We’re halfway through the 2023 high school football regular season, and things are heating up in District 10.
Some key region games highlight the slate in Week 6, as Sharon takes on Sharpsville in Region 3, Oil City travels to Meadville in Region 4 and the rivalry showdown in Region 6 takes places when Prep makes the short trip to take on McDowell.
Five unbeatens remain – Lakeview, Mercyhurst Prep, Sharpsville, Farrell and Cambridge Springs.
Here’s a look at each game.
SHARON (4-1) at SHARPSVILLE (5-0)
It’s an unstoppable force against an immovable object when Sharon takes on Sharpsville in this Region 3 showdown. The Blue Devils have scored 246 points (41 or more in four of its five wins), while Sharon has four shutouts, with its only points allowed coming in a 17-14 loss to Grove City.
Caullin Summers has put up some gaudy numbers for Sharpsville through five games. The senior quarterback and school’s career passing leader has thrown for 1,471 yards and 19 touchdowns (3 interceptions) and rushed for 505 yards and six touchdowns. Jaiden White, meanwhile, has 230 yards rushing, 273 yards receiving and 10 total touchdowns, and Dalton Byerly has 31 receptions for 597 yards and seven touchdowns.
Bryson Roberson leads the Sharon defense with 73 tackles (5 for loss), while Brodie Miller has 40 tackles (7 for loss), Ike Friday has four sacks and Bishop Root a pair of interceptions. Mister Ham has rushed for 414 yards and five touchdowns and thrown for 565 yards and six touchdowns. Cortez Nixon has 302 yards rushing and C.C. Harrison 232 yards receiving and three touchdowns.
OIL CITY (4-1) at MEADVILLE (4-1)
A game that will likely determine the Region 4 champion. Meadville won last year’s meeting, 35-0, and is following a similar recipe of dominant defense and a potent rushing attack. Bradyn Miller leads the way with 639 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns, while Brighton Anderson has 449 yards rushing and six touchdowns and Jordan Lawrence 383 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, Justice Esser has four sacks and Amarri Grenaway three interceptions for a unit that has allowed just 23 points in its past three games.
Oil City, meanwhile, is coming off a blowout win over Northwestern. Despite missing a game due to injury (Oilers only loss of the season to North East), Ethen Knox has rushed for 1,141 yards and 19 touchdowns and is within striking distance of the District 10 career rushing record set by former Meadville and Penn State standout Journey Brown. Kevin Pearsall leads the Oilers’ defense with 34 tackles (6 for loss).
CATHEDRAL PREP (2-2) at MCDOWELL (2-3)
As good as it gets in District 10, Prep and McDowell could both really use a win in this Region 6 rivalry game. McDowell came into last season’s game 4-1 before being blanked by the Ramblers, 41-0. Blayze Myers has taken over at quarterback for McDowell this season and already had double-digit passing touchdowns, while Stephon “Baby” Porter has keyed the rushing attack. The Trojans have scored 188 points through five games, but they have also surrendered 189.
Prep is coming off a 27-13 loss to Clarkson North (Ontario). Dajoure Hollingsworth has been terrific in the backfield for the Ramblers so far this season with over 1,000 rushing yards (1,174) to go along with 10 touchdowns. Dan Oblich leads the prep defense with 28 tackles. The Ramblers have scored
REGION 1
COCHRANTON (3-1) at LAKEVIEW (5-0)
The Sailors found their passing attack in Week 5, as Leyton Zacherl passed for over 300 yards and four touchdowns in a 48-28 win over Eisenhower. The Sailors have scored at least 40 points in every game they have played this season (they also have a forfeit win over Kennedy Catholic). Mitchell Tingley has rushed for 578 yards and nine touchdowns, while Aiden Osborne had five touchdowns on the ground. Danick Hinkson has 195 yards receiving and four touchdowns and Blake Skiles 305 yards receiving and three touchdowns.
Cochranton rallied from a 13-0 deficit to beat Mercer last week, 16-13. Blake Foulk continued his strong play, scoring both touchdowns on the ground and also adding a 2-point conversion. The Cardinals have given up 13 points or less in each of their three wins.
CAMBRIDGE SPRINGS (5-0) at SAEGERTOWN (1-4)
Since allowing 24 points in a 63-24 Week 1 win over Kennedy Catholic, the Blue Devils have allowed just 19 points in their last four games, outscoring their opponents 264-43 on the season. They have scored at least 41 points in every game this season. The Blue Devils have rushed for 1,656 yards as a team, 582 of those coming from Brett Kania (10 touchdowns), 322 from Preston Gorton (5 touchdowns), 315 from Jordan Washington (3 touchdowns) and 308 from Josh Gorton (5 touchdowns). Morgan Applebee has also completed 67 percent of his passes for 354 yards and three touchdowns.
Saegertown is looking to find its offensive footing after scoring just 13 points in its last three games. Reese Wilkinson has a pair of rushing touchdowns on the season for the Panthers.
MAPLEWOOD (2-3) at MERCER (2-3)
Maplewood found its offensive footing in a 27-6 win over Reynolds last week. The 27 points are the most the Tigers have scored in a game so far this season, as Kyle Jordan connected with Dorian Doubet on three touchdowns passes. A.J. Proper leads the team with 170 yards on the ground.
Mercer, meanwhile, is looking to bounce back from its 16-13 loss to Cochranton. Daemyin Mattocks has rushed for 536 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Mustangs, while Carter Addison has 327 yards and four scores on the ground.
KENNEDY CATHOLIC (0-4) at REYNOLDS (2-3)
Reynolds is looking to find its footing. After a 2-0 start, the Raiders have dropped three-straight to Sharpsville, Cambridge Springs and Maplewood. Gabe Minjarez has rushed for 394 yards and four touchdowns, while Gavin Alabran has 234 yards rushing and two touchdowns and 299 yards passing and two touchdowns.
Kennedy Catholic is looking to reignite its offense. After scoring 64 points in their first two games, the Golden Eagles scored only eight in a loss to Cochranton. Rayvion Wilbon-Venable has rushed for 261 yards and a pair of touchdowns and thrown for 460 yards and seven touchdowns, four of which have gone to Damian Harrison (247 yards).
REGION 2
EISENHOWER (3-2) at MERCYHURST PREP (5-0)
The Lakers have outscored their opponents 286-33, have scored 43 points or more in every game and allowed no more than 14 points in any single game. Paul Johnson has thrown for 840 yards, completing 68 percent of his passes for 840 yards and a 13-0 touchdown to interception ratio. Johnson also has 344 yards and six touchdowns on the ground, while JJ Ganska leads the rushing attack with 613 yards and seven touchdowns. Ja’son Ellman (340 yards, 7 touchdowns) leads a talented receiving group.
Eisenhower is looking to bounce back from a 48-28 loss to Lakeview. The Knights have scored 28 points or more in four of their five games this season. Shawn Pascuzzi has thrown for 507 yards, rushed for 398 and accounted for 14 total touchdowns. Tucker Lindell has 238 yards rushing and five touchdowns and Kris Bunk 247 yards receiving and six touchdowns.
UNION CITY (3-2) at NORTHWESTERN (0-5)
Union City has its rushing attack and defense (just 13 points allowed) to thank for back-to-back wins over Iroquois and Saegertown. Skylar Olmstead has rushed for 655 yards and seven touchdowns, while Owen Kerns has 293 yards rushing and three touchdowns on the season.
Northwestern is looking to get its offense going, with just 41 points scored through five games. Lloyd Fountain has thrown for 639 yards and two touchdowns, with Kolton Sutter (250 yards, 1 touchdown) his top receiver.
SENECA (0-5) at IROQUOIS (1-4)
Seneca will look to lean on senior quarterback Nolan Seabury to try and get its first win. Seabury has thrown for 339 yards and a pair of touchdowns and rushed for 329 yards and five touchdowns.
Iroquois, meanwhile, has given up seven points or fewer in three of its five games, but looks to get its offense going, as the Braves have scored just 59 points on the season. Christian Krysiak has thrown for 861 yards and five touchdowns, with Micach Pisarski (279 yards, 2 touchdowns) and Cole Bennett (265 yards, 2 touchdowns) his top receivers.
REGION 3
FARRELL (5-0) at WILMINGTON (2-3)
Farrell has allowed 17 points or fewer in each of its five wins this season. Marion Norris has 61 tackles (6 for loss), while Danny Odem and Simeir Wade have a pair of interceptions each. Quarterback Kabron Smith has thrown for 743 yards and 10 touchdowns (65 percent completion percentage), with Odem (209 yards, 3 touchdowns) and Brandon Chambers (149 yards, 4 touchdowns) his top targets. Juelz Johnson leads the ground game with 435 yards and four touchdowns.
Wilmington is coming off back-to-back losses to Hickory and Sharon. Ben Miller leads the offense with 665 yards and seven touchdowns, while Buddah Book has 290 yards rushing and four touchdowns. Book has also thrown for 131 yards.
GREENVILLE (0-5) at GROVE CITY (3-2)
After a 1-2 start, the Eagles appear to be getting on a roll with back-to-back wins over Sharon (17-14) and Slippery Rock (47-14). Hunter Hohman has done it all or the Eagles, throwing for 886 yards (64 percent completion percentage) and 10 touchdowns, while rushing for 392 yards and five touchdowns. Gavin Lutz (313 yards), Nathan Greer (321 yards) and Joey Hathaway (174 yards) all have multiple receiving touchdowns.
Greenville, meanwhile, is coming off a 41-13 loss to Sharpsville. Malachi Hyde has 297 yards rushing and a touchdown on the season for the Trojans, while Nick Solderich has 417 passing yards and three touchdowns and also has three rushing touchdowns.
HICKORY (3-2) at SLIPPERY ROCK (1-4)
Hickory played Farrell tough in a 26-7 loss last week and is looking to bounce back against Slippery Rock. The Hornets have scored at least 41 points in each of their three wins this season. The Hornets love to spread the ball around, as Zander Telesz has thrown for 732 yards and 10 touchdowns, with Tylon Cousin (240 yards, 4 touchdowns), Will Acrie (130 yards, 3 touchdowns) and Timmy Krivosh (174 yards, 1 touchdown) his top receivers. Freshman Kevlin Morrison leads the rushing attack with 228 yards and three touchdowns, while Sean Kennedy has 149 yards and two touchdowns.
Slippery Rock, meanwhile, is looking to bounce back from back-to-back losses to Sharpsville and Grove City. Eli Anderson has thrown for 689 yards and four touchdowns and rushed or 185 yards and a score. Sam Schwartz is the top receiver with 194 yards and three touchdowns.
REGION 4
TITUSVILLE (2-3) at CONNEAUT (2-3)
The Rockets have plenty of weapons and are coming off a 35-0 win over Seneca last week. Jaxon Covell has 593 rushing yards and seven touchdowns and also has 318 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Ian McDonald has thrown for 554 yards and four touchdowns, while Kameron Mong has 281 rushing yards and two touchdowns and 129 receiving yards and a score.
Conneaut, meanwhile, looks to get its offense on track following a shutout loss against Meadville last week. When the Eagles are going good, Ben Easer is getting it done both with his legs and through the air, accounting for over 200 yards of offense in a Week 4 win over Warren.
FRANKLIN (0-5) at WARREN (0-5)
One of these teams will pick up its first win of the season as the Dragons welcome the Knights. Franklin is coming off a loss to unbeaten Mercyhurst Prep, while Warren is coming off a lost to Fairview. The Dragons welcomed back one of their top players last week, Tommy Nyquist in a return from injury and scored on a pass from quarterback Eric Dippold. Dippold also threw a touchdown pass to Johnny Corbett in that game and on the season has completed 57 percent of his passes for 595 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions.
Franklin quarterback Jason Carey leads the Knights offense, with receiver Cole Buckley amassing over 400 receiving yards so far this season. Toby Sanchez leads Franklin’s ground game.
REGION 5
GIRARD (2-2) at FORT LEBOEUF (4-1)
The Bison look to bounce back from their first loss of the season, 14-7 to North East last Thursday. When the Bison are going good, they rely on the 1-2 punch of quarterback Connor McChesney and running back Aiden Lesik. The Bison have allowed just 84 points through five games.
Girard, meanwhile, is looking to bounce back from a loss to Harbor Creek. The Jackets own wins over Northwestern and Warren this season, and are led on the ground by Jeremiah Colon.
GENERAL MCLANE (3-2) at HARBOR CREEK (2-3)
General McLane has alternated wins and losses so far this season and is coming off an impressive 41-15 win over Corry. Isaac Zietz and Matt Caro had combined to throw for 839 yards and 10 touchdowns so far this season. Jacob Zietz has amassed 557 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, while Magnus Lloyd has 399 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Jacob Zietz also has four interceptions defensively.
Harbor Creek is coming off a 48-7 win over Girard. TyShawn Jones has been getting it done on the ground with 613 yards and eight touchdowns, while Lance Brown has 383 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
FAIRVIEW (2-3) at CORRY (1-3)
Fairview is coming off a 48-15 win over Warren and nearly knocked off Fort LeBoeuf in Week 4, falling 36-35 in triple overtime. Vinny Campoli has thrown for 620 yards and seven touchdowns and also rushed for 240 yards and six touchdowns. Tyler Benford has 244 yards on the ground and three touchdowns, while Jacob Harkness has 207 yards receiving and three touchdowns. Benford also has a pair of receiving touchdowns.
Corry is coming off a 41-15 loss to General McLane and owns a 29-21 win over Harbor Creek this season.
NON-REGION
NORTH EAST (4-1) at LUTHERAN EAST (2-4)
After falling to Farrell in its season opener, the Grape Pickers have rattled off four straight wins, including a 14-7 victory over previously unbeaten Fort LeBoeuf last week. North East has surrendered just 21 points in those four games, led by Jacob Babo, who has 58 tackles on the season, and Logan Latimore’s seven sacks. Jackson Humes is completing 60 percent of his passes for 933 yards and 13 touchdowns, with his top target Jamari Curlett (443 yards, seven touchdowns). Curlett also has 296 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
Lutheran East (Ohio) is coming off a 12-6 overtime loss to Richmond Heights. They actually own a plus-11 point differential (118-107) despite being 2-4.
ERIE (3-2) at ST. FRANCIS (0-4)
Erie is coming off a 20-19 win over Butler in which Adrien Tate scored all three touchdowns. The Royals have surrendered just 21 points in their three wins. Tajhae Thomas leads a balanced rushing attack with 397 yards on the ground.
St. Francis (NY) is 0-4, with one of those losses coming in six overtimes to Cathedral Prep, 78-72. They have scored 157 points and allowed 207 on the season. Landon Welka has thrown for 446 yards and five touchdowns, while Terrence Pendergrass has 338 yards rushing and six touchdowns.
