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Lehigh Valley Power Rankings - Week 5

RoverNation05

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Aug 22, 2010
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At the halfway mark, there are two undefeated teams remaining in the East Penn Conference, and they're both Bethlehem public schools. Freedom had some preseason momentum as a favorite, while Liberty is enjoying a resurgent year that virtually nobody saw coming. Returning D11 champ Nazareth is in the midst of a two-game losing streak, after falling to fellow perennial contenders Freedom and Parkland. Those three schools have combined for every D11 title since 2010. But it is the '10 champ, the Easton Red Rovers, who are emerging as a fourth contender. After back-to-back 3-7 campaigns, the Rovers are 4-1 despite a gauntlet of an early season schedule, and are clearly the most improved team in the Valley.

Big School Top 5
1. Freedom Patriots (5-0)
Freedom has looked like a legitimate top five team in Pennsylvania, with a pair of blowout wins over the two preseason favorites in D11, 38-10 over Nazareth and 30-13 over Parkland. They don’t have a major FBS star, but are a well rounded and deep team with a handful of kids with FCS opportunities and loads of experience on both sides of the ball. Offensively, they’ve been excellent, with running back Aaron Beete leading the EPC in rushing with 608 yards in five games, Chase Walker throwing for 1,034 yards and 11 touchdowns, and Shacre Colwell and Amare DuBoise combining for 30 catches, 639 yards, and nine touchdowns as one of the premier receiving duos in the conference. They’re getting it done behind a huge and athletic offensive line – left to right it’s Dylan Hill (Sr. 6’3 245), Ryan Ellis (Sr. 6’0 245), Daniel Schiffert (Jr. 6’4 290), Aaron James (Jr. 6’3 280), Tanner Wheeler (Sr. 6’5 285) – with Hill, Schiffert, and Wheeler all getting next level looks. Defensively, Ellis and Wheeler have anchored the defensive line which has freed up a really good back seven to run around and make plays. However, linebacker Justin Peluso, a Lafayette commit and my vote for EPC Defensive Player of the Year through the first half of the season, announced that he is out for the season after suffering a knee injury last week. That will be a HUGE piece to replace (he also plays tight end on offense) and something to watch over the next few weeks.

2. Parkland Trojans (4-1)
Parkland looked like they’re rounding into form with a 31-6 mauling of Nazareth on Friday, and have outscored their opposition 106-20 since losing to Freedom in week 2. Most impressively, Parkland’s defense held Nazareth to 55 yards on 21 carries, and harassed Peyton Falzone into a 10-21 night and picked off two passes. Parkland is not particularly dynamic in the passing game, Osmany Guzman has 722 yards on 48-78 and four touchdowns on the year, and no receiver has more than 170 yards. But TJ Lawrence has been the workhorse we anticipated, with 464 yards and 5 touchdowns on 76 carries through the first half of the year. The sophomore only carried 6 times in a 52-0 blowout over Pleasant Valley, but has 185, 120, 136, and 136 yards from scrimmage in their other four games. Lawrence, plus Evan Saylor, James Tyler, and that big offensve line are going to be the calling cards in the second half of the year.

3. Liberty Hurricanes (5-0)
Liberty is 5-0 for the first time since 2007 and with a likely win over East Strodusburg North, will be 6-0 for the first time since the 2005 state finalists. They have not hit the elite in the conference yet (they play Nazareth, Easton, and Freedom in three of their last four games) but are solidly putting themselves in position to make the playoffs, thanks to a well balanced offense with a three headed moster of juniors Antonio FOntanez, Gabe Green, and Jake Pukszyn. Green is second in the conference with seven touchdowns, while Pukszyn leads the league with 24 catches for 373 yards and Fontanez has been the glue keeping everything together as a first year starter for the Hurricanes at quarterback. Defensively, the front four has been awesome, Ben Bartholomew, Dante Morrison, and Javian Pujals putting together all league type years.

4. Easton Red Rovers (4-1)
Easton had their first character win in years, coming back from down 14-0 to beat Emmaus 28-21 in overtime on Friday. They were helped tremendously by a bad snap and missed 22 yard field goal by All State candidate kicker Will Buck as time expired, but really put themselves in position to win with 312 rushing yards in a dominant offensive performance after the first quarter. The Easton offensive line has been the revalation – who knew that starting four sophomores last year would pay off so handsomely – and Will Day and Dorian Thomas are the best 1-2 punch in the Valley, with Day leading the league in touchdowns with 10, and Thomas third in the league in rushing. The two have combined for 909 yards and 15 touchdowns, with a cool 6.8 yards per carry between the two. Defensively, the Rovers have been fantastic since struggling to stop the run in the opening week against CB West, with particularly strong performances from a defensive line group that includes Kurtis Crossman, Elijah Grovesnor, Algee Macon, and Marquis Labossiere.

5. Nazareth Blue Eagles (3-2)
Nazareth is doing some soul searching for the first time in years after blowout losses to contenders Freedom and Parkland in the last two weeks. They have blowout wins over Hazleton and Whitehall, and a quality non-conference victory in a shootout over Wilson West Lawn, but they were likely eliminated from winning a conference championship in last week’s 31-6 loss. They have been snakebit with injuries, particularly on the offensive line and linebacking corps, and despite the best skill player trio in the area (Falzone-Marquez Wimberly-Caleb Newsome) they have not been able to consistently move the ball against quality EPC competition. They should roll against Pleasant Valley Friday to get back on track, and likely will beat Liberty-Becahi-Northampton before a season finale at Cottingham Stadium against Easton, who is trying to end a six season losing streak to Nazareth, something that was unheard of throughout most of the football history between the neighboring schools.

Teams to Watch: Emmaus (3-2), Northampton (3-2), East Stroudsburg South (4-1), Dieruff (4-1).

Small School Top 5
1. Northwestern Lehigh Tigers (5-0 - 3A)

Arguably the best team in the state in 3A, they've outscored their opposition 230-29, including a 30-8 bludgeoning of state ranked Blue Mountain, but have four games against state caliber opponents in their final five with North Schuylkill Friday, Pottsville, Tamaqua and a finale with 5A Southern Lehigh. Defensive end Bryer Reichard is making a name for himself as the 3A defensive player of the year in Pennsylvania. The top ranked team in 3A by PA Football News.
2. Tamaqua Blue Raiders (5-0 - 3A)
Storybook season so far, highlighted by wins over North Schuylkill and Pottsville. Picked ninth in their division at the beginnign of the year, they have blown away expectations already, and are currently ranked #9 in 3A by PA Football News. Dual threat QB Luke Kane has thrown for 620 yards, rushed for 353, and has accounted for 11 touchdowns on the year, while Bradley Whalen has 527 yards through five games, including 192 in the win over North Schuylkill, plus leads the team in sacks. Victor Schlosser has over 400 yards receiving, plus a Colonial League leading four interceptions.
3. Notre Dame (GP) (4-1 - 3A)
High flying offense, with Matt Bodnar throwing for 1,750 yards and 18 touchdowns in the first half of the year, and five different receivers have at least ten catches. Lone loss to North Schuylkill, whose physicality has been an Achilles heel for NDGP over the years.
4. Blue Mountain Eagles (4-1 - 4A)
Huge win over 5A contender Southern Lehigh in week two put the Eagles in the top ten in the state. Fell back after getting blown out by NWL, but that is going to happen to everybody this year. Running back Tyler Stahley is one pace to easily eclipse 1,000 yards on the year.
5. Southern Lehigh Spartans (4-1 - 4A)
Lost a shocker in week two to Blue Mountain after crushing 6A Quakertown in the opening weekend. Cruised past North Schuylkill and Pottsville in the last two weeks to re-establish dominance. Having moved down to 4A this year, can make some noise in the smaller division with Becahi and ACC both down this year. Junior running back Sean Steckert leads the Colonial League has three straight 100 yard games since taking over as the primary ballcarrier and leads the Colonial League with ten touchdowns, while wide receiver and Michigan commit Andrew Olesh is the best skill player the league has seen in years.

Teams to Watch: Northern Lehigh (4-1 - 2A), Saucon Valley (4-1 - 3A)
 
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All EPC First Half Team

QB: Chase Walker, Freedom: 57-97, 1,034 yards, 11 TDs, 3 INTs

EPC leading passer has really stepped his game up in his second year as a starter
RB: Aaron Beete, Freedom: 73 carries, 608 yards, 7 TDs/3 catches, 47 yards
All league safety has exploded in his first season as Freedom’s running back and leads the league in rushing
RB: Will Day, Easton: 60 carries, 391 yards, 9 TDs/4 catches, 24 yards, TD
The thunder portion of Easton’s thunder and lighting combo in the backfield, he leads all Lehigh Valley players in touchdowns, with ten, despite limited carries in blowouts over Northeast and Bethlehem Catholic.
WR: Jake Pukszyn, Liberty: 24 catches, 373 yards, 2 TDs
Basketball standout is a match up problem on the edge for a resurgent Liberty squad.
WR: Shacre Colwell, Freedom: 16 catches, 376 yards, 6 TDs
The most complete receiver in the Valley. Fast, explosive (state finalist in the triple jump) with enough height to be a problem on contested catches in the air, but can also run away from you
O-ATH: Riley Bechtel, Emmaus: 61 carries, 523 yards, 5 TDs/4 catches 25 yards
Workhorse in Emmaus’s run heavy offense trails on Beete in rushing yards.
OL: Dylan Hill, Freedom
Three-year starter at tackle has come into his own and anchors the offensive line for the league’s best team.
OL: Elijah Grovesnor, Easton
Breakout season for the Red Rover junior, who has been a monster at right tackle and one of the best interior defensive linemen in the first half of the year.
OL: Evan Saylor, Parkland
Went with a third tackle because Saylor helps make Parkland go. Mauler in the run game.
OL: Dan Schiffert, Freedom
Junior center has put himself on FCS radars as a big, light on his feet guy in the middle who can move.
OL: Braheem Battle, Allentown Central Catholic
The returning All State lineman and Maryland commit has been the early season highlight in a tough early going for ACC.

DL: Dante Morrison, Liberty: 36 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 sacks
Morrison has been the best defensive player for Liberty so far and is a run stopping defensive end with a little bit of burst to get after the quarterback
DL: Robert Edwards, Emmaus: 42 tackles, 9 TFL, 2 sacks
Putting up incredible tackle numbers for a defensive tackle, including 14 against Easton on Friday. In the conversation for DPOY and looks like an All State candidate
DL: Algee Macon, Easton: 13 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 sacks
Easton’s defense has been able to get tons of pressure on the quarterback, led by Macon, who gets shot out of a cannon from the edge
DL: Domenic Martrich, Parkland: 19 tackles, 8 TFL, 6 sacks
The EPC leader in sacks with 6, yet another phsycial Tim Moncman defensive lineman
LB: TJ Lawrence, Parkland: 18 tackles, 2 TFL
He’s a nice running back, he might be a four star linebacker when its said and done
LB: Justin Peluso, Freedom: 22 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 sacks, INT
A real bummer that a knee injury will end what looked like an All State season from Peluso. He opened the year with two sacks, and a forced fumble against Torey Pines (CA), had a game changing interception against Parkland, and generally has been a big play machine for the area’s best defense.
LB: Carlos Perez, Bethlehem Catholic: 51 tackles, 7 TFL, sack, FF
The EPC’s leading tackler, everything on Becahi’s defense funnels to Perez, who is having a whale of a year for an up and down Becahi team
LB: Mason Fleming, Easton: 23 tackles, 5 TFL, sack
Easton’s leading returning tackler looks like he’ll do it again for the resurgent Easton defense. Can really make a difference as a blitzer
DB: Charles Capers, East Stroudsburg South: 17 tackles
Monroe County’s leading rusher has been the lynchpin to a 4-1 ESS team that has an inside track on a 5A district championship.
DB: Cael DiSora, Easton: 22 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 INT
His interception and return that ends with him flattening Matt Zollers is one of the highlights of the season. The Lafayette lacrosse commit has been tremendous in coverage and has rare physicality for a corner.
DB: Marquez Wimberly, Nazareth: 17 tackles
The best cover corner in the Valley, with the FBS offer sheet to prove it.
DB: Amare DuBoise, Freedom: 14 tackles
The back of the Freedom defense is always really well coached, and this group has special athletes with DuBoise, Beete, and Xavier DeJesus. DuBoise and Colwell at corner is a problem.
D-ATH: Tymir Williams, Northampton
Williams, who missed almost all of 2023 with a knee injury, has been they Konkrete Kid that every team has to scheme around on both sides of the ball

Offensive Player of the First Half: Aaron Beete, Freedom
Defensive Player of the First Half: Justin Peluso, Freedom
Underclassman (Fr./So.) of the First Half: TJ Lawrence, Parkland
Lineman of the First Half: Elijah Grovesnor, Easton
Coach of the First Half: Matt Senneca, Easton
 
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So far in week 6, halftime scores
Freedom 33 East Stroudsburg South 0
Easton 29 Stroudsburg 7
Northwestern Lehigh 35 North Schuylkill 7
Nazareth 20 Pleasant Valley 0
Whitehall 21 Dieruff 20 - early 3rd
 
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Results from our top ranked teams
Freedom 40 East Stroudsburg South 14
Parkland 45 William Allen 0
Liberty 39 East Stroudsburg North 0
Easton 43 Stroudsburg 13
Nazareth 60 Pleasant Valley 7
Becahi 41 Pocono Mountain East 7
Whitehall 31 Dieruff 20
Northampton 42 Pocono Mountain West 6
Emmaus and ACC play tonight

Lehigh Valley schools largely dispatched of the Monroe county schools, with the Freedom win being the highlight. ESS is a good program, but didn’t have the horses last night. Patriots are 6-0 and close with Becahi, Northampton, Easton, and Liberty.

Northwestern Lehigh 49 North Schuylkill 7
Tamaqua 51 Bangor 0
Notre Dame 49 Northern Lehigh 19
Blue Mountain 63 Palisades 13
Southern Lehigh 56 Jim Thorpe 12
Saucon Valley 62 Catasaqua 14

Notre Dame smacked a good Northern Lehigh team in the result of the night. Northern Lehigh now has losses to NWL and ND, which should have them prepped and battle tested for the 2A playoffs.
 
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