It’s Week 6 in District 10, as a pair of huge games highlight the slate, with McDowell and Cathedral Prep squaring off in their rivalry showdown, while unbeaten Meadville travels to 1-loss Oil City in a game that is likely to determine the Region 4 champion.
A total of three unbeaten teams, the aforementioned Bulldogs in Class 4A, Eisenhower in Class 1A, and Sharpsville in Class 2A, with both the Knights and Blue Devils facing key region games as well.
It’s that time of year when teams really begin to jockey for not only region championships, but playoff positions as well.
Let’s dig in.
REGION 6
McDowell (4-1) at Cathedral Prep (3-2)
It’s a game that gets circled on the calendar every year, and this year’s edition should be another dandy. McDowell has won three straight in the series, including 31-12 last season.
The Trojans come in firing on all cylinders after a blowout win against Canada Prep Academy. In that game, Ben Moore and Ray Jackson connected on three touchdowns, with Moore now approaching 800 yards passing on the season. The ground game continues to roll, led by Artis Simmons, who himself is over 800 yards on the ground behind an offensive line led by Penn State commit Cooper Cousins.
The Ramblers, meanwhile, are looking to bounce back from a tough 28-26 loss to St. Francis (N.Y). Suhtaun Lewis has led the rushing attack with 605 yards and five touchdowns, while Carter Barnes (345 yards) and Luke Costello (440 yards) have both seen action at quarterback. The top targets are Wakeem Page (16 receptions, 257 yards, 4 touchdowns) and Camariyon Bridges (9 receptions, 186 yards, 3 touchdowns).
REGION 4
Meadville (5-0) at Oil City (4-1)
The story is the offensive line and the running backs in this one. Both teams nearly came in unbeaten, but Oil City got upended in the final seconds at Northwestern last week, 21-20.
Seniors Khalon Simmons and Brady Walker have been a two-headed monster in the backfield for Meadville, with Simmons rushing for 716 yards and 15 touchdowns, averaging a whopping 15.9 yards per carry in just four games, while Walker has rushed for 607 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Bulldog defense, meanwhile, has yielded just 27 points on the season, including just seven in the last three, including a pair of shutouts. Walker (27 tackles, 3 sacks), Brighton Anderson (26 tackles, 5 TFL), Rhoan Woodrow (25 tackles, 4 TFL), and Justice Esser (7 TFL, 3 sacks) lead the unit.
Oil City’s Ethen Knox, meanwhile, continues to put up rushing numbers that lead the nation, per MaxPreps. Knox was again over 400 yards in the loss to Northwestern, eclipsing 2,000 yards on the season, which is believed to be the first time a back has ever done that nationally (per MaxPreps). Brayden McFetridge leads the defense with 43 tackles (14 TFL, 10 sacks), while Kevin Pearsall (40 tackles, 8 TFL, 5 sacks), and Carl Chelton (33 tackles, 7 TFL, 4 sacks) also pace the Oilers on that side of the ball.
Warren (2-3) at Franklin (0-5)
Warren played Fairview tough last week but was unable to find the end zone enough in a 34-14 loss. Tommy Nyquist had a big game with 200 yards combined receiving and rushing. Quarterback Eric Dippold has 749 yards and eight touchdowns, while Cayden Wright has 340 yards and five touchdowns receiving.
Franklin, meanwhile, is in search of its first win of the season following a 47-14 loss to Mercyhurst Prep. Hunter Marstellar, Cole Buckley, and Toby Sanchez lead the offense.
Conneaut (0-5) at Titusville (1-4)
Titusville has dropped four straight and is in search of its second win of the season. Brock Covell has thrown for 488 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 150 yards, while Kameron Mong has 231 yards receiving and three scores.
Conneaut is in search of its first win of the season after losing to Meadville last week.
REGION 5
Harbor Creek (2-3) at General McLane (4-1)
McLane is rolling. They have won four straight, all in Region 5 play, including a hard-fought 36-20 win over Corry last week. Dylan Sheeder has thrown for 347 yards and run for 397, as the Lancers have amassed over 1,000 yards on the ground as a team. They are also a ball-hawking defense, as Jace Walls has accounted for four of their 11 interceptions, while Kyle Cousins has 29 tackles and Landon Laskey 3.5 sacks.
Harbor Creek, meanwhile, picked up its first region win of the season last week, 42-6 over Girard. Lance Brown leads the rushing attack with over 400 yards on the ground, while Heath Betza directs the offense with over 400 yards through the air.
Fort LeBoeuf (4-1) at Girard (1-3)
Fort LeBoeuf has won three straight and is 2-1 in region play following a 24-21 win over North East last week. Justin Leuschen continues to pace the ground game with over 500 yards, while the Bison defense has allowed just 28 points the past two weeks.
Girard, meanwhile, is looking to bounce back from a 42-6 loss to Harbor Creek. Their lone win was a 31-14 triumph over North East in Week 2.
Corry (1-4) at Fairview (3-2)
Tyler Corbin scored a pair of rushing touchdowns as Fairview pulled away in the second half for a 34-14 non-region win over Warren last week. The Tigers are 1-1 in region play, allowing just 21 points in their last three games. Charlie chevalier has rushed for 361 yards and Jared Gennuso 220 for the Tigers.
The Beavers beat Harbor Creek 20-7 in Week 4 before battling in a competitive loss to GM last week. Mason Savitz and Nathan Lesher lead the ground game, while Nolan Carey directs the offense at quarterback.
REGION 3
Slippery Rock (3-2) at Hickory (2-3)
Slippery Rock is now 1-2 in the region following a last-second loss to Grove City last week. They haven’t given up more than 24 points in any game this season. William Mokel has thrown for 1,119 yards and eight touchdowns, with John Sabo accounting for 333 yards and four touchdowns and Maddox Allen 368 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
Hickory has lost three-straight since a 2-0 start, including 35-0 to Farrell last week. They will look to get their passing attack back on track this week. Logan Woods has thrown for 855 yards and six touchdowns, with Keenan Scullin accounting for 256 yards and a pair of scores receiving.
Sharpsville (5-0) at Sharon (3-2)
The Blue Devils remain atop the region standings along with Farrell following a hard-fought 14-12 win over Greenville last week. They have allowed more than 14 points in a game just once this season, a 41-27 win over Reynolds. Caullin Summers has been one of District 10’s best quarterbacks with 1,166 yards and 12 touchdowns while rushing for 456 yards and five more scores. Garen Levis has been on of the best receivers in D-10 with 573 yards and five touchdowns.
Sharon, meanwhile, is coming of an impressive 33-14 win over Wilmington in which they jumped out to a 21-0 lead. Mikey Rodriques is getting it done with his legs and his arm, rushing for 313 yards and six scores and throwing for six touchdowns as well. Jayveerh White has been a workhorse on the ground with 475 yards.
Wilmington (3-2) at Farrell (4-1)
Farrell’s offense has been humming, with their 35-0 win over Hickory last week actually marking their low watermark for scoring in a game. That game was at the mercy rule by halftime. They have also allowed just 22 points in the last three games. Kylon Wilson has just shy of 700 combined yards rushing and receiving and 11 touchdowns, while Kabron Smith has thrown for 896 yards and 12 touchdowns and Brandon Chambers has rushed for 465 yards and five scores.
Wilmington is coming off a tough loss to Sharon, snapping a three-game winning streak. The 33 points allowed against Sharon were a season-high. Tyler Mikulin and Ben Miller have combined for over 700 yards on the ground and eight touchdowns, while Tuff McConahy has thrown for 381 yards and four touchdowns.
Grove City (3-2) at Greenville (0-5) – Saturday
Grove City has won back-to-back games, including last week’s thriller over Slippery Rock on Hunter Homan’s two-point conversion run with 18 seconds left. Hohman has thrown for 670 yards and five touchdowns and has three more scores on the ground. Anthony Nemec has rushed for over 300 yards and four touchdowns and Nathan Greer and Gavin Lutz have combined for 534 yards and five touchdowns receiving.
Greenville might be the best winless team in the state, having lost three of their five games by seven points or less, including 14-12 to unbeaten Sharpsville last week. They have allowed 14 points or fewer in three of those five games. Malachi Hyde leads the ground game with 375 yards and a pair of scores.
REGION 2
Mercyhurst Prep (3-2) at Eisenhower (5-0)
Eisenhower puts their unbeaten record on the line when they welcome Mercyhurst Prep following a 35-13 non-region win over Lakeview last week. Benji Bauer has 873 yards on the ground and 12 touchdowns, while Shawn Pascuzzi has thrown for 447 yards, with Wyatt Lookenhouse and Kris Bunk his top targets. Bauer (31 tackles, 2 interceptions) and Tucker Lindell (31 tackles) lead the defense.
David Bahm is putting together one of the better seasons of any quarterback in District 10 for Mercyhurst Prep, throwing for 944 yards and 12 touchdowns and rushing for 379 yards and five touchdowns. The Lakers, who are coming off a 47-14 win over Franklin, are led by Ja’son Ellman (418 yards, 6 touchdowns) in the receiving game.
Northwestern (3-2) at Union City (2-3)
The Wildcats are flying high following their 21-20 win over Oil City. Logan Stagl leads the defense, accounting for a program-record 23 tackles last week. Stagl (220 yards) and Landon Wayne (231) yards are the top receiving targets for quarterback Lloyd Fountain, while Ben Campbell, Wayne, and Fountain are all threats on the ground.
Union City is coming off a loss to Saegertown. Clay Thomas (537 yards, 4 touchdowns) and Skylar Olmstead (352 yards, 3 touchdowns) lead the Bears’ ground game.
Iroquois (0-5) at Seneca (3-2)
Seneca’s offense has been humming, scoring 80 points in its last two games, including a 46-35 win over Titusville last week. Nolan Seabury has been a threat both through the air and on the ground for the Bobcats, while Ryan Miller leads the rushing attack.
Iroquois is coming off a 33-7 loss to Cambridge Springs.
REGION 1
Saegertown (1-4) at Cambridge Springs (3-2)
Saegertown is feeling good following its first win of the season, 35-0 over Union City. The Panthers’ offense has been solid, led by quarterback Sully Zirkle and the multi-dimensional Hank Shaffer.
Cambridge Springs is coming off a nice bounce-back win, 33-7 over Iroquois. Morgan Applebee has thrown for 404 yards and seven touchdowns while rushing for four touchdowns and Van Jones has 262 yards on the ground.
Lakeview (3-2) at Cochranton (1-3)
Lakeview is looking to bounce back following a 35-13 loss to Eisenhower. Mitchell Tingley (447 yards and Danick Hinkson (331 yards, 7 touchdowns) lead a potent ground game, while Tingley leads the team in tackles with 50 and is also a big threat in the kicking game.
Cochranton is looking for a rebound following a 45-0 loss to Mercer.
Mercer (3-2) at Maplewood (2-3)
Mercer has scored at least 38 points in all three of its wins, including 45-0 over Cochranton last week. Daemyin Mattocks has rushed for over 400 yards and nine touchdowns.
Maplewood is coming off a tough loss to Reynolds. Ben Gilberto has 674 yards and five touchdowns on the ground for the Tigers.
Reynolds (4-1) at Kennedy Catholic (1-4) – Saturday
Region 1 leader Reynolds got a historic rushing effort from Jalen Wagner last week, as he gained a Mercer County record 394 yards and scored eight touchdowns in a 64-0 win over Maplewood. The Raiders have scored at least 46 points in each of their four wins, with Wagner accounting for 1,322 yards and 19 touchdowns. Brayden McCloskey has thrown for 679 yards and six scores and Haydin McLaughlin has 395 receiving yards and five touchdowns. The Raiders have not allowed more than six points in any of their four wins.
Kennedy Catholic is led by Simeir Wade, who has 825 yards rushing and nine touchdowns. They are coming off a 27-13 loss to St. John’s (Md.) last week.
NON-REGION
Conneaut, Ohio (5-1) at North East (0-5)
North East has battled hard the last two weeks in a 21-6 loss to General McLane and a 24-21 setback to Fort LeBoeuf. Jackson Humes has thrown for over 700 yards, while Zane Strong and Jamari Curlett have combined for seven receiving touchdowns.
Conneaut has won five straight since a season-opening loss, the last three of which have come in blowout fashion, with Zack Rice leading the way from his running back position.
Seneca Valley (3-2) at Butler (4-1)
Butler has won three-straight, including 37-20 over Erie High last week. Mac Schnur and Dashawn Cox have been dynamic playmakers for the Golden Tornado. Schunr has 800 yards passing and 12 touchdowns and also has two rushing touchdowns, while Cox has 317 yards and two touchdowns rushing and 207 receiving yards and three scores.
Seneca Valley is coming off back-to-back impressive wins over Pine-Richland and Mt. Lebanon. Graham Hancox has thrown for 903 yards and eight touchdowns, while Wyatt Craver has 381 yards on the ground. Hancox also has three rushing touchdowns.
