Week one is pointless in the East Penn Conference. The mandatory crossover games does nobody any favors, the South beat the North by a combined score of 424-123. Only East Stroudsburg South was a winner for the North, beating Whitehall 41-28. It’s not a fun week, and everybody misses out by being able to schedule more competitively appropriate games. But it’s not going anywhere anytime soon I guess.
We get into the meat of the season this week. While none of the 6A teams are going to beat St. Joseph’s Prep, this has the makings of a fun and competitive year in the Lehigh Valley. Freedom, the defending league and 6A champ, brings back a wealth of skill position talent, Bethlehem Catholic is looking poised to make another state final four run in 4A, Parkland should be much improved, and Nazareth is a popular choice to make a leap. Onto the rankings!
1. Freedom Patriots (1-0)
Last Week: Beat East Stroudsburg North 58-0
State Rankings: 6 (6A)
This Week: Bethlehem Catholic
Freedom raced out to a 51-0 halftime lead against East Stroudsburg North in a game that wasn’t even that close. The Patriots are the favorite because they have the best quarterback in the league and one of the best in the state. Jared Jenkins went over 50 touchdown passes for and 5,000 yards his career in the week one win. The senior three year starter was 7-8 for 194 yards and 4 touchdowns in the win. He’s not the only star – Jalen Stewart at running back and outside linebacker and Bowling Green commit Kaden Moore at offensive and defensive tackle are two of the best players in the Valley. Vince Reph and Gabe Caton are also back at receiver and give Jenkins solid weapons in the passing game.
2. Bethlehem Catholic Golden Hawks (1-0)
Last Week: Beat Dieruff 48-7
State Rankings: 3 (4A)
This Week: @Freedom
The Golden Hawks are breaking in a new quarterback and four new offensive linemen, but that didn’t stop All State running back Tavion Banks from running for 116 yards and 4 TDs on ten carries in a runaway win over Dieruff. The Hawks, who named sophomore quarterback Jared Richardson the starter, will go as far as Banks can take them. Jerry Lyons (6’3 300) is the only returning lineman, but the line is massive, with George French (6’8 315), Dalton Kucher (6’3 250), Justin Kanyuk (6’5 290), and Mike Maldonado (6’0 260) all plugged in as starters. Banks, who ran for 1,603 yards and 30 touchdowns as a junior, could push for a 2,000 yard season if the big uglies gel. And if they get a passing game, they could make a run into December.
3. Parkland Trojans (1-0)
Last Week: Beat Northampton 49-14
State Rankings: Team to Watch
This Week: Allentown Central Catholic
Parkland had their worst season in a decade last year, going 7-5 and getting knocked out in the semifinals of the District 11 playoffs. The big problem for the Trojans in 2018 was their dearth of skill position talent. That looks significantly improved this season with the health of junior running back Isiah Rico. Rico broke his leg in week three last season, and the Trojan offense clearly wasn’t the same. He looked healthy last week, rushing for 209 yards and three touchdowns on 31 carries. Rico is a bowling ball at 5’9 195 and has one of the best offensive lines in the Valley blocking for him. The real star of this team is Nick Dawkins, the left tackle who is headed to Penn State next fall. They also have an outstanding set of linebackers, led by Angel Santos, who also chipped in 106 yards rushing last week. Quarterback Tanner Lewis also looked much improved, going 12-14 passing in his second turn as the starter. Expectations are significantly higher in Orefield than they were a year ago.
4. Easton Red Rovers (1-0)
Last Week: Beat Pocono Mountain West 40-21
This Week: Whitehall
Don’t know what to think about the Easton game last Saturday. On one hand, Pocono Mountain West is a North Division school and the Red Rovers were clinging to a 26-21 lead entering the fourth quarter. On the other hand, PMW is a chic pick to win the division thanks to a pair of running backs who combined for 2,900 yards last year, and Easton got stellar performances out of a bunch of first time starters. Nahjee Adams, who played mostly slot receiver as a sophomore, got the start at running back and busted out for 239 yards on 19 carries and three touchdowns. He missed a chunk of the second quarter with dehydration issues, and when he was out the offense sputtered. But he was electric, particularly in the fourth quarter, where he broke off touchdown runs of 36 and 56 to ice the game. After playing around 170 as a sophomore, he’s bulked up to 195 as a junior and showed both power and his game breaking speed in the performance. Sophomore Cole Transue also earned his first career start at quarterback, and responded with a 20-24 day for 206 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The 6’2 185 pounder showed off good touch on a 51 yard deep ball and really flashed arm strength in some of the intermediate routes he was asked to throw. We might have something here, particularly as he learns to get the ball out quicker.
5. Nazareth Blue Eagles (1-0)
Last Week: Beat Pocono Mountain East 48-0
This Week: @ Emmaus
There’s always drama with Rob Melosky. The former Nazareth and current Pocono Mountain East head coach cancelled his scrimmage with Muhlenberg, then the entire PME staff showed up to watch the Nazareth scrimmage. There were also allegations that somebody from PME showed up to tape Nazareth’s practice from the parking lot on Tuesday. It did not matter, as the Blue Eagles pounded the Cardinals 48-0. Nazareth is getting a lot of preseason love thanks to three year starting QB Anthony Harris and a much improved defense, led by defensive end Jake Wilson, an FCS recruit.
6. Notre Dame (GP) (1-0)
Last Week: Beat Northwestern Lehigh
State Rankings: 10 (3A)
This Week: Bangor
Phil Stambaugh is one of the best football coaches in eastern Pennsylvania. The former Lehigh All American and Jacksonville Jaguar looks like he has yet another awesome quarterback in sophomore Collin Quintano. Quintano was a wide receiver coming up through the Easton system, and was moved to QB upon enrolling at Notre Dame last summer as a freshman. He debuted last week, replacing All State QB Cole DeFranco, and hit the ground running. He threw for 283 yards and four touchdowns against Northwestern Lehigh, the defending Colonial League champion. He even outshined Tiger quarterback Devon Bollinger, who was widely considered the best player in the Colonial League. Quintano started at third base on Notre Dame’s baseball team last year, which advanced to the 3A state finals, so he’s already experienced big stages. But in his first start, he already has beaten a top 10 team in the state (in a bigger classification no less) and put the Crusaders in the driver’s seat for the Colonial League regular season title.
7. East Stroudsburg South (1-0)
Last Week: Beat Whitehall 41-28
State Rankings: 10 (5A)
This Week: Pocono Mountain West
East Stroudsburg South has a sneaky streak of excellent skill players. From Dan Cason to Sam Bergen to Kyshoen Jarrett to Changa Hodge to Ryan Clark, there always is a big weapon on the Cavalier offense. Running back Christian Arrington showed flashes last year when Clark, who was All State after a 1,900 yard, 30 touchdown season, hurt his ankle in the playoffs. Arrington ran for over 100 yards in the 5A semifinals and finals, and kept that momentum going in a season opening win over Whitehall. Arrington outdueld Ali Barkley (with Saquon watching on the sideline). Although Barkely ran for 135 yards and a pair of TDs, Arrington was unstoppable with 207 yarsd and 3 TDs, including a 91 yard score in the second quarter. Quarterback WIllam Fish also looked good, throwing for 238 yards and three touchdowns in his varsity debut. The Cavaliers are the heavy favorite to win the EPC North, particularly after getting a win over a South foe. It was also the first career win for new head coach Matt Walters, who is replacing the legendary Ed Christian, who spent 40 years on the Cavaliers’ sidelines. This week’s match up with Pocono Mountain West, the sleeper, will likely decide the division.
8. Liberty Hurricanes (1-0)
Last Week: Beat Pleasant Valley 70-0
This Week: @Pocono Mountain East
Liberty is breaking in 18 new starters on both sides of the ball. They also have revamped their offensive scheme, going fast-break no huddle behind senior QB Dallas Holmes. Week one was a rousing success, as the Hurricanes overwhelmed Pleasant Valley, 70-0 in the opener. The Liberty defense forced five turnovers and blocked a punt in the win. Liberty, who is looking to finish above .500 for the first time since 2015, has another scrimmage type game to ease into the season with Pocono Mountain East this weekend before a stretch of Bethlehem Catholic, Easton, and Parkland will really give us a clue as to where they stand.
9. Northwestern Lehigh Tigers (1-1)
Last Week: Lost to Notre Dame (GP) 42-35
State Rankings: Team to Watch (4A)
This Week: Beat Salisbury 38-17 (Thursday)
Delaware recruit Devon Bollinger threw for 244 yards and ran for 76 in a loss to Notre Dame. The Tigers were a popular pick to win the Colonial League, though they’ll have to dig out of a hole after a week one loss to the Crusaders. Bollinger is the headliner here – he’s probably a defensive back or slot receiver in college, but he’s a really good athlete and the ball is in his hands on every play. While the final score was close in the Notre Dame game, the Tigers found themselves falling behind by multiple touchdowns, then Bollinger willed them back into the game before Notre Dame repeatedly pulled away. Still, the Tigers are one of the best teams in the Colonial League, and are right around a top ten team in the state in 4A. They’ll be favored the rest of the regular season. Last night, the Tigers dispatched Salisbury 38-17 after opening their new turf stadium and honoring the 1995 District 11 Championship team, notably led by Brett Snyder (2,376 yards and 31 TDs), older brother of current head coach Josh Snyder. Brett passed away from ALS last spring. In the week two win, Bollinger threw for 165 yards and five touchdowns and ran for another 94 yards. Justin Rodda caught four of those five touchdowns and had 116 yards receiving.
10. Pocono Mountain West Panthers (0-1)
Last Week: Lost to Easton 41-20
This Week: @East Stroudsburg South
The Panthers hung around before two back breaking fourth quarter TDs by Nahjee Adams put the game out of reach. Still, there was a lot to build on for the North division contenders. Kaleb Monaco is the leading returning rusher in 6A, coming off of a 1,754 yard, 26 touchdown junior season. He did not miss a beat, running for 127 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 16 carries against the Red Rovers, who were the only team to bottle him up a year ago. The West passing game also showed flashes, with Lawson Bray throwing for 207 yards, a bulk coming to Bevuan Rowland, a big, physical wideout who broke a 67 yard TD in the first half. The Panthers lack the depth of their EPC South brethren, but they have a solid base on top end skill players and are extremely improved in the last few years under head coach Jim McCaroll, the only coach in school history.
Game of the Week
#2 Bethlehem Catholic at #1 Freedom
Last season, Freedom raced out to a 21-0 lead on the Golden Hawks, piling up 422 yards of total offense in a 37-20 win. The win jumpstarted the Freedom season, which would culminate in East Penn Conference and District 11 6A titles. The bulk of the Freedom squad is back this year, while Becahi is replacing eight starters on offense and seven on defense.
When Freedom Has the Ball: Jared Jenkins is the triggerman, who has a shot at breaking the 7,000 career passing yard barrier this season. The Patriot League/Ivy League recruit (offers from Lafayette, Holy Cross, Princeton, Penn, and Brown) has a slew of skill guys back, including favorite targerts Vince Reph (32 catches and 11 touchdowns as a junior) and Gabe Caton (38 catches for 589 yards and 9 TDs). Jalen Stewart is a bull of a running back (6’1 225) and has received offers from Army, Navy, Towson, and Kent State as a linebacker. The offensive line has three new starters, including two sophomores, but is anchored by left tackle and four year starter Kaden Moore (6’3 305; Bowling Green commit). The Patriots have as much balance offensively as any team in the Valley. Bethlehem Catholic counters with a very green defense. They do have athletes in the secondary to match the skill guys from Freedom, led by safety Tavion Banks and corners Bryant Finney and Matt Stianche, this group can really run and get physical with good receivers. They’ll need to find a way to stop Stewart, particularly with the youth at linebacker for the Hawks.
When Bethlehem Catholic Has the Ball: Tavion Banks is in his third year as starter in the Becahi backfield and is the best running back in the Lehigh Valley. After an injury plagued sophomore season, he exploded for 1,603 yards and 31 touchdowns as a junior and earned All State honors. He’s a slasher, with good size (5’10 195) and soft hands where he’ll really contribute in the passing game. Matt Stianche is the other returning skill player, who caught 38 balls for 587 yards as a junior. Both will need to step up for sophomore quarterback Jared Richardson, who was not asked to do much last week against Dieruff in a route. Banks also will be aided in the backfield by Malik Thomas, who ran for 87 yards last week. The Hawks like to go with a two headed backfield and Thomas looks like a more than capable second option. The offensive line, while returning just Jerry Lyons at guard, is massive and should be a strength, even against a good defensive front from Freedom. The Patriots 3-3-5 is anchored by Moore at defensive end, and his battles against the left side of the Hawk offensive line will be something to watch. Freedom is replacing their linebackers, and will particularly miss All State middle linebacker Tristan Wheeler (now at Richmond) but Stewart is a star as a hybrid linebacker/safety and Judah Rock looks like he’ll fill in nicely for Wheeler in the middle. The Patriots recent run has been anchored by a ball hawking, turnover forcing defense, and that will be key against a young Becahi offense.
The Pick: Freedom has a lot of experience and while Banks is the best player on the field, the Patriots have too much depth, particularly at the top end. Freedom 35-21.
We get into the meat of the season this week. While none of the 6A teams are going to beat St. Joseph’s Prep, this has the makings of a fun and competitive year in the Lehigh Valley. Freedom, the defending league and 6A champ, brings back a wealth of skill position talent, Bethlehem Catholic is looking poised to make another state final four run in 4A, Parkland should be much improved, and Nazareth is a popular choice to make a leap. Onto the rankings!
1. Freedom Patriots (1-0)
Last Week: Beat East Stroudsburg North 58-0
State Rankings: 6 (6A)
This Week: Bethlehem Catholic
Freedom raced out to a 51-0 halftime lead against East Stroudsburg North in a game that wasn’t even that close. The Patriots are the favorite because they have the best quarterback in the league and one of the best in the state. Jared Jenkins went over 50 touchdown passes for and 5,000 yards his career in the week one win. The senior three year starter was 7-8 for 194 yards and 4 touchdowns in the win. He’s not the only star – Jalen Stewart at running back and outside linebacker and Bowling Green commit Kaden Moore at offensive and defensive tackle are two of the best players in the Valley. Vince Reph and Gabe Caton are also back at receiver and give Jenkins solid weapons in the passing game.
2. Bethlehem Catholic Golden Hawks (1-0)
Last Week: Beat Dieruff 48-7
State Rankings: 3 (4A)
This Week: @Freedom
The Golden Hawks are breaking in a new quarterback and four new offensive linemen, but that didn’t stop All State running back Tavion Banks from running for 116 yards and 4 TDs on ten carries in a runaway win over Dieruff. The Hawks, who named sophomore quarterback Jared Richardson the starter, will go as far as Banks can take them. Jerry Lyons (6’3 300) is the only returning lineman, but the line is massive, with George French (6’8 315), Dalton Kucher (6’3 250), Justin Kanyuk (6’5 290), and Mike Maldonado (6’0 260) all plugged in as starters. Banks, who ran for 1,603 yards and 30 touchdowns as a junior, could push for a 2,000 yard season if the big uglies gel. And if they get a passing game, they could make a run into December.
3. Parkland Trojans (1-0)
Last Week: Beat Northampton 49-14
State Rankings: Team to Watch
This Week: Allentown Central Catholic
Parkland had their worst season in a decade last year, going 7-5 and getting knocked out in the semifinals of the District 11 playoffs. The big problem for the Trojans in 2018 was their dearth of skill position talent. That looks significantly improved this season with the health of junior running back Isiah Rico. Rico broke his leg in week three last season, and the Trojan offense clearly wasn’t the same. He looked healthy last week, rushing for 209 yards and three touchdowns on 31 carries. Rico is a bowling ball at 5’9 195 and has one of the best offensive lines in the Valley blocking for him. The real star of this team is Nick Dawkins, the left tackle who is headed to Penn State next fall. They also have an outstanding set of linebackers, led by Angel Santos, who also chipped in 106 yards rushing last week. Quarterback Tanner Lewis also looked much improved, going 12-14 passing in his second turn as the starter. Expectations are significantly higher in Orefield than they were a year ago.
4. Easton Red Rovers (1-0)
Last Week: Beat Pocono Mountain West 40-21
This Week: Whitehall
Don’t know what to think about the Easton game last Saturday. On one hand, Pocono Mountain West is a North Division school and the Red Rovers were clinging to a 26-21 lead entering the fourth quarter. On the other hand, PMW is a chic pick to win the division thanks to a pair of running backs who combined for 2,900 yards last year, and Easton got stellar performances out of a bunch of first time starters. Nahjee Adams, who played mostly slot receiver as a sophomore, got the start at running back and busted out for 239 yards on 19 carries and three touchdowns. He missed a chunk of the second quarter with dehydration issues, and when he was out the offense sputtered. But he was electric, particularly in the fourth quarter, where he broke off touchdown runs of 36 and 56 to ice the game. After playing around 170 as a sophomore, he’s bulked up to 195 as a junior and showed both power and his game breaking speed in the performance. Sophomore Cole Transue also earned his first career start at quarterback, and responded with a 20-24 day for 206 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The 6’2 185 pounder showed off good touch on a 51 yard deep ball and really flashed arm strength in some of the intermediate routes he was asked to throw. We might have something here, particularly as he learns to get the ball out quicker.
5. Nazareth Blue Eagles (1-0)
Last Week: Beat Pocono Mountain East 48-0
This Week: @ Emmaus
There’s always drama with Rob Melosky. The former Nazareth and current Pocono Mountain East head coach cancelled his scrimmage with Muhlenberg, then the entire PME staff showed up to watch the Nazareth scrimmage. There were also allegations that somebody from PME showed up to tape Nazareth’s practice from the parking lot on Tuesday. It did not matter, as the Blue Eagles pounded the Cardinals 48-0. Nazareth is getting a lot of preseason love thanks to three year starting QB Anthony Harris and a much improved defense, led by defensive end Jake Wilson, an FCS recruit.
6. Notre Dame (GP) (1-0)
Last Week: Beat Northwestern Lehigh
State Rankings: 10 (3A)
This Week: Bangor
Phil Stambaugh is one of the best football coaches in eastern Pennsylvania. The former Lehigh All American and Jacksonville Jaguar looks like he has yet another awesome quarterback in sophomore Collin Quintano. Quintano was a wide receiver coming up through the Easton system, and was moved to QB upon enrolling at Notre Dame last summer as a freshman. He debuted last week, replacing All State QB Cole DeFranco, and hit the ground running. He threw for 283 yards and four touchdowns against Northwestern Lehigh, the defending Colonial League champion. He even outshined Tiger quarterback Devon Bollinger, who was widely considered the best player in the Colonial League. Quintano started at third base on Notre Dame’s baseball team last year, which advanced to the 3A state finals, so he’s already experienced big stages. But in his first start, he already has beaten a top 10 team in the state (in a bigger classification no less) and put the Crusaders in the driver’s seat for the Colonial League regular season title.
7. East Stroudsburg South (1-0)
Last Week: Beat Whitehall 41-28
State Rankings: 10 (5A)
This Week: Pocono Mountain West
East Stroudsburg South has a sneaky streak of excellent skill players. From Dan Cason to Sam Bergen to Kyshoen Jarrett to Changa Hodge to Ryan Clark, there always is a big weapon on the Cavalier offense. Running back Christian Arrington showed flashes last year when Clark, who was All State after a 1,900 yard, 30 touchdown season, hurt his ankle in the playoffs. Arrington ran for over 100 yards in the 5A semifinals and finals, and kept that momentum going in a season opening win over Whitehall. Arrington outdueld Ali Barkley (with Saquon watching on the sideline). Although Barkely ran for 135 yards and a pair of TDs, Arrington was unstoppable with 207 yarsd and 3 TDs, including a 91 yard score in the second quarter. Quarterback WIllam Fish also looked good, throwing for 238 yards and three touchdowns in his varsity debut. The Cavaliers are the heavy favorite to win the EPC North, particularly after getting a win over a South foe. It was also the first career win for new head coach Matt Walters, who is replacing the legendary Ed Christian, who spent 40 years on the Cavaliers’ sidelines. This week’s match up with Pocono Mountain West, the sleeper, will likely decide the division.
8. Liberty Hurricanes (1-0)
Last Week: Beat Pleasant Valley 70-0
This Week: @Pocono Mountain East
Liberty is breaking in 18 new starters on both sides of the ball. They also have revamped their offensive scheme, going fast-break no huddle behind senior QB Dallas Holmes. Week one was a rousing success, as the Hurricanes overwhelmed Pleasant Valley, 70-0 in the opener. The Liberty defense forced five turnovers and blocked a punt in the win. Liberty, who is looking to finish above .500 for the first time since 2015, has another scrimmage type game to ease into the season with Pocono Mountain East this weekend before a stretch of Bethlehem Catholic, Easton, and Parkland will really give us a clue as to where they stand.
9. Northwestern Lehigh Tigers (1-1)
Last Week: Lost to Notre Dame (GP) 42-35
State Rankings: Team to Watch (4A)
This Week: Beat Salisbury 38-17 (Thursday)
Delaware recruit Devon Bollinger threw for 244 yards and ran for 76 in a loss to Notre Dame. The Tigers were a popular pick to win the Colonial League, though they’ll have to dig out of a hole after a week one loss to the Crusaders. Bollinger is the headliner here – he’s probably a defensive back or slot receiver in college, but he’s a really good athlete and the ball is in his hands on every play. While the final score was close in the Notre Dame game, the Tigers found themselves falling behind by multiple touchdowns, then Bollinger willed them back into the game before Notre Dame repeatedly pulled away. Still, the Tigers are one of the best teams in the Colonial League, and are right around a top ten team in the state in 4A. They’ll be favored the rest of the regular season. Last night, the Tigers dispatched Salisbury 38-17 after opening their new turf stadium and honoring the 1995 District 11 Championship team, notably led by Brett Snyder (2,376 yards and 31 TDs), older brother of current head coach Josh Snyder. Brett passed away from ALS last spring. In the week two win, Bollinger threw for 165 yards and five touchdowns and ran for another 94 yards. Justin Rodda caught four of those five touchdowns and had 116 yards receiving.
10. Pocono Mountain West Panthers (0-1)
Last Week: Lost to Easton 41-20
This Week: @East Stroudsburg South
The Panthers hung around before two back breaking fourth quarter TDs by Nahjee Adams put the game out of reach. Still, there was a lot to build on for the North division contenders. Kaleb Monaco is the leading returning rusher in 6A, coming off of a 1,754 yard, 26 touchdown junior season. He did not miss a beat, running for 127 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 16 carries against the Red Rovers, who were the only team to bottle him up a year ago. The West passing game also showed flashes, with Lawson Bray throwing for 207 yards, a bulk coming to Bevuan Rowland, a big, physical wideout who broke a 67 yard TD in the first half. The Panthers lack the depth of their EPC South brethren, but they have a solid base on top end skill players and are extremely improved in the last few years under head coach Jim McCaroll, the only coach in school history.
Game of the Week
#2 Bethlehem Catholic at #1 Freedom
Last season, Freedom raced out to a 21-0 lead on the Golden Hawks, piling up 422 yards of total offense in a 37-20 win. The win jumpstarted the Freedom season, which would culminate in East Penn Conference and District 11 6A titles. The bulk of the Freedom squad is back this year, while Becahi is replacing eight starters on offense and seven on defense.
When Freedom Has the Ball: Jared Jenkins is the triggerman, who has a shot at breaking the 7,000 career passing yard barrier this season. The Patriot League/Ivy League recruit (offers from Lafayette, Holy Cross, Princeton, Penn, and Brown) has a slew of skill guys back, including favorite targerts Vince Reph (32 catches and 11 touchdowns as a junior) and Gabe Caton (38 catches for 589 yards and 9 TDs). Jalen Stewart is a bull of a running back (6’1 225) and has received offers from Army, Navy, Towson, and Kent State as a linebacker. The offensive line has three new starters, including two sophomores, but is anchored by left tackle and four year starter Kaden Moore (6’3 305; Bowling Green commit). The Patriots have as much balance offensively as any team in the Valley. Bethlehem Catholic counters with a very green defense. They do have athletes in the secondary to match the skill guys from Freedom, led by safety Tavion Banks and corners Bryant Finney and Matt Stianche, this group can really run and get physical with good receivers. They’ll need to find a way to stop Stewart, particularly with the youth at linebacker for the Hawks.
When Bethlehem Catholic Has the Ball: Tavion Banks is in his third year as starter in the Becahi backfield and is the best running back in the Lehigh Valley. After an injury plagued sophomore season, he exploded for 1,603 yards and 31 touchdowns as a junior and earned All State honors. He’s a slasher, with good size (5’10 195) and soft hands where he’ll really contribute in the passing game. Matt Stianche is the other returning skill player, who caught 38 balls for 587 yards as a junior. Both will need to step up for sophomore quarterback Jared Richardson, who was not asked to do much last week against Dieruff in a route. Banks also will be aided in the backfield by Malik Thomas, who ran for 87 yards last week. The Hawks like to go with a two headed backfield and Thomas looks like a more than capable second option. The offensive line, while returning just Jerry Lyons at guard, is massive and should be a strength, even against a good defensive front from Freedom. The Patriots 3-3-5 is anchored by Moore at defensive end, and his battles against the left side of the Hawk offensive line will be something to watch. Freedom is replacing their linebackers, and will particularly miss All State middle linebacker Tristan Wheeler (now at Richmond) but Stewart is a star as a hybrid linebacker/safety and Judah Rock looks like he’ll fill in nicely for Wheeler in the middle. The Patriots recent run has been anchored by a ball hawking, turnover forcing defense, and that will be key against a young Becahi offense.
The Pick: Freedom has a lot of experience and while Banks is the best player on the field, the Patriots have too much depth, particularly at the top end. Freedom 35-21.
