Here come the Panthers!
The Saucon Valley Panthers play the waiting game tonight as they are scheduled to travel up to Pen Argyl for a Week 2, Saturday afternoon Colonial League showdown with the Green Knights. Last year Saucon Valley dominated Pen Argyl 67-0 on homecoming night.
Tomorrow’s kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. up on “The Hill.” Both teams are undefeated at these early stages of the 2016 season. Pen Argyl defeated Wilson 28-7 in Week 1, while the Panthers scored 49 points in the first half to trigger a “mercy-rule” victory at Bangor.
Tomorrow’s weather could not get much better with a welcomed forecast that will have temperatures in the mid 70s. It will be a relatively cool and cloudy afternoon for this Colonial league contest.
Things Worth Watching:
Saucon Valley Panthers
When the Panthers have the ball…
Offensively, look for Saucon Valley to keep building on the success of their potent rushing attack. Senior bulldog Nate Kehs (#32) and lightning-quick junior Zach Petiet (#23) combined for six touchdowns in the opening game against Bangor and provide a formidable “1-2 Punch” for the Panthers. The two average an impressive 18 yards per carry.
Saucon certainly has the ability to line it up and pound the ball behind the 2016 “Hogs.” Stephen Good (#65), Ryan Meyers (#74) and Trey Polak (#75) are back to provide the push for the Panthers. Saturday afternoon brings Panther Nation a very good chance that 6’4″, 315 “King Kong” Cody Zrinski (#76) will make his season debut after being sidelined with an injury. The remaining starting slot at the trough belongs to either 6’3″, 250 sophomore Tim Weaver (#77) or senior pitbull Hayden Clifford (#66) who stands 5’7″, 170. Look for both to rotate into the lineup.
Saucon Valley is a “run first” offense, but they also have the ability to throw the football efficiently. Quarterback Brandon Holub (#12), a dangerous dual-threat signal caller, has playmaker Alstan Wolfe (#5) as his primetime target. If Wolfe is receiving a little extra attention by the Green Knights in passing situations, Holub will confidently look to senior wide receiver Kory Kemmerer (#4) to help move the chains.
The Green Knights will likely come into this game planning to smother the Panthers’ rushing attack. Defensively, look for them to alternate between what will look like a 4-3 and a 5-2 defense.
Leading Pen Argyl’s defense are a pair of seniors in Austin Heisler (#29) and Logan Ruppert (#6). Heisler stands at a menacing 5’11”, 205 and according to Coach Sams, “is tough as nails and a very good linebacker.” Ruppert, who measures 5’10”, 187, is another linebacker who will make plays for the Green Knights.
If the game is competitive, look for the Panthers to pressure the Green Knight defense with a dizzying run-pass mix that attacks from many different angles.
When the Green Knights have the ball…
Pen Argyl Green Knights
Pen Argyl is also a run-first team. The Panthers will want to contain Logan Sterner (#5). Coach Sams observed, “Their running-back, Sterner, is probably their best athlete and he does it all for them. He runs, catches, passes and punts.” Sterner will line up as a tailback and also out wide as a receiver. Last week against Wilson it was clear that the Green Knights tried to put the ball in Sterner’s hands. Against the Warriors he rushed 12 times for 41 yards. The Green Knights scheme includes running Sterner and sneaking him out of the backfield for short passes from the “I” formation. They also attempt to create single coverage for him as a wide receiver. When Sterner is out wide “on an island” by himself in single coverage, look for the ball to go his way. Sterner had three catches for 98 yards and two TDs last week as a receiver.
The other Logan, Logan Ruppert (#6), is also a featured Green Knight weapon. He is a dual-threat quarterback who throws a nice deep ball and is a very patient runner. Against Wilson, Ruppert was 6 of 8 for 144 yards passing. He threw for two TDs, both to Sterner. As a runner Ruppert carried 12 times for 61 yards. From “trips-gun” formation Pen Argyl likes to sweep Ruppert around the end. He deliberately and methodically makes his way to the edge and then quickly accelerates when a seam in the defense appears. Obviously, Sterner is Ruppert’s favorite target in the passing game.
The Panthers also need to keep a watchful eye on fullback Austin Heisler (#29). With his size, he has the ability to punish tacklers three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust style. He does not have breakaway speed, but he could be very effective moving the chains if the Panthers do not account for him and gang tackle.
If the desire to remain undefeated is not enough motivation for the Green Knights to put forth a courageous and heroic effort, the memory of a 67-0 thrashing could activate the revenge factor. Pen Argyl, like Bangor, has a proud and historic football heritage. But much like Bangor, it seems Saucon Valley has too much depth and talent for them to overcome.
Saucon Source will be making the trek up to “The Hill” on this beautiful Saturday afternoon and we hope you join us.
Good luck Panthers, the Source is with you!
