3 Things to Watch in Week 7

We got some really good things to watch this week, top defensive lines face-off, a top 2023 tight end get his first 100-yard receiving game, and a huge WPIAL 6A matchup. &nbsp; <strong>Northeast Defensive Line Vs. Imhotep Defensive Line</strong> <p style="padding-left: 40px;">The defensive line on both these teams is the strongest of any position group, and it’ll be interesting to see which d-line group comes out on top. Imhotep does have the number one ranked player in the state with senior d-end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27553" first="Enai" last="White"]</strong>. They also have senior d-end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27563" first="Keon" last="Wylie"]</strong>. Wylie is our 14th overall ranked player and 4^th ranked d-lineman. Imhotep also has sophomore d-tackle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="119343" first="Jah’sear" last="Whittington"]</strong>. Whittington has been getting quite a bit of attention these last few months. Imhotep also has a freak freshman in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="142896" first="Zahir" last="Mathis"]</strong>. Mathis received some big offers in late spring. I’m not sure if he has played this season though.</p> &nbsp; <p style="padding-left: 40px;">Northeast has our 6^th overall ranked player in the 2022 class with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27559" first="Ken" last="Talley"]</strong>. Talley is also a d-end. They also have a couple of other d-ends in the 2023 class, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27738" first="Ronel" last="Nukah"]</strong>, who is ranked 10^th overall, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="66046" first="Kion" last="Wright"]</strong>, who is ranked 22^nd overall. Northeast’s Talley and Imhotep’s Wylie are both committed to Penn State. A lot of talent here, and I am really excited to see which defensive line comes with the most pressure and forces mistakes.</p> <strong> </strong> <strong>Tight End [player_tooltip player_id="97607" first="Joey" last="Schlaffer"] Vs. Governor Mifflin Defense</strong> <p style="padding-left: 40px;">Schlaffer is our 21^st overall ranked player in the 2023 class and our 1^st ranked tight end. He’s played in Exeter Township’s five of six games. In those games, he’s recorded 20 receptions for 361 yards (averaging 18.1 yards per catch). He’s also gotten 3 touchdowns this season. Last year against Governor Mifflin he was held to 2 catches for 61 yards and no touchdowns. Schlaffer hasn’t recorded a 100-yard game since last season (he recorded 2). I’m interested to see if he can get his first 100-yard game against the Mustangs.</p> &nbsp; <strong>Mt. Lebanon (6-0) vs. Pittsburgh Central Catholic (5-1)</strong> <p style="padding-left: 40px;">This is a huge WPIAL 6A conference matchup. What we are looking for in this game are both quarterbacks and running backs. Mt. Lebanon senior QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="87823" first="Joey" last="Daniels"]</strong> has had a pretty good season so far. He’s completed 57% of his passes a minimum of 70 attempts. He’s also thrown for 914 yards with 14 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Central Catholic’s sophomore QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="147011" first="Payton" last="Wehner"]</strong> has completed 65% of his passes a minimum of 100 attempts. He’s thrown for 734 yards with 7 touchdowns and 1 interception. While Wehner shows to be on the rise in the 2024 class, Daniels is an FCS to low-level FBS QB.</p> &nbsp; <p style="padding-left: 40px;">Central Catholic running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27644" first="Gannon" last="Carothers"]</strong> has been a workhorse carrying the ball 120 times for 673 yards and 9 touchdowns. He’s had 2 100-yard games this season with one of them well over 200 yards. His performance this season has led to a PWO at Pitt. Mt. Lebanon running <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="95849" first="Alex" last="Tecza"]</strong> has carried the ball 81 times for 746 yards and 9 touchdowns. I don’t believe Tecza or Carothers will be a running back at the next level though, but they have been getting it done for their teams.</p>