Panther Pregame Football Focus: SV at Southern Lehigh

 

The Saucon Valley Panthers will travel down Route 378 to take on the Southern Lehigh Spartans in a battle of unbeatens.  Last week, the battle-tested Panthers defeated the Northern Lehigh Bulldogs 28-14 in a slugfest showdown. Southern Lehigh cruised past the Wilson Warriors with a “mercy-rule” 44-0 victory.  Last year, the Panthers defeated the Spartans twice;  30-22 in regular season play and 20-17 in the District XI AAA semi-final.  The table is set for a backyard brawl!

Things Worth Watching:

When the Panthers have the ball…..

No doubt Evan Culver (#3) has been the work-horse for the Panthers so far.  With 221 yards rushing on 34 carries against a tough Bulldog defense, Culver has proven that he is a force again this season. Culver is averaging 180 rushing yds per game. Panther quarterback Zach Thatcher (#7) is also piling up the yardage throwing and running the football.   The smart money would be on Southern Lehigh to try and stop the potent Panther rushing attack.  Therefore, look for the Saucon receiving corps to be very involved in this game.  Nathan Harka (#21) is already off to a great start, but look for Alstan Wolfe (#5) and Mike Kane (#82) to be difference makers.  Mike Paolini (#48) out of the backfield could also be big.  Kane, however is a sleeping giant!

The Spartans run a 4-3 defense and the players are very active.  Southern Lehigh dominated Wilson last week allowing only 4 first downs in a shutout effort.  However, opening night against Palisades the Spartans gave up almost 300 yards total offense and 16 first downs to the Pirates.  Palisades was able to move the ball with a balanced attack. Southern Lehigh may choose to creep a safety forward to try and smother the Panther run game. If that is the case Thatcher will aim to hook up with his receivers.  Saucon will be hard to stop.

When the Spartans have the ball…..

It will be obvious who catches your eye when Southern Lehigh breaks the huddle.  Split-end Ethan Price (#80) is listed at 6’1″, 180.  He looks much bigger.  He certainly is playing bigger so far this season.  Price stormed into the 2015 season by hauling in ten receptions for a staggering 340 yards and four TD’s.  I would expect the Spartans to continue to throw the ball Price’s way.  It is Blake Levengood (#7) who is pitching to Price.  Levengood has been very accurate in his two games completing 24 of 31 passes for 516 yards and 7 touchdowns.  Saucon is going to want to trap Levengood inside the pocket and pressure him into hurried decisions.  Another Spartan to watch is Tim Walters (#12).  Walters is probably Southern Lehigh’s best running-back. He is a skilled player who is productive both running and as a receiver. Aside from throwing jump balls to Price, look for the Spartans to toss-sweep and try to spring Walters outside.  Levengood is also a decent runner and has the ability to move the chains on Qb counter plays.

It has been said that familiarity breeds contempt.  Two unbeaten teams squaring off to do battle is the basis for great competition.  When the opponents are neighbors it becomes personal.  Southern Lehigh is a solid football team. They scored 42 against Palisades Week 1 and 44 points against Wilson Week 2.  Palisades and Wilson are both winless.    Saucon Valley however, is battle-tested.  The Panthers defeated two other solid football programs in Salisbury and Northern Lehigh.  Saucon Valley is deep with talent and plays sound defense.  Can the big play Southern Lehigh Spartans keep pace with the balanced Panther attack?  Saucon Source will be on hand to find out and we hope to see you there!

Proud Panther Parent Prediction: 

• Brenda Carvis  (Mother of Christian #53)
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31-20  “…because the team has great chemistry and is determined to win!”