Juniata Valley (2-3)
at Glendale (4-1)
FLINTON - Glendale head coach Rick Kozak was concerned with his team's ground game heading into last week's matchup with Williamsburg.
The Vikings had gained fewer than 90 yards in each of the two weeks before, but bounced back with a 186-yard showing in a 26-0 win over the Blue Pirates.
Glendale will have a chance to put up some more yards on the ground this week, as it entertains Juniata Valley, which yielded 230 rushing yards in a loss to Mount Union last week.
"We've got to get more consistent at it," Kozak said. "I thought we were able to do things well last week, but we have to improve upon that and be able to continue to run the ball."
The Green Hornet defense is boom or bust, as they've allowed 25 or more points in their three losses but have allowed just 13 total in their wins.
Juniata Valley, which blitzes offensive lines from all angles, allowed more than 40 points in defeats to Tussey Mountain and Moshannon Valley.
"I think teams have been able to block them on the films we've seen," Kozak said. "People have been able to clog up their blitzes and, when you get past that first wave, you have some running room. Hopefully we'll be able to capitalize on that and get people blocked up front."
While the Viking attack blossomed, the Green Hornet attack struggled in a loss to the Trojans. A potent wing-T attack was held under wraps to the tune of just 19 yards on the ground.
Four-year starter Shawn McCrum led the way with 22, while leading rusher Aaron Wagner (47 carries, 385 yards) sat out for unknown reasons.
"They've got some good backs," said Kozak. "We want to try to take away the run as best we can. (McCrum) is a tough kid, who has a ton of experience ... and they like to get Wagner to the edge. Those two are definitely going to be key to their offense."
Glendale's 28-21 win last season snapped a five-game losing streak to Juniata Valley that dated back to 2002.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Dr. Roy F. Baker Field.

Claysburg-Kimmel (1-4)
at West Branch (0-5)
ALLPORT - Close loss after close loss might take a toll on some teams, but to hear the Warriors tell it, that scenario is just making them hungrier.
West Branch remains winless after a 12-10 defeat at the hands of Everett last week, but Friday offers them another shot to break the trend while hosting Claysburg-Kimmel. The Bulldogs fell to Northern Bedford, 27-7, in Week 5 and picked up their only win of the year in Week 1 over Williamsburg.
"The attitude this week in practice has been more than I could ask for," West Branch head coach Rob Lazauskas said. "It's probably the best week of practice we've had since preseason."
Claysburg-Kimmel has a pair of running backs that get the majority of the touches, with Cody Helsel (146 yards) and Tyler Walter (130) coming out of the backfield. But Lazauskas thinks quarterback Dalton Treon will be the real key this week.
"They're going to come out and try to run the football, but in all honesty I think they're going to go to the air this week," the coach said. "Against Northern Bedford they had some success spreading things out. Their quarterback can throw a nice ball when he has time to throw it.
"Any time people are going to line up and throw on us, it's important for us to get pressure on the quarterback. I think ... (Treon) obviously wants to throw first and run second, and we've worked on making sure we contain him. We definitely have to get pressure on him and make him throw the football before he wants to."
On the other side of the football, West Branch has a simple focus.
"We've gone back to basics," Lazauskas said. "The bottom line is, what they're doing defensively, if we maintain our blocks this week - making sure we're moving our feet - I think there are some things that we can do to move the football."
That bodes well for Warrior senior running back Brandon Speigle, who leads Progressland with 665 yards on the season.
Speigle will lead a fired-up team onto L.T. Drivas Memorial Field at 7 p.m.
"Our kids are ready to go," Lazauskas said. "We're healthy and we've got some kids back. The last few weeks we've been knocking at the door, and from what I've seen this week they're ready to knock the door in. They're tired of just knocking on it."

Purchase Line (0-5)
at Marion Center (4-1)
MARION CENTER - With the season rounding the corner into the second half of the year, Purchase Line finds itself facing a Marion Center team who has been quite the opposite of the Red Dragons - an experience-laden squad that minimizes mistakes.
The Stingers are locked in a four-way tie for first in the Heritage Conference after dropping their first contest of the year a week ago in double overtime. The 28-22 defeat to Penns Manor was the third straight overtime game for Marion Center.
"You don't win games in close situations like that without having senior leadership," Purchase Line head coach Dave Small said. "They know what it takes to win football games. Where younger teams would find a way to lose, they find a way to win.
"Coach (Dave) Milicky will have them playing well. It's their homecoming and they want to get back in their winning ways again. I'm sure they'll be ready for us."
Marion Center takes the field with a three-pronged offensive attack featuring quarterback Ryan Lightcap, running back Jed Peterson and fullback Justin LaMantia. LaMantia leads the team with three touchdowns, but Peterson is a quick runner that can break the big play - last Friday he took a screen pass 85 yards to the end zone, tying the game in the final minute of regulation.
"Jed Peterson's a very good running back," Small said. "Very elusive in the open field.
"Lightcap is very good at running the ball as well as passing. He sets things up real well and they set up the ball control real good back there. You don't know who has the ball until they come around the corner.
"We have our hands full with what they're going to bring at us."
That's partially due to self-inflicted damage caused by mental lapses and mistakes. The errors have gotten so frustrating that Small made it clear after last week's loss to Northern Cambria that nobody's playing time is secure, and that some younger players may get a chance to make plays.
For the Red Dragons, the bottom line is simply executing.
"We're going to try to do what they haven't done all year," Small said. "Stay in your area and play your area and don't try to do things beyond your means. If they take off and try to chase things, they're going to be chasing ghosts all night.
"If we can ever achieve that might we might be able to win a game."
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday.

Philipsburg-Osceola (2-3)
at Penns Valley (1-4)
SPRING MILLS - The Mounties finally got back on the winning track last week, reclaiming the Luther Trophy with a 28-0 victory over Bellefonte.
Now, P-O hopes to keep things going on Friday, traveling to Spring Mills to face Penns Valley, which has lost its last three games.
The Rams have just one win this season, over Bald Eagle Area in Week 2. But when it comes to the matchup between the two teams this week, records don't mean much.
"Coach (Martin) Tobias always has his team ready to play," said P-O head coach Jeff Vroman. "They always play tough at home, and this year will be no different. Any team that travels to Penns Valley better to be ready to play or they will be in for a long night."
The Mounties did well on the road last week, getting two touchdowns from Cody Curtis, and three interceptions from their defense to seal the victory.
But the key for P-O was getting some of its players back after the team was drug down by the flu the past two weeks.
"The most important factor last week was we were a healthier football team," said Vroman. "I was also pleased with the practice tempo and attitude during the week. The offensive and defensive lines came off the football for four quarters and when you do that good things happen."
The Mounties hope to have good things happen against the Rams, who have struggled to score points this season. Penns Valley has only scored more than 15 points once, and that was in its win over the Eagles.
But Vroman is more concerned about the Ram defense.
"Penns Valley plays great position defense," he said. "We must get off the football and move our feet if we are going to have success against them. We have to be patient and take what they give us. Very rarely do they give up a big play, so consistency is going to be critical on Friday."
Last season the Mounties defeated Penns Valley, 21-17.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Bald Eagle Area (0-5)
at Clearfield (3-2)
HYDE - In a word, there is one thing that really concerns Clearfield head coach Tim Janocko about the Bisons' opponent Friday night - size.
Bald Eagle Area has 14 players on the roster at 230 pounds or over, and six of those weigh at least 280.
Even with that size, however, BEA comes into the game with an 0-5 record.
"Their size concerns me," Janocko said. "We're not a big football team. And they're not playing like an 0-5 team. That isn't a bad football team. They just haven't put it all together and played to their best ability yet."
BEA has road losses to Philipsburg-Osceola (21-9), St. Marys (20-14) and Central Mountain (41-20), and home defeats to Penns Valley (25-22) and Tyrone (35-6).
The Eagles have a balanced offense according to the statistics, averaging 114 yards per game through the air and 101 on the ground. But some games they rely on one facet much more than the other.
"They threw a lot against Central Mountain, but they came out and ran the ball right down Tyrone's throat early in last week's game," Janocko said.
A focal point of the ground attack is Jonathan Gingrich, who has 244 yards and three touchdowns on 48 carries. He also has 11 receptions for 125 yards. Gingrich did not play in the second half last week.
"He left with an injury, so his status for this game is uncertain," Janocko said. "But if he plays, he's a concern."
Quarterback Justin Taylor has completed 41-of-91 passes for 535 yards and three scores, while tossing two interceptions. He also has a rushing touchdown.
"He runs the ball on an option play, and he throws well," Janocko said. "They have multiple sets on offense. They run everything imaginable."
Defensively, BEA runs a base 4-4, but has changed defenses to match certain situations.
"They play the 4-4 pretty much straight up," Janocko said. "But they shifted to a five-man front against Central Mountain."
Clearfield is coming off a 35-14 win last week over Lewistown and hopes to continue to put things together in this homecoming matchup with BEA.
"Obviously, there is an added atmosphere with homecoming," Janocko said. "It will be a little more up-tempo. We're excited about playing at home.
We have some momentum, and hope to continue to build on that and improve from week-to-week. We don't want to take a step back."
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Bison Sports Complex.

Curwensville (3-2)
at Ridgway (2-3)
RIDGWAY - After holding Brockway's Derek Buganza to a career-low 160 yards passing in a 32-19 win, the Curwensville football team now turns its attention to Ridgway in a key league and District 9 playoff matchup.
"We played an exceptional game last week," Curwensville head coach Andy Evanko said. "Now we just have to get the kids to realize they need to play like that each and every week."
Curwensville is tied with three other teams atop the Allegheny Mountain League South Division, and currently holds down the fourth spot in the Class A playoff standings. Ridgway is a game behind in the league standings, and is clinging to eighth in the postseason race.
"Every Friday night is huge," Evanko said. "We need to play well every week. This is a big game for the playoffs ... they all will be."
Ridgway has wins over Sheffield (29-20) and Otto-Eldred (21-20), but has lost to Cameron County (36-0), Coudersport (35-7) and rival Johnsonburg (28-12).
Cory Eshbach is the Elkers main running threat, while Sam Skraba is used all over the field. Jordan Lunding is one of two quarterbacks, but he has seen the majority of the snaps the last few weeks.
The Ridgway offense has struggled as of late, gaining just 140 total yards against Johnsonburg and 179 versus Coudersport.
"You're never sure what they're going to run," Evanko said. "One week they come out in the power running game, which is what Ridgway is known for, but the next they're playing an empty set with direct snaps to the quarterback who runs sweeps and isos. It's presented a problem for us. We don't know what to prepare for."
On defense, Evanko expects to see a six-man fronts from Ridgway, but notes the Elkers have played several different schemes during the season.
"They usually play a 6-2, which is what we anticipate seeing, but they all like to play a 3-5 where they run downhill and send their linebackers," Evanko said.
"They have great size. Our offensive line is going to have to play very well."
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.