Panther Pregame Football Focus: Saucon v. Northwestern Lehigh
As was expected by most, the Saucon Valley Panthers dismissed the Lehighton Indians in the District XI 4A quarterfinals last week. This week, however, the Panthers (9-2) are preparing for a much more rigorous challenge in their rematch with the Northwestern Lehigh Tigers (9-2).
As was expected by most, the Saucon Valley Panthers dismissed the Lehighton Indians in the District XI 4A quarterfinals last week. This week, however, the Panthers (9-2) are preparing for a much more rigorous challenge in their rematch with the Northwestern Lehigh Tigers (9-2). During Week 8 in the Colonial League regular season, the Tigers humbled the Panthers 49-28 to put a damper on Saucon’s homecoming festivities. The winner on Saturday night will advance to the District XI final next week against the Bethlehem Catholic/Pottsville winner. The loser’s season will come to an end.
Things Worth Watching:
When the Panthers have the ball…..
Northwestern Lehigh has shown multiple looks with their defensive scheme. Saucon will most likely see what looks to be a 3-5, 5-3 defense. The Tigers have also shown that they will sometimes play a four-man front. Their pass coverage is typically “Cover-3” with three deep defenders or man-to man. Northwestern’s defense is a physical bunch and they like to create a lot of movement with line stunts and blitzing. They allow, on average, twenty-two points per game. Nonetheless, the Saucon Valley offense averages 41 points and 347 rushing yards per game.
The Panther headliner on offense is still the running of senior Ian Csicsek (#28). At 5’10”, 185, Csicsek is having a tremendous season having carried 297 times for 2,464 yards. “Sizzler” is a ball-carrying dynamo and has found the end zone 32 times so far this year. He averages 8.3 yards per carry and 224 yards per game. Csicsek is making a push to became the all-time rushing leader in Saucon Valley history.
Panther rushers in the books……
- Evan Culver 2,934 yards rushing (2015)
- Ian Csicsek 2,464 (2018)
- Nick Savant 2,135 (2013)
- Erik Kuester 1,868 (2007)
- Evan Culver 1,715 (2014)
- Billy Binczak 1,691 (2006)
- Joe Killar 1,649 (1995)
- Zach Petiet 1,564 (2016)
There are pair of other Panthers who are definitely worth keeping your eyes on when Saucon Valley has the ball. Seniors Christian “Mongo” Alling (#33) and Curtis Clifford (#38) are, perhaps, underrated offensive weapons. Alling averages 7.7 yards per carry and Clifford is good for 9.5 yards per tote. Each has 5 touchdowns. The duo could be difference makers in Saturday’s contest.
Freshman quarterback Dante Mahaffey (#12) joins Csicsek in the backfield as a proven playmaker. Mahaffey has completed 53 of 99 passes for 873 yards and nine touchdowns. Mahaffey has also proven to make good decisions throwing only two interceptions in eleven games this season. In addition, he has run 77 times for 327 yards and 7 TD’s. If overlooked by opponents, Mahaffey can hurt opposing defenses with his arm as well as with his feet.
Tight-end Patrick Morrissey (#80) leads the Panther receivers. Morrissey is a senior who stands 6’2″, 215. He reeled in nineteen of Mahaffey’s throws for 324 yards and three touchdowns. Morrissey averages 17.1 yards per catch. Mahaffey has also shared the ball with senior wide receiver Ryan Holub (#13). Holub is good for 2 TD’s resulting from 19 catches and 299 yards. Senior Justin Kyra (#22) and junior Dane Csencsits (#32) are also recipients of Mahaffey touchdown throws.
2018 Panther Play-Makers
- QB: #12 Fr. Dante Mahaffey
- RB: #27 Sr. Kelvin Gallard, #28 Sr. Ian Csicsek, #32 Jr. Dane Csencsits, #33 Sr. Christian “Mongo” Alling, #38 Sr. Curtis Clifford
- WR: #6 Sr. Justin Clements, #11 Fr. Ty Csencsits, #13 Sr. Ryan Holub, #18 Fr. Eternal (E.T.) Aris, , #22 Sr. Justin Kyra
- TE: #80 Sr. Patrick Morrissey, #44 Jr. Dale Sorensen
Averaging 347 rushing yards per game, the Saucon Valley ground attack begins up front with collective efforts from the 2018 Hogs. Seniors Tim “Boss Hog” Weaver, Aidan Redding and Jared Harka along with junior Evan Deily and sophomore David Osman, all enjoy playing their brand of “Bully Ball”. Nick Warnke (#70) at 6’1″, 275 is another Hog in the Panther rotation. Saucon Valley is very good in the trenches and takes seriously the task of opening holes for Csicsek and company.
The 2018 Hogs: Week 8
- Left Tackle: #77 Sr. Tim Weaver 6’5″, 285
- Left Guard: #61 Sr. Jared Harka 5’9″, 210
- Center: #60 So. David Osman 6’0″, 225
- Right Guard: #65 Jr. Evan Deily 6’1″, 225
- Right Tackle: #73 Sr. Aidan Redding 6’3″, 290
When the Tigers have the ball…..
Northwestern Lehigh’s offense shows pretty good balance averaging 210 rushing yards and almost 175 passing yards per game. They have a habit of putting an average of 39 points per game on the scoreboard. Over the course of the season, the Panthers give up an average of 24 points per contest. The Tigers are multiple and creative with their offensive sets and play-calling. They run mostly spread concepts but also sprinkle in some Wing-T components including a variety of motion and shifts designed to surprise their opponents and create some confusion. The Tigers have quite a few tools in their offensive toolbox.
Devon Bollinger (#13) is the man behind center for the Tigers. He is a junior and measures 6’4″, 194. Bollinger has been outstanding and is credited with completing 96 of 172 passes for 1,777 yards and 28 TD’s. Bollinger is certainly dual-threat carrying 183 times for 874 yards. He averages 4.8 yards per carry and has scored 15 touchdowns on the ground. Bollinger is the workhorse of a rather large Tiger offense.
The Tigers Up-Front
- Tackle #74 Sr. Hayden Bobbyn 6’1″, 274
- Guard #58 Jr. Conner Snyder 6’0″, 222
- Center #54 Jr. Derek Hebelka 5’8″, 179
- Guard #53 Jr. Joseph Shorts 5’7″, 262
- Tackle #77 Jr. Robert Goldberg 5’11”, 260
The primary running-back for Northwestern is sophomore Nick Henry (#4). Henry is listed at 5’11”, 169. Henry has carried 147 times for 1,045 yards. At an average of 7.1 yards per carry, he has found the end zone nine times. Henry has also hurt opposing defenses catching the ball out of the backfield for an average of 24.7 yards per catch. Henry is a big play-maker who puts up big numbers.
The Tigers also have a very good receiving corps including Justin Rodda (#2), Tyler Lobach (#20) and Derek Holmes (#5). Rodda is a 5’8″, 140 sophomore who leads the bunch with 35 catches for 684 yards and 11 TD’s. Rodda is dangerous if given a little space. Lobach, and Holmes are both seniors. Lobach, who stands 6’1″, 210 is credited with 23 grabs for 354 yards and six touchdowns. Holmes plays mostly tight end at 6’2″, 220. He has 19 catches for 341 yards and 6 TD’s to his name. The Tigers have numerous weapons with which they can pressure the Panther defense.
2018 Panther Defense
- DE’s: #32 Jr. Dane Csencsits, #44 Jr. Dale Sorensen, #65 Jr. Evan Deily, #80 Sr. Patrick Morrissey
- DT’s: #61 Sr. Jared Harka, #77 Sr. Tim Weaver,
- ILB’s: #33 Sr. Christian “Mongo” Alling, #27 Sr. Kelvin Gallard
- OLB’s: #5 Jr. Aiden Renninger, #28 Sr. Ian Csicsek, #38 Curtis Clifford
- DB’s: #13 Sr. Ryan Holub, #22 Sr. Justin Kyra, #6 Sr. Justin Clements, #11 Fr. Ty Csencsits
The Tigers played one of their best games of the season during the last meeting with the Panthers, while Saucon played poorly. The Panthers will be looking for a little pay-back from their homecoming setback and will need to be ready to rock from the start. If both teams play well, this should be a tight game that very well could be another high-scoring affair. This game features two of the best teams in the Colonial League who are looking to advance for a chance to take on Bethlehem Catholic in next week’s District XI championship. It is either win, or go home.
- Saturday Night Football Forecast:
- Clear and cold with temperatures in the mid-30’s. Winds out of the West at 8 mph.
Good luck Panthers, the Source is with you!
