Saucon Source (https://sauconsource.com/author/rief/)
On Friday night the Saucon Valley Panthers made their way to Bethlehem Township for a rematch with the Notre Dame Crusaders in the opening round of the PIAA District XI 3A Playoffs. Week #1 Notre Dame was able to hold off Saucon Valley 41-34. This time the stakes were much higher with the District XI title and a possible state championship berth on the line.
Friday night was Senior Night and the Palisades Pirates (7-2) sailed into Hellertown for a football fight against the struggling Panthers. Saucon Valley (3-6) had lost five of their last six games while Palisades rattled off five straight victories to build an impressive 7-2 record. Nonetheless, it was “Rivalry Week” and anything could happen. Last year in a downpour the Panthers won 24-3.
On Friday night Saucon Valley traveled to Lehighton looking for to capitalize on their homecoming victory from a week ago. The Panthers were hoping a win at Lehighton’s homecoming would enhance their District XI playoff chances. Last year, the Panthers defeated the Indians 20-14.
Friday night was Homecoming in the land of the Panthers. Saucon Valley welcomed the Blue Mountain Eagles into town for all of the fun and festivities. The Eagles were looking for their fifth win of the season while the Panthers were desperate to snap a four game losing streak and secure their third win. Last year the Saucon defeated Blue Mountain 35-14.
On Friday night the Saucon Valley Panthers traveled to Southern Lehigh for the latest installment of the Saucon Creek Classic. It would be a battle between two teams that were seemingly heading in opposite directions. The Panthers have lost four straight while the Spartans have won five in a row. Nonetheless, it would not be a surprise to see a few surprises in this rivalry matchup.
The Saucon Valley Panthers welcomed the Northwestern Lehigh Tigers to town on Friday night for a gridiron battle. It was a contest between a couple of teams seemingly heading in opposite directions. The Tigers have won their last three games, while the Panthers have dropped their last two. Last year the Tigers mauled the Panthers Tiger 42-14. It was nonetheless an opportunity for Saucon Valley to get back on the winning track.
On Friday night the Saucon Valley Panthers hit the road to battle the Pottsville Crimson Tide. The Panthers were looking to rebound from a heartbreaking loss last week to the Bangor Slaters. Pottsville was looking for their second win of the season after dropping their last game to Blue Mountain. Last year, Pottsville hammered Saucon 35-7.
It has been said for a thousand years that “familiarity breeds contempt”. So was the case at Montford E. Illick Stadium on Friday night when the Banger Slaters lined up across the Saucon Valley Panthers for a battle between two teams with 2-1 records. Last season these two teams played each other twice. The first meeting ended with a 36-22 Panther victory. The Slaters had their way with the wounded Panthers in the rematch at the Eastern Conference finals, 49-13. Nonetheless, the stage was set in this new season for a much-anticipated clash between two teams with a rich history that would have huge significance in the Colonial League and District XI standings.
Taking part in a Saturday afternoon matinee, the Panthers of Saucon Valley prowled into Wilson Boro in search of their next prey. Saucon previously defeated the Salisbury Falcons last week after dropping their season opener to Notre Dame. The Wilson Warriors were searching for their first win of the season registering losses to both Pen Argyl and Palisades. Last year, when the Panthers and Warriors tangled, it was the Warriors who came out on top after surviving a late Panther attack. So the stage was set: Would the Saucon Valley Panthers get out of town with their second consecutive win?, or would the Wilson Warriors fight off the Panther invasion to secure their first win of the 2022 season?
The second week of the 2022 high school football season paired the hometown Panthers with the Salisbury Falcons. Both teams dropped their season openers. Saucon fell 41-34 to the Notre Dame Crusaders. Salisbury lost 20-13 to Panther Valley. Last year the Panthers defeated the Falcons 31-14. The stakes were high with both teams searching for their first win of the season.