After Saturday night’s Bethlehem Catholic game at Allentown Central Catholic game, the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference football season will be exactly at the midway point.
And, at that point, attention generally turns to the races for division titles and District 11 playoff berths.
Since all 11 teams in Class 6A and all four in 5A are EPC members, the league is guaranteed at least 12 playoff entrants — eight in 6A and four in 5A.
Becahi and ACCHS are in good position to secure two of the eight spots in Class 4A, while East Stroudsburg North, the EPC’s only winless team, has some work to do to get in the 4A mix.
League games began last week. The Northampton County division’s six teams played each other, while the Lehigh County teams played Monroe County opponents, with Lehigh County winning five of the six games. This week, the Lehigh County teams are matched up with Northampton County members, and the Monroe County squads play each other.
Here’s a look at the nine matchups (all games are 7 p.m. starts):
Thursday’s game
Poc. Mt. West (3-1, 0-1 EPC) at E.S. North (0-4, 0-1)
The storylines: The Panthers are trying to bounce back from their first loss of the season — a 45-13 defeat at Whitehall. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves are trying to win for the first time since beating Pocono Mountain East in Week 8 last season. North won last year’s meeting, 22-18, running for 241 yards, including a pair of TDs by Wayne King.
Players to watch: West sophomore Christian Stiehler has become a force on both sides of the ball and is on his way to an all-league selection with nearly 500 yards rushing and 32 tackles. Panthers senior Brady Behr is fourth in the EPC in receiving and also has two interceptions on defense. North’s Justice Edwards and Nick Tuzzio have combined for 57 tackles.
Keith Groller’s pick: Pocono Mountain West 34-14
Friday’s games
Pleasant Valley (1-3, 0-1 EPC) at E.S. South (1-3, 1-0)
The storylines: The Bears and Cavaliers may have the same overall record, but may be headed in different directions. PV is coming off a one-sided loss at Parkland in a game the Bears trailed 28-0 at halftime. South is coming off its first win of the season, using a strong second half to pull away from Allen. South won last year’s meeting 54-14.
Players to watch: Cavs senior Gianni Gonnella is fourth in the league in rushing with 529 yards, averaging 7.5 per carry. PV’s Chris Ward is averaging 8.8 yards per carry and has scored five TDs.
Keith Groller’s pick: E.S. South 33-16
Emmaus (2-2, 1-0 EPC) at Easton (4-0, 1-0)
The storylines: The Green Hornets have won two in a row after an 0-2 start and have scored a combined 89 points in those wins after tallying just 14 in the early losses to Neshaminy and Becahi. The Red Rovers made a statement with a furious rushing attack in their win over Bethlehem Catholic, and Red Rovers quarterback Cole Ordway has put himself in the player of the year conversation. These two played two compelling games last season, with Emmaus winning in the District 11 6A semis.
Players to watch: While the Emmaus passing attack has yet to take flight, Jay Santos and Jerek Cooper have combined for 840 yards rushing. Ordway is the top rusher and scorer in the EPC with 625 yards on the ground and 11 touchdowns.
Keith Groller’s pick: Easton 28-14
Dieruff (1-3, 1-0) at Liberty (3-1, 1-0)
The storylines: The Huskies used a solid second half to beat East Stroudsburg North and snap a nine-game losing streak. The Hurricanes have won three straight since their season-opening loss to Pennridge and continue to be one of the most explosive teams in the EPC with an average of 37.3 points per game.
Players to watch: Dieruff’s defense is getting a lot of work from Alphy Deris, Yahveh Rosario and Kory Byrd. Liberty’s offense is fueled by quarterback Antonio Fontanez, who has thrown for 1,022 yards and a league-high 15 TDs. Zyaire Davis, Jake Pukszyn and Jaxon Barlok are among the top 12 receivers in the EPC in catches.
Keith Groller’s pick: Liberty 45-13
Parkland (4-0, 1-0) at Nazareth (4-0, 1-0)
The storylines: It’s the game of the weekend and possibly the game of the year in the EPC. It’s a battle of the two teams that have won the last three District 11 6A titles and have a tendency to play memorable games — remember those two classics in 2023? It’s the No. 1 defense (Parkland) against the No. 1 offense (Nazareth). Of course, the injury to Nazareth quarterback Peyton Falzone will have a huge impact, but the Blue Eagles will rally around sophomore QB Cooper Madson.
Players to watch: Marquez Wimberly, who began his career at Parkland, has had a superb senior season so far at Nazareth. He is not only one of the area’s top running backs with 496 yards and seven TDs, but also a playmaker on defense from his safety position. The Trojans also have their share of playmakers on both sides of the ball in Blake Nassry, Nassim Adams and TJ Lawrence; quarterback Finn Coen, a junior, continues to make progress.
Keith Groller’s pick: Parkland 28-21
Whitehall (3-1, 1-0 EPC) at Northampton (2-2, 0-1)
The storylines: The Cement Bowl rivalry is intense, and both teams are capable of lighting up the scoreboard. The Zephyrs are averaging 44.5 points per game, second only to Nazareth in the EPC, and the Konkrete Kids are averaging 32.3, which is sixth best. Northampton rolled to a 41-10 win last year, but Whitehall appears to be much improved with the addition of running back Jeziah Gregory, who will be able to play despite some apparent infractions in last week’s game vs. West.
Players to watch: Whitehall quarterback Tanner Dogmanits has developed into one of the league’s best quarterbacks as a junior. One year after throwing 10 interceptions and just eight TD passes, he has thrown for 10 scores and had just two passes picked off. Northampton sophomore Chase Kessler is averaging 6.5 yards per carry and has scored six TDs.
Keith Groller’s pick: Northampton 35-27
Stroudsburg (1-3, 0-1 EPC) at Pocono Mt. East (3-1, 0-1)
The storylines: This one has much more urgency for the Mounties, who need wins to get into the District 11 6A bracket, while East’s 5A spot is already secured. The Mounties have had struggles on defense. They have allowed 38 points per game, the most in the EPC. East will try to bounce back after suffering its first loss of the season, 30-3 to ACCHS.
Players to watch: Stroudsburg junior quarterback Jackson Mitchell has thrown for 705 yards and six touchdowns and has yet to throw an interception in 79 attempts. The Cardinals’ Ceejay Serfass has thrown for 905 yards and eight scores, but was held to 137 yards in the air by Central.
Keith Groller’s pick: Stroudsburg 28-16
Freedom (1-3, 0-1 EPC) at Allen (3-1, 0-1)
The storylines: Both teams are looking to bounce back after disappointing outcomes last week. The Patriots were simply overpowered by Nazareth, while Allen couldn’t hold up in the second half at East Stroudsburg South. Freedom’s record doesn’t look good, but the three opponents the Patriots have lost to are a combined 10-2. Freedom continues to be plagued by penalties: 35 flags for 297 yards in four games.
Players to watch: The Patriots’ Lashawn Johnson ran for 166 yards on 27 carries and is averaging 6.2 yards per carry. Allen got 216 yards passing from Julian Pagan in its loss at South, but was hurt by four interceptions and five turnovers overall. TeShon Gaynair had four catches for 47 yards on offense and a pair of sacks on defense.
Keith Groller’s pick: Freedom 49-12
Saturday’s game
Bethlehem Catholic (3-1, 0-1 EPC) at Allentown CCHS (2-2, 1-0)
The storylines: Both teams appear to be on the uptick under their first-year coaches, but want to make a statement in the annual “Holy War” which could play a big role in who gets better seeding in Class 4A. The Golden Hawks were overpowered on the ground by Easton last week and will look to tighten it up defensively. ACCHS was overpowered in losses to Liberty and Freedom, but built some confidence with a win at Pocono Mountain East.
Players to watch: Becahi quarterback Cayden Vassa, who said on social media that he has received a scholarship offer from Lehigh, will lead the Golden Hawks, while Patrick Cahill, the son of Lehigh coach Kevin Cahill, will trigger the Vikings’ attack. ACCHS will try to run the ball with an attack headed by Tate Shoemaker and Deon Johnson, who combined for 193 yards at Pocono Mountain East.
Keith Groller’s pick: Becahi 31-21
Note: Keith Groller’s picks were 9-0 last week and are 36-13 this season.
