The Panthers return to defend their home turf against the Notre Dame Crusaders on Friday night.
The Saucon Valley Panthers (6-2) have finished another week of practice and now look forward to defending their home turf at Montford E. Illick Stadium against the Notre Dame Crusaders (6-2) on Friday night. Recent history has proven that Saucon Valley and Notre Dame are among the Colonial League’s elite teams. The two teams faced off against one another the past two years with the Colonial League title at stake. In 2015 the Panthers won a thrilling 42-35 shootout and last year it was a 28-24 come from behind victory for Saucon. If familiarity and success aren’t enough motivation to best one another, both teams will surely be fighting tooth and nail to guard against a third loss this season. Something will have to give on Friday night!
Things Worth Watching:
Saucon Valley Panthers
When the Panthers have the ball…..
Like the Wilson Warriors last week, Notre Dame operates from a 3-4 as their base defense. Sometimes the Crusaders 3-4 looks like a 4-4 or a 5-2 depending on what formation the Panthers show. The Crusaders are not afraid to “man-up” and play press coverage on opposing receivers while bringing a safety closer to the line of scrimmage to defend the run.
The Crusaders don’t appear overly big, but do look pretty quick as a unit. They swarm to the ball and energetically get after their opponents. The biggest question the Panthers will have to answer in this toss-up game is going to be whether or not Saucon Valley’s Hogs can win their fair share of battles against the Crusaders. Center David Osman (#60), guards Jared Harka (#61) and Kyle Malone (#58), and tackles Tim Weaver (#77) and Aiden Redding (#73) will have to get some movement against Notre Dame to create running lanes for seniors Zach Petiet (#23) and Alstan Wolfe (#5). Petiet and Wolfe don’t need much room to get motoring, but they do need that little slice of daylight to get started. If the Hogs can create the offensive space, then the Panthers will be tough to stop.
Zach Petiet averages just shy of eight yards per touch. He has carried 107 times for 831 yards so far this season. He added 223 yards to his season total last week in the road win against Wilson. “Lightning” has struck 12 times for touchdowns. Petiet’s vision, quickness and speed has led to over 2,700 career yards and you better believe he is looking for more. He is a proven threat to go the distance with every touch.
If Petiet needs a breather, junior Ian Csicsek (#28) is ready to tote the rock. Like Petiet, Csicsek averages eight yards per carry. He has more-than-capably filled in to run for 312 yards and 6 TD’s.
Alstan Wolfe is also a big-play scoring threat when the ball is in his hands. He too, is on the cusp of rushing for 1,000 yards. Wolfe is running the option very well and has kept the ball 92 times for 889 yards earning 17 rushing touchdowns. He is a “super-freak” athlete who averages 11 yards per carry.
Wolfe can also throw. He is a dual-threat quarterback that is 34 of 63 for 649 yards passing. He has connected through the air for 8 TD’s and has thrown only 3 interceptions. Wolfe is, perhaps, most exciting when he drops back to pass and then decides to run. Given a little space, Wolfe will be a dangerous weapon that will make the Crusader defense pay.
When the ball is thrown down the field, Wolfe’s primary receiving targets are Steven Rose (#34) and Patrick Morrissey (#80). Rose is listed at 5’7″, 160 and has 13 grabs for 246 yards and 4 TD’s. Morrissey is a sure-handed 6’2″, 215 and has 10 catches for 193 yards and a touchdown. If Rose and Morrissey are healthy, Notre Dame will be watching them closely in passing situations.
The Crusader defense is a little stingy only allowing an average of 15 points per contest. But considering Notre Dame scores 38 per game puts a little pressure on the Panther offense to have a good night scoring points.
When the Crusaders have the ball…..
The Crusaders run a variety of spread looks: 3×1, 2×2, empty sets. And, they have a dynamic
arsenal of plays. Their offense is fast, skilled and difficult to defend. Making more of a living throwing the football rather than running it, Notre Dame’s offensive scheme is credited to head coach, Phil Stambaugh. Stambaugh was a record-setting quarterback at Lehigh University about 15 years ago and he has a variety of NFL experience including stints with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New York Giants.
Stambaugh’s field general is quarterback Cole DeFranco (#7). DeFranco is a junior and checks in at 6’0″, 185. He has thrown for 2,282 yards and 21 touchdowns with only two interceptions. He has rushed 93 times for 291 yards and six additional TD’s. His rushing stats suggest that Notre Dame may have some pass protection issues.
Gerald Grube (#21) is the Crusaders main run threat. The 5’10”, 190 senior has 98 carries for 870 yards. He also has good hands as evidenced by his 23 grabs for 588 yards. Grube has a total of 15 TD’s.
DeFranco’s main receiving targets are junior Isaiah Dejesus (#5) and senior Dan O’Hare (#6). Dejesus is 5’8″, 170 and has 38 catches for 521 yards and 5 TD’s. O’Hare measures in at an eye-catching 6’3″, 175. He is credited with 34 receptions for 362 yards and three touchdowns.
No doubt, Stambaugh and the Crusaders appear to have no shortage of offensive weapons to draw from. But, it is DeFranco that is the focal point. “We need to get pressure up front and get our hands up on pass,” offered Coach Sams about this week’s defensive focus. “We will give them some different looks in the secondary to keep them guessing. We cannot be predictable because they will eventually find a weakness and go after it.”
It will, once again, be a great, late-season matchup between both of these 6-2 teams. There are plenty of talented playmakers on each squad that could easily make this another instant classic. With clear skies, light winds and temperatures forecast to be in the upper 50’s, Friday night should be yet another great October night for some high school football. So, Panther Nation, grab your jacket and c’mon out to support your home-town team!
Good luck Panthers, the Source is with you!
