Top teams set to tangle
No. 1 Parkland hosts No. 2 Nazareth on Friday
The big one is here. Nazareth vs. Parkland Friday night in Orefield.
The two have been mentioned as the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference’s best teams since practice began. So far, they have lived up to their billing.
But there are several other quality EPC teams with big games this weekend as well as the hope is that weather-related issues are behind us and teams can keep an eye on the field and not on the sky after several lightning-related interruptions.
We rank all 18 EPC teams from No. 18 to No. 1:
NO. 18. ALLEN CANARIES
Record: 0-3, 0-2 EPC North
Last week’s ranking: 17th
Last week: Lost to East Stroudsburg North 18-12
What’s next: Host Pleasant Valley, 7 p.m. Friday
Comment: The Canaries had 197 yards on offense at North, but were hurt by three turnovers. Lawson Vazquez threw for 108 yards and a TD and ran for another and Allen had a 14-12 lead after three quarters but couldn’t hold on.
NO. 17. EAST STROUDSBURG NORTH TIMBERWOLVES
Record: 1-2, 1-0 North
Last week’s ranking: No. 18
Last week: Beat Allen 18-12
What’s next: Play at Pocono Mountain East, 7 p.m. Friday
Comment: The Timberwolves ran for 255 yards, averaging 6.9 yards per carry, in their win over Allen. It was North’s third win in the last seven seasons. Senior Nathanael Clay has 301 yards rushing and three TDs this season.
NO. 16. POCONO MOUNTAIN EAST CARDINALS
Record: 0-3, 0-1 EPC North
Last week’s ranking: 16th
Last week: Lost to Bethlehem Catholic 42-6 What’s next: Host East Stroudsburg North, 7 p.m. Friday
Comment: The Cardinals were the last team to score this year, but got their first touchdown of the season against Becahi. They have been outscored 134-6 in three games.
NO. 15. DIERUFF HUSKIES
Record: 0-3, 0-2 EPC North
“He’s the same guy as he was two days before he made his first start,” said tight end Tyler Warren, who caught a TD pass from Allar. “He’s not an arrogant guy, which is good for an offense. He’s been leading the offensive meetings since camp.
“He’s gotten better and just keeps working at it. Just seeing the confidence that he plays with helps us on the offensive side.”
Allar has completed 78.2% of his passes for 529 yards and four touchdowns and ranks
16th in the nation in pass efficiency. He’s been one of the top two quarterbacks in the
Big Ten through the first two weeks, along with Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, even though one well-respected preview magazine rated Penn State’s quarterback position as the seventh-best in the conference.
“Having an explosive offense with a quarterback like that, it feels good,” defensive tackle Zane Durant said. “Everything he does in the game he does in practice. I kind of expected it.”
On the ground, the Lions have averaged 230.5 yards behind Singleton and Allen, who rushed for 103 yards Saturday.
“I think defensive coordinators are in a tough, tough spot,” Lions coach James Franklin said. “You have two running backs that can be challenging and you got a quarterback that’s shown that he’ll do it and can make throws and plays.
“So now, there’s enough evidence out there that as a defensive coordinator, you’re asking [yourself ] what the model is for beating Penn State in terms of our offense.”
Before skeptics remind everyone that the Lions played a Football Championship Subdivision team, Ohio State did, too. The Buckeyes beat Youngstown State 35-7, a game in which the Penguins had the ball for 34 minutes. As a comparison, Penn State had the ball for more than 42 minutes against Delaware.
Except for one play, a 66-yard touchdown run on which a linebacker did not stay in his gap, the Lions defense dominated as it should. Delaware finished with just 140 total yards, even with the long score.
“There’s no doubt this Penn State defense is one of the best,” Delaware coach Ryan Carty said before the game. “They’re pretty good at every level. They’re fairly special. They’re fast, long, explosive and violent.”
The Lions play three Big Ten West opponents the next three weeks, starting Saturday at noon (TV-FOX) at Illinois.
Penn State has been installed as a two-touchdown favorite against the Illini, who beat Toledo on a last-second field goal in their opener and who then allowed 539 total yards – 262 on the ground – in a loss at Kansas.
The Lions, meanwhile, have scored at least 30 points in nine consecutive games, the longest streak in the FBS, and have held seven straight opponents to 21 points or less.
They will be very difficult to beat.
“We’re a level-headed team gaining maturity,” offensive tackle Caedan Wallace said. “We’re ready for Big Ten play. If we just stay consistent and keep getting better every week, we’ll be unstoppable.”