It’s Week 10 of the high school football season in District 10.
Some teams have chosen not to play this week in order to get ready for the playoffs, while others are still fighting for a postseason spot, and yet others are just looking to fine tune some things heading into the postseason.
Class 5A Cathedral Prep travels to take on Class 2A Farrell in an intriguing showdown, while General McLane, Fairview and Titusville fight for what look to be the two remaining spots in the Class 3A playoffs.
Here’s a deeper look.
CATHEDRAL PREP (5-3) at FARRELL (9-0)
Many people have had this one circled on the calendar since it was announced the two would play in Week 10. Both are considered state title contenders, the Ramblers in Class 5A and the Steelers in Class 2A.
The Ramblers come in on a three-game winning streak, having just knocked off Erie High, 38-8. They have given up just 21 points in those three games. Offensively, Dajoure Hollingsworth has put together a special season on the ground, rushing for 1,434 yards (9.9 yards per carry) and 15 touchdowns. Luke Costello, meanwhile, has thrown for 759 yards and 11 touchdowns and also has seven rushing touchdowns.
The Steeles, meanwhile, have given up just 19 points in their last four games. A defense led by Marion Norris, they have back-to-back shutouts over Sharon and Slippery Rock. Offensively, it’s been a balanced effort, led by the program’s all-time passing leader, Kabron Smith, who 1,521 yards and 21 touchdowns. His top targets are Danny Odem (36 receptions, 403 yards, 5 touchdowns), Simeir Wade (34-612-5) and Brandon Chambers (28-291-8). JuJu Johnson has rushed for 817 yards (6.5 ypc.) and eight touchdowns, while the Steelers also welcomed back JuJu Phillips last week.
GENERAL MCLANE (5-4) at WARREN (0-9)
The Lancers, with a win over the Dragons, should be squarely in the postseason. They are a game behind Fairview in the Region 5 standings, but do own a head-to-head win over the Tigers and are coming off a lopsided win over Girard. Isaac Zietz (932 yards, 12 TDs) and Matt Caro (402 yards, 5 TDs) have both been effective at quarterback, with Jacob Zietz (56-852-14) putting together a special season at receive. Magnus Lloyd (842-10-5.9) leads the ground game.
Warren, meanwhile, is led by Tommy Nyquist (322 yards rushing) and Eric Dippold (824 yards passing, 5 TDs).
FAIRVIEW (5-4) at NORTHWESTERN (2-7)
A win would certainly help Fairview’s playoff chances, but last week’s 28-14 triumph over North East (7-2) should certainly go a long way to helping their case. Vinny Campoli has thrown for 981 yards and eight touchdowns and also rushed for 589 yards and 14 touchdowns. Tyler Benford has 519 yards rushing and six touchdowns, while Jacob Harkness (20-386-4) leads the receivers.
Northwestern is coming off a 20-15 loss to Seneca. Lloyd Fountain has done it all for the Wildcats this season with 1,086 passing yards and four touchdowns and 366 rushing yards and six touchdowns.
CORRY (3-5) at TITUSVILLE (5-4)
The Rockets need a win and maybe some help to get in the playoffs after falling to Oil City last week, 38-12. Jaxon Covell does it all for Titusville with 1,146 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns and 541 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Ian MacDonald has thrown for 1,017 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Corry, meanwhile, is coming off a huge 14-7 win over LeBoeuf, as they prepare for the Class 4A title game against Meadville. Nolan Carey has thrown for 1,192 yards and 12 touchdowns and also rushed for 609 yards and six touchdowns. Rylan Smith (27-453-6) leads the receivers.
MCDOWELL (6-3) at ST. FRANCIS (3-5)
The Trojans come in on a roll. Winners of four straight, they have scored at least 49 points in three of those games. Blayze Myers has been one of D10’s top quarterbacks this season, passing for 1,942 yards and a 23-6 touchdown to interception ratio. James Zigler Jr. (21-369-3) and Leo Whitaker (15-274-5) lead a balanced receiving group. Dominic Beraducci (466 yards, 6 TDs) and Stephon Porter (396 yards, 7 TDs) lead a balanced rushing attack, with Cooper Cousins and Aidan Probst helping to pave the way up front.
St. Francis (N.Y) owns a win over Erie High and lost in six overtimes (78-72) to Cathedral Prep this season. Terrence Pendergrass (1,025 yards, 17 TDs) leads the ground game, while Landon Welka has thrown for 1,091 yards and 12 TDs.
LAKEVIEW (8-1) at FRANKLIN (3-6)
Lakeview has the inside track on the top seed in the Class 1A playoffs by virtue of its win over Cambridge Springs. The Sailors, who beat Reynolds 37-0 last week, are led by Mitchell Tingley on the ground (1,128 yards, 14 TDs) and Leyton Zacherl (883 yards passing 12 TDs). Danick Hinkson (17-422-6) and Blake Skiles (17-384-5) are the top receivers.
Franklin has won three of its last four games, including 27-14 over Conneaut last week. Cole Buckley has taken over at quarterback and has been a threat with both his arm and his legs, while Bryson Watson has a pair of 200-yard games to his credit on the ground.
CAMBRIDGE SPRINGS (8-1) at UNION CITY (3-5)
The Blue Devils look to go into the playoffs on a roll after a 22-8 win over Mercer last week. They own a 400-93 point differential on the season. They are led by a strong ground game that includes Brett Kania (893-14), Jordan Washington (546-5), Preston Gorton (516-9) and Josh Gorton (405-7).
Union City, meanwhile, looks to close out the season strong. Skylar Olmstead has rushed for 854 yards and eight touchdowns on the season.
SHARPSVILLE (5-4) at FORT LEBOEUF (6-3)
A pair of teams looking to right the ship going into the postseason. The Class 2A Blue Devils have lost four-straight, but still feature one of the most dynamic playmakers in District 10 in Caullin Summers, who has thrown for 1,886 yards and 22 touchdowns and also rushed for 752 yards and nine scores. Dalton Byerly (45-743-9) is one of D10’s top receivers.
LeBoeuf, meanwhile has suffered back-to-back losses to Erie and Corry. Aiden Lesik (740 yards, 9 TDs) and Conner McChesney (716 yards, 13 TDs) lead a potent rushing attack.
CANISIUS (3-5) at ERIE (4-5)
The Royals look to fine-tune some things as they face Canisus ahead of the D10 6A title game against McDowell. Tajahe Thomas (430 yards, 3 TDs) and Adrien Tate (428 yards, 6 TDs) lead the ground game. In their four wins, the Royals have allowed just 34 points.
Canisius fell to Cathedral Prep, 47-36 in early September. Vincent Zimmerman has thrown for 1,147 yards and nine scores, while Elijah Kimble has rushed for 1,211 yards and 12 TDs.
NORTH EAST (7-2) at REYNOLDS (4-5)
The Grape Pickers appear locked into a top four seed in Class 3A, it just depends where. They are looking to bounce back from a 28-14 loss to Fairview. Jackson Humes has thrown for 1,699 yards and 13 TDs, while Jamari Curlett has 41 receptions for 876 yards and 14 TDs and has also rushed for five scoes.
Reynolds, is looking to bounce back from a 37-0 loss to Lakeview, with Gabe Minjarez (502 yards, 5 TDs) leading the way on the ground.
GIRARD (2-6) at EISENHOWER (6-3)
If Eisenhower is able to beat Girard, they would enter the playoffs on a four-game winning streak. Logan Penley (650-5), Tucker Lindell (573-10), and Shawn Pascuzzi (511-6) lead a strong rushing attack for the Knights, who will miss talented tight end Kris Bunk, who is likely out due to injury.
Girard, meanwhile, is coming off a 49-14 loss to General McLane.
HARBOR CREEK (3-6) at GREENVILLE (1-8)
A pair of teams looking to end their season on a high note. Harbor Creek is paced by the 1-2 rushing duo of Tyshawn Jones (819-10) and Lance Brown (664-7).
Greenville, meanwhile, is led by Rudy Gentile (550 rushing yards, 3 TDs) and Nick Solderich (638 passing yards, 4 TDs, 5 rushing TDs)
MAPLEWOOD (3-6) at SENECA (3-6)
Another pair of teams that look to finish the season strong. Seneca has won three of four, including a 20-15 win over Northwestern last week. Nolan Seabury has put together quite the season for the Bobcats, throwing for 882 yards and five touchdowns and rushing for 542 yards and 11 scores.
Maplewood, meanwhile, has been paced by freshman quarterback Kyle Jordan, who has 834 yards passing and 10 touchdowns, with Dorian Doubet (28-446-3) and Dominick Kinney (17-326-4) his top targets.
IROQUOIS (1-8) at SAEGERTOWN (2-7)
Saegertown looks to close the season with back-to-back wins after a 48-0 victory over Kennedy Catholic last week, a game in which Aaron Shartle went over 100 yards on the ground.
Iroquois, meanwhile, battled Eisenhower last week in a 28-14 setback. Christian Krysiak has thrown for 1,400 yards and eight touchdowns, with Cole Bennett (30-456-3) and Micah Pisarski (23-402-3) the top threats in the receiving group.
