Panther Pregame Football Focus: Saucon Valley v. Bangor (Brought to You by Braveheart Highland Pub)

Here we go Saucon Valley, the wait is over.  Are you ready for some Panther football? Your Friday night football-fix is near.  Saucon Valley will host Bangor in the Colonial League season opener. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.  Last season the Saucon Valley Panthers hit the Slaters early and often and mercy-ruled them 49-21.

Things Worth Watching:

When the Panthers have the ball…

Based on observations from the Fleetwood scrimmage, the Panthers’ offensive scheme has not changed even though some familiar names have. The Panthers will again operate their offense primarily from a     “shotgun-spread” and  the traditional “I” formation.

2017 brings a few personnel changes, however.  Yes, Zach Petiet (#23) is back at running back and will surely be looking to add to his 1,564 yards and 22 touchdowns from a year ago.  Petiet is quick like lightning and a threat to strike the end zone any time he touches the ball.  Alstan Wolfe (#5) is also back, however he moved to quarterback from his wide receiver position.  Taking over the receiving duties will be Steven Rose (Sr.), Chris Smith (Sr.) and Ryan Holub (Jr.).  Patrick Morrissey (Jr.) returns at tight end. The Hogs of old are gone and the new look offensive line will feature names like Tim Weaver (Jr.), John Chaffier (Jr.), Evan Deily (So.), Jared Harka (Jr.), Kyle Malone (Sr.), Dave Osmun (Fr.), Aiden Redding (Jr.), Nick Warnke (So.) and Patrick Zuber (Jr.).

Bangor will likely come into this game and run a 3-4 scheme as their base defense.  At times it may look like a 4-4 or a 5-2 with one or both outside linebackers walking up to the line of scrimmage.   The Slaters will lean on their mammoth and experienced defensive line to try and stuff the Saucon Valley run game.  With a couple of 300 pounders in Brandon Nemeth (#74) and Josh Hopper (#78), Bangor may be able to stuff Saucon Valley’s inside-run game.  If so, the Panthers have the speed to quickly attack the perimeter of the Slaters defense.  Petiet and Wolfe are both very talented playmakers and they will be difficult to corral.

If the Panthers struggle to run the ball, Wolfe is a high-definition dual threat quarterback.  He is a super-freak athlete with a strong passing arm.  Wolfe sees the field well and seems to have little trouble locating his receivers down the field.  Wolfe is confident in his ability to make plays for his team.  Perhaps, what makes him the most dangerous is when he drops back to pass and is forced to scramble.  It will be very difficult for Bangor to contain Wolfe in passing situations should he decide to run.  Even if Bangor chooses to put a spy on the Panther signal-caller, it is a good bet that Wolfe’s superior athleticism will still be too much for the Slaters to handle.

Overall, look for the Panthers to have a nice balanced attack. An efficient Panther run game with a mix of pass will keep the Slaters off balance.  Look for the Panthers to have more than their share of big plays.

 

When the Slaters have the ball…

In their scrimmage Bangor ran quite a bit of  “I-formation” behind a very large offensive line.  From the “I” Bangor likes to toss the ball to the outside, pound trap and dive up the middle and run “counter” with a pulling guard and tackle leading the way.  From the gun, the Slaters add a little zone-read.  It looks to be running-back by committee for the Slaters. Joey Schrader (#8), Shemar Petrie (#13), and Mark Bittner (#9) will likely split the carries for the Slaters.  Petrie is slippery and quick measuring 5’7″, 170 while Bittner, a senior, is more of the hammer at 6’0″, 180.  Petrie and Shrader are juniors.

Bo Myers (#10) is the likely starter at quarterback for the Slaters.  He is a junior and listed at a lean 6’0″, 135.  There is little evidence that suggests Bangor is a deep-threat passing team, but they probably have deep, sideline fades in their playbook.  It appears if they are uncomfortable throwing the football.  But, with an offensive line averaging close to 300 pounds, they may not need to throw.

The Bangor offense will be banking on 3-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust mentality to keep the first-downs coming.  If the Panthers can “spill and kill” the Slater run game to the outside with their 4-3 defense, it will be a long night for the Slaters.  However, if Saucon struggles in stopping the Bangor rushing attack, it could evolve into a tight and competitive game.

Bangor has a deep history and a proud tradition when it comes to their football program. They have been down on their luck accumulating a paltry 10-30 record the past four years.  Their last winning season was in 2012 when they went 7-3.

With any new season though, comes renewed optimism.  Bangor will play with great effort and toughness, especially early. But, will it be enough to derail the Panthers and their pursuit of a fourth consecutive Colonial league title?

Good Luck Panthers,  the Source is with you!