The Saucon Valley Panthers are looking to take it to the Bethlehem Catholic Golden Hawks
Today at 1 p.m. the 10-0 Saucon Valley Panthers kickoff at Liberty High School in the first round of the District XI playoffs and take on the 9-1 Bethlehem Catholic Golden Hawks. BC enters the tournament as the #2 seed while SV come in #3. Last year the two teams met in the same playoffs and BC came out on top 49-7. This year, things will certainly be different.
Things Worth Watching:
Saucon Valley Panthers
When the Panthers have the ball…
Offensively, the Panthers average 47 points per game. BC only allows an average of 12. Evan Culver (#3) and his 1,971 rushing yards along with Zach Thatcher (#7) and his 768 will be looking to keep the chains moving against the Hawks. Culver, Thatcher and the Hogs (Steven Good, Christian Carvis, Ryan Meyers, Trey Polak and Cody Zrinski) face their biggest challenge of the year. The Hawks run a 3-3-5 defense and are big and fast. They play physical and are good tacklers. Ralphy Lozada (#40), a junior, is one of those tough tacklers. At 5’11”, 195, Coach Evancho points him out as a real good linebacker who plays right in the middle of the Hawks defense. The Panther coach is also impressed with senior Joe Smith (#6) at his defensive back position. Smith is listed at a rangy 6’3″, 206. A ball-hawk, Evancho says he is a Division I recruit.
Check out the battles up front on the line of scrimmage. If the Hogs can earn an advantage in the trenches, then the Panthers have a real good chance to keep their offensive machine rolling along. If the white shirts are getting a push and keeping the brown from penetrating, Culver and Thatcher will do their thing and keep the drives alive. A steady diet of Culver and Thatcher chunking the Hawks could lead to a potent play-action attack by the Panthers.
When the Hawks have the ball…
Bethlehem Catholic Golden Hawks
BECA is very similar to Notre Dame. They run a spread offense from the shotgun. They have a quarterback in Julian Spigner (#11) who can throw and run. Spigner is listed at 6’3″, 195. He has thrown for over 1,500 yards this season and has rushed for 679. He is as dual threat as they come. If the ball is not in Spigner’s hands then it is likely being handed to Antwon Keenan (#21). Like Culver, Kennan averages 10-yards per carry. Rushing for 1,247 yards, Keenan stands at a solid 5’11”, 205 and is second in the Lehigh Valley in touchdowns scored with 32. He is one touchdown behind Culver’s 33. BECA’s leading receiver is Nate Stewart (#2). Stewart stands 6’2″, 195 and has 25 receptions for for 571 yards. He also has two punt returns for touchdowns to his credit. Averaging 44 points per game, the Hawks will certainly be a formidable opponent for the Panthers who only give up an average of 15 points. BECA has its full share of dangerous weapons and can score in a hurry. The Golden Hawks are multi-dimensional with the playmakers to run or pass the ball effectively.
Saturday is going to be a slugfest. The smart money would be on a high scoring affair. Both teams have high-octane offenses that can score a bunch of points. But, both defenses are not very charitable. The teams are very similar personnel wise. Something has to give. This game may come down to the kicking game and field position. It is going to be interesting to see which defense can get the necessary stops and force punts. The ability (or inability) to dictate field position (especially with the windy conditions) could be a big key to this game for both teams.
However it plays out, this is going to be a great game between two very talented teams. Saucon Source will be there from kickoff to handshake to check this out. We hope to see you there too!
Good Luck Panthers! The Source is with you.
