Battle of 209 is for the Division 1 title

Rivalry game, check.

Two undefeated teams, check.

League championship game, check.

Playoff seeding implications, check.

This week’s colossal matchup between Jim Thorpe and Lehighton possesses all the necessary intangibles and then some to be the Times News Game of the Week.

In fact, the better name for this contest may just be the Times News Game of the Year.

The Week 10 battle features the 9-0 Olympians heading just three miles south to face the 9-0 Indians for the “Route 209 Trophy” and a whole lot more.

“This is the reason why you work so hard in the offseason and play high school football in small communities like Jim Thorpe and Lehighton, to have Friday night moments like this,” said Olympians head coach Mark Rosenberger. “This is probably the most important regular season game we’ve ever played in and it’s just great for both schools and the fans for each team. It’s going to be an electric atmosphere at Lehighton on Friday night.”

A popular term used by coaches in a rivalry is “the records can be thrown out in this game.” However, in the case of this game, each team’s record is what makes this matchup so intriguing. Rarely does a single team get to 9-0, but to have two, just three miles apart and in the same division, isn’t not just a rarity, it’s an anomaly.

“Buzz, there’s just a ton of buzz around this game and it’s certainly justified. This is why you put all those hardworking hours in during the offseason. We worked hard to get here, and so did Jim Thorpe, and the reward is a game like this with so much excitement,” said Lehighton head coach Tom McCarroll. “There’s a lot on the line and for the kids, it’s just an amazing experience for them, I think there is a lot of people besides us that are looking forward to this game come Friday night.”

The key matchup of the night will be the Olympians fierce front seven on defense vs. the Tribe’s explosive offense. Both units have been the catalyst for their successful seasons and are the best of the best in Schuylkill League Football this season.

The Olympians have not surrendered many yards or points to the opposition. The “Red Swarm” is giving up just 176.9 total yards per game. Thorpe has been especially impressive against the run, allowing only 71 yards rushing per game, or a stingy 2.4 yards per carry.

Scoring points has not been easy for the Olympians’ opponents on the season either, as they’ve shutout six teams on the year, including division opponents Blue Mountain and Pottsville. Thorpe is giving up just 5.7 points per game.

“We have a good mixture of game intelligence, speed and athleticism. Our kids have just really come off the ball quicker than our opponents and they do it with purpose, knowing where to go and where they need to be,” said Rosenberger. “And then obviously, we’ve been playing with a physical tenacity week in and week out. This group really likes to get after it, and we need to continue to bring that type of mentality against a talented opponent in Lehighton.”

The Lehighton offense could be regarded as the “greatest show on turf” of Schuylkill League Football this season. The Indians have everything needed to be an explosive offense. A dynamic dual-threat quarterback, premiere running back, and strong offensive line.

Senior signal caller Cody Scherer has shown his versatility on a weekly basis, as he’s thrown for 928 yards and 13 touchdowns, while rushing for 891 yards and 16 scores. Running back Tyquan Bradley-Chambers leads the Times News area in rushing yards with 1,567 yards to go with 17 touchdowns. He’s averaging just under 10 yards per carry. Lastly, Zack Crum has been the go-to receiver, catching 17 balls for 336 yards and five scores. He’s averaging just under 20 yards per catch.

The Tribe’s big-play offense is putting a lot of points on the board, averaging 41.8 points per game and more importantly they like to start fast, outscoring their opponents 110-37 in the first quarter.

“We’re excited to play the top defense in the league, we now it’s going to be a challenge, but all year long I think that our kids have shown how explosive we can be on the offensive side of the ball,” said McCarroll. “We just need to continue to do what we do and execute, and of course take care of the football. I believe in our kids and what we do every week.”

Jim Thorpe’s offense vs. Lehighton’s defense will also be a key matchup in this one.

The Olympians offense has shown that it, too, can be explosive, averaging 36.6 points per game. Thorpe’s offense is led by scoring machine Justin St. Hill, who has 24 total touchdowns. He’s also rushed for 1,236 yards, while catching 19 balls for 275 yards.

The Lehighton defense has been solid, allowing 270 yards per game, but it has given up some points, especially in its last three games. The Tribe defense has given up an average of 31.6 points per game over their last three.

“We know they have a bunch of playmakers, but our focus will obviously be to contain St. Hill. He makes them go offensively, you can see their offense feeds off him. If we don’t slow him down defensively, then that’s not a good situation to be in,” said McCarroll. “We just have to really bring it defensively, look to put them in second and third and long, and then hopefully force some turnovers as well.”