Here’s a look at all of the Week 4 matchups in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference as league plays opens this weekend. The first team to put their unbeaten record on the line is the Parkland Trojans, who play Pleasant Valley tonight.
All games are 7 p.m. starts unless noted.
Thursday’s game
Pleasant Valley (1-2) at Parkland (3-0)
The storylines: The Bears are coming off a tough performance against Exeter, a 42-0 loss in which they were outgained 310-39. Meanwhile, the Trojans are coming off their best offensive showing of the year. After being limited to a combined 37 points in their first two games, they scored 38 against Northampton as quarterback Finn Coen had his best game with over 100 yards rushing. This figures to be a mismatch as long as the Trojans avoid looking ahead to next week’s showdown vs. Nazareth.
Players to watch: Parkland’s hard-hitting defense is led by Liam Spang, who has 24 tackles in three games including two for losses. Blake Nassry has 15 tackles and three interceptions and Nassim Adams and Jackson Geroulo have one pick apeice. The Trohans have eight takeaways and are plus-4 in turnover ratio.
Keith Groller’s pick: Parkland 42-0
Friday’s games
Allen (3-0) at East Stroudsburg South (3-0)
The storylines: The Canaries are 3-0 for the first time since 2002 and looking to clinch their first 4-win season since 2005, while the Cavaliers are off to their worst start in at least 20 years. One of Allen’s wins came by forfeit and the schedule stiffens from here. South’s three losses are against teams that are a combined 7-2, and the biggest issue with South is the number of injuries, especially to two-way players.
Players to watch: Allen’s junior quarterback Julian Pagan has 177 yards rushing and 153 passing. South’s Gianni Gonnella is fifth in the league in rushing with 418 yards and an average of 7.9 yards per carry.
Keith Groller’s pick: East Stroudsburg South 34-19
Allentown Central Catholic (1-2) at Pocono Mt. East (3-0)
The storylines: The Cardinals have been one of the biggest surprises in the EPC through the first three weeks. They are coming off a 45-0 rout of Scranton behind a 285-yard, 4-TD passing performance by Ceejay Serfass and an 8-catch, 137-yard receiving night by Justin Williams. The Vikings did a lot of good things on offense against Freedom, highlighted by a 216-yard passing performance by Patrick Cahill that included three TD passes – two to Di’Quawn Leak.
Players to watch: Central’s Tahir Edmondson has emerged as a big-play threat for the Vikings. He has 13 catches for 172 yards and. Tate Shoemaker, Harry Restino and Nathan Bringuez all have inteceptions for the ACCHS defense. Leak has five catches for 120 yards and a pair of TDs. East’s Williams is the EPC’s leading receiver in total catches (20), yards (476) and average yards per catch (23.8).
Keith Groller’s pick: ACCHS 27-21
East Stroudsburg North (0-3) at Dieruff (0-3)
The storylines: This could be the best chance for either team to get a win. Both teams have struggled offensively with the Huskies tallying just 34 points and the Timberwolves tallying a mere 15. Dieruff is on a 9-game losing streak since winning, 20-14, at North last season. As usual, Husky coach Dave Lutte has had to deal with issues off the field as the practice situation for his team continues to be frustrating. On Tuesday night, he put on social media: “Another practice another bus no show … sent 30 players home … 4/5 practices with late or no bus. When does it end? Where is the equity? When will Dieruff be treated fairly?”
Players to watch: Three North players — Justice Edwards, Nick Tuzzio and Jeremiah Pierre — are all among the top tacklers in the EPC led by Edwards’ 27 stops. Dieruff’s defense is led by Yahveh Rosario and Alphy Deris, who have combined for 45 tackles.
Keith Groller’s pick: Dieruff 18-14
Nazareth (3-0) at Freedom (1-2)
The storylines: Renewal of one of the EPC’s great rivalries. They are 11-11 in their last 22 meetings. The winning team has scored a minimum of 31 points in 11 of the last 12 meetings, including Freedom’s 38-10 win last year. This one could have a huge bearing on the 6A tournament seedings and who gets quarterfinal and semifinal-round home games. But at the moment, the Patriots, coming off a much-needed win at ACCHS, are more concered about just getting in.
Players to watch: Freedom’s Lashawn Johnson is coming off a 210-yard rushing effort at Central Catholic, but perhaps just as impressive was Michael Stofanak’s 9-for-11 passing night for 139 yards. The key to this team is up front where Daniel Schiffert, Izyias DeJesus, Ky Moore, Jaylen and Aaron James create openings and protection. Auburn commit Peyton Falzone leads the EPC in passing with 833 yards and has added 174 on the ground. Nazareth has three of the EPC’s top 11 receivers led by Tanner Zelachowski’s 13 receptions.
Keith Groller’s pick: Nazareth 31-24
Liberty (2-1) at Northampton (2-1)
The storylines: The Hurricanes are back on track offensively after putting up a combined total of 87 points in wins over ACCHS and Stroudsburg. The aerial combo of Antonio Fontanez and Jake Pukszyn produced six completions for 159 yards and five scores last week. Still of concern for Liberty is the defense that gave up 363 yards, 208 on the ground. Northampton coming off a good offensive showing at Parkland. Gavin Taff threw for 146 yards and two TDs. Last year’s game was surprisingly low-scoring, a 16-7 Liberty win.
Players to watch: Fontanez has thrown for a league-high 10 touchdowns. Zyaire Davis and Pukszyn have combined for 26 receptions for 493 yards and nine scores. The ‘Canes defense is led by senior linebacker JJ Pujals, who has 24 tackles in three games, including six for losses. The Konkrete Kids are led on the ground by sophomore Chase Kessler, who has 203 yards on 28 carries.
Keith Groller’s pick: Liberty 24-20
Pocono Mountain West (3-0) at Whitehall (2-1)
The storylines: Both teams were impressive last week. The Panthers blanked Dieruff 28-0 and the Zephyrs exploded for 62 points in a win over East Stroudsburg South on Saquon Barkley’s return to his alma mater. The game would figure to be more important to West because they will have to scratch and claw for a District 11 6A playoff berth while the Zephys are locked in as one of the four teams in 5A. Whitehall pulled away to a 41-6 win over West last year.
Players to watch: The Zephs’ Jeziah Gregory is tied for second in the EPC in rushing with 432 yards and eight TDs. Tanner Dogmanits is fifth in the league in passing with 515 yards and six scores with his brother Talon has nine receptions for 229 yards and four scores. The Panthers are led by Christian Stiehler, who has run for 384 yards and five TDs.
Keith Groller’s pick: Whitehall 30-21
Stroudsburg (1-2) at Emmaus (1-2)
The storylines: While it’s just the start of league play, this one could have large bearing on the back of the District 11 6A playoff race. The Green Hornets got their first win of the season last week at Reading, getting 135 yards rushing on six carries by quarterback Jerek Cooper. Jay Santos ran for 77 yards and three TDs. They would like to keep the momentum going against a Mounties team that surrendered 462 yards against Liberty. Stroudsburg has allowed a combined 97 points in its last two games.
Players to watch: Santos and Cooper have combined for 558 yards rushing. The Green Hornets’ Robert Edwards III is one of the top tacklers in the EPC with 21 stops, including four for loss. Stroudsburg’s Jackson Mitchell is fourth in the league in passing with 531 yards and five touchdowns. The Mounties’ Keegan Munch has 14 receptions for 225 yards, an average of 16.1 yards per catch.
Keith Groller’s pick: Emmaus 42-31
Saturday’s game
Easton (3-0) at Bethlehem Catholic (3-0)
The storylines: Arguably the marquee matchup of the weekend has Easton going to BASD Stadium in a battle of unbeatens. The Red Rovers ended a seven-game losing streak with Becahi last year when Easton won 28-7 at Cottingham Stadium. Because Easton has played three non-EPC teams, this one offers a good gauge of where they are at. It’s also an opportunity for new coach Joe Bernard to showcase how much progress the Golden Hawks have made.
Players to watch: It’s a great matchup of talented senior quarterbacks. Easton QB Cole Ordway leads the league in rushing with 528 yards and nine scores. He is averaging 12.6 yards per carry. Becahi’s Cayden Vassa is No. 2 in the EPC in rushing with 432 yards, an average of 16.6 yards per carry. Both teams have talented running backs with the name of Martinez. Easton’s Chris Martinez has rushed for 345 yards, while Becahi’s Justin Martinez has run for 279 yards and four scores.
Keith Groller’s pick: Easton 28-24
Note: Keith Groller’s picks were 11-1 last week, 27-13 on the season.
https://www.mcall.com/2025/09/11/lehigh-valley-high-school-football-epc-week-4-predictions/
