the week prior and you’re able to get a win, there is a lot to be excited about. Our athletes played very well last week, and we did some nice things on the offensive line. We had a lot of athletes touch the ball and we were able to spread the ball around, which is what we like to do. We go up against a physical and athletic football team this week, so we need to be able to match that. We need to be more physical. We also need to make some improvements on the defensive side of the ball, like getting off blocks better and playing more fundamental defensive football.” - Jim Thorpe head coach Mark Rosenberger.

Marian (1-0)

at Tri-Valley (1-0)

When: Friday, Aug. 30, 7 p.m.

Instant replay

Marian got off to a good start with a 35-0 win over Hanover. Rory Dixon had a big game for the Colts, rushing for 191 yards and a touchdown. First-year starting quarterback, senior Dylan Rodino also looked good throwing for 119 yards and two scores. Tri-Valley also looked good in a Week 1 win over York Catholic. The Bulldogs rushed for 193 yards in the game. Keep an eye on 6-6 dual-threat quarterback Blake Schwartz, who is a dynamic player for TV.

Storyline of the Week

The match-up between the Colts and the Bulldogs will be won or lost in the trenches. Both teams like to establish the run. Key plays in the passing game will be needed as well.

Coach’s Corner

“I was really happy with our play on the line of scrimmage last week. We looked good up front on both sides of the ball. I thought our linebackers also did a good job of coming up and making plays at the point of attack. Tri-Valley is a good football team, and it will certainly be a good test and a good challenge for us. They have a dynamic quarterback, who is surrounded by a good group of skill players. And on defense, they’re going to run their 4-4 look and stack the box and dare you to throw the football over the top. So, we have to get the ball to our players out in space to give them the opportunity to make plays.” - Marian head coach Billy O’Gurek.

Pleasant Valley (0-1)

at Dieruff (1-0)

When: Saturday, Aug. 31, 7 p.m.

Instant replay

Pleasant Valley struggled to get its offense going against Governor Mifflin in the first week. A young Bears team saw playing time, but a lot has to get worked out before Week 2 against Dieruff.

Storyline of the Week

Can Pleasant Valley avenge a season-opening 35-0 loss to Governor Mifflin in Week 2 against Dieruff, the same team now-graduated Alex Ecker rushed for over 300 yards against for the Bears last year?

Coach’s Corner

“We’re prepared, we’ll be ready. Much different team than what we just faced. Spread offense, very fast and athletic, pretty typical Dieruff team. They also have athletes that we have to contend with. We’re going to have to be more physical than we were.” - Pleasant Valley head coach Blaec Saeger.

North Schuylkill (1-0)

at Tamaqua (1-0)

When: Friday, Aug. 30, 7 p.m.

Instant replay

Tamaqua turned a 7-0 deficit after one quarter into a 38-7 rout against Pen Argyl on Saturday. The Blue Raiders got 177 yards passing and one score from Luke Kane, and 147 yards rushing and a touchdown on nine carries from Victor Schlosser, who also had three catches for 78 yards. North Schuylkill is coming off a 37-30 win over Mount Carmel, a game the Spartans led 30-14 at halftime.

Storyline of the Week

Can the Raiders stay balanced? Tamaqua put up 461 yards of total offense in Week 1, second only to Jim Thorpe among area teams, The Blue Raiders got 284 yards on the ground, and 177 through the air, a mix that will bode will as the season goes on.

Coach’s Corner

“You don’t want to put too much into any one game, but obviously it’s nice to start out with a win. We put in a lot of work over the offseason, and we were fortunate enough that we were able to come out with a victory against Pen Argyl. We were pretty balanced, and I thought our first couple scores kind of showed that. We were able to hit some play-action, we were able to make some big plays in the passing game. And we played well up front, which really helped as well. North Schuylkill has been one of the better teams in the state for about the last 10 years, and we know it’s going to be a challenge, but we’re looking forward to it.” - Tamaqua head coach Sam Bonner.

Pen Argyl (0-1)

at Palmerton (0-1)

When: Friday, Aug. 30, 7 p.m.

Instant replay

Both the Bombers and Green Knights are coming off losses in Week 1. Palmerton did do some nice things in the run game with sophomore running back Caleb Sagastume rushing for 103 yards and senior quarterback Jameson Trainer rushing for 95 yards and two touchdowns. Pen Argyl running back Caiden Faust rushed for 76 yards last week in a 38-7 loss to Tamaqua.

Storyline of the Week

The Bombers will need to do a better job of not allowing explosive plays. A few times last week, Palmerton was able to get back in its game against Jim Thorpe, but the Olympians would answer with big plays, mostly through the air.

Coach’s Corner

“I liked the way we were able to establish the run last week, and I thought we did some nice things up front on the offensive line as well. We have to do a better job this week of finishing drives and not allowing big plays. That’s what hurt us last week. And if we do give up a big play, we need to put together a drive and finish that drive to answer.” - Palmerton head coach Chris Walkowiak.

Bangor (0-1)

at Lehighton (0-1)

When: Thursday, Aug. 29, 7 p.m.

Instant Replay

Lehighton jumped out to a 14-0 lead against Northern Lehigh, but the Indians couldn’t withstand the Bulldogs’ fourth-quarter rally and fell 15-14 in Week 1. Lukas Croizier ran for 66 yards, and quarterback Jayse Lawrence threw for 121 yards with a pair of touchdowns, hitting five different receivers. Bangor dropped a 16-7 decision to Saucon Valley, and Slaters’ quarterback Jason Kreider threw for 182 yards.

Storyline of the Week

The Indians will need to shake off a shocking defeat. They allowed Northern Lehigh minus four yards passing, and they will need to corral Kreider. Lehighton allowed Northern Lehigh 315 yards rushing, but they will need to keep the Slaters’ ground game around 100 yards or less.

Coach’s Corner

“Bangor is a young, inexperienced team who is hungry to get their first win. After a disappointing one-point loss, we will need to regroup and refocus. Our players and coaches need to execute with fewer mistakes to be successful. It will be a challenge, and hopefully, our team will rise to the occasion.” – Lehighton head coach Tom McCarroll.

Panther Valley (0-1)

at Schuylkill Haven (0-1)

When: Friday, Aug. 30, 7:30 p.m.

Instant Replay

Panther Valley wasted a pair of long drives in the opening half against Salisbury and couldn’t get into the end zone, suffering a 28-7 loss to Salisbury in Week 1. Quarterback Brody Breiner completed 13 of 24 passes for 96 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Breiner also was the Panthers’ leading rusher with 51 yards on 13 carries. Brady Jones caught seven balls for 64 yards. Schuylkill Haven came out on the short end of a 19-14 decision to Blue Mountain. The Hurricanes were held to 39 yards passing and 105 yards rushing.

Storyline of the Week

Can Panther Valley finish its drives and keep the momentum? The Panthers should be able to move the ball, but they have to find the end zone. Panther Valley will also need to win a physical game in a likely highly-contested battle.

Coach’s Corner

“The Salisbury game was disappointing in the fact that we had the opportunity to make plays and take momentum and we didn’t. Salisbury made plays when they had to and we did not, and that was the difference. Schuylkill Haven is a very complete team with no real weaknesses. They are big and physical across the board, both on the line as well as their skill players, and have a lot of players who have started two to three years for them. We need to play physical football, tackle well and come ready to play in order to be successful.” – Panther Valley head coach Mark Lavine.

Capsules compiles by Brad Hurley, Jeff Moeller, Kyle Magda and Patrick Matsinko.