SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — The calendar might read mid-October, and it’s only Week 7 of the high school football season. But for Marian and Schuylkill Haven, the postseason begins tonight.
The Colts and Hurricanes clash tonight at Rotary Field in an Anthracite Football League clash filled with District 11 Class A playoff implications.
Schuylkill Haven (4-2) and Marian (3-3) currently sit third and fourth in the Class A rankings behind Tri-Valley (5-1) and Mahanoy Area (4-2), with Williams Valley (2-4) and Shenandoah Valley (2-4) also still in contention.
Both the Hurricanes and Colts have tough games remaining on their schedule, so tonight’s contest could go a long way toward which team ends up making the four-team playoff field.
“This is a playoff game,” Schuylkill Haven coach Mike Farr said. “Win and you lock in a spot. Lose and you open the door.”
For Marian, a win tonight would end a three-game losing streak and bring Marian coach Stan Dakosty his 300th career victory.
The Colts opened the season 3-0 with wins over Williams Valley, Panther Valley and Minersville, but have lost to North Schuylkill, Blue Mountain and Lehighton in consecutive weeks.
Marian should benefit from the return of leading rusher K.J. Snerr (79-439, 5 TDs), who suffered a leg injury in Week 5 and didn’t play in last Friday’s loss to Lehighton.
The Colts have a balanced attack, with quarterback Ethan Kuczynski (47-for-87, 693 yards, 9 TDs) among the area leaders in passing yardage. Senior flanker Aaron DeAngelo leads the area in receiving with 25 catches for 481 yards and six scores.
The Colts still have games remaining with Mahanoy Area, Shenandoah Valley and Tamaqua.
“We are in a four-game playoff situation,” Dakosty said. “We have little, if any, margin for error.”
The Colts have won three of the last four meetings with Schuylkill Haven and holds a 10-8 series lead. Marian beat the Hurricanes 40-17 last year in a game that ultimately cost Haven an Eastern Conference playoff spot.
The Hurricanes are among the top rushing teams in the area, averaging 264 yards per game behind a three-man attack of tailback Nick Kerschner (65-451, 7 TDs), wingback Preston Gehring (51-251, 4 TDs) and quarterback Danny Lozada (59-476, 5 TDs).
Haven still has games remaining with Minersville, North Schuylkill and Blue Mountain.
“As a team, I think we are ahead of schedule based on the plan we put in place,” Farr said. “Our young players are playing well and our leaders are doing a good job keeping us grounded.”
Here’s a look at this weekend’s other games involving local teams. Panther Valley and Lehighton played Thursday night:
Tonight’s games
Conrad Weiser (4-2)
at Pottsville (0-6)
Players to Watch: Conrad Weiser — RB Koran Jordan; Pottsville — WR Kory Kleckner
Storyline: The Crimson Tide are still struggling offensively as they try to end a 17-game losing streak. Weiser has allowed 30-plus points in four of six games, but has scored 200 points. Jordan has rushed for 776 yards and 11 TDs.
Last year: Weiser 38-7
Minersville (0-6)
at Blue Mountain (5-1)
Players to Watch: Minersville — QB Jon McBreen; Blue Mountain — RB/LB Lucas Forbes
Storyline: The Miners went back to McBreen, their 2014 starter, at QB last week in place of struggling Kei’dre Taylor. They’ll need to play a perfect game to find success against the Eagles, who possess one of the most physical defenses in the AFL.
Last year: Blue Mtn. 47-0
Mahanoy Area (4-2)
at Jim Thorpe (6-0)
Players to Watch: Mahanoy Area — QB Mason
Ryan; Jim Thorpe — RB Robert Heller
Storyline: A battle of the two best running attacks in the Anthracite Football League has serious league and district playoff implications. The status of Ryan,
who was injured in last week’s loss to Blue Mountain, is unclear. Whether or not he plays will have a big impact on the outcome.
Last year: Jim Thorpe 29-22
Shenandoah Valley (2-4)
at Tamaqua (3-3)
Players to Watch: Shenandoah Valley — RB Jeremy Urbanavage; Tamaqua — FB/LB Kyle Oliphant
Storyline: The Blue Devils have played better in the past couple of weeks, but still have a hard time stopping the run. The Blue Raiders love to run it, and could control the game on the ground behind RB Bud Moyer.
Last year: Tamaqua 47-0
North Schuylkill (3-3)
at Mount Carmel (3-3)
Players to Watch: North Schuylkill — RB/LB Major Jordan; Mount Carmel — QB Tommy McDonald
Storyline: The Spartans unveiled a new-look offense last week with Richie Zahodnick at quarterback and Jordan as the main ballcarrier. Can North Schuylkill have the same success against the Tornadoes? Mount Carmel may need to find some offense if RB Kyle Karycki can’t go.
Last year: North Schuylkill 53-21
Pine Grove (0-6)
at Williams Valley (2-4)
Players to Watch: Pine Grove — WR Austin Luckenbill; Williams Valley — WR Jake Wolfgang
Storyline: The Vikings try to bounce back from last Friday’s heartbreaking non-league loss to Northern Lebanon. The Vikes’ passing game, with Nick Rodichok throwing to Wolfgang and Allen Hand, has been explosive.
Last year: Williams Valley 27-13
Halifax (1-5)
at Tri-Valley (5-1)
Players to Watch: Halifax — QB Mason Erdman; Tri-Valley — QB/DB Jaden Buchanan
Storyline: The Dawgs need to avoid a letdown after last Friday’s big TVL win over Juniata. This was the game last year Buchanan swiped five passes.
Last year: Tri-Valley 41-14
Upper Dauphin (3-3)
at Line Mountain (1-5)
Players to Watch: Upper Dauphin — QB Aaron Cleveland; Line Mountain — RB Brent Osman
Storyline: The Trojans still have life in the District 3 Class A playoffs, but need a win tonight to keep the momentum going. Containing the Eagles’ running game will be a major focus point defensively.
Last year: Line Mountain 14-7
Berks Catholic (6-0)
at Hamburg (4-2)
Players to Watch: Berks Catholic — RB Isaac Lutz; Hamburg — QB Nick Kuhn
Storyline: The Hawks actually made this a game last year with a big second half, and need to ride the confidence gained in that contest into tonight’s key Berks League Section 2 game. Berks Catholic has outscored its six opponents 290-62.
Last year: Berks Catholic 41-34
Shamokin (2-4)
at Shikellamy (2-4)
Players to Watch: Shamokin — WR Devin Pietkiewicz; Shikellamy — QB Christian Schlegel
Storyline: Indians look to bounce back from last week’s loss to Jersey Shore. Matchup is key in District 4 Class AAA playoff race.
Last year: Shamokin 27-13
Saturday’s game
Nativity (0-6)
at Carson Long (0-3)
Storyline: It’s a tough year for the Green Wave, who were blown out last week by Schuylkill Haven. This is a chance for Nativity to end its skid.
Last year: Nativity 42-6
Game Preview
Marian (3-3)
at Schuylkill Haven (4-2)
Players to Watch: Marian — RB K.J. Snerr; Schuylkill Haven — QB Danny Lozada
Storyline: Colts and Hurricanes tangle in game with major District 11 Class A playoff implications. Marian gets Snerr back from injury. Haven needs Lozada to have big night.
Last year: Marian 40-17