The Penns Manor Comets will head out on the road to challenge United Valley co-op [Blacklick Valley/United] at 7:00 p.m. on Friday.
Penns Manor will head out to face United Valley co-op [Blacklick Valley/United] after giving up their first home loss of the season on Saturday. The Comets received a blow as they fell 27-10 to Northern Cambria. The Comets gained 101 more yards on the day, but it was the Colts that made the best use of them.
Meanwhile, you can't lose the game if you win every quarter, and that was precisely United Valley co-op [Blacklick Valley/United]'s strategy against Portage on Friday. Given that consistent dominance, it should come as no surprise that United Valley co-op [Blacklick Valley/United] blew Portage out of the water with a 31-0 final score. United Valley co-op [Blacklick Valley/United] hasn't had any issues with Portage recently, as the game was their fourth consecutive win against them.
Penns Manor better keep an eye on Shaydon Oleksa. He was instrumental in United Valley co-op [Blacklick Valley/United]'s win, rushing for 141 yards and two scores on only 11 carries. The bulk of those rushing yards came from one huge play: a run that gained an incredible 88 yards. Another player making a difference was Nate Szymusiak, who gained 90 total yards and a touchdown.
United Valley co-op [Blacklick Valley/United]'s run defense was locked in: Portage could only muster three yards per carry. The team can thank Oleksa for the heroic effort on defense: he. United Valley co-op [Blacklick Valley/United] didn't have any issues in that department, having averaged 8.8.
United Valley co-op [Blacklick Valley/United] didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Ethan Luko and Brendan James. United Valley co-op [Blacklick Valley/United] received some extra help from Oleksa, whose fumble return for a touchdown made for one of the most unforgettable moments.
United Valley co-op [Blacklick Valley/United]'s record is now 5-3. As for Penns Manor, their loss dropped their record down to 3-5.
Friday's game might be decided on the ground. Penns Manor has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 202.4 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 174.2 rushing yards. There's a good chance Friday's contest turns into a tough fight on the ground.
Penns Manor was taken down by United Valley co-op [Blacklick Valley/United] 27-0 when the teams last played back in October of 2024. Can the Comets avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
