Here come the 2016 Panthers!
Here we go Saucon Valley! Are you ready for some Panther football?
Friday night is opening night for high school football and Saucon Valley travels to Bangor for a Week 1 Colonial League, AAAA contest. Last year the Saucon Valley Panthers crushed the Bangor Slaters 61 -13. Bangor finished the 2015 season with a 1-9 record while Saucon had the storybook run to the PIAA State Semifinal, ultimately finishing 14-1. That was then, of course, and this is now.
Things Worth Watching:
Saucon Valley Panthers
When the Panthers have the ball…
Based on observations from the Fleetwood scrimmage, the Panthers’ offensive scheme has not changed. The Panthers will again operate from a “spread” look and they will also run from a more traditional “I” formation. Some of the faces have changed, however. Evan Culver graduated and will be replaced by a four-headed monster of very capable running backs. Senior Nate Kehs (#32) and juniors Steven Rose (#34), Zach Petiet (#23) and Angelo Mahaffey (#44) complement each other and will get the job done. Kehs is bulldog-thick at 5’9″, 185. He looks more of a power back. He is tough as nails but is also deceptively shifty as well as strong. Rose and Mahaffey will juke and slash their way forward. They have great balance and flash the quick feet that make defenders miss. They are the “Zig” to eachothers’ “Zag.” Petiet is built for straight-line speed. He is quick like lightning and is a threat to hit the end zone any time he touches the ball. The three amigo juniors are all about 5’6″, 150 and will provide some highlights.
Another new face in the starting lineup will be senior quarterback Brandon Holub (#12). Holub steps in to replace Zach Thatcher. Holub at 6’0″, 185 is forged from the same dual threat material as Thatcher. In Saucon’s scrimmage against Fleetwood last week, Holub was certainly an effective weapon, both running and throwing the football. When he does throw it will not be to Nate Harka, who is now playing at Kutztown University with Culver. Rather, it will be junior standout Alstan Wolf (#5) and senior Kory Kemmerer (#4) on the receiving end. They are battle-tested and reliable receivers. In addition, Holub could look to the tight end position for either senior Drew Wagner (#81) or sophomore Patrick Morrissey (#80). Wagner and Morrissey were backups to Colgate freshman and former four-year Panther starter Mike Kane.
On the surface, the biggest advantage the Panthers have entering this season is in the return of four of their five Hogs from last year. Granted, losing Christian Carvis to graduation is a big loss, but the other four Saucon swine are back. Bangor will see the familiar faces of Steven Good (#65), Ryan Meyers (#74) and Trey Polak (#75). Six-foot, four-inch, 315-pound All-State lineman “King Kong” Cody Zrinski (#76) sat out the Fleetwood scrimmage but will surely be grazing somewhere on the sideline. Likely stepping in for Zrinski and the college-bound Carvis will be sophomores Jared Harka (#64) and Tim Weaver (#60). Jared is the younger brother of Nate.
Being the first week of the season, there is not a whole lot of tape to watch on Bangor, but in their scrimmage last week against East Stroudsburg North they showed a 5-2 defense with two deep safeties. The Slaters did show some man-to-man pass coverage. If the Hogs are having their way and the Panthers are running effectively, expect Bangor to bring one of the two safeties up close to the line of scrimmage and try and stop the Saucon Valley ground attack. In long yardage situations it is very possible that Bangor may drop eight of their players into coverage to defend the pass.
Offensively, the Panthers looked sharp in their scrimmage at Fleetwood. However, they did have some ball security issues. Look for the Panthers to have a nice balanced attack. An efficient run game with a little bit of pass will keep the chains moving.
When the Slaters have the ball…
Banger Slaters
In their scrimmage Bangor ran quite a bit of “Full House Power I,” some single tight end, two-back sets and some shotgun spread. From the “Power I,” Bangor likes to toss the ball outside to their senior workhorse tailback Saivaughn Vass. Vass (#7) is impressive and has a great blend of power and speed. He measures about the same size as Kehs, but has the speed of Petiet. Last season Vass earned the Colonial League’s Week 9 Offensive MVP award for his 212-yard, three-touchdown effort against Wilson. Vass also caught the eye of Coach Sams. “Vass is an explosive player and what concerns me is that they have some good players up front too,” he said. “If Bangor gets some confidence early, they could really get going.” In addition to their outside run attack, Bangor likes to throw the deep fade to their wide receivers. They were able to hit two bombs down the sideline for touchdowns in their scrimmage. I am sure the Slater staff is liking the idea of throwing the jump ball against the Panthers.
Saucon Valley and defensive coordinator Chuck Muller’s new 3-4 defensive scheme will surely plan to try and keep Vass contained, while at the same time staying awake on the corners to defend the deep fade. The Panther outside linebackers and corners will surely be tested.
Make no mistake about it, the Bangor Area is going to be buzzing and energized tomorrow night. It is a proud town with its fair share of football tradition and success. Paul Farnan Stadium will be filled with Slater hunger and optimism. They feel they have something to prove, and that makes them dangerous. The Panthers, with all their success and accolades from the recent past, are big game. They have a target on their collective back, and if bagged would be a sweet trophy for the Slaters.
These Saucon Valley Panthers have worked very hard over time to get their program where it is now. The Panthers will play with a sense of urgency to protect what they have earned. Bangor may want it, but they ain’t gonna get it.
Bangor or bust. We hope to see you there. The Source will be with you!