FOUNTAIN SPRINGS — For most of the Anthracite Football League schools, rivalry week is reserved for the final week of the regular season.
That’s not the case at North Schuylkill.
If it’s Week 7, it must be Mount Carmel week.
And for North Schuylkill, there’s no bigger rival on the gridiron.
The two neighboring Coal Region schools square off tonight at Spartan Stadium, with the Red Tornadoes posing the next test to the Spartans’ unblemished record.
North Schuylkill held a bon fire and pep rally Thursday night in preparation for the game, and a large crowd is expected tonight.
The game is being televised by WQMY TV.
The Spartans have rolled through their first six games, averaging 37.5 points per contest in victories over Tamaqua, Blue Mountain, Lehighton, Marian, Mahanoy Area and Shenandoah Valley.
Junior dual-threat quarterback Bobby Grigas (274 yards, 3 TDs rushing; 687 yards, 9 TDs passing) directs the balanced North Schuylkill offense, which features the area’s leading rusher in John Rupinski (106-841, 11 TDs) and one of the area’s top receivers in 6-foot-5 junior Tevin Murray (20-374, 5 TDs).
The Spartans’ bevy of skill position players has excelled behind a mammoth offensive line that features Dane Tarantelli (6-3, 232), Nate Gadinski (6-2, 260), Brett Budwash (5-9, 225), C.J. Steinhilber (5-11, 203) and Jordan Dziczek (6-2, 280).
Defensively, state-ranked North Schuylkill has held four of its six opponents to one score or less. The Spartans built a 42-0 halftime lead in last week’s win over Shenandoah Valley, then rested their starters for the rest of the game in a 42-7 win.
“This isn’t going to be easy,” Mount Carmel coach Carmen DeFrancesco said of his team’s chances. “It’s up to us as coaches to give the kids an offense and defense to play which will work, and it’s up to them to go out and play.”
Mount Carmel (4-2) is coming off a 55-13 beating by Southern Columbia, the second time the Red Tornadoes were mercy-ruled this season — the other being 61-6 by Selinsgrove.
The lopsided defeat left a sour taste in the mouth of DeFrancesco, who was more than a little animated this week at practice.
“We’re not playing good football, and I’ve got to figure it out,” he said. “Those teams are better than us, but are they that much better?
“We’re a veteran team. We match up well with every team we play. I know these kids have it in them.”
Mount Carmel opened with an impressive 25-22 win
over Loyalsock, and racked up three straight wins after the blowout loss to Selinsgrove, beating Lewisburg, Central Mountain and Danville by a combined score of 130-55.
The Red Tornadoes are led by tailback Blake Panko (102-538, 10 TDs), with QB Dominic Farronato completing 35-of-64 passes for 545 yards and six TDs. Wideout Treyvon White (14-252, 4 TDs) and tight end Christian Kelley (9-197, 1 TD) are his top two targets.
The Red Tornadoes won last year’s meeting 19-13 on a controversial TD catch in the final minutes. Tonight’s clash should have the same intensity and drama.
Week 7 of the high school football kicked off a night early, as Lehighton visited Panther Valley on Thursday night.
Here’s a look at this weekend’s other games involving local teams:
TONIGHT
Pottsville (0-6)
at Conrad Weiser (4-2)
Storyline: The Crimson Tide’s rigorous schedule continues with a road trip to Robesonia to play the Scouts, who have suffered back-to-back Berks League Section 1 losses to Reading (20-13) and Exeter (24-23) after a 4-0 start. Pottsville must establish the running game to be successful. Junior Hunter Futchko had a big game last week in loss to Governor Mifflin.
Last year: Conrad Weiser 29-0
Schuylkill Haven (3-3)
at Marian (3-3)
Storyline: The Hurricanes and Colts clash in an Anthracite Football League contest with heavy District 11 Class A playoff implications. The defending district champion Hurricanes need a victory to keep their playoff hopes alive, while Marian is looking to end a three-game losing streak. Haven’s three wins have come against teams with a combined record of 3-15.
Last year: Schuylkill Haven 30-6
Blue Mountain (4-2)
at Minersville (1-5)
Storyline: The Eagles and Miners meet for the first time since 1997, resuming a series that was played every year from 1959-97. Blue Mountain has recorded back-to-back victories and has gained momentum to make a strong second-half playoff push. The Miners have shown signs of improvement, but must be physical on both sides of the ball to be competitive with Eagles.
Last meeting: 1997, score unavailable
Jim Thorpe (6-0)
at Mahanoy Area (3-3)
Storyline: Olympians look to stay unbeaten when they travel to Mahanoy City to face the Bears, who have lost two straight. Jim Thorpe can’t afford to look ahead to next week’s clash with North Schuylkill, as the Bears have the talent to pull off the upset. A Mahanoy Area greatly enhances their District 11 Class A playoff hopes.
Last year: Jim Thorpe 26-0
Tamaqua (4-2) at
Shenandoah Valley (0-6)
Storyline: Tamaqua looks to extend its win streak to four straight when it faces the winless Devils. The Raiders’ 1-2 punch of Collin Moyer and Tyler Skripko have combined for 1,168 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns. Shenandoah Valley attempted just one pass last week.
Last year: Tamaqua 38-15
Williams Valley (3-3)
at Pine Grove (3-3)
Storyline: This game was a showdown of Tri-Valley League unbeatens a year ago, and lived up to its hype in an intense Cards win. This year, both clubs are looking to rebound from tough losses and keep their TVL title hopes and postseason chances alive. Both teams possess potent offenses, but have struggled to stop the run defensively, especially in the second half of games. A game where the least amount of mistakes will decide the winner.
Last year: Pine Grove 14-6
Tri-Valley (3-3)
at Halifax (1-5)
Storyline: Bulldogs may have salvaged their season with last week’s upset of previously unbeaten Juniata, and find themselves back in contention for a District 11 playoff spot. Tri-Valley, however, can’t overlook Halifax, which has been competitive despite its 1-5 record. Getting QB Hunter Harner in space is key to the Tri-Valley offense’s success.
Last year: Tri-Valley 46-16
Line Mountain (2-4)
at Upper Dauphin (4-2)
Storyline: Upper Dauphin finds itself in position to claim the Tri-Valley League crown, but needs a win over the Eagles to stay in the title hunt. RB Cameron Fornwald has rushed for more than 100 yards in all four of the Trojans’ wins, so establishing the running game will be key for UDA.
Last year: Upper Dauphin 27-0
Shikellamy (4-2)
at Shamokin (3-3)
Storyline: The Indians host the Braves in a contest that should provide a gauge on how competitive the Indians will be in the District 4 Class AAA playoffs. Both Shikellamy and Shamokin have lost to top-seeded Jersey Shore and No. 2 Selinsgrove. The Braves enter on a three-game win streak, beating Mifflinburg, Montoursville and Central Mountain.
Last year: Shikellamy 28-0
Carson Long (0-4)
at Nativity (2-4)
Storyline: Nothing went right last week for the Green Wave, who were roughed up in a non-league game at Schuylkill Haven. Things should go much easier this week in an All-American Conference contest against Carson Long, which has allowed 197 points in four games and scored just 34. Expect big games from Nativity QB Dominic Piccioni and WR Jeff Yordy.
Last year: Nativity 33-13
SATURDAY
Hamburg (1-5)
at Berks Catholic (6-0)
Storyline: The Hawks gave up a ton of yards on the ground in last week’s loss to a Twin Valley squad that had lost 26 straight games. Things won’t get easier this week, as the unbeaten Saints average 46.3 points per game and haven’t scored fewer than 42 in a game this season.
Last year: Berks Catholic 34-13