Battle of unbeatens

What a difference a season makes.

In 2016, the Lehighton Indians finished 4-7, where they averaged just 22 points per game. This season, the Tribe (5-0) are undefeated and have been lighting up scoreboards throughout the Times News area, averaging an impressive 42.6 points per game.

The Indians are much improved this season and have beaten their opponents by a margin of 31.2 points per game.

But this week, all those statistics can pretty much be put to the wayside. That’s because the Tribe will open Schuylkill League Football Division 1 play against fellow unbeaten North Schuylkill on the road in Fountain Springsin in our Times News Game of the Week.

As most area football enthusiasts already know, Division 1 play is a whole different animal. If the past is any indication of what this one will be like, the big play probably won’t be there for either team. Just a season ago, the Spartans edged the Indians in a 7-0 old- fashioned slugfest.

“We know we’re in for a physical challenge, but I have the utmost confidence in my players, and we’re excited and looking forward to the challenge,” said McCarroll. “There’s no doubt we’ve been a quick-strike team up until this point, and in a game like this, the big play might not be there, and if it isn’t we have to be patient, move the ball, pick up first downs, and then finish off drives if we have the opportunity to score.”

Simply put, Lehighton has been dominating its competition up to this point in the season, while North Schuylkill has already been in some tight contests. The Spartans hold two one-point victories over Schuylkill Haven (18-17) and rival Mount Carmel (21-20).

North Schuylkill showed the ability to battle through adversity last week against Mr. Carmel, storming back from a 20-7 halftime deficit to come away with the victory.

The Spartans are getting it done collectively, but it’s their big three in running back Mitchell Wagner, wide receiver Scott Grigas, and quarterback Doug Weist that can pose problems for any team.

Just in the Spartans’ last two games, Wagner has rushed for a combined 309 yards, while Grigas has caught 16 balls for 192 yards.

“Balance and team speed is something North Schuylkill has a lot of, so getting as many guys to the football on every play will be key. We can’t miss tackles, and we have to stay disciplined,” said McCarroll. “I’d say that’s one of the biggest differences from last year is that our kids are just making big-time plays. We’ve been wrapping up, we’ve been getting in the backfield, and then we’ve been finishing. We will have to continue to do that against a really good football team this week.”

As noted, Lehighton is a much-improved bunch in 2017, but it’s the Indians defensive unit that has improved the most. After giving up 25 points per game last season, the Tribe is allowing just 11.4 points per game through five contests. They have been stingy up front as well, which bodes well for the physical matchup against the Spartans. Teams have only been able to muster 3.45 yards per rushing attempt against the Indians front. Combine that with the defense’s ability to create turnovers (11) so far, this season, and what you get is a lot of opportunities to score on the offensive end.

Enter the Tribe’s quarterback Cody Scherer and his counterpart, running back Tyquan Bradley-Chambers. These two have been absolutely dynamic for the Indians, with Chambers rushing for 639 yards and nine touchdowns, while Scherer has been responsible for 932 total yards, with eight passing touchdowns and seven rushing touchdowns.

When it comes down to it, each team checks all the boxes on the important attributes a good football team requires. Both squads have playmakers, tough and physical fronts, and the experience.

“Our guys have done a good job of doing exactly what we’ve asked them to do week-in-and- week-out. Our kids work hard and obviously, they’ve put in the time in the offseason to get better,” said McCarroll. “There is going to be a lot of good football players on the field on Friday night, we just have to continue to make the game-changing plays we’ve been making. That’s who’s going to win this game.”