North Allegheny at Seneca Valley: Most remember that the Tigers, err, Kodiak Bears, had to run through Seneca Valley twice during last season's undefeated ride to the Class AAAA title. And while both are hitching their wagons to an abundance of new talent, the rivalry remains. New North Allegheny QB Jeff Clemens and Pitt recruit Elijah Zeise hope to keep the ball away from Raiders QB T.J. Holl and top-target Eric Mrkonja. The Tigers have won 12 straight in the series.
Southern Columbia at Mount Carmel: This rivalry will take place at the Silver Bowl in Mount Carmel, where the visiting Tigers haul in an offense generating a whopping 56.5 points per game. It will up to MC signal-caller Zach Wasilewski and Red Tornadoes leading rusher Blake Panko to counter the efficient work of Tigers RB Adam Feudale and QB Nick Becker. Skipper Jim Roth and the Tigers, who claimed a 49-33 win over Mount Carmel in 2012, own a 9-8 series edge overall.
West Middlesex at Farrell: There's always plenty of intrigue when it comes to small-school football in District 10. This week is no exception as Class A No. 8 Farrell plays host to ninth-ranked West Middlesex. One subplot is the meeting of talented running backs Dewayne Burns of Farrell, who has compiled 264 yards to date, and Eric Lucich of West Middlesex. Lucich leads the Big Reds with 257 stripes and four touchdowns. The Steelers, of course, are coming off consecutive shutouts.
TOP STATE GAMES
Friday's games
West Chester East (2-0) at West Chester Rustin (2-0), 7
West Scranton (2-0) at Dunmore (2-0), 7
Wyoming Valley West (2-0) at Scranton (2-0), 7
Cumberland Valley (2-0) at Bishop McDevitt (2-0), 7
Southern Columbia (2-0) at Mount Carmel (2-0), 7
Bedford (2-0) at Richland (2-0), 7
Moon (2-0) at West Allegheny (2-0), 7
Clearfield (2-0) at Central Martinsburg (2-0), 7
West Middlesex (1-1) at Farrell (2-0), 7
Wilmington (1-1) at Hickory (1-1), 7
Lake Catholic, Ohio (1-1) at Cathedral Prep (2-0), 7
North Allegheny (2-0) at Seneca Valley (2-0), 7:30
South Fayette (2-0) at Steel Valley (2-0), 7:30
Saturday's games
Easton (2-0) at Bethlehem Catholic (2-0), 7
Epler on Twitter: @threejacker
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