A look at the matchups, plus top storylines and players to watch

Even before one raindrop hit the ground in the Lehigh Valley region, Friday’s rain event created more than its share of havoc with the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference football schedule.

Through nine weeks, Mother Nature had been tame with the exception of a few delays caused by thunderstorms on Aug. 27, opening night.

Others were impacted by COVID-19 concerns and bomb scares, but Week 10 has had the most upheaval with two games in the EPC North moved from Friday night to Thursday night in an effort to beat the rain — Pleasant Valley at Stroudsburg and Pocono Mountain East at Pocono Mountain West.

Both were slated to be important games, too, because three of those four teams are vying for the last two playoff berths in District 11 Class 6A.

Three other games have stayed on Friday night but were moved from 7 to 6 p.m. starts. They are East Stroudsburg South at East Stroudsburg North, Northampton at Whitehall and Easton at Nazareth.

It would be wise for fans to monitor the situation throughout the day on Friday since more changes could be coming.

Here’s a look at the seven games slated for Friday and Saturday as the EPC wraps up its eighth football season:

ES South (6-3, 6-1) at ES North (0-8, 0-6) Top storylines:

While the Cavaliers are to be congratulated on another successful season that will continue in the District 11 5A tournament, the Timberwolves players that remain should also be commended. They kept the program alive by their mere participation. Back in the summer, there was no guarantee North would field a team.

Players to watch: Once again, South coach Matt Walters has assembled an explosive offensive attack that averages 37 points per game and is led by quarterback Bobby McClosky, running backs Ron Blake and Gary Welge and receivers Colin Burdian and Jose Almonte.

What to expect: This one will be over quickly and South can prep for what it missed out on last year: a home district game and more as the Cavs fully expect to compete for the District 11 5A title. Keith Groller’s pick: ES South 70-0.

Easton (5-2, 3-2) at Nazareth (6-3, 4-3) Top storylines:

For Easton, the EPC South title might be at stake depending on what happens with the ParklandEmmaus game. For Nazareth, it’s about trying to earn a district home game and building momentum for another potential 6A title run.

Players to watch: Red Rovers quarterback Cole Transue had perhaps the best game of his career last week at Emmaus when he threw for 203 yards and two second-half touchdowns. Aidan Hutchison filled in for the injured Marcus Williams nicely with 83 yards rushing. Nazareth’s Tyler Rohn had one of his best nights of the season against Whitehall, running for 172 yards and two touchdowns while catching four passes for 65 yards.

What to expect: Nazareth won a highscoring game last year, 38-21, but the Red Rovers seem to be playing a better brand of defense than when it allowed 424 yards of Blue Eagles offense. Easton will try to grind away with its running game and short passes. Nazareth could counter with some big plays.

Keith Groller’s pick: Nazareth 21-14.

Emmaus (7-2, 5-2) at Parkland (7-1, 6-1)

Top storylines: The Trojans can claim their first EPC South title since 2017 and the top seed in District 11 6A. The Green Hornets may need a win to secure a 6A quarterfinal-round home game and can still get the South crown with a victory and a Nazareth win over Easton.

Players to watch: This one will feature arguably the two best defenses in local football. Both teams swarm to the ball. Jared Groller and Aidan Garrett lead the charge for the Green Hornets and Nico Medlar, Noah Rode, and Brock Boyer are all defensive playmakers for the Trojans. What to expect: This figured to be one of the lowest-scoring games of the night even in pristine playing conditions. This was a 13-6 Emmaus win last year and the defenses are just as good as they were in 2020. Add in a wet, sloppy field and it will likely come down to avoiding turnovers and possibly getting a score from the defense.

Keith Groller’s pick: Parkland 14-7.

Northampton (9-0, 8-0) at Whitehall (3-5, 2-5) Top storylines:

Northampton can make history with a win, becoming the first team in program history to start a season 10-0. The K-Kids could also get the top seed in District 11 6A. Whitehall would love to spoil all of that for Northampton and snap a five-game skid that goes back to mid-September. Players to watch: Everett Luisi has developed into a solid contributor on both sides of the ball for the K-Kids. Zephyrs sophomore quarterback Trey Dogmanits is coming off his best outing, a 253-yard passing night at Nazareth.

What to expect: A lot of emotion as the Cement Bowl rivalry has become one of the most intense in Lehigh

Valley football. Both teams have a lot at stake. For Northampton, it’s about respect. For Whitehall, it’s about trying to salvage a once very promising season that has nearly slipped away due to injuries.

Keith Groller’s pick: Northampton 31-28.

Bethlehem Catholic (2-6, 1-5) at Allentown Central Catholic (6-3, 4-3) Top storylines: Despite what has largely been a disappointing season, the Golden Hawks have a chance to salvage it with a win over ACCHS which would possibly put them in the District 11 4A playoffs. The Vikings, meanwhile, turned the corner with a pair of wins and want to build momentum into a very competitive 4A Final Four.

Players to watch: Becahi quarterback Jared Richardson, who passed for

103 yards and two TDs and ran for 63 against Freedom, might be playing his last game for the Golden Hawks and will want to put on a show. Central’s Lavon Johnson, who has seven sacks, will try to get after Richardson and shut down a Becahi running game that generated 157 yards against Freedom.

What to expect: A hard-fought and competitive game that will live up to the Holy War tradition. The Vikings have rekindled their running game and will need to keep it going here and into the playoffs.

Keith Groller’s pick: Central Catholic 30-21.

Allen (1-8, 1-6) at Dieruff (2-6, 2-4) Top storylines:

The Canaries and Huskies both didn’t have the seasons they wanted, but both kept working and competing and get this one — meeting

No. 65 — as one last showcase.

Players to watch: Allen’s Clarence Watkins and Dwight Harriston will be a challenge for the Dieruff defense and the Huskies have their own playmakers in Christian Sell and Jovan Rodriguez. What to expect: Both teams have displayed some offensive fireworks, but have had trouble stopping opposing offenses. It should be a hard-fought, entertaining game with the winning team getting to end a tough season with a feel-good moment.

Keith Groller’s pick: Dieruff 33-26.

Freedom (7-2, 5-2) at Liberty (1-8, 0-7) Top storylines:

This is one of several rivalry games that didn’t get played last year due to COVID-19 issues, so just the fact that it’s happening will be considered a victory for both schools and the city of Bethlehem.

This is always one of the Christmas City’s finest moments. With Liberty celebrating its 100th anniversary, it may be more special than usual.

Players to watch: This is the first Freedom-Liberty game for Patriots quarterback Brian Taylor, who is coming off a 249-yard, 3-TD effort against Bethlehem Catholic. Freedom will likely lean on Deante Crawford, who is the EPC’s rushing leader. Liberty will need big plays from Karim Brice, who leads the EPC in receiving yards.

What to expect: On paper, this figures to be a rout. But people who know this rivalry also know that Liberty almost always plays its best game of the season against Freedom. To the credit of first-year coach Shawn Daignault, the Hurricanes haven’t given up on the season despite eight straight losses and could use this stage to show everyone better times are ahead.

Keith Groller’s pick: Freedom 28-21.