Saucon Source (https://sauconsource.com/category/schools/)
In the wake of a winter storm that closed Saucon Valley schools for two days last week the weather turned mild and sunny on Friday, but don’t be fooled. Mother Nature is planning to deliver a one-two punch of winter weather to our area, according to forecasters.
After being knocked to the consolation bracket by #1 Reynolds, the Saucon Valley Panthers refueled and regrouped for the opportunity to climb the podium against the Brookville Raiders. With a win against the Raiders, Saucon Valley would have a chance to wrestle for 3rd Place in the 2019 PIAA state wrestling championships. The Panthers (21-2) fought the fight, but it was Brookville who came out on top with a 33-32 victory.
The Reynolds Raiders are good, really good. They are the two-time returning state champions for good reason. They are tough, talented and very well-coached. But, one can’t help to think that Saucon Valley ran out of gas prior to the 2019 PIAA semifinal matchup with the Raiders.
Hershey Park’s Super-Dooper-Looper, across the parking lot from the Hershey Giant Center Arena, currently lies dormant. Maybe it’s a seasonal thing, or just maybe there is enough roller-coaster ride action taking place inside the Giant Center. Starting at the 220 pound weight class, Saucon Valley went up with a 9-0 lead to start their quarterfinal match against District VII champs, Burrell Buccaneers. Then, the Panthers found themselves down 19-9 and then again at 22-12. Showing a ton of courage and resiliency, Saucon Valley continued to push forward and win five of the last six bouts to earn a hard-fought 31-25 victory. This instant-classic win catapaulted the Panthers into the 2019 PIAA state wrestling championship semifinals.
What do you do after you defeat the #4 ranked team (Muncy) in the 2019 PIAA state wrestling championships? Well, you enjoy it briefly and then refocus because now you have to reload and get ready for today’s high noon showdown with the #5 ranked team (Burrell) in Pennsylvania. That is the odyssey that Coach Chad Shirk and his Saucon Valley wrestlers will have to endure as they continue toward a 2019 state wrestling title.
The Panthers are the #3 ranked team in Pennsylvania, but Thursday’s opening round (4 p.m.) has Saucon Valley squaring off against the Muncy Indians who are the #4 ranked team in the state. From the outset, this journey is not going to be easy for Saucon Valley. The Panthers fell to Muncy last year in the PIAA state quartefinals.
Saucon Valley wrestling has done it again. Five days after winning their seventh straight Colonial League championship, the Panthers willed their way to a fourth consecutive District XI Team title. The homegrown Saucon Valley Panthers hung together and denied borderless Notre Dame’s assembled group of all-stars the 2019 District XI championship trophy.
On Thursday night, the Saucon Valley wrestling contingent made the frigid trek to Northampton Area High School for the District XI quarterfinals. The #1 Panthers arrived to find an opponent in the #9 Jim Thorpe Olympians. Earlier in the night, the Olympians defeated the #8 Catasauqua Rough Riders by a 48-27 score to earn the right to advance and challenge Saucon Valley. The Panthers quickly shook off the chill and were obviously ready to rumble. Saucon followed up Monday’s Colonial League championship victory against the Wilson Warriors with a dominant 63-15 performance over the Olympians.
On Monday night, the Saucon Valley Panthers and their fantastic fans once again took the familiar, end of the season trek to Catasauqua High School to compete in the 2018-2019 Colonial League wrestling championships. And, for the seventh straight time Coach Shirk & Co. returned home crowned as champions. The Panthers now lay claim to 75 consecutive Colonial League victories to go along with their seven straight league titles. That, is simply impressive.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory and increased its forecast snowfall totals for the Lehigh Valley for Tuesday, when hazardous conditions created by the precipitation could affect local commuters headed to work and school.
Winter weather followed by bitter cold is again on tap for the Lehigh Valley this week, but when the snow will fall as well as how much the area can expect to receive is uncertain as of late Sunday.
