The calendar has turned to October, and the air outside is getting colder, but the action is heating up on the field as we hit Week 7 of the high school football season in District 10.
Teams continue to jockey for playoff positions, but many of them will step outside region play this week.
Region 3 and Region 5 are the exceptions, with a showdown in Region 3 looming between Farrell and Sharpsville, who sit atop the standings. The game will be played at West Middlesex high school and it is the headliner on what is another loaded slate of games.
Meadville and Eisenhower remain the undefeated teams along with Sharpsville in District 10, with Meadville battling McDowell in an intriguing non-region matchup.
Let’s dig in.
REGION 3
Farrell (5-1) at Sharpsville (6-0)
Both teams are 4-0 in Region 3 play, with this game going a long way in determining the champion. It’s also a potential playoff preview.
Sharpsville comes in following an impressive 49-27 win over Sharon. The Blue Devils have scored at least 40 points in three of their six wins, led by do-it-all quarterback Caullin Summers, who has thrown for 1,410 yards and 15 touchdowns and also ran for 589 yards and six scores. Garen Levis has been Summers’ top target with 671 yards receiving and six touchdowns, while Braedon Summers has 206 yards rushing, 220 receiving, and seven total touchdowns. The 27 points allowed in a game are the high water mark for Sharpsville this season.
Farrell is coming off a game in which Kabron Smith threw for 400 yards, a single-game program record. Lamont Samuels had 200 of those yards and Kylon Wilson was over 100. On the season, Wilson had combined for just shy of 800 combined yards rushing and receiving and 13 touchdowns, while Samuels has 380 yards receiving. Smith has thrown for 1,287 yards and 16 touchdowns and Brandon Chambers has run for five touchdowns. It’s a Farrell team that has scored at least 35 points in every game this season, while the defense, led by Marion Norris’ 69 tackles, has allowed just 20 total points in its last three games.
Sharon (3-3) at Slippery Rock (4-2)
Slippery Rock snapped its two-game losing streak with a 23-20 win over Hickory last week, while Sharon is looking to bounce back from its loss to Sharpsville.
Special teams have played a big role for Slippery Rock this season, with Nick Kingerski booting the game-winning 30-yard field goal with just over a minute to play last week. The Rocket defense hasn’t allowed more than 28 points in a game this season. Offensively, William Mokel has thrown for 1,352 yards and 11 touchdowns and also added three touchdowns on the ground. John Sabo has five receiving touchdowns, while Maddox Allen has 480 yards on the ground this season.
Sharon’s offense has been strong this season as well. Mikey Rodriques has combined for 1,000 yards passing and rushing with 15 total touchdowns, while Jayveerh White has 650 yards on the ground and four touchdowns. Lamont Austin and Mister Ham are the top receivers
Hickory (2-4) at Grove City (4-2)
Hickory has lost four straight, two of them by one possession, while Grove City has won three straight, the last two of which have been one possession wins.
The Eagles are led offensively by quarterback Hunter Hohman, who has thrown for 780 yards and eight touchdowns and rushed for four more touchdowns. Gavin Lutz (23 receptions, 394 yards, 6 TDs) and Nathan Greer (20 receptions, 250 yards 2 TDs) are his top receivers, while Anthony Nemec has 445 yards on the ground. The Grove City defense is also a threat to score, having accounted for multiple touchdowns this season.
The Hornet offense, meanwhile, has gotten it done mostly through the air. Logan Woods has thrown for 928 yards and six scores, while Keenan Scullin, Zander Telesz, and Will Acrie are all over 200 yards receiving and have two touchdowns apiece.
REGION 5
North East (1-5) at Corry (2-4)
A couple of scrappy teams will do battle when North East travels to Corry. The Beavers are coming off a dramatic 28-27 win over Fairview, a game in which they trailed 24-7 at halftime. Quarterback Nolan Carey had a big hand in that, and he directs the Corry offense, as well as running back Mason Savitz.
They will be facing a North East team that is coming off its first win of the season under coach Jovon Johnson, 14-12 over Conneaut (Ohio). Jackson Humes has thrown for 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns, with Jamari Curlett and Zane Strong catching five scores apiece.
Girard (1-4) at Fairview (3-3)
Fairview is looking to bounce back from the tough loss to Corry, as is Girard from a 36-7 setback to Fort LeBoeuf. Charles Chevalier has rushed for 446 yards for Fairview, while Jared Gennuso and Tyler Corbin also have over 200 yards on the ground each. Corbin has thrown for 446 yards, 342 of which have gone to Jeremy Frazao, who also doubles as a ball-hawking defensive back for the Tigers.
Fort LeBoeuf (5-1) at Harbor Creek (2-4)
Fort LeBoeuf has rattled off four wins in a row, giving up just seven points in two of those games. The Bison are getting it done on offense through the ground game, with Justin Leuschen averaging over 100 yards on the ground per contest. When they do look to go to the air, Connor McChesney has been a capable passer.
Harbor Creek is coming off a 35-14 loss to General McLane. Lance Brown has been their top offensive weapon this season, accounting for 497 yards on the ground and three touchdowns.
REGION 1
Cambridge Springs (4-2) at Lakeview (4-2)
An intriguing Region 1 matchup as both teams come in with identical 4-2 records. Cambridge Springs comes in winners of two straight over Iroquois and Saegertown. Quarterback Mason Applebee has thrown for 466 yards and eight touchdowns and also rushed for four touchdowns. Van Jones leads the rushing attack with 308 yards.
Mitchell Tingley and Danick Hinkson have been a two-man wrecking crew in the Lakeview backfield. Tingley has rushed for 692 yards and three touchdowns (including over 200 last week), while Hinkson has 331 yards and seven scores. The Sailors are coming in off a 35-14 win over Cochranton.
Kennedy Catholic (1-5) at Mercer (4-2)
Mercer has allowed seven points or less in three of its four wins, coming off a 28-7 victory over Maplewood. The Mustangs have gotten it done on offense on the ground, with Dameyin Mattocks, Carter Addison, and Nic Michel combining for over 1,000 yards rushing and Mattocks scoring 10 touchdowns.
Kennedy Catholic, meanwhile, is coming off a 50-6 loss to Region 1 leader Reynolds. Simeir Wade has rushed for 879 yards and nine touchdowns and has also thrown for three touchdowns for the Golden Eagles.
NON-REGION
Benedictine (0-7) at Cathedral Prep (4-2)
The Ramblers come into this non-region matchup riding a ton of momentum following last week’s huge 41-0 victory over rival McDowell. In that game, Luke Costello and Camariyon Bridges connected on three touchdown passes. Costello has thrown for 653 yards and seven touchdowns, spreading the ball around to Bridges and Wakeem Page, the latter of whom leads the team with 23 receptions for 373 yards. Running back Suhtaun Lewis has been incredibly steady, rushing for 714 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 7.9 yards per carry.
They will be facing a Benedictine team that is winless against a difficult schedule.
McDowell (4-2) at Meadville (6-0)
The Class 4A Bulldogs step up in Class to take on the Class 6A Trojans. McDowell is looking to bounce back from its shutout loss to Prep, while Meadville made a statement with a 35-0 win over Oil City.
Meadville’s defense has been dominant, with three shutouts in their last four games, led by Brady Walker, Brighton Anderson, Rhoan Woodrow (their top three tacklers), and others. Offensively, it’s been Khalon Simmons and Walker getting it done behind a strong offensive line. Simmons has accounted for 940 yards and 19 touchdowns, while Walker has 730 yards and 11 scores.
Artis Simmons has been a workhorse for the McDowell ground game as well, accounting for 803 yards and six touchdowns. Ben Moore has thrown for seven touchdowns, with three of them going to Ray Jackson and two to Christian Santiago. The Trojans are averaging 47 points per game in their four wins.
Saegertown (1-5) at Eisenhower (6-0)
Eisenhower has rolled to its 6-0 start, winning every game by double-digits, including a 33-7 win over Mercyhurst Prep last week. Included in that record is a pair of shutout wins. Offensively, the offensive line has paved the way for a potent rushing attack led by Benji Bauer, who is averaging nearly 200 yards per game, rushing for 1,148 yards and 15 touchdowns. Shawn Pascuzzi had thrown for 559 yards, with Wyatt Lookenhouse (216 yards) and Kris Bunk (183 yards) his top targets.
Saegertown is coming off a 41-19 loss to Cambridge Springs.
General McLane (5-1) at Wilmington (3-3)
Another intriguing non-region matchup, the Lancers have won five straight since an opening loss to Slippery Rock, including a 35-14 win over Harbor Creek last week. GM’s defense and special teams have been instrumental in their success, as has the run game, led by quarterback Dylan Sheeder. Defensively, GM hasn’t allowed more than 20 points in any of its five wins.
They will be facing a Wilmington team that is looking to right the ship following back-to-back losses to Sharon and Farrell. When the Greyhounds are going well, they are getting it done with the ground game. Tyler Mikulin has rushed for 412 yards and three touchdowns, while Ben Miller has six rushing touchdowns.
Maplewood (2-4) at Titusville (2-4)
Titusville is coming off its season win of the season, a 27-0 triumph over Conneaut. Jaxon Covell continues to lead the offense with 649 passing yards and 288 rushing yards, while Brock Covell has rushed for 203 yards. Kameron Mong is the top receiver with 319 yards and five touchdowns.
Maplewood is coming off a 28-7 loss to Mercer. Ben Gilberto continues to be a workhorse in the backfield with 826 yards and six touchdowns.
Iroquois (0-6) at Greenville (0-6)
One team will get its first win when Greenville hosts Iroquois. Greenville may be the best winless team in the state. Playing in the ultra-competitive Region 3, four of the Trojans’ six losses have come by one possession, including a 14-12 loss to unbeaten Sharpsville and a 33-27 loss to Grove City last week. Malachi Hyde has rushed for 461 yards and three touchdowns for the Trojans, while Nick Solderich has thrown for 390 yards, 235 of them going to Jase Herrick.
Warren (3-3) at Mercyhurst Prep (3-3)
Warren comes in winners of three of their last four games, including a 36-7 win over Franklin last week. In their last two wins, the Dragons have allowed just 14 combined points. Offensively, Tommy Nyquist has 545 yards rushing and 271 yards receiving, accounting for six touchdowns. Eric Dippold has thrown for 849 yards and nine touchdowns, while Cayden Wright has 374 yards receiving and six touchdowns. Ethan Senz also has 359 yards rushing and four touchdowns.
Mercyhurst Prep is led by David Bahm, who has thrown for 1,063 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushed for 397 yards and five scores. Ja’son Ellman (471 yards, 6 touchdowns) and Skylar Grayson (235 yards, 3 touchdowns) are his top targets.
Conneaut (0-6) at Northwestern (2-2)
Northwestern looks to keep it rolling following back-to-back wins over Oil City and Union City. Lloyd Fountain has thrown for 666 yards and 10 touchdowns and also has five rushing touchdowns. Ben Campbell has rushed for 521 yards and four touchdowns and Landon Wayne (288 yards) and Logan Stagl (220 yards) are the top receivers.
They will be facing a Conneaut team still in search of its first win following its loss to Maplewood last week.
Oil City (4-2) at Hollidaysburg (1-5)
The Oilers are looking to get back on the right track following back-to-back losses to Northwestern and Meadville. Ethen Knox was held under 300 yards rushing for the first time this season in the loss to Meadville, finishing with 96. Nevertheless, his numbers are still eye-popping with 2,104 yards on the ground and 24 touchdowns. Brayden McFedtridge leads the defense with 14 tackles for loss and 10 sacks, while Kevin Pearsall has eight tackles for loss and five sacks.
Hollidaysburg is coming off its first win of the season, 31-0 over Bellefonte. Tucker Rossman has thrown for 883 yards and seven touchdowns, while Caden DeLattre has 359 yards receiving and a pair of scores.
Butler (4-2) at Westinghouse (5-0)
After a 42-7 loss to Seneca Valley last week, Butler has another tough task on its hands when they take on unbeaten Westinghouse. Mac Schnur, Dashawn Cox, and the offense will look to get back on track, with Schnur accounting for 982 yards passing and 13 touchdowns, while Cox has 380 yards rushing and two touchdowns and 269 yards receiving and three scores.
Westinghouse owns wins over Clairton, Steelton-Highspire and Allderdice this season.
St. Francis (2-2) at Erie (1-5)
Erie looks to get its offense on track against a St. Francis team that has a 28-26 win over Cathedral Prep under its belt. Ricardo Kidd has rushed for 580 yards and three touchdowns for St. Francis.
Franklin (0-6) at Seneca (4-2)
Seneca’s offense has been firing on all cylinders, having scored at least 27 points in every game this season, including a 67-0 win over Iroquois last week. Nolan Seabury directs the offense from his quarterback position and along with Ryan Miller leads the rushing attack.
Franklin is still in search of its first win following a 36-7 loss to Warren last week. They are led by quarterback Hunter Marsteller, wide receiver/defensive back Cole Buckley and back Toby Sanchez.
