Purchase Line is 0-3 against United Valley co-op [Blacklick Valley/United] since October of 2022 but things could change on Friday. The Red Dragons will host United Valley co-op [Blacklick Valley/United] at 7:00 p.m. The two teams are sauntering into the matchup backed by comfortable wins in their prior games.
Purchase Line headed into their last matchup having not scored more than 13 points for three straight, but Portage let them put that streak behind them. The Red Dragons simply couldn't be stopped on Friday as they easily beat the Mustangs 33-6. The win was a breath of fresh air for the Red Dragons as it put an end to their three-game losing streak.
Victor Bartlebaugh
| 10/17/25 @ Portage | 3 |
| 10/25/24 vs Conemaugh Valley | 2 |
| 09/06/24 vs West Shamokin | 2 |
| 10/10/25 @ Marion Center | 1 |
| 09/26/25 @ Homer-Center | 1 |
Victor Bartlebaugh was a one-man wrecking crew as he rushed for 198 yards and three scores while picking up 9.9 yards per carry. Those three rushing touchdowns gave him a new career-high.
Purchase Line's run defense was locked in: Portage could only muster 2.2 yards per carry. While two picked up at least three total tackles, Bartlebaugh stood above the rest. He rushed for 198 yards and three touchdowns while picking up 9.9 yards per carry. Purchase Line's run defense has been on the up-and-up: they allowed 4.37 yards per carry earlier this season, but they've only allowed 5.83 on average over their last five games.
Purchase Line's defense didn't let Tyson Burkett, get away unscathed either: they got into the backfield for five sacks. That dominant display was truly a team effort as five different players picked up one apiece.
Meanwhile, everything came up roses for United Valley co-op [Blacklick Valley/United] against Penns Manor on Friday as the team secured a 44-14 victory. The result was nothing new for United Valley co-op [Blacklick Valley/United], who have now won four games by 28 points or more so far this season.
United Valley co-op [Blacklick Valley/United]'s win came from a few key players Purchase Line will need to keep an eye on. One of the most notable was Shaydon Oleksa, who rushed for 135 yards and one TD on only ten carries. His longest rush was for an impressive 65 yards, which helps to explain his lofty yards per carry total. The team also got some help courtesy of Cole McGinnis, who picked up 87 receiving yards and three scores.
Special teams was a major factor in the game for United Valley co-op [Blacklick Valley/United], racking up 15 points in total. The biggest highlight from special teams (and perhaps the team as a whole) came courtesy of Oleksa, who ran a kickoff back for a touchdown.
Purchase Line's win bumped their record up to 3-6. As for United Valley co-op [Blacklick Valley/United], their victory bumped their record up to 6-3.
Friday's contest might be decided on the ground. Purchase Line has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 200.3 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like United Valley co-op [Blacklick Valley/United] struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 207.9 rushing yards. There's a good chance Friday's matchup turns into a tough fight on the ground.
Purchase Line was taken down by United Valley co-op [Blacklick Valley/United] 42-6 in their previous meeting back in October of 2024. A big factor in that loss was the dominant performance of United Valley co-op [Blacklick Valley/United]'s Dmitri Worthington, who threw for 112 yards and three touchdowns while completing 90% of his passes, and also rushed for 65 yards and one TD on only six carries. Now that the Red Dragons know the damage he can cause, will they be able to stop him this time? There's only one way to find out.
