http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/
FROM KEITH GROLLER
ES SOUTH AT DIERUFF
When: 7 tonight
In the spotlight: The only unbeaten 4A team left in District 11 in the Cavaliers, taking on a Dieruff team that owns a three-game winning streak for the first time since 2002. South struggled with red-zone opportunities against an emotional Pocono East team last Saturday night, but freshman quarterback Jake Cirillo made some big plays to pull out a win. The Huskies found their own magic in beating Lehighton in overtime, but this is probably the best team Dieruff has played so far.
By the numbers: Dieruff’s Shakur Lester scored five touchdowns against Lehighton, one shy of the school record set by Dave Kurisco in 1979. Huskies junior QB Chris Marks is one of just two passers in all of District 11 to throw for more than 1,000 yards so far this season. South’s Niko Petrone, who was injured in the third quarter last Saturday night, is just eight rushing yards shy of going over the 3,000-yard mark in his career.
LEHIGHTON AT ES NORTH
When: 7 tonight.
In the spotlight: A pair of teams trying to snap two-game losing streaks and keep sagging playoff hopes alive. The Indians, in particular, may be smarting after squandering a late lead against Dieruff. The Indians ran for 289 yards last week, getting 116 yards from Tyler Cann and 111 from Wyatt Clements. North quarterback Will Quiles ran for 198 yards and Anthony Cruz added two rushing scores in the Timberwolves loss to Pocono West.
By the numbers: Five turnovers doomed North against Pocono West, including three interceptions by Quiles. Penalties, 12 of them for 79 yards, proved costly for the Indians in the setback to Dieruff.
PM EAST AT PLEASANT VALLEY
When: 7 tonight.
In the spotlight: A resurgent Bears team that has won four in a row since their opening-loss to Nazareth. Pleasant Valley exploded for 28 points in the fourth quarter and overcame deficits of 31-21 and 38-28 to defeat Wyomissing 49-38. Junior Brandon Kuehner was the big story as he filled in for injured starting quarterback Brandon Leap and threw for 220 yards and three touchdowns. The Cardinals, coming off an emotional stretch of days in the aftermath of a tragic auto accident, played their hearts out against South but couldn’t sustain a 28-16 fourth-quarter lead.
By the numbers: Leap is now two yards away from becoming the all-time career passing leader at Pleasant Valley. He has 3,472 career yards, one away from the 3,473 put up by Trevor Micklos from 1996-99. East’s Corey Castillon burned South for 231 yards rushing and three touchdowns, the best-single game rushing total in the MVC this season.
ALLEN AT PM WEST
When: 7 tonight.
In the spotlight: A healthier Canaries squad that is trying to stay competitive after tough outings against two of the MVC’s elite — East Stroudsburg South and Stroudsburg — the past two weeks. After being limited to just seven total points in the first four games, the Panthers broke loose for 48 against East Stroudsburg North with Qmac Quiteh having a big night. He ran for 121 yards and four scores and threw for 94 more as West racked up over 300 yards of offense.
By the numbers: Allen’s all-time record in football now stands at 511-511. The Canaries have been outscored 121-18 in the first half of games, 72-0 the past two weeks. The Panthers won last year’s meeting between the two 17-6. That win kicked off a strong second half of the season by West, which won four of its last five games.
STROUDSBURG AT WYOM. VALLEY WEST
When: 7 tonight
In the spotlight: A big game in terms of the Class 4A District 11-2-4 subregional rankings. Entering the second half of the season, WVW is fifth, Stroudsburg is seventh. Top eight teams qualify for the postseason, although District 11 can’t have more than six qualifiers. The Mounties, who have posted back-to-back shutouts, continue to get big offensive production from Gerald Douglas, the MVC’s leading rusher who ran for 202 yards and four touchdowns on just 14 carries against Allen.
By the numbers: Wyoming Valley West, like Stroudsburg, is 4-1 and coming off a 56-14 shellacking of Wilkes-Barre Coughlin. The Spartans had 293 yards on the ground, led by Eric Acosta’s 106 on just 10 carries. West is a traditionally-strong program coming off a pair of nine-win seasons, but the Spartans had postseason runs end five times by Lehigh Valley schools in the past decade — twice by Whitehall, and once each by Easton, Liberty and Parkland.
ALL-AMERICAN CONFERENCE
PIUS X AT WYALUSING
When: 7 tonight.
In the spotlight: The Royals’ District 11 playoff hopes. Pius X is currently fourth in the Class A rankings after a big 34-7 win over Towanda that featured a stingy defensive effort. Eric Marbury ran back an interception 56 yards for a score and also added a rushing TD. Nick Brotzman had a big day throwing the ball, going 15-for-17 for 206 yards and two touchdowns.
By the numbers: Wyalusing, a District 4 2A program, is 1-4, but has suffered a pair of one-point defeats. The Rams’ lone win was a 21-0 blanking of Sayre. Pius X won this meeting 34-6 last year when Wyalusing finished 1-9. The Rams went 8-3 in 2010, but have won just five games since.
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