NWPASports.com

(Statistical Information Courtesy of NWPASports.com archives, The Herald, Yards and Points web site, and Erie Times-News)

WEEK TEN FOOTBALL PREVIEWS

The Mercer County high school football regular season concludes Thursday and Friday with a medley of non-conference games. Four of the week's seven games feature local teams squaring off with District 9 powerhouses.

Slippery Rock hosts Mercer in the lone all-local matchup of the week.

THURSDAY NIGHT

Reynolds at Union/Allegheny-Clarion Valley, 7:00 p.m.

Series History: Tied, 1-1
Last Reynolds Win: November 3, 2006 (Defeated A-C Valley, 50-15)
Last Union/A-C Valley Win: October 24, 2024 (50-35 at Reynolds)
First Meeting: October 24, 2024 (Union/A-C Valley won 50-35 at Reynolds)

Reynolds makes its first trip to Clarion County in 20 years Thursday night when the Raiders visit District 9 power Union/Allegheny-Clarion Valley (8-1) in Rimersburg. Reynolds (6-3) aims to snap a three-game slide while the host Falcon Knights look to rebound from their first loss of the season, a 35-7 loss last week at defending Class 1A state runner-up Port Allegany.

Both Reynolds and Union/A-C Valley feature a senior backfield duo on offense. Senior running back Gabe Minjarez leads the Raiders with 917 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns this year while senior slotback Parker Nay has posted 656 rushing yards on only 63 attempts. Minjarez needs 83 yards to go over the 1,000-yard mark for the second straight year while Nay has compiled 1,243 yards from scrimmage this season.

Meanwhile, the Union/A-C Valley tandem of Max Gallagher and Logan Skibinski has combined for 1,866 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns. Gallagher has 1,032 yards and 16 touchdowns while Skibinski has 834 yards and 14 touchdowns after missing his junior season due to injury.

The two teams do have two distinct differences at quarterback, however. Reynolds has utilized both senior Xavier Zachrich and junior Connor Belback at the position this year. Belback's ability to play quarterback has allowed Zachrich to play running back and receiver. Zachrich has 650 passing yards, 409 rushing yards and a pair of touchdown catches this year. Belback has thrown for 165 yards and three touchdowns.

Strong-armed freshman Andrew Kifer won the starting quarterback job for the Falcon Knights in preseason camp and has thrown for 1,002 yards in his nine starts. Kifer has thrown six touchdown passes while being intercepted seven times.

Skibinski's first quarter touchdown run gave the Falcon Knights a 7-0 lead last week at Port Allegany but the Gators scored the final 35 points of the game. Skibinski finished with 66 rushing yards while Gallagher led the Falcon Knights with 150 yards on 20 attempts.

Reynolds closed its Region 1 schedule last week with a 74-0 loss at Farrell. Farrell sacked Belback and Zachrich four times each in the defeat.

Union/A-C Valley closed the 2024 regular season with a 50-35 Thursday night win last year at Reynolds. Reynolds held a 464-399 edge in total yardage but the Raiders committed a pair of turnovers. Zachrich ran for 194 yards and two touchdowns while Minjarez added 161 yards and two touchdowns. Zachrich also threw for 117 yards, including a touchdown pass to Nay.

Aidan Fox caught three touchdown passes for the Falcon Knights, who led 28-21 at halftime.

Union/A-C Valley competes in District 9's Region 3, along with Kane, Keystone, Moniteau and Ridgway. The Falcon Knights went 4-0 in league play. Union/A-C Valley highlighted its non-conference schedule with a 26-22 home win in Week Two over Redbank Valley.

Third-year head coach Dan Reed guided the Falcon Knights to an 8-4 record last year, along with a berth in the District 9 semifinals. This is the 10th year of the co-op agreement between Union and Allegheny-Clarion Valley. The schools also have co-op agreements in girls basketball, baseball, cross country and softball.

FRIDAY NIGHT

Mercer at Slippery Rock, 7:00 p.m.

Series History: Slippery Rock, 26-9-2 (22-7-2 modern era)
Last Mercer Win: November 3, 1995 (13-6 at Slippery Rock)
Last Slippery Rock Win: October 25, 2024 (20-0 at Mercer)
First Meeting: c. October 31, 1930 (Slippery Rock won 32-0)

Mercer and Slippery Rock close the 2025 season Friday night in Butler County. Mercer (3-5) returns to action after an open date in Week Nine while Slippery Rock (3-6) returns home for the first time in a month.

Slippery Rock concluded a three-game road trip in Region 4 play last week with a 42-14 setback at Hickory. Slippery Rock led 7-6 but three turnovers and 16 penalties helped foil the Rockets' upset bid. Senior fullback Kole Scott gave the Rockets a 7-6 lead in the second quarter by scoring on a one-yard run. He finished with 60 rushing yards on 14 carries while senior Owen Long led Slippery Rock with 64 yards rushing. He also returned a kickoff 79 yards for a touchdown. That marked Slippery Rock's first kickoff return for a touchdown since John Sabo returned a kick 98 yards for a score August 26, 2022 at General McLane.

Scott ranks 10th in the area with 599 rushing yards. Long ranks sixth locally with 1,247 all-purpose yards. He leads the team with 20 catches for 233 yards. Quarterback Doug Popovec has thrown for 753 yards and three touchdowns this year.

While Slippery Rock finished up a three-game road trip, Mercer concluded a three-game homestand October 10 by falling to Region 1 foe Wilmington, 48-0. Senior quarterback Rider Chiappini led the Mustangs with 63 rushing yards. Mercer committed only one penalty for one yard.

Injuries have thinned Mercer's lineup, especially in the offensive backfield. Chiappini leads Mercer with 333 yards and four touchdowns. Senior fullback Kyle Suhrie, who began the season at tight end, has 245 yards and three touchdowns on 55 carries.

Long and Popovec both scored on one-yard runs last year in the fourth quarter of Slippery Rock's 20-0 victory at Mercer. Sawyer Allen opened the scoring by returning a blocked punt 48 yards for a touchdown in the second period. Long led Slippery Rock with 89 rushing yards. Popovec completed 9 of 18 passes for 108 yards.

Slippery Rock has won 13 straight games in the series. The last tie for each team came October 16, 1992, when the teams played to a 6-6 draw in Mercer. The modern series began in 1966, when Slippery Rock restarted varsity football. Slippery Rock is 22-7-2 against Mercer since then. The schools also met yearly from 1929 to 1934.  

Slippery Rock has won six straight home games against Mercer. Mercer is 3-13 all-time at Slippery Rock, picking up wins in 1934 (38-0), 1971 (14-6) and 1995 (13-6). This is Mercer's first trip to Troy-Alan Stadium since a 35-6 loss to Lakeview in the 2023 District 10 Class 1A semifinals. 

Karns City at Wilmington, 7:00 p.m.

Series History: Wilmington, 7-1
Last Karns City Win: October 31, 2008 (22-21 at Wilmington)
Last Wilmington Win: November 6, 2020 (42-14, PIAA Class 2A First Round at Wilmington)
First Meeting: November 15, 1997 (Wilmington won 22-17, PIAA Class AA First Round at Erie)

Two perennial western Pennsylvania small school powers meet in the regular season finale Friday night at Terry Verrelli Stadium as Wilmington (7-2) hosts District 9 Class 2A power Karns City (7-2).

Powerful rushing attacks have helped propel both teams to 7-2 records this year. Wilmington averages a Mercer County area-high 281.3 rushing yards per game, along with 7.6 yards per carry. Karns City backs average 275.3 yards per game and 7.1 yards per carry.

Junior halfback Chase Mitcheltree leads Wilmington with 968 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns in eight games. Sophomore halfback Cam Kettering has contributed 476 yards while sophomore fullback Cam Kettering has chewed up 361 yards while averaging 11.3 yards per carry.

All three backs ran for touchdowns in Wilmington's 51-7 win at Sharpsville in the Region 1 finale. Mitcheltree scored three times and finished with 122 yards. That marked his sixth 100-yard outing of the season.

Junior quarterback Wesley Vass-Gal completed 3 of 5 passes for 61 yards and two touchdowns. Mitcheltree and senior split end Freddie Zehetner both caught touchdowns at Sharpsville. Vass-Gal also intercepted two passes on defense and now leads the area with four thefts.

Wilmington leads the area with a plus-15 turnover margin. The Greyhounds' two turnovers are tied for the fewest in the area and their 17 takeaways are No. 2 locally.

Perhaps no team in Pennsylvania features more backfield balance than does Karns City. Senior Owen Heginbotham leads the Gremlins with 592 yards while senior Heath Scherer has 551 yards, along with a team-leading 15 rushing touchdowns. Junior quarterback Cole Johnston, the conductor of Karns City's multiple-formation scheme, has rushed for 511 yards and 14 scores. Senior Nathan Hess has 488 rushing yards on 49 carries.

Johnston has thrown for 963 yards and 12 touchdowns. He is in his second season as the full-time starter after taking over as a freshman late in 2023.

The Gremlins rolled up 321 rushing yards in a 35-23 victory at previously-undefeated Punxsutawney. Heginbotham ran for 116 yards and a touchdown while Scherer picked up 60 yards and four scores. Scherer also threw a 26-yard pass. Johnston completed 6 of 11 passes for 121 yards.

Karns City lost to the Chucks in Week Five, 22-19, as the Gremlins' 19-0 lead evaporated. Karns City's other loss this year to came to Class 5A DuBois, 56-42.

Karns City head coach Joe Sherwin is in his eighth season after spending 18 years as offensive coordinator under former head coach Ed Conto. Karns City went 7-3 last year. The Gremlins fell to state finalist Central Clarion in the District 9 title game, 37-20.

This is Karns City's fourth road game of the season. The 40-mile trip to New Wilmington is the second shortest jaunt of the season for the Gremlins. Karns City traveled to Saint Marys (86 miles) in the season opener, then traveled 53 miles over hill and dale to Punxsutawney last week. Karns City visited neighboring Moniteau (14 miles) in Week Four.

Wilmington and Karns City were scheduled to meet in Week 10 last year but Karns City had to make up a league game with Saint Marys due to inclement weather during Week Three of the 2024 season.

This is the seventh all-time regular season meeting between the teams. In 2008, Karns City rallied for a 22-21 win at Wilmington in the regular season finale. Wilmington rebounded to win its next six games on the way to the PIAA Class AA state title, however. Karns City also reached the state quarterfinals in Class AA that year, but a 42-14 loss to Aliquippa prevented a Greyhounds-Gremlins rematch in the state semifinals.

Wilmington defeated Karns City in the 1997 PIAA Class AA first round in a snowstorm at Erie Veterans Stadium, 22-17. Demetrius Rich's 43-yard touchdown catch from Todd Smargiasso with 2:43 left gave Wilmington the lead for good.

The game will be broadcast on Sports Radio 96.7. Live Stats available here.

Cathedral Prep at Farrell, 7:00 p.m.

Series History: Cathedral Prep, 4-1
Last Cathedral Prep Win: October 25, 2024 (7-0)
Last Farrell Win: October 21, 1939 (7-6)
First Meeting: October 21, 1939 (Farrell won 7-6 at home)

Farrell has one final tune-up before what the Steelers hope is a lengthy postseason run as perennial powerhouse Cathedral Prep visits Pegues Sports Complex. While Farrell will likely be the No. 1 seed in the upcoming District 10 Class 2A playoffs, Cathedral Prep (3-5) must win to qualify for the four-time Class 5A subregional that also includes Districts 6 and 8. The Ramblers enter Friday's game on a four-game losing streak after dropping a 28-14 decision at General McLane last week.

Farrell clinched the Region 1 title with a 74-0 victory over visiting Reynolds as the Steelers charged out to a 38-0 lead. Junior quarterback Aaron Pegues completed 14 of 19 passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns while senior running back Juelz Johnson ran for 191 yards and three touchdowns. Pegues and freshman Gavin Petitford also ran for touchdowns while Deyontay Gillespie scored on a blocked punt return. Dmar Russell returned a fumble 58 yards for another score.

The Farrell defense limited Reynolds to 17 total yards last week while also forcing two turnovers. Farrell racked up eight sacks, the most by a county defense this season. That's the highest single-game sack total for a local defense since October 22, 2021, when Farrell recorded nine sacks against Kennedy Catholic.

The Steelers continue to lead the area in scoring defense (9.6) and total defense (127.8). The total defense average is 85 yards fewer per game than the No. 2 team, Greenville.

Johnson's 22 touchdowns and 142 total points lead the area, as do his 1,511 all-purpose yards. He has rushed for 1,173 yards and will likely finish the regular season as the county's leading rusher. He trails Hickory's Kelvin Morrison by three yards and Hickory has an open date in Week 10.

Cathedral Prep also features a 1,000-yard rusher as junior running back DaZarie Carson has rushed for 1,165 yards and 17 touchdowns this year. The 5-foot-10, 190-pounder ran for 293 yards in a Week Two 43-41 win over visiting Sharon.

Last week at General McLane, Carson ran for 175 yards and two scores. That marked his fourth straight 100-yard outing.

Senior quarterback Davin Friedman completed 10 of 28 passes for 106 yards at McLane. He has 1,247 passing yards and 10 touchdowns this year. Gavin Easter and Matthew Oblich, a pair of seniors, share the team lead with 29 catches apiece.

Cathedral Prep slipped past Farrell last year in Erie, 7-0. Johnson ran for 125 yards on 29 carries. Pegues completed 12 of 24 passes for 102 yards. Nemo Jones, who leads Farrell this year with 20 catches, had five receptions for 52 yards.

Four of the previous Cathedral Prep-Farrell meetings have been played at Farrell. The series began in 1939 out of necessity for Farrell. Due to various rules violations in 1938, District 10 suspended Farrell for the 1939-40 academic year, which meant that PIAA member schools could not play Farrell. Cathedral Prep did not belong to the PIAA at the time, however. That year, Farrell also played General Electric Tech, the Farrell Alumni, Oil City St. Joseph's and Pittsburgh St. Mary's.

The game will be broadcast on News/Talk 790 WPIC. Video at Sports Radio 96.7.

Greenville at Eisenhower, 7:00 p.m.

Series History: Greenville, 1-0
Last Eisenhower Win: None
Last Greenville Win: October 25, 2024 (27-6)
First Meeting: October 25, 2024 (Greenville won 27-6)

Winners of eight straight, Greenville (8-1) makes its first trip to Warren County in a decade when the Knights visit Eisenhower at the "Pasture of Pain" in Russell.

When teams met last year in Greenville -- a 27-6 win for the home team -- many felt it could be a potential District 10 Class 1A playoff preview. That's not the case in 2025 as Eisenhower is now in Class 2A due to Warren County School District folding Youngsville High School into Eisenhower at the end of last academic year. Eisenhower remains playoff eligible as school mergers are handled differently than a mid-year co-op agreement that affects classification.

While Eisenhower is expected to earn one of the four District 10 Class 2A playoff invitations, Greenville enters Week 10 in position to secure a top seed in Class 1A. The Trojans wrapped up their second straight Region 2 title last week with a 49-8 win at Maplewood.

Senior running back/linebacker Rudy Gentile ran for 112 yards and three touchdowns, then added a 30-yard fumble return for a touchdown. Junior quarterback Cael Thurber fired touchdown strikes to junior receivers Keith Covert and Justin Schell as the Trojans rolled up 438 total yards.

Greenville continues to lead the 11-team area in total offense, averaging 379 yards per game, along with a county-best 9.3 yards per offensive play. Greenville has scored a county-high 349 points this year.

Thurber leads Mercer County with 20 passing touchdowns and 1,308 yards. Schell could win the county's "Triple Crown" in receiving as he has 29 catches for 756 yards and 13 touchdowns. Covert has 19 catches for 255 yards in what is still a relatively run-heavy offense.

Greenville runs the ball on two-thirds of its offensive plays. The Trojans lead the area in yards per carry by averaging 8.4 yards per attempt. Gentile is closing in on a second consecutive 1,000-yard season as he has 937 yards this year. That total ranks fifth among local rushers. Junior Kaysom Materia has added 539 yards on 49 attempts.

Eisenhower had been 6-3 but had to recent forfeit wins over Franklin and Union City this week due to the use of an ineligible player. Ike officially dropped to 4-5 overall last week with a 36-28 at overtime loss to Region 3 champion Mercyhurst Prep. Senior quarterback Caleb Jakubczak ran for 134 yards and two touchdowns while senior running back Logan Penley added 117 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries last week.

Jakubczak went over the 1,000-yard rushing mark last week as he now has 1,003 yards for the season. He has also thrown for 547 yards and four scores in 2025. Penley has gained 847 yards while rushing for a team-high 15 touchdowns.

Greenville capped a 9-1 regular season last year with a 27-6 home win over Eisenhower. Gentile ran for 179 yards and two touchdowns. Schell had five catches for 95 yards and a score. He and Thurber both intercepted passes. Penley scored on a five-yard run for Eisenhower.

Greenville is 14-2 all-time in Warren County. All 16 of those games came against Warren. Greenville has not lost in Warren County since a 9-8 loss on Halloween afternoon in 1981. Mercer County teams are 35-8 all-time against Eisenhower, including a 12-3 record at The Pasture of Pain.

Lakeview at Franklin, 7:00 p.m.

Series History: Lakeview, 7-2
Last Franklin Win: October 27, 2013 (21-17)
Last Lakeview Win: October 25, 2024 (44-12)
First Meeting: September 14, 2012 (Franklin won 28-24)

Lakeview brings down the curtain on the 2025 season Friday night by trekking up U.S. Route 62 to face Class 4A Franklin.

While freshmen and sophomores comprise the bulk of Lakeview's roster, senior wide receiver Julian Zacherl has emerged as one of the area's top targets in 2025. Zacherl ranks second in the area with 27 catches and eight touchdown receptions. His 582 receiving yards rank third in the area.

He and the Sailors receivers will likely be fielding passes from freshman quarterback Jaden Meyer, who is expected to make his first start Friday. Meyer came on in relief in last week's 56-6 defeat at Cambridge Springs.

With a first-time starter behind center, Lakeview's rushing attack may take on a greater role. Sophomore Remington Marsh leads the Sailors with 412 yards while senior Gavin Schell has added 285 yards and five touchdowns. Fullback Ethan Johnson, often a blocker in the Sailors' I-formation scheme, has rushed for 166 yards on 39 carries.

Marsh ran for 154 yards, including an 81-yard touchdown sprint, last week at Cambridge Springs. Schell added 71 yards as the Sailors ran for a season-high 230 yards.

Lakeview's defense has forced 15 turnovers this year. The Sailors have turned over the ball a county-high 22 times this year, however.

Franklin recently received a forfeit win from Eisenhower due to the use of an ineligible player. Franklin (1-8) fell last week at longtime rival Oil City, 47-0, in the Region 5 finale. The Oilers held Franklin standout running back Caden Mincer to 33 rushing yards, snapping his three-game streak of rushing for 100 or more yards. Mincer has moved into sixth place in program history with 1,724 career rushing yards.

Lakeview is 3-2 all-time at Franklin. Last year, Lakeview hosted Franklin and closed the 2024 regular season with a 44-12 victory. The Sailors rolled up 597 yards on 55 plays. Lakeview led 44-6 at halftime. Mincer led Franklin with 81 yards and a touchdown.

Sharpsville at Punxsutawney, 7:00 p.m.

Series History: Sharpsville, 1-0
Last Punxsutawney Win: None
Last Sharpsville Win: October 26, 2024 (45-34)
First Meeting: October 26, 2024 (Sharpsville won 45-34)

Sharpsville visits District 9 powerhouse Punxsutawney (8-1) in the 2025 finale Friday night in Jefferson County. It will be Sharpsville's first trip to Jefferson County in 18 seasons and the Blue Devils' first trek to District 9 in the regular season since the 2014 opener at Otto-Eldred.

Sharpsville visits a Chucks squad that dropped a 35-23 decision to visiting Karns City last week in a non-conference game. Senior quarterback Maddox Hetrick threw for 211 yards while also rushing for 95 yards. Senior Logan Moore hauled in nine passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore kicker Owen Roken kicked three field goals, including a season-long 45-yarder. He is now 6 of 7 on field goal attempts.

Senior Jordan Rutan leads Punxsutawney with 995 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. A three-year starter at quarterback, Hetrick has thrown for 1,484 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also has 365 rushing yards. Moore leads the Chucks with 47 catches for 624 yards. Beau Thomas has snagged 32 passes for 508 yards. Both men have four touchdown catches.

Defensively, Teeg Hetrick leads the Chucks with six sacks. Punxsutawney has forced 19 turnovers this year.

Turnovers have plagued youthful Sharpsville this year. The Blue Devils have turned over the ball 19 times, including three miscues last week in a 51-7 home loss to Wilmington.

Sophomore fullback Geno Currie leads the Blue Devils with 674 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Sophomore quarterback Lincoln Breit has thrown for 457 yards while classmate Landen Hassel leads Sharpsville with 26 catches and 442 receiving yards. Hassel ranks fourth in the county in receptions.

Sharpsville capped the 2024 regular season with a 45-34 win over visiting Punxsutawney. The Blue Devils outgained Punxsutawney, 589-410. Currie ran for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Moore caught three touchdown passes for Punxsutawney, which finished 5-6 last year.

Brandon Snyder is in his second season as Punxsutawney head coach. He spent four seasons as the program's offensive coordinator before being promoted in March 2024.

Sharpsville's last trip to Jefferson County came October 26, 2007, when the Blue Devils dropped a 41-7 decision at Brookville. Sharpsville rolled Otto-Eldred in the 2014 opener in Duke Center, 46-8.

Punxsutawney is 5-7 all-time against Mercer County area foes. Mercer County teams are 3-2 all-time at Punxsutawney. This is the first time since October 6, 2000 that the Chucks will host a Mercer County team. That night, Punxsutawney downed Grove City, 21-7.

Sharpsville head coach Paul Piccirilli is 8-3 against District 9 teams in the regular season. He owns a 5-3 mark in the PIAA playoffs against District 9 opposition.