The Hazleton Area Cougars are taking a road trip to take on the Crestwood Comets at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Hazleton Area will be looking to extend their current four-game winning streak.
Hazleton Area's defense heads into the matchup hoping to repeat the dominance they displayed on Friday. They were the clear victor by a 26-0 margin over Wilkes-Barre. The contest was all but wrapped up at the end of the third, by which point the Cougars had established a 20 point advantage.
Ashton Karlick had a dynamite game for Hazleton Area, rushing for 120 yards and three touchdowns.
He was just one part of a punishing run game: Hazleton Area was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 277 rushing yards. That's the most rushing yards they've posted since back in October of 2023.
Meanwhile, Crestwood beat Pittston 21-14 on Friday. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Comets.
Lincoln Bibla was a one-man wrecking crew for Crestwood as he rushed for 72 yards and two touchdowns. Bibla has become a key player for Crestwood: the team is undefeated when he posts at least two rushing touchdowns, but 0-3 otherwise. Jake Jeckell handled things on the ground, rushing for 91 yards.
Hazleton Area's record is now 4-2. As for Crestwood, the victory got them back to even at 3-3.
Friday's match might be decided in the on the ground. Hazleton Area has been excellent on the ground this season, having averaged 171.2 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Crestwood struggles in that department as they've been averaging 225.5. It's looking like Friday's game might have some serious battles in the trenches.
Hazleton Area came up short against Crestwood in their previous meeting back in October of 2023, falling 28-21. Can Hazleton Area avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
