Penn State commits start season strong in Week 1
Penn State is getting ever closer to Thursday night’s showdown against Purdue. However, there was still plenty of football to watch this past weekend, as the majority of Penn State’s future players began their seasons Friday and Saturday.
Below are a few of the highlights and stats from Week 1 of high school football.
QB Jaxon Smolik
– Smolik completed 25 of 37 attempts for 283 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran the ball four times for 10 yards, but Dowling Catholic wasn’t able to pull out the win, losing to last year’s state champion, Southeast Polk, 38-24. They’ll now face Northwest (0-1) on Friday, Sept. 2.
– Taylor totaled six receptions for 132 yards and two touchdowns, but Patrick Henry fell short Friday night, losing to Brookville, 35-27. They’ll now face Albermarle (1-0) Friday, Sept. 2.
Staff Predictions: How many games will Penn State win in 2022?
– Wyomissing began its season with a 49-0 win over Kenard-Dale. Williams and the offensive line helped pave the way for 425 total yards, including 297 yards rushing. The Spartans will now travel to Pottsville (0-1) for their next game Friday, Sept. 2.
– Lightridge kicked off its season with a dominant win over Park View, 68-6. The future Penn State offensive lineman had four tackles, including 2.5 sacks on defense. He helped pave the way for 247 yards rushing and five rushing scores. Lightridge averaged just under 8 yards per carry. It will host Potomac Falls (1-0) on Thursday, Sept. 1.
– McDowell got a quality win to open up its season, beating Walsh Jesuit from Ohio, 56-37. Last year, Jesuit went 11-3, advancing to the Ohio quarterfinals. Cousins helped pave the way for 665 total yards, a school record, including 437 yards rushing. McDowell will now face Bennett from Buffalo, N.Y., on Friday, Sept. 2.
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– Roman Catholic had a very good win to start its 2022 season, defeating one of District III’s top schools, Wilson, 46-15. Lyons played well, totaling nine tackles, including three tackles for loss, and one forced fumble. Roman will now travel to Harrisburg to face Trinity(1-0) on Friday, Sept. 2. Trinity is coached by former Penn State defensive lineman Jordan Hill.
– Riverbend began its season 1-0, defeating Spotslvana, 49-0. The future Penn State defensive lineman had a 27-yard touchdown reception playing tight end. Barnwell also had a handful of tackles, including three tackles for loss. Riverbend will now face Freedom (1-0) on Friday, Sept. 2.
LB Tony Rojas
– Fairfax had a dominant win to start its season, beating Wakefield, 52-14. Rojas was excellent, totaling seven tackles, two tackles for loss and two sacks. He also had an eye-catching six touchdowns rushing, including a 65-yard score. They’ll take on Langley (1-0) Friday, Sept. 2.
Saf. King Mack & Conrad Hussey
– St. Thomas Aquinas began its season on ESPN in a nationally televised game against St. Joseph’s Prep, winning 48-37. The Penn State duo played well, with Mack totaling six tackles and Hussey totaling four. Aquinas will now take on Fort Meyers (0-2) next Friday, Sept. 2.
