FB FRIDAY: Unbeaten Tornadoes visit rival Tigers

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Oct. 14—MOUNT CARMEL — John Darrah doesn't want to talk about the past.

The Mount Carmel head coach, and his players, are only focused on the present.

That's the message Darrah instilled in his squad as the unbeaten Red Tornadoes (7-0) prepared to visit rival Southern Columbia (5-2) in a non-conference matchup of District 4 Class AA title contenders tonight in Catawissa.

The defending District 4 and PIAA Class AA champion Tigers have defeated Mount Carmel 14 straight times dating back to 2011 and hold a 30-8 edge in the series that dates back to 1996.

Last season, Southern Columbia handed Mount Carmel two of its three defeats, winning 40-14 in a Week 5 regular-season contest and then 41-7 in the District 4 Class AA final.

That doesn't matter, Darrah said. It's a new year.

"The past really has no relevance to (tonight's) game," Darrah said Thursday. "It is the 2022 version of each team playing one another.

"We are only concerned with executing our assignments, not the past or what the future may hold."

The 2022 version of Big Red football has been dominant so far, ripping off seven straight wins by an average margin of 44-12. Mount Carmel toppled North Schuylkill in its opener, routed District 2 powerhouse Dunmore in Week 2, then swept its five Heartland Conference Division III opponents en route to the division crown.

The Red Tornadoes have done so with a balanced attack that has relied on the strong play up front by a mammoth, veteran offensive line and strong running by a committee of backs paced by junior Xavier Diaz (38-397, 5 TDs) and sophomore Luke Blessing (41-335, 6 TDs).

Big Red is averaging 430 yards per game (260 rushing/170 passing) and has scored more than 40 points in six consecutive games. The Red Tornadoes have scored 310 points in seven games; only Mount Carmel teams in 1921 (315) and 2008 (314) have scored more.

Mount Carmel has also overcome adversity under center after junior Cole Spears suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 5. Sophomore Matthew Balichik has come in and excelled, completing 21-of-34 passes for 507 yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions in two-plus games.

Seniors Garrett Varano (21-308, 4 TDs) and Michael Farronato (11-200) and junior Jacob Schultz (11-226, 5 TDs) have been the Tornadoes' top receiving targets.

"Matthew has been doing a great job for us," Darrah said. "He got an opportunity and has ran with it. What he may lack in experience he makes up for with toughness and competitiveness. He has been the model of the 'next man up' philosophy and our team has rallied around him."

Southern Columbia opened the season with impressive wins over Berwick and Shamokin but was upended 27-10 in Week 3 by Loyalsock. The Tigers then suffered a second defeat in Week 5 when they were mauled by Danville 49-14.

Senior running back Braeden Wisloski is the Tigers' star, rushing for 861 yards and 11 TDs so far. The speedster has rushed for more than 100 yards in six of seven games, including 184 in the loss to Danville. He's also caught nine passes for 160 yards and two scores.

Southern's No. 2 running back, Wes Barnes, has missed the last two games due to injury after running for 490 yards and five TDs in the first five. Junior quarterback Blake Wise is 30-for-58 for 433 yards and three touchdowns, with two interceptions.

Playing mistake-free football on offense and containing the Tigers' wing-T attack are Mount Carmel's primary goals.

"We need to protect the ball on offense and tackle well on defense," Darrah said.

The Week 8 schedule features 16 games involving local teams tonight and one more Saturday when Pottsville treks to Easton to take on Wilson Area at noon.

Here's a look at the rest of the local schedule this weekend:

TONIGHT

Blue Mountain (4-3)

at Saucon Valley (2-5)

Players to Watch: Blue Mountain — LB Vern Kleckner. Saucon Valley — QB Travis Riefenstahl

Breakdown: After two home victories, the Eagles travel to Hellertown looking for a third straight win as they continue their quest for a District 11 4A playoff spot. Kleckner is the leading tackler on a defensive unit that held Wilson to 75 total yards last week. Eagles will have to contain Riefenstahl, who has passed for 979 yards and rushed for 347.

Lehighton (1-6)

at Southern Lehigh (6-1)

Players to Watch: Lehighton — QB Brady O'Donnell. Southern Lehigh — RB Cade Sawyer

Breakdown: The Indians will try to slow down a Spartans' squad that has won six straight games and decked Saucon Valley 42-7 last week. O'Donnell is closing in on 1,000 yards passing for the season. Sawyer rushed for 152 yards in Week 5 win over Blue Mountain.

Palmerton (5-2) at North Schuylkill (5-2)

Players to Watch: Palmerton — QB Matt Machalik. North Schuylkill — OL/DL Steven Davis

Breakdown: The Blue Bombers' high-powered offense vs. the Spartans' stingy defense is the story in this Red Division matchup. Led by Machalik, who has thrown for a District 11-best 1,661 yards and 23 TDs, Palmerton has scored 40 or more points in six of seven games, including 53 and 51 the past two games. North Schuylkill has allowed just under 13 points per game with three shutouts.

Jim Thorpe (3-4) at Notre Dame-Green Pond (5-2)

Players to Watch: Jim Thorpe — QB Cole Lazorick. Notre Dame-Green Pond — WR A.J. Lozano

Breakdown: Lazorick stepped in at quarterback last week and starter Brett Balliet's status is uncertain for tonight's game. Olympians will have to slow down the Crusaders' passing game, which features QB Danny Darno throwing plenty of passes to Lozano.

Tamaqua (3-4) at Northern Lehigh (6-1)

Players to Watch: Tamaqua — RB/LB Bradley Whalen. Northern Lehigh — QB Nick Frame

Breakdown: The state-ranked Bulldogs average 356 yards per game and have scored 32 or more points in every game but their loss to North Schuylkill. Tough task ahead for Tamaqua defense.

Pine Grove (1-6) at Salisbury (0-7)

Players to Watch: Pine Grove — WR/DB Owen Hannevig. Salisbury — WR Jacob Gibbons

Breakdown: Cardinals can take a major step toward earning a District 11 Class 3A playoff spot with a victory over the winless Falcons. Two similar teams: Pine Grove has been outscored 294-76, while Salisbury has been outscored 288-44.

Catasauqua (4-3) at Panther Valley (2-5)

Radio/TV: WMGH 105.5 FM

Players to Watch: Catasauqua — RB Jyzaiah Bonilla. Panther Valley — QB Michael Pascoe

Breakdown: Panthers host a Rough Riders' squad that has won four straight games in impressive fashion. Pascoe, who leads the area in rushing attempts, needs 40 yards to go over 1,000 for the season.

Pen Argyl (2-5) at Schuylkill Haven (2-5)

Live updates: Follow Republican Herald correspondent Chuck Curley on Twitter @ChuckCurley

Players to Watch: Pen Argyl — WR Damian Tyminski. Schuylkill Haven — RB Aiden Myers

Breakdown: Hurricanes will look to build off last week's win over Panther Valley when they host the Green Knights. Myers had a big game vs. PV, rushing for 275 yards and five TDs. Defensively, Haven will need to contain Tyminski, who leads District 11 in receptions.

Minersville (4-3) at Palisades (5-2)

Players to Watch: Minersville — LB James Dube. Palisades — RB Steven Lilly

Breakdown: Two teams heading in opposite directions as Miners have dropped two straight and Pirates have won three straight. For Minersville to be successful, they'll need to contain Lilly, who scored five times in win over Palmerton and rushed for 211 yards in win over Haven.

Mahanoy Area (4-3) at Tri-Valley (7-0)

Live updates: Follow Republican Herald sports editor Leroy Boyer on Twitter @pubsportsboss

Radio/TV: WAVT 101.9 FM

Players to Watch: Mahanoy Area — RB/DB Colm McGroarty. Tri-Valley — RB/LB Reese Huntzinger

Breakdown: Golden Bears lost standout lineman David Sanchez to injury last week; how they recover in trenches will be key. Dawgs' defense, led by Huntzinger, has allowed just 65 points but needs to prevent big plays from Mahanoy's veer offense.

Marian (4-3) at Williams Valley (5-2)

Radio/TV: WLSH 1450 AM

Players to Watch: Marian — OL/DL Rawlin Melendez. Williams Valley — OL/DL Ezriah Hite

Breakdown: Vikings look to give head coach Tim Savage his 100th career victory when they host the Colts in a Blue Division contest. Colts coming off thumping of Shenandoah Valley on Saturday night.

Nativity (2-5) at Shenandoah Valley (1-6)

Radio/TV: WPPA 1360 AM, 105.9 FM, www.wpparadio.com

Players to Watch: Nativity — RB Sam Spolski. Shenandoah Valley — RB/LB Hunter Teter

Breakdown: Both teams looking for a victory to end losing streaks. Green Wave has dropped three straight, while Blue Devils haven't scored in more than eight quarters.

Shamokin (3-4) at Central Columbia (2-5)

Radio/TV: www.blackdiamondsports.net

Players to Watch: Shamokin — QB Brett Nye. Central Columbia — QB/RB/LB Greyson Shaud

Breakdown: Indians aim for their third win in four games and hope to bounce back from last week's beatdown by Jersey Shore when they face the Blue Jays. Central's two wins were over Shikellamy and Lewisburg, two teams Shamokin also defeated.

Schuylkill Valley (5-2) at Hamburg (6-1)

Radio/TV: WEEU 830 AM

Players to Watch: Schuylkill Valley — RB Dominic Giuffre. Hamburg — RB/LB Pierce Mason

Breakdown: The Hawks limp into the 48th Frost Bowl with several key injuries while the Panthers are riding a five-game win streak in which they've scored 31 or more points in each game. Giuffre (960) and Mason (860) are top two rushers in Berks County. Hawks lead rivalry series 24-22-1, winning last two meetings.

Juniata (5-2) at Upper Dauphin (5-2)

Players to Watch: Juniata — RB/LB Waylon Ehrenzeller. Upper Dauphin — RB/LB Brady Morgan

Breakdown: Morgan scored on all three of his carries in Trojans' rout of James Buchanan last week. It won't be that easy against former Tri-Valley League rival Juniata, which has won four straight by a combined score of 152-7.

SATURDAY

Pottsville (3-4) at Wilson (0-7)

Kickoff: Noon

Live updates: Follow Republican Herald sports writer Eli Doyle on Twitter @iamelidoyle

Radio/TV: WPPA 1360 AM, 105.9 FM; www.wpparadio.com

Players to Watch: Pottsville — QB Tejay Allen. Wilson — QB Jeremy Cressman

Breakdown: Crimson Tide look to even their record when they take on the winless Warriors in an afternoon matinee. Allen threw for 189 yards and three TDs and rushed for another in last week's loss to Northwestern Lehigh.

Contact the writer: Lboyer@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6026; @pubsportsboss on Twitter