Notre Dame-Green Pond scored twice on big pass plays to build a quick 14-0 lead last Saturday, but Pen Argyl pressed on.
“These kids didn’t quit,” Green Knights coach Brady Mutton said. “I just told them, ‘Six weeks ago you might have folded after that second touchdown.’
“They kept playing. There was a lot of good things today.”
Perhaps no team has endured such a wild roller-coaster ride this season more than Pen Argyl, which has alternated losses and wins in a variety of ways to this point in the 2024 regular season.
The Green Knights were smacked in the mouth in the final three quarters of their season opener at home by Tamaqua, then bounced back with a road win over Palmerton.
They blew a two-touchdown, fourth-quarter lead at home against Northern Lehigh, then shut out host Wilson.
They lost at Palisades thanks to a bad second quarter and a missed extra point, then responded with a gritty home win in the rain over Salisbury.
They sputtered in the red zone at home in last week’s 42-15 loss to Notre Dame-Green Pond, so they are looking to turn the corner again Friday at Saucon Valley.
Pen Argyl finishes its regular season against Catasauqua and Bangor, with hopes of taking momentum into the District 11 Class 2A playoffs.
No matter what has happened to this point in the regular season, most teams still have a chance to qualify for the district postseason.
No team has locked up a top spot, though several have secured berths in their respective classifications.
But there is much to be decided in the final three weeks of the regular season, which begins with Thursday’s showdown between North Schuylkill and Blue Mountain.
What every team wants is positive vibes going into bonus football. We’ve seen it play out in the Major League Baseball playoffs. The Tigers, Mets, Royals and Padres were trending in the right direction at the end of the 162-game regular season, and they are still alive in the playoff, with the Mets moving on to the National League Championship Series after ousting the Phillies.
Nobody is hotter as this point than Northwestern Lehigh, which has rested its starters for large chunks during six of its first seven games. Only Freedom in the EPC has matched the Tigers’ 7-0 start in District 11.
There are other hot teams. Schuylkill Haven has rolled to six victories in a row after an opening-night loss to Blue Mountain. Southern Lehigh has won five in a row since losing to Blue Mountain. Nativity BVM and Notre Dame-Green Pond have each won four consecutive games.
Other teams such as Catasauqua and Salisbury that have struggled after solid starts have time to turn things around.
Win or lose, it’s always on to the next week.
After another 13-1 week, I look for a perfect weekend of picks for the first time this season in Week 8. Here are the picks:
Colonial-Schuylkill League football Week 8 predictions
North Schuylkill (4-3) at Blue Mountain (6-1) : A big game for both teams. The Spartans are clawing for one of the four District 11 Class 3A playoff berths. They are still working to replace the graduated talented athletes they had on the perimeter. The Eagles, however, are loaded with athletes on both sides of the ball. They have balance offensively that could be the difference here. BLUE MOUNTAIN 28-17 .
Southern Lehigh (6-1) at Bangor (0-7) : The Spartans are getting better each week. Their defense was solid in last week’s win over Tamaqua. They will look to stay focused on the task in front of them, a Slaters team that has struggled offensively all season. SOUTHERN LEHIGH 35-13 .
Jim Thorpe (2-5) at Northwestern (7-0) : A good test for the Tigers’ secondary with Olympians quarterback Cole Lazorick and record-setter Justin Yescavage leading a solid receiving group. The Olympians offensive front will need to give Lazorick a chance in the passing game and a semblance of a running game. NORTHWESTERN 42-15 .
Salisbury (3-4) at Palmerton (2-5) : Two teams trending in opposite directions. The Falcons have lost three in a row, managing only 17 points in that stretch. The Blue Bombers have won two in a row after an 0-5 start, scoring 76 points in those victories. The Falcons will have to make the Blue Bombers drive the ball instead of letting Jameson Trainer and Co. produce several big scoring plays. PALMERTON 21-20 .
Notre Dame-GP (6-1) at Palisades (1-6) : The Crusaders will continue to fine tune their passing game the next three weeks in hopes of getting a district 3A playoff home game. NOTRE DAME-GP 41-14 .
Northern Lehigh (5-2) at Catasauqua (3-4) : It’s been a rough stretch for the Rough Riders, who have allowed 206 points during their four-game losing streak. The Bulldogs have won four of their last five with a balanced offense with several weapons. NORTHERN LEHIGH 26-21 .
Pen Argyl (3-4) at Saucon Valley (5-2) : A big game for both teams. The Panthers are clutching the final playoff berth in the 4A bracket. The Green Knights would love to find their way into a 2A home postseason game. SAUCON VALLEY 21-13 .
Schuylkill Haven (6-1) at Pine Grove (1-6) : The Hurricanes won’t surprise anyone with their game plan. They will come at every opponent with their vaunted run game. The Cardinals have struggled with consistency on both sides of the ball. SCHUYLKILL HAVEN 49-7 .
Panther Valley (1-6) at Shenandoah Valley (0-7) : Both clubs have struggled offensively and with injuries. The Panthers have more experience and should have enough offense to pull this one out. PANTHER VALLEY 13-7 .
Marian Catholic (4-3) at Williams Valley (6-1) : The Vikings have one of the district’s best offenses. The Colts have been sporadic offensively, scoring just seven points in their three losses. That won’t be enough here. WILLIAMS VALLEY 34-14 .
Tri-Valley (5-2) at Mahanoy Area (2-5) : The Bulldogs would love to host a Class A playoff game. They’ll need to finish strong. This would be a good start. TRI-VALLEY 22-12 .
Nativity BVM (6-1) at Minersville (4-3) : The Battlin’ Miners should have QB Dante Carr back, but the Green Wave have better overall balance on both sides of the ball. NATIVITY BVM 29-21 .
Tamaqua (6-1) at Lehighton (2-5) : This will be an important bounce-back game for the Blue Raiders, who are coming off their first loss of the year. They were solid for most of last Friday’s game at Southern Lehigh against the run. The Indians will need to match that physicality on both sides of the ball to have a chance. TAMAQUA 28-7 .
Wilson (0-7) at Pottsville (3-4) : The Crimson Tide’s future is bright under first-year head coach Mike Brennan. They will benefit by making the district 4A playoffs. The Warriors are searching for positive steps in first-year head coach Jim Brady’s rebuild. POTTSVILLE 44-13 .
Last week : 13-1
This season : 84-20
Morning Call senior writer Tom Housenick can be reached at 610-820-6651 or at thousenick@mcall.com
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