Once upon a time, the Pennsylvania high school football season began in the second or third week of September, long after the first day of school.
Then in 1979, the PIAA moved the start of football up to Labor Day weekend.
In 2016, the start of the season was moved up even more, to the weekend before Labor Day weekend.
But with the move into August came an increased risk of thunderstorms and that’s what are in the forecast for Friday, the opening night of the 2023 season.
Hopefully, they will not affect the nine games scheduled in the EPC, as the final season in the two-division setup begins.
And, as has been the case most seasons since the league began in 2014, the schedule begins with North-South cross-division matchups.
The South has dominated these matchups most years with a few exceptions. One is Northampton, which is 4-0 against South members the last two years and the Konkrete Kids are involved in the marquee matchup of the weekend Saturday night at J. Birney Crum Stadium against Allentown Central Catholic. The Vikings are not only defending District 11 4A champs, but was also the last team standing last year in making it to the state semifinals.
Central Catholic is ranked sixth in Class 4A in the first Pennlive.Com state rankings. Other EPC teams earning rankings were Parkland and Nazareth, who were ranked fifth and ninth respectively in 6A.
Here’s a look at this weekend’s EPC matchups (all games are Friday 7 p.m. starts unless noted):
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It’s another year of high school 🏈 and the high school picks contest sponsored by Yocco’s 🌭 and our weekly videos. The first guest is Pete Lamana who is running an auction bid-calling contest at the Farmerama Stage at the @AtownFair on Sept. 1. pic.twitter.com/DhI5ghY5Gj
See AlsoWay-too-early 12-team College Football Playoff projectionsFootball & Soccer Predictions for TodayFootball & Soccer Predictions for TodaySoccer Predictions - Expert Soccer Predictions Today | Pickswise— Keith Groller (@KeithGroller) August 24, 2023
Friday games
Allen at Whitehall
Storylines: Both programs have new head coaches as Joel Rupp takes over at Allen and Andy Marino is the new boss at Whitehall. The Canaries are coming off a 1-9 season, while the Zephyrs went 8-6 and won the District 11 5A title in 2022.
Players to watch: Austin Snyder returns as Allen’s quarterback. Whitehall features one of the top returning QBs in the area in Trey Dogmanits and the Zephyrs feature proven stars such as receivers Jack Kocher and Braden Bashore and junior running back/linebacker Carter Troxell.
What to expect: Allen will attempt a lot of creativity on offense in an effort to get its skill-position players in space. Whitehall had a tough scrimmage against PIAA power Jersey Shore and will look to clean up things with an efficient, dominant performance, especially up front.
Keith Groller’s prediction: Whitehall 45-12
Bethlehem Catholic at Pleasant Valley
Storylines: Another new coach makes his debut as former Lehigh standout Tyler Ward gets his first official taste of EPC football. The Bears made strides last season, going 7-1 in the EPC North and 7-4 overall. Blaec Saeger’s triple-option was very effective in controlling the clock, but some of the key guys who made that offense work have graduated.
Players to watch: Becahi’s Jacob Sutton figures to be one of the most dynamic backs in the EPC after running for 718 yards last fall and sophom*ore Cayden Vassa shows promise at quarterback. The Bears’ Valentino Byers-Robinson ran for 478 yards and 8 TDs last season and added another 157 yards in the air.
What to expect: Pleasant Valley will try to control the game with its triple-option attack, which keeps the ball on the ground and the clock moving. Becahi’s defense will have to remain disciplined. On offense, look for Sutton to get a lot of carries and new QB Vassa to click with a short passing game.
Keith Groller’s prediction: Becahi 21-14
Easton at East Stroudsburg North
Storylines: It’s the debut of Matt Senneca as Red Rovers coach and East will look to make a big, bold statement that things will be different this year after a disappointing 3-8 mark in 2022. The Timberwolves, coming off a 1-9 year, also have a new coach making his debut in David Laughlin.
Players to watch: Expect Easton’s Will Day to have a big night running the ball and Jordan Alston with a big night catching it. Romeo Carmen-King, who accounted for 40 of North’s 65 points last season, will do his best to make plays.
What to expect: A perfect opener for the Senneca Era as Easton will likely show off some new looks and build some confidence and then sit the starters down for most of the second half in preparation of a much tougher game against Allentown Central Catholic next week.
Keith Groller’s prediction: Easton 59-6
Emmaus at Pocono Mountain East
Storylines: Josiah Williams, who returns to the starting role at quarterback where as a sophom*ore in 2021 he led the Green Hornets to the district finals, will settle back into the position with help from talented players like receiver Rafael Terrero and backs such as Reilly Bechtel and Jasiyah Banks. The Cardinals seek better times after struggling through a 1-9 season in 2022 in which they were outscored 350-74.
Players to watch: The Green Hornets have two Division I linemen leading the way up front in Ben Mercado (Sacred Heart) and Mario Landino (James Madison). The Cardinals will look to Rasu Wearing-Poindexter to make plays in a ball-control attack.
What to expect: Another positive start to a season by Emmaus, which began last year 7-0.
Keith Groller’s prediction: Emmaus 49-7
Freedom at Stroudsburg
Storylines: Freedom, like Emmaus, isn’t getting a lot of talk when it comes to who will win the EPC South and that probably suits the Patriots fine. They graduated a lot of talent, including top running back Jalen Fletcher and quarterback Ethan Neidig, but they return a lot of talent and will have new guys emerging. Stroudsburg, meanwhile, is looking to make a statement in its final season in the EPC North.
Players to watch: Xavier Dunbar is Freedom’s new quarterback and will look to get off to a good start. Noah Pierre, Justin Peluso and Jayden Colon are among those looking to emerge as Patriots playmakers. Will Francis, who scored seven TDs last season, figures to lead the Mounties offense.
What to expect: A physical game between two run-oriented team. These two don’t meet each other very often. They haven’t played since a 21-20 Freedom win in the 2016 playoffs.
Keith Groller’s prediction: Freedom 20-13
Liberty at Dieruff
Storylines: Both teams had a lot of optimism and enthusiasm in the preseason and are hoping for breakthrough seasons. The Huskies, who were 3-7 last season, are hoping for their first winning season since 2002 and the Hurricanes, 2-8 in 2022, are looking for their first successful season since 2015.
Players to watch: Dieruff quarterback Jordey Guzman and running back Mekhi Ashby are two of the top offensive returners in the EPC North. Kicker Connor McLaughlin could be a big weapon for the Hurricanes and look for one of several running backs such as Gabe Green or Brayden McKinley to emerge as a workhorse. Marcus Askerneese and Anthony Vega are among the top receivers.
What to expect: A hard-fought game that could set the tone for the season for both teams. Both of these programs have been hurt by self-inflicted wounds and if they can be minimized both programs could be headed for better times.
Keith Groller’s prediction: Liberty 28-21
Nazareth at East Stroudsburg South
Storylines: Peyton Falzone, son of Blue Eagles coach Tom Falzone, will be in the spotlight as a sophom*ore starter at quarterback as Nazareth begins what many believe will be a special season. The Cavaliers are expected to bounce back after dipping to 4-6 last season after winning a District 11 title in 2021.
Players to watch: Division I recruit Mason Kuehner might be the most exciting player in the area. He’ll have lots of quality skill-position talent around him in Frank Mroz, Jed Bendekovits, Logan Hilarczyk and others so teams can’t focus on stopping just Kuehner. The Cavaliers will be led by new quarterback Ivan Laubach, a sophom*ore. Xzavier Pusateri and Nekhi Spencer will be two of Laubach’s top targets.
What to expect: It could be a very emotional night for the South football family as longtime coach Ed Christian, who recently died at age 83, will be remembered before the game. The Cavaliers will look to make a statement about being improved, but Nazareth has as much talent as any team in local football.
Keith Groller’s prediction: Nazareth 42-20
Pocono Mountain West at Parkland
The storylines: The defending district champion Trojans will be seeking another good start. They beat Easton 42-0 in last year’s opener. The Panthers will try to find some positives they can use going into the EPC North portion of their schedule which starts Sept. 1 against Stroudsburg.
Players to watch: Parkland quarterback Luke Spang and running back Trey Tremba figure to be two of the most prolific offensive players in the area. Look for new starters to emerge like freshman TJ Lawrence. The Panthers feature an experienced quarterback in Ryder Bray.
What to expect: The teams have met three times since 2014 and the Trojans won all three and outscored the Panthers by a combined 146-41. This one figures to be just as lopsided and Parkland should be able to rest some players with Freedom coming up next week.
Keith Groller’s prediction: Parkland 42-0
Saturday night
Northampton at ACCHS
The storylines: It’s the game of opening weekend in the EPC. The Konkrete Kids haven’t lost a regular-season game since 2021 and the Vikings are state-ranked and want to get the Rob Melosky Era off to a good start.
Players to watch: Some of the best players in the area will be going head-to-head in this one. Caden Henritzy is approaching Northampton’s all-time rushing record and Tristen Pinnock is one of the area’s best playmakers. ACCHS features Jareel Calhoun, the EPC’s leading receiver in 2022, and an all-state defensive lineman in Braheem Battles.
What to expect: Both teams will be breaking in new quarterbacks although both Northampton’s AJ Slikva and Central’s Kyle Fleshman got some reps last year. As good as the offenses are, both teams feature talented defenses that might dictate the game with sacks and turnovers.
Keith Groller’s prediction: Northampton 21-17
