The 2017 Panthers will compete in the 2017 District XI semifinals.
The post-season begins on Saturday night for the No. 3 seeded Saucon Valley Panthers as they travel to Muhlenberg College to mix it up with the No. 2 Allentown Central Catholic Vikings in the PIAA District XI AAAA semifinal. On the other side of the bracket, No. 1 Bethlehem Catholic Golden Hawks take on the No. 4 Pottsville Crimson Tide. A win will keep the season alive for these competitors while a loss brings about the end of the 2017 season.
Things Worth Watching:
Saucon Valley Panthers
When the Panthers have the ball…
Offensively, the Panthers have received most bang for their buck from Zach Petiet (#23) and Alstan Wolfe (#5). They are both seniors and the statistical leaders for Saucon. Combined, Wolfe and Petiet have rushed for over 2,000 yards and 34 touchdowns this season. Wolfe has 1,136 yards on 122 carries and Petiet 956 yards on 140 carries. Wolfe rushed for 21 TD’s while “Lightning” has struck for 13. Wolfe has proven to be dual-threat worthy completing 46 passes on 86 attempts for 960 yards and 11 TD’s. The majority of those completions belong to Steven Rose (#34). Rosie has 18 catches for 352 yards and 5 TD’s. A welcome addition back into the Panther lineup this week should be junior Patrick Morrissey. Standing at 6’2″, 215, he spent a little time in the trainer’s room the past two weeks. Morrissey is a big target and will be looking to add to his 10 catches for 193 yards and a touchdown.
With 44 more yards Zach Petiet will reach the 1,000 yard milestone for this season. If he can light it up for 127 he will arrive at the 3,000 yard plateau for his career. Wolfe, is 40 yards passing shy of joining Zach Thatcher as one of the only Panthers ever to both rush and throw for at least 1,000 yards in a season.
Defensively, Central Catholic is multiple. They play mostly a 4-3 but will likely mix in a 3-4. They have also run a 3-3 against Dieruff. “Their safeties (#21 and #24) are good tacklers.”, noted Coach Sams. “Their linebackers, especially #34, flow well to the ball.” Senior Vincent Lynch wears #34 and is a 5’11”, 205 inside linebacker.
The Panthers have scored an average of 40 points throughout this season while the Vikings have made it a habit of giving up 24.
When the Vikings have the ball…
Allentown Central Catholic Vikings
Look for Central Catholic to run a spread-gun offense using mostly 3×1 sets. They seem to lean toward being a run-first team, but they do possess the proven ability to throw. Leading the Viking charge is junior running back Logan Bachman (#22). Bachman packs a punch at 6’1″, 205 and is shifty with excellent vision. He has rushed for an impressive 1,259 yards on 203 carries. Those totes were good for 23 TD’s. Bachman, a transfer from Kutztown, is also a threat as a receiver out of the backfield boasting three additional scores.
Feeding Bachman into overdrive is Viking quarterback Frank Rauscher (#17). Rauscher, at 6’3″, 205, has completed 92 of 165 throws for 1,244 yards and 9 touchdowns. Rauscher, however, has shown a tendency to turn the ball over. He has thrown nine interceptions. The Viking signal-caller did not show on the radar as much of a rushing threat, but against Bethlehem Catholic last week he carried 15 times for 40 yards. It is not a whole lot of yardage but it is his season high. The Central staff seems to be warming to calling his number to run.
Rauscher’s primary target throughout the season has been junior Justin Pasquale (#9). Pasquale is listed at 5’8″, 165 and is credited with 40 catches for 505 yards and a touchdown. If Pasquale is covered by the Panther defense then Rauscher will likely look toward senior Jack Yanders (#15). Yanders is a 5’11”, 160 senior who has 21 catches for 278 yards and three TD’s.
When asked his thoughts about the Viking offense Coach Sams offered, “They want to control the run game out of their spread. They remind me of Southern Lehigh with their big running backs, but Central’s line is bigger.” Senior Nick Cerimele (#72), measuring 6’2″, 310, is the first Viking in line for the buffet. He is a very good football player and plays very big on both sides of the ball.
Following Cerimele and company, Central’s offense has scored an average of 34 points per game this season. In comparison, the Panthers have allowed an average of 23.
It is a sudden-death situation for both the Panthers and Vikings. The winner advances to the District XI championship while it will be the end of the road for the loser. Both sides will certainly be motivated to keep their season alive. This matchup has the makings of a classic November knockout!
Good luck Panthers, the Source is with you!