Week 6 marks the final regular-season play date for playoff-bound teams in Class 2A and 4A, while others will still have a week to go.
Also see the District 9 Preview
In Class 2A, Wilmington and Northwestern have qualified for the postseason, as have fellow region champions Oil City and Harbor Creek. Two at-large spots remain for each classification.
A reminder that both Region 9 games, Erie/Butler and Prep/McDowell will not be played this weekend.
Both playoff and non-playoff teams have added games for next week, but for now, let’s take a look at Week 6, beginning with a showdown in Region 8.
MEADVILLE (4-1) at CONNEAUT (3-1)
Quite simply, the winner will be in the playoffs. The loser could still make it in, but would be in an at-large battle with General McLane.
Meadville has beaten Titusville twice, along with Franklin and Warren, and is powered by its offensive line and running backs, led by Khalon Simmons (785 yards, 14 TDs) and Tamoj Lyons-Glover (497 yards, 7 touchdowns).
They will be facing a Conneaut squad that has beat the same three teams – with both teams’ loss coming to Oil City.
Nate Bortnick spearheads the Conneaut attack with 471 passing yards and six touchdowns and is also a threat in the running game (331 yards), as is Max Lewandowski (494 yards).
GENERAL MCLANE (4-1) at HARBOR CREEK (5-0)
The first meeting went 34-7 in favor of the Huskies, thanks to a big game on the ground from Cameron Williamson, who comes into the contest 729 yards and nine touchdowns.
Harbor Creek also has one of District 10’s top passing attacks, led by quarterback Casey Smith (1,044 yards, 17 TDs, 1 INT) and receivers Cody Smith (330 yards, 6 TDs) and Ryan Whitman (301 yards, 7 TDs).
A win would all but guarantee the Lancers of a playoff berth. To do so, they will need to avoid the turnover bug, as the Huskies forced them into three in the first meeting.
GM has a strong rushing attack, led by the duo of Jaxon Scrutchins and Jared Iavrone-Campbell.
WEST MIDDLESEX (3-2) at MERCER (2-3)
The Big Reds are trying to secure an at-large berth in Class A, with region champs Reynolds and Eisenhower already in.
The first meeting was a 35-7 win for Middlesex, which is led by quarterback Ty Tate (474 passing yards, 185 rushing yards) and running back Ian Smith (311 rushing yards). Chris Smith (181 yards) and Alex Rea (169 yards) are the leading receivers.
Mercer is led by running back Aidan Bright, who has had a pair of big games this season, both coming against Kennedy Catholic.
LAKEVIEW (2-3) at CAMBRIDGE SPRINGS (4-1)
Cambridge Springs has secured a playoff berth in Class A, and owns a 42-13 win over the Sailors in the season-opener back on Sept. 12.
In that game, quarterback Trenten Wheeler threw for four touchdowns, including a pair to Aidan Rauscher, while Ayden Miller had 124 yards and two scores on the ground.
Wheeler is also the Blue Devils’ leading rusher on the season at 342 yards. They jumped out to an early 20-0 lead over Lakeview in the opener en route to the win.
Sailors’ quarterback Gavin Murdock does it all, throwing for 446 yards and rushing for 329 more. Calogano Williams also has 220 yards on the ground.
NORTHWESTERN (5-0) at MAPLEWOOD (2-3)
The Wildcats have their sights set on an unbeaten regular season. Maplewood knows that feeling well, having accomplished the feat just last season.
The two teams met in an overtime thriller back in Week 1, with Preston Runser’s field goal being the difference.
It starts on defense for the Wildcats, who are allowing just 7 points per game.
Offensively, the offense runs through quarterback Ryan Tewell (521 yards passing, 224 yards rushing), Austin Swift (566 yards rushing) and receivers Dawson Fiesler, Eric Steinle and Malachi Schaefer.
Kaleb Donor (344 rushing yards, 163 receiving yards), Dominick Kinney (331 passing yards) and Jesse McFadden (191 receiving yards) pace the Tigers offensively.
FORT LEBOEUF (5-0) at GIRARD (2-3)
The Bison, having locked up a region title and playoff berth, look to secure their sixth win when they travel to Girard.
It was a 48-14 win for the Bison in Week 1, who have allowed just 21 points all season.
Offensively, LeBoeuf gets it done on the ground, thanks to a dominant offensive line and the 1-2 rushing attack of Tristin Harris (708 yards), 12 touchdowns) and Jack Rimpa (422 yards, 11 touchdowns).
Most of Girard’s offense also comes on the ground, courtesy of Gunner Bax (469 yards, 7 touchdowns), Todd Essman (409 yards, 4 touchdowns) and Austin Barrett (365 yards, 7 touchdowns). Barrett, the Yellow Jacket quarterback, has also thrown for 306 yards.
FRANKLIN (1-4) at OIL CITY (5-0)
Having already locked up a playoff berth, the Oilers look to beat Franklin for the second time this season. It was a one-sided affair in Week 1 in the Route 8 rivalry, as the Oilers won 68-6.
Cam Russell is District 10’s leading rusher at 975 yards and 13 touchdowns, but the Oilers have a multitude of weapons, incluing Holden Stahl (522 yards passing, 7 touchdowns, 0 interceptions), Dakota Cole (232 yards receiving 3 touchdowns) and JT Stahlman (214 yards, 3 toucdowns).
Oil City has dominated on both the offensive and defensive lines this season, allowing their talented backs and receivers to shine.
Franklin, under the direction of first-year coach Matt Turk, is led offensively by Aaron Burkhardt, Cole Buckley and Cade Adams.
GREENVILLE (0-5) at FARRELL (3-2)
Farrell looks to bounce back following a heartbreaking 1-point loss to Wilmington last week.
It was a 47-7 win for the Steelers back in Week 3 over Greenville. They are led by the dynamic Anthony Stallworth, who is one of District 10’s top running backs with 787 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Christian Hartley has been effective through the air, throwing for 612 yards and five touchdowns. His top targets are Brice Butler (232 yards, 1 touchdown), Stallworth (165 yards, 2 touchdowns) and Kylon Wilson (132 yards, 3 touchdowns).
Greenville is led by Rufus Byler (285 yards receiving), Jalen Ritzert (358 yards passing) and Mason Dickens (211 yards rushing).
SATURDAY
EISENHOWER (5-0) at SENECA (0-5)
The Knights are winning by an average of 49 points per game, and look to make it a season sweep of Seneca after locking up the Region 5 title last week.
Defensively, they have dominant, led by Benji Bauer (38 tackles), Jared Beers (3.5 sacks), Colby Hagg (3 fumbles recovered, 29 tackles) and others.
Offensivley, it’s been a fireworks show, led by quarterback Owen Trumbull (931 yards, 15 touchdowns, 2 interceptions), Cael Black (468 yards rushing, 9 touchdowns), Dillon Benson (397 yards receiving, 5 touchdowns), Caleb Robinault (181 yards receiving, 5 touchdowns) and Zane Alexander (172 yards, 3 touchdowns).
Seneca is led by Colin Libra (353 yards passing) and Ryan Miller (323 yards rushing).
SLIPPERY ROCK (2-3) at HICKORY (5-0)
Having already locked up a playoff berth, Hickory looks to move to 6-0. They beat Slippery Rock back in Week 3, 45-0.
The Hornets are led by District 10’s leading passer, Michael Henwood, who has thrown for 1,245 yards and 15 touchdowns. He has also rushed for 410 yards, while Clay Wiesen has 328 on the ground.
Henwood has a group of talented receivers to throw to, including Ramarion Whitehead (610 yards, 5 touchdowns), Rocco Iacino (268 yards, 3 touchdowns) and Matt Cannone (243 yards, 6 touchdowns)
William Mokel (865 passing yards, 5 touchdowns) and John Sabo (222 receiving yards, 1 touchdown), lead the Slippery Rock offense, complemented by Shane Thompson (219 rushing yards, 4 touchdowns), Brett Galick (177 receiving yards), Ryan Montgomery (155 receiving yards) and Ethan Plesakov (142 receiving yards).
Other Games: Friday – Cochranton at Saegertown, Iroquois at Union City, North East at Corry, Fairview at Mercyhurst Prep, Warren at Titusville; Saturday – Reynolds at Kennedy Catholic
