Panther Pregame Football Focus: SV at Catasauqua

Est. Read Time: 4 mins

Saucon Valley High School football team

The Saucon Valley Panthers take their unbeaten record on the road to battle the Catasauqua Rough Riders. Last week, the Panthers improved to 3-0 by defeating the Southern Lehigh Spartans 49-30. Catasauqua is off to a 1-2 start. The Roughies shut out Bangor 27-0 Week 1, but dropped the last two games to Notre Dame (49-22) and Palisades (45-21). For what it’s worth, the Bangor Slaters have only scored one touchdown so far this season and given up an average of 35 points per game. Not exactly a statement win coming from Catty.

Things Worth Watching:

Saucon Valley Panthers

When the Panthers have the ball…..

Evan Culver (#3) averages 7 yards per carry and 189 yards a game. Quarterback Zach Thatcher (#7) gets a first down per carry with a 10.5-yard average. Culver rushed for 1,700 yards last year and is on his way to putting up bigger numbers this year. Thatcher is catching glimpses of the “1,000-yard rushing club.” The Panthers as a team are averaging an astonishing 383 rushing yards per game. Consequently, the passing yardage has fallen victim to their running success. The late Woody Hayes gives us perspective, as he is credited with saying, “Three things can happen when you pass the football and two of them are bad.” Saucon’s opponents (so far) have been competitive, preventing a wide open attack that airs the ball out. Saucon hasn’t had much wiggle room to allow for incompletions and interceptions. If it’s a tight game, you lean on your bread and butter. Saucon has been leaning on the “Hogs” to open holes for Culver and Thatcher. Nobody has come close to limiting Saucon’s run offense. The Panthers will come into this game, like the others, looking to pound the ball first, pass second.

Catasauqua will probably game-plan to sell out and try to smother the Panther rushing attack, forcing the Panthers to throw. Look for eight Rough Riders packing the box on most plays, daring the Panthers to take their chances with Thatcher throwing to his receivers.

The Catty defense is led by Ben Nosal (#50) and Tyler Youssef (#60). Nosal is listed at 6’2″, 215 and Youssef at 5’8″, 185. Both are aggressive to the ball. Youssef from his linebacker position has decent speed and runs well laterally. IF Catty can stuff the run with a packed box then look for Mike Kane (#82) to have a break out game. It’s a long shot that Catty has the personnel to match up with the size and skill Kane possesses. If not Kane, then Nathan Harka (#21) and Alstan Wolfe (#5) are certainly very capable receivers with reliable hands who run sharp routes. If Saucon gets comfortable and builds a little lead, look for them to open the playbook and create more of a balanced run-pass mix. Air-Saucon could be on display Friday night.

When the Rough Riders have the ball…..

Catasauqua Rough Riders

Catty’s biggest impact player appears to be their quarterback Cristian Burker (#13). Burker has thrown for almost 500 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. Burker has also run for almost 200 yards. His favorite target is Ryan Greene (#11), who accounts for about a third of Burker’s passing production. Burker also targeted Corey Raysley (#2), who had 113 receiving yards against Palisades last week.

The Roughies’ rushing attack is led by KJ Reiss (#34) and Burker. Reiss carried 24 times for 97-yards in the win against Bangor, however his productivity greatly diminished against undefeated Notre Dame and a decent Palisades squad.

The Rough-Rider offensive line is suspect and it seems as though they will have trouble running the ball against Saucon’s stout front seven. Catty will likely be forced to throw the ball in the hopes of exploiting the Panther pass defense. Burker has shown athleticism and the ability to scramble for the sake of self-preservation. The Saucon Valley sack attack, led by defensive end Mike Kane could have a good night hunting Burker.

On paper, this should be a Panther victory. Catty does average 23 points per game, but against stiffer competition the battle-tested Panthers average 36. Aside from the shutout against a struggling Bangor team, Catty gives up an average of 47 points per game while the Panthers allow an average of only 20. Many agree that the Panthers will not lose this one, while some realize that “upsets” are always lurking in the shadows. Friday night Saucon Source will be on hand to witness the outcome and we hope to see you there!

Proud Panther Parent Prediction: 42-14