Week 8 features a pair of matchups featuring area teams as Jim Thorpe visits unbeaten Northwestern, and Tamaqua makes the trip to Lehighton.

Jim Thorpe (2-5)

at Northwestern (7-0)

When: Friday, Oct. 11, 7 p.m.

Instant Replay

Northwestern continued its dominant season, shutting out Pottsville last week to stay unbeaten, while Jim Thorpe was able to stop its five-game skid with a 39-0 win over Catasauqua. The Tigers once again showed how good they are in all phases, rushing for 244 yards and coming through with 400 total yards against the Tide, while giving up just 24 rushing yards and 111 total yards. On the season, the Tigers are giving up just 5.1 points per game. Eli Zimmerman rushed for 163 yards on just 12 carries, with three touchdowns. Zimmerman has 995 yards rushing on just 70 carries, and is averaging nearly 15 yards per rush. Thorpe was able to get the ball out in space to its athletes last week, which is when the Olympians are at their best. Cole Lazorick threw for 205 yards and four touchdowns with just one incompletion. Justin Yescavage set the JT all-time receptions record two weeks ago, and this week he surpassed the receiving yards record after he finished the game with five catches for 88 yards and two touchdowns.

Storyline of the Week

Nothwestern has been able to beat every team its encountered in a multitude of ways, and both its offensive and defensive fronts in the trenches have been dominant. The Olympians have struggled this season against teams that are physical in the trenches.

Coach’s Corner

“I was really proud of the defensive effort last week. Shutting out a team like Pottsville with some really good athletes on the back end was a good showing. We know they lost their top runner early in the game, but we were able to get pressure on their quarterback throughout the game to keep them off balance. Jim Thorpe is a team we’re very familiar with. We scrimmaged them for many years before they bumped up to our division. They’re a well-coached team and they have some good athletes. Their quarterback has been dinged up a little bit this season, but he looked good last week and seems to be getting healthier. We know they’re going to be coming in with some confidence after a win last week, but we’re looking forward to competing and also honoring our seniors in our last home game of the season.” - Northwestern head coach Josh Snyder.

“Northwestern is a tremendous football team that is really good in all three phases. Zimmerman is an electric player and he makes them go, so we have to do our best to try and limit his explosive plays. Limiting big plays in general is going to be a big focus for us. We have to try and find a way to sustain long drives and grind some of the clock as well. We have also been impressed with the way they play up front. They play physical, and they play with high energy. You can tell they give 100 percent on each and every play. We have to match that effort. I think we made some positive strides last week, especially on the defensive end.” - Jim Thorpe head coach Mark Rosenberger.

Tamaqua (6-1)

at Lehighton (2-5)

When: Friday, Oct. 11, 7 p.m.

Instant Replay

Tamaqua suffered its first loss of the season, a 43-7 defeat to Southern Lehigh, last week. The Spartans struck on the game’s first play, an 87-yard touchdown pass, and added an interception to march out to a 19-0 first-quarter lead, and 29-0 halftime advantage. Tamaqua’s backfield tandem of Bradley Whalen and Tyler Koch were held to a combined eight yards rushing in the opening half. Blue Raiders’ quarterback Luke Kane ran for 96 yards - one a 49-yard score – and has completed 55 of 97 attempts for 799 yards with eight touchdowns and five interceptions for the season. Whalen has rushed for 629 yards with four touchdowns. Lehighton is looking to snap a three-game losing streak, its latest a 55-14 loss to Blue Mountain. The Tribe had an interception on their opening drive, and couldn’t get on track the rest of the game. On the other hand, Blue Mountain accumulated 438 total yards, 248 yards running the ball. Lehighton quarterback Jayse Lawrence, who threw a touchdown pass last week, has completed 69 of 118 attempts for 793 yards with nine touchdowns and six interceptions. Lukas Croizier leads the team in rushing with 444 yards and three touchdowns.

Storyline of the Week

Both teams need to avoid early turnovers, and will look to take control of the game on the ground.

Coach’s Corner

“Last week, we obviously had a bad start. We emphasized not giving up the big play, sustaining drives and not turning the ball over. Unfortunately, we did the opposite in the first quarter. We can’t afford to have that kind of start against a very good team. Lehighton is big up front with an athletic quarterback. We have to make sure we are responsible with individual assignments on every play; a few missed assignments cost us big this past week.” – Tamaqua head coach Sam Bonner.

“Against Blue Mountain, we threw an interception on the first play and never recovered. We need to learn how to bounce back from adversity. We also didn’t do a very good job of taking what we did in practice and carry it over to the game. I take responsibility for that and need to do a better job. For Tamaqua, we need to do an overall better job of executing our game plan. The kids work hard during the week and seem to play tight when the game comes around. If we don’t play fast, physical and focused, Tamaqua will take advantage of that. They are well coached, so we need to eliminate our mistakes.” – Lehighton head coach Tom McCarroll.

Salisbury (3-4)

at Palmerton (2-5)

When: Friday, Oct. 11, 7 p.m.

Instant Replay

Palmerton and Salisbury enter this match-up on two different trajectories. The Bombers have won two in a row, and have done so coming through with some explosive plays in the running game, and by utilizing a solid passing attack to complement the run. Palmerton QB Jameson Trainer has put up some big numbers over the past two weeks. Last week, in a win over Palisades, Trainer ran for 268 yards and three touchdowns, while throwing for 135 yards and two scores. Over the past two weeks, Trainer has rushed for 470 yards and four touchdowns, and has thrown for 333 yards and five scores, an average of 401.5 total yards per game over his last two games. Salisbury is coming into this contest on a three-game losing streak. The Falcons have struggled to score points during that span, averaging just 5.6 points per game. Salisbury has been at its best when it’s been able to run the football with lead back Jason St. Leger, who leads the team with 396 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.

Storyline of the Week

The Bombers’ key to their success over the past two weeks has been their ability to move people off the ball up front, which has helped them generate big plays with their rushing attack, specifically their quarterback run game. Palmerton still has had some turnover issues, which it will need to limit against a Salisbury team that can also be explosive at times in the run game.

Coach’s Corner

“If the run game is working well, you always need to give credit to the guys up front. That group has really improved, and is starting to come into their own. We have also been healthier there over the last few weeks, and that has made a difference as well. Jameson has also been doing a great job of making people miss, but also running physical and inflicting contact. Other guys have stepped up as well, and are making plays for us in Cale Young and Vincent Taglieri. Salisbury is a team with some very skilled athletes. They like to run the football with St. Leger, but they also have some players on the outside that can make plays with the ball in their hands. Limiting their explosive plays is definitely a big key for us in the game.” — Palmerton head coach Chris Walkowiak.

Northern Lehigh (5-2)

at Catasauqua (3-4)

When: Friday, Oct. 11, 7 p.m.

Instant Replay

Balance was once again the key to Northern Lehigh’s success last week, as it got back on track with a win over Wilson. Catasauqua enters this matchup losers of four straight, and has recently struggled to put points on the board, averaging just seven points per game over its last three games. Garrett Smoyer completed 8-of-17 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns, while Grady Newhard carried the ball 12 times for 105 yards. The Bulldogs’ defense was also impressive in their win over the Warriors, holding them to just 32 total yards in the first half.

Storyline of the Week

The Bulldogs have been at their best when they have been balanced on the offensive end. Catasauqua struggled to stop Jim Thorpe’s passing attack last week in a 39-0 loss, surrendering four passing touchdowns.

Coach’s Corner

“We were very happy with our balance last week. That’s the type of offense we want to be. We want to be able to throw it, and Garrett has done a great job at quarterback for us this season, but we also want to be able to line up in double tight and Power-I and grind on teams as well. I was also happy with our defensive effort last week. Our first team defense didn’t give up a point. This week, again, it will be about being balanced on offense, but it will also be about playing disciplined defense. Catasauqua is going to give you various different reads on offense, so you just need to follow your assignment and your rules. They’re going to look to run the football and get the ball out quick in the passing game, so we definitely need to be disciplined and play good fundamental football.” — Northern Lehigh head coach Joe Tout.

Panther Valley (1-6)

at Shenandoah Valley (0-7)

When: Friday, Oct. 11, 7 p.m.

Instant Replay

Panther Valley couldn’t stop Williams Valley quarterback Brady Shomper, who accounted for four touchdowns overall – two apiece throwing and rushing – and 348 total yards in its 47-0 rout over the Panthers last week. Brennan Kunkel and Ben Baneravage both again will share quarterback duties for injured Brody Breiner, who is lost for the season due to injury. The duo accounted for 64 yards passing, and the Panthers had 163 yards of total offense. Shenandoah Valley suffered a 42-0 loss to Tri-Valley, which ran for 304 yards. The Blue Devils managed 148 yards of total offense, and have been shutout three times this season. Overall, Shenandoah Valley has scored 71 points in seven games.

Storyline of the Week

Panther Valley will need to get its run game going, and avoid allowing the big plays on defense. The Panthers need to take control early and finish drives.

Coach’s Corner

“We actually did some positive things Friday against Williams Valley, but gave up too many big plays and fast scores to stay with them. Shenandoah is an improving team with a nice running back and an aggressive defense. We need to get our run game going, and sustain drives and get into the end zone. We have had too many drives this year when we moved the ball, but they stalled out in the red zone. On defense, we need to tackle well and play team defense and create turnovers. We talked to our guys after a rough three-game stretch, and we want to finish the season strong and get better each week.” – Panther Valley head coach Mark Lavine.

Pleasant Valley (0-7)

at Pocono Mtn. East (0-7)

When: Friday, Oct. 11, 7 p.m.

Instant Replay

Pleasant Valley lost a close game at home to East Stroudsburg North, 21-20, in Week 7. The Bears will now prepare for the Old Oaken Bucket game against Pocono Mountain East. Pleasant Valley and PM East are both winless up to this point, and a victory for either team can be the bright spot of the season. Pleasant Valley defeated Pocono Mountain East last season to retain the Old Oaken Bucket.

Storyline of the Week

Can the Bears prevail over Eastern Pennsylvania Conference rival Pocono Mountain East for the first win of the season in the Old Oaken Bucket game?

Coach’s Corner

“It was a very heartbreaking loss to say the least in a game we could’ve had. I give credit to East Stroudsburg North They made the plays when they had to and that big drive at the end. Things didn’t go our way, and that’s how the season has been going. It is Bucket week, so it does make it a little easier to bounce back.” - Pleasant Valley head coach Blaec Saeger.

Capsules compiled by Brad Hurley, Jeff Moeller and Kyle Magda.