Taking the next step.

Lehighton has a chance to do that yet again this week.

The Indians (3-5) came through with a huge win over a 6-1 Tamaqua team in Week Seven, and yet again the Tribe will have an opportunity to continue to build off that momentum as they head on the road to Fountain Springs to take on a solid North Schuylkill team in the Times News Game of the Week.

It’s safe to say that Lehighton entered its matchup with the Raiders with a different mentality. Both the Indians’ coaching staff and players simplified their approach entering the Week Seven contest, and the results spoke for themselves.

“We really dialed it back a little bit. We simplified the playbook a little bit. The point that really worked on driving home to the players was that from here on out, it’s all about working hard on every play to get better every single day,” said Lehighton Head Coach Tom McCarroll. “I think our guys saw what can happen if you bring that type of approach to practice every single day. We’re always going to diligently prepare for every opponent, but we’re also going to put a major focus on doing our stuff better. That’s going to be our mentality for the rest of the season.”

The Indians will need to bring that same approach and mentality to the table this week as they face off with a North Schuylkill team that is playing some good football. The Spartans dominated a tough Blue Mountain squad a week ago in convincing fashion with a 38-14 win over the Eagles.

The difference in that game came down to the turnover battle. North Schuylkill forced five interceptions, and was able to convert off the miscues to score points. Luke Miller has been a playmaker for the Spartans throughout the season from his running back position. Miller scored three touchdowns last week – one rushing, one receiving and one pick six – while adding 65 yards on the ground and 83 yards receiving. Dual-threat signal caller Caden Mengel threw for 161 yards and two scores, while also rushing for 48 yards.

North Schuylkill pound-for-pound boasts one of the biggest offensive line units in the Colonial-Schuylkill League, and that unit was able to out-physical an always physical front in Blue Mountain.

“North Schuylkill is a team that is playing some good football right now. Wally Hall has been there for a while now, and he does a great job putting his playmakers in positions to succeed,” said McCarroll. “Up front, they will be one of the biggest lines we will see. Southern Lehigh is a big and physical group as well, but North Schuylkill’s unit is right up there with them. They’re a team playing with confidence, so we know it will be a challenge. We will have to come to play in the trenches again this week, and play with physicality along the line of scrimmage.”

Lehighton excelled in the trenches last week on both sides of the ball. After battling to a 14-14 tie with Tamaqua, the Tribe scored 20 unanswered points and came away with the 34-14 win. Jayse Lawrence was both efficient and explosive, as he threw for 181 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed for another 82 yards and two scores. On the season, Lawrence has thrown for 973 yards and 11 touchdowns, and has rushed for 200 yards and three scores.

A key for the Indians’ offense has also been its multitude of weapons in the passing game. Lehighton has four players in Joe Roth, Blake Roberts, Caden Meek and Logan Kent that have 14 or more catches. Roth leads the way with 319 yards and four touchdowns. The Tribe have also been able to keep teams honest on the ground with tailback Lukas Crozier, who has rushed for 508 yards and three touchdowns.

“The offensive line came out and played physical, and was able to establish the line of scrimmage. We had three drives that went for 10 plays or more, so it always helps when you keep the other team’s offense off the field,” said McCarroll. “We’re going to need more of that same type of play this week. We’re going to need to keep the sticks moving. We protected the football last week, we didn’t have one turnover, which was big. Winning the turnover battle is always key. Again, we’re just focused on one play at a time. And getting better on that play.”