Previewing Friday’s high school football matchups

This week’s slate is filled with intriguing matchups.

State College opens conference play against Carlisle, Bellefonte looks to stay hot against the defending Mountain League champion, and Bald Eagle Area looks to get back in the win column against Tyrone.

Penns Valley’s matchup with Philipsburg-Osceola rounds out the schedule as St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy has its second bye of the season.

Here’s a look at this week’s matchups:

Carlisle (3-1) at State College (4-0)

Time: 7 p.m.

Coaches: C — Brett Ickes; SC — Matt Lintal (fourth season)

Last meeting: State College 35-0, last season

Players to watch: C — Gavyn Barnes, WR; SC — Isaiah Edwards, RB

The skinny: State College has cruised through its first four games, building huge halftime leads on their way to blowout wins. The Little Lions, who are averaging 54.5 points per game, could continue that trend in their Mid Penn Conference Commonwealth division opener against Carlisle.

The Thundering Herd are coming off a 65-14 loss to Central Dauphin, while the Little Lions scored a season-high 62 points in their rout of Mechanicsburg.

Running back Isaiah Edwards was one of the standouts for State College with 126 yards rushing and three touchdowns on six carries. He’s shown big-play ability throughout the season as he also rushed for 169 yards and three touchdowns on eight carries against Hollidaysburg.

Clearfield (3-2) at Bellefonte (4-1)

Time: 7 p.m.

Coaches: C — Tim Janocko (33rd season); Bel — Shanon Manning (fifth season)

Last meeting: Clearfield 34-7, District 6-9 Class 4A semifinals, last season

Players to watch: C — Isaac Rumery, QB; Bel — Dylan Deitrich, QB

The skinny: Bellefonte scored a combined seven points in two losses to Clearfield last season, part of an average of 5.9 points per game against the Bison in their last eight games.

But the Red Raiders offense has been more explosive this season with Dylan Deitrich at quarterback. Deitrich, who leads the county in rushing and ranks third in passing, turned in another impressive performance in the team’s 49-14 win over Tyrone last week.

Deitrich helped the Red Raiders score touchdowns on each of their first four drives and finished with 126 yards rushing and two scores while completing 10-of-14 passes for 144 yards.

With wide receiver Cade Fortney and running back Dexter Gallishaw proving to be reliable playmakers surrounding Deitrich, Bellefonte has plenty of offensive firepower.

Clearfield depends on its quarterback to lead the way, too, as Isaac Rumery has thrown for 15 touchdowns in five games.

Micah Heichel leads Clearfield with five touchdown catches, while Taye Lynch and Spencer Graham each have four.

Bald Eagle Area (3-2) at Tyrone (1-4)

Time: 7 p.m.

Coaches: BEA — Jesse Nagle (second season); T — Jason Wilson

Last meeting: Tyrone 34-15, last season

Players to watch: BEA — Gage McClenahan, RB; T — Denver Light, QB

The skinny: With a brutal stretch to finish the season looming, this could be Bald Eagle Area’s best chance to get back on track.

The Eagles will take on Huntingdon, Clearfield, Jersey Shore and Bellefonte — a group that owns a combined record of 16-4 at this point — after facing 1-4 Tyrone on Friday night. The Golden Eagles have struggled against a tough schedule so far, and they’re coming off a blowout loss to Bellefonte.

BEA has suffered back-to-back blowout losses to Chestnut Ridge and Central, but if the Eagles can establish their running game, they could challenge Tyrone. Bellefonte rushed for 328 yards against Tyrone last week, and BEA has been at its best when Gage McClenahan is making plays with his legs.

The Eagles athlete led the county in rushing after three games with 355 yards before being held to eight yards on 14 carries in the team’s two losses.

Philipsburg-Osceola (1-4) at Penns Valley (1-4)

Time: 7 p.m.

Coaches: P-O — Mike Mann (second season); PV — Martin Tobias (22nd season)

Last meeting: Penns Valley 35-13

Players to watch: P-O —Daniel Slogosky, QB; PV — Ryan Ripka, RB

The skinny: Philipsburg-Osceola and Penns Valley will both look to snap four-game losing streaks.

Both opened the season on a high note, with P-O topping West Branch and Penns Valley edging Punxsutawney, before being overmatched in their past four games. Turnovers have hurt the Mounties as they’ve thrown nine interceptions this season.

P-O starting quarterback Daniel “Bubba” Slogosky will need to take care of the ball to give his team a chance against the Rams. Slogosky and the Mounties have had success moving the ball through the air, but they’ve also spent most of the season playing from behind.

Penns Valley, meanwhile, has had the majority of its success offensively with its running game. Ryan Ripka, who is the Rams’ top rusher with 322 yards, finished with 97 yards and two rushing touchdowns in that season-opening win over Punxsutawney.

This story was originally published September 28, 2017 at 6:51 PM with the headline "Previewing Friday’s high school football matchups."