As part of our commitment to bring you the very best high school football coverage, PennLive is contributing District 3 notes to a weekly state notebook. Here's a quick week 2 glance around Pennsylvania.
Diminick to be honored: The Mount Carmel Area School District will honor late football coach Joe "Jazz" Diminick prior to Friday's game against Selinsgrove by naming the field at the Silver Bowl after him. Diminick coached the Red Tornadoes from 1962-92, compiling a 267-81-7 record in 31 seasons. His 290 wins overall were the most in Pennsylvania at that time. The father of six sons, all of whom played for Mount Carmel, Diminick passed away at his home July 2. He had 22 grandchildren.
District 1
Rough Act 1: It was a rough opening week for Neshaminy and North Penn, last year's District 1 Class AAAA finalists. The Redskins fell 42-3 to Gonzaga (D.C.) College — ranked 23rd in the nation by USA Today — in their first game under new head coach Mike Frederick. The Knights, meanwhile, fell 29-7 to La Salle College, with Vanderbilt commit Kyle Shurmur throwing for 334 yards and four touchdowns for the Explorers. … Corey Davenport rushed for 194 yards (including a 65-yard TD run) as Norristown snapped an 18-game losing streak by downing Upper Merion 27-6.
District 3
The Running Men: Despite losing to Littlestown, 18-13, Boiling Springs’ John Vaughn had himself quite the coming out party. Coming off a season-ending injury a year ago, the running back carried the ball 27 times for 204 yards and scored both Bubbler touchdowns. … East Pennsboro’s Bryton Fegley one-upped him, though. The tailback touched the rock 35 times against Palmyra and bulldozed through the Cougar defense for 239 yards.
Coach 'em up: Three first-year head coaches made their Lancaster-Lebanon League debuts in style Friday night. Rob Wildasin led Cedar Crest to a 38-24 victory over Lebanon in the 43rd Cedar Bowl. At Solanco, Tony Cox watched his crew squeeze by Oxford 21-15. And Pequea Valley delivered a 20-12 decision over York Tech to open the Mike Choi era. A couple of Mid-Penn Conference coaches won their debuts, as well. Waynesboro's Brennan Marion, the former record-setting receiver at the University of Tulsa, and Matt Lintal at State College each stand 1-0.
District 6
Favorite hang-on: Tyrone entered the season as one of the favorites to win District 6 Class AA, but the Golden Eagles needed a defensive stop inside their own 10-yard line at the end of the game to hold off youthful Bellwood-Antis, 18-14, in the 80th renewal of the rivalry between the schools. Ricky Reader sacked B-A quarterback Jake Burch as time expired to lift the Eagles to the win. … In another rivalry that goes back generations, Mount Union notched its third consecutive win over nemesis Huntingdon, 53-20. Trojan quarterback Trevon Walker passed for 229 yards and five touchdowns.
District 8
League do-over: Led by Khalil Saunders’ 139 yards, Brashear earned a 26-7 win over Carrick, a fellow Pittsburgh City League team. But because of a lack of available non-league opponents, the game didn’t count in the City League standings and the two played each other in a non-league game. The teams will face off again Oct. 9 for real. Allderdice and Perry will do the same this week. Brashear and Perry also will play twice this season.
District 11
South rises again: The South Division of the new Eastern Pennsylvania Conference dominated the North Division in the one week featuring all crossover match ups. South teams went 7-2, with every South victory coming by at least 28 points. … Bethlehem Catholic beat Liberty 56-27, giving it a third straight win over its city rival. Wide receiver Freddie Simmons and running back Michael McDaniel each scored three touchdowns for the Golden Hawks, who are ranked No. 7 in Class AAA in the latest PennLive.com state football poll. … Northampton snapped a 19-game losing streak with a 40-6 win against Allen on Saturday night. The Konkrete Kids are under the guidance of first-year coach Mark Scisly, who improved programs at Salisbury and Boyertown before coming to Northampton.
Contributors: Steve Bennett, Wilkes-Barre Citizens’ Voice; Leroy Boyer, Pottsville Republican-Herald; Phil Cmor, Altoona Mirror; Eric Epler, PennLive.com; Darryl Grumling, Pottstown Mercury; Bill Hartlep, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review; Christopher Hopkins, Carlisle Sentinel; Stephen Miller, Allentown Morning Call.
Epler on Twitter: @threejacker