Coach Sams and the Panthers will rally and get back on track.
The Saucon Valley Panthers and their 2-1 record now turn their full attention to the Catasauqua Rough Riders for another Friday night football fight. The Roughies currently hold a 2-1 record. Their two wins were over Northern Lehigh (38-20) and Pen Argyl (17-14). Week One, the Roughies lost a shootout to Salisbury 47-29. There is a lot laying on the line in this game. This contest will be a battle to see who can win and stay near the top of Colonial League standings while the loser slides back to mediocrity.
Things Worth Watching:
Saucon Valley Panthers
When the Panthers have the ball…..
Saucon Valley will most likely be looking at a base 4-4 defense from the Rough Riders that features a couple of Clydesdales up front. Seniors Zach Kanishock (#76) and Naj’Mar Calhoun (#63) certainly do occupy their share of space. Kanishock breaks the scale at 6’1″, 315 while Calhoun is listed at 6’0″, 275. Senior Kyle Zimpfer (#75) who measures 6’0″, 295 and sophomore Lavonte Bouie (#56) at 5’9″, 260 are part of the Catasauqua defensive tackle rotation.
With Catty’s secondary offering plenty of speed and athleticism to back the horses up front, the Panthers have their work cut out for them to move the sticks for 1st-downs. Saucon Valley comes across loud and clear as a run-first type team and the Panthers will certainly try to establish their ground game.
Saucon’s Zach “Lightning” Petiet (#23) is the leader of the Panther rushing attack averaging 127 yards per game and 7.6 yards per carry. He has seven touchdowns this season and a remarkable 2,297 career rushing yards. With just a little crease created by the Panther-Hogs up front, “Lighting” is bound to strike for Panther points.
SV’s dual-threat quarterback, Alstan Wolfe (#5), is another reliable option to run the football for the Panthers. He averages 9.8 yards per carry and 81 yards per game. Wolfe adds five rushing touchdowns to the stat sheet. Wolfe is also a capable passer having completed 16 of 30 throws for 331 yards and three Td’s. Wolfe’s favorite target seems to be the shifty Steven Rose. Rosey has seven catches for 147 yards and 2 touchdowns. If Rose is unavailable, tight end, Patrick Morrissey (#80) who stands 6’2″, 215 could be on Wolfe’s radar. Morrissey, a junior, has 4 catches for 94 yards.
If last week’s Palmerton film provides a blueprint for Catty’s intentions to stop the Panthers, then it is likely that they will man-up, crowd the line of scrimmage and try to bring more pressure than the Panthers can handle. Palmerton defeated Saucon last week and shut the Panther offense out in the second half.
It seems logical that the Roughies will try to suffocate and stifle the Panther offense. Palmerton’s entire defense was fast, aggressive and tough. It doesn’t seem as though Catasauqua can pack that type of punch. The Rough Riders are indeed big up-front, but they are a little on the slow side. The Panthers should be able to create enough crease and running lanes that will get Petiet and Wolfe into the second level of the defense. A little open field goes a long way for those talented Panthers.
When the Rough Riders have the ball…..
Catasauqua Rough Riders
Catty’s shotgun-spread, no huddle offense revolves around senior quarterback Andrew Brett (#7) who stands at 5’11”, 165. He has completed 46 of 73 passes for 454 yards. Brett has struggled a little bit, so far, throwing only one touchdown to go along with 4 INT’s. It is just a matter of time, however, until Brett catches fire. Last season he threw for over 2,100 yards and that was plenty good for 16 touchdowns.
From their base 3×1 formations, the Rough Rider receivers who share most of the pass catching responsibilities are Corey Raysely (#2), Miguel Hernandez (#3) . Brett doesn’t really seem to have a go-to guy, but Hernandez at 6’1″, 175 leads the team with 16 catches for 194 yards. Raysley is also good with 12 receptions for 138 yards.
Catty has athletes who can run, as well. The primary rushing duties belong to junior Will-Quon Clemons (#1) and senior Derrick Rodriguez (#23). Clemons who is listed at 5’9″, 165 averages 7.6 yards per carry and has 5 TD’s. Rodriguez is just a bit smaller in size and averages 5.9 yards per tote. Brett is also a run threat from his QB position. He has shown that he will keep the ball on “zone-read”. This can make defensive ends look silly and will have them pay dearly for getting too nosy on inside run. The Roughies have a lot of potent weapons.
When asked what he is most concerned about coming into this game, Panther coach Phil Sams said, “Catty is extremely athletic and dangerous. Brett threw for a ton of yards last year and they have two returning wideouts (Raysley and Hernandez) that can fly. What really concerns me about them is that they are always one play away from scoring. They are explosive.”
The Panthers had a setback last week at Palmerton. It was a tough loss. “Palmerton was a lesson learned.” Coach Sams said he told his team. “From here on out we take everything day by day. The only thing that matters is what is next. We need to bounce back and play like we are capable.”
Well, tonight, at Catasauqua is what is next. Saucon Source will be on hand to support the Panthers and witness the bounce-back against a dangerous and talented Rough Rider team. We hope to see you there!
Good luck Panthers, the Source is with you!
