Mercer County rivals to clash in Friday’s Game of the Week

HERMITAGE, Pa. (WKBN) – The distance from Sharon High School to Hickory High School is 2.6 miles – that closeness to one another could also be conveyed in where the two programs are and have been for some time now in their achievement on the gridiron.

This Friday, the Hornets and Tigers will collide once more on WKBN’s High School Football Game of the Week.

High School Football Game of the Week
Friday, September 13, 2024 at 7 pm
Sharon (2-1) at Hickory (3-0)

Last 5 Meetings
Nov. 17, 2023 – Hickory, 14-6 (District Championship)
Sept. 8, 2023 – Sharon, 12-0
Sept. 9, 2022 – Sharon, 28-14
Nov. 6, 2021 – Hickory, 36-20 (District quarterfinal)
Sept. 11, 2021 – Sharon, 14-7

Last Meeting
…The Hornets won its 8th district crown since 2011 by defeating Sharon, 14-6, in last year’s title tilt. Jadon Phillips scored a pick-6 and Zander Telesz went into the end zone on a run to secure the victory for Hickory. For Sharon, Mister Ham threw for 71 yards and rushed 11 times for 33 yards with a touchdown run.

2024 Team Statistics
Scoring Offense: Hickory, 46.0; Sharon, 34.7
Scoring Defense : Sharon, 13.0; Hickory, 17.0

Game Notes
-Last week, Sharon became the first District 10 school to post its 700th football victory by topping Slippery Rock – 42-0. Bryson Roberson caught 7 passes with 2 being for touchdowns (10, 11) from Ethan Engelmore.

-The Tigers are seeking its first back-to-back 3-1 starts since 2005-10. Last year, Sharon began 3-0 before being edged by Grove City, 17-14, in week four.

-The Hornets won its Thursday matchup 63-6 over Conneaut . Hickory outgained the Eagles, 379-119. Zander Telesz connected on 7 of 10 passes for 194 yards (2 TDs) and Kelvin Morrison ran for 92 yards on 6 attempts (2 TDs).

-Hickory’s after its first 4-0 start since 2020.

-Sharon has won three of their last five meetings with the Hornets. Prior to that stretch, Hickory had won three in a row.

-After topping Hickory during the regular season, a year ago, 12-0 – Sharon fell in the District 10 Class 3A championship, 14-6, to the Hornets. Since the 2016 playoff meeting (Hickory won the District 10 3A title, 45-13), the two teams have split their last 10 meetings (5-5).

Past playoff showdowns
2023 District 10 3A Championship: Hickory 14-6
2021 District 10 3A Championship: Hickory, 36-20
2016 District 10 3A Championship: Hickory, 45-13
2015 District 10 2A Championship: Hickory, 32-19
2010 District 10 2A Championship: Sharon, 14-6

Upcoming Schedule
Sharon
Sept. 21 – Farrell (0-3)
Sept. 28 – at Meadville (2-1)
Oct. 4 – at Grove City (2-1)

Hickory
Sept. 21 – at Erie (1-2)
Sept. 27 – at Niles (1-2)
Oct. 3 – at Titusville (2-1)

Get updated high school football scores throughout the season on the WKBN scores page.

Track the latest conference battles on the WKBN high school football standings page.

You can also watch interviews and get player profiles from some of the best players in the Valley by visiting the WKBN Big 22 page .

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