PA EAST WEEK 9 FEATURED GAME PREVIEW
TWO UNBEATENS. ONE SHOWDOWN. BIG SPRING AND HANOVER SET TO COLLIDE IN MASSIVE DISTRICT 3 BATTLE
Week 9 of Pennsylvania high school football is just around the corner, and we have a BIG-TIME matchup in PIAA District 3 this week.
The Big Spring Bulldogs (8-0) will travel to take on the Hanover Nighthawks (8-0) in a crucial showdown that could have major implications for seeding in the upcoming District 3 Class 4A playoffs.
Only 33 undefeated teams remain across Pennsylvania high school football, and Friday night, two of them will go HEAD-TO-HEAD.
Two undefeated teams. Two explosive offenses. Two defenses capable of making game-changing plays.
Something has to give Friday night in Hanover.
BIG SPRING BULLDOGS (8-0)
The Bulldogs come into this matchup BLAZING HOT, winning each of their last three games by 28 points or more. They'll look to keep their perfect season alive Friday night against Hanover in what could be their toughest challenge of the year.
A big reason for Big Spring's success this season has been the play of star senior quarterback Nathan Baranoski.
Baranoski is a dangerous dual-threat quarterback who can hurt a defense through the air or on the ground. He's extremely accurate with his throws and consistently makes smart decisions with the football. He throws exceptionally well on the run and is an EXTREMELY dangerous scrambler.
If you don't account for Baranoski's legs, you're going to regret it.
Watch for #12 to make some big plays for the Bulldogs on Friday night.
Then you have sophomore WR/OLB Wade Moore.
Moore is a two-way STAR for Big Spring. He can do it ALL at wide receiver. Whether it's making contested catches, getting his feet down along the sideline, catching screens, or using his speed to turn a short gain into a huge play, Moore is a serious threat whenever the football comes his way.
And he's just as dangerous on defense.
Moore plays with tremendous speed and physicality and is CONSTANTLY finding his way into the backfield. He has already recorded 9.5 tackles for loss this season.
Watch out for #5 on Friday night.
Junior RB/OLB Jordan Myers is another difference-maker for the Bulldogs.
Myers is a physical, downhill runner who hits the hole HARD and consistently fights for extra yardage after contact. He's a workhorse on the ground and has already found the end zone 11 times rushing this season.
He also contributes defensively, giving Big Spring another valuable two-way playmaker.
Don't be surprised when you see #11 making plays all over the field Friday night.
OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH — BIG SPRING
Declan Smith (#7) | Junior | MLB/TE
Smith is EVERYWHERE defensively for the Bulldogs. He has recorded 51 total tackles and 5 tackles for loss this season. He plays physical, aggressive football and does an excellent job reading plays as they develop. Smith can also step in at tight end and deliver some BIG-TIME blocks.
Blake Gutshall (#74) | Junior | G/NG
Gutshall is a MAJOR problem for opposing teams on both sides of the football. He's a physical, aggressive offensive guard who consistently delivers big blocks and creates opportunities for the Bulldogs' rushing attack.
Defensively, Gutshall has been just as impressive, recording 36 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss this season.
BIG SPRING KEY TO VICTORY: SCORE EARLY AND OFTEN
Big Spring needs to establish its high-powered offense EARLY.
If the Bulldogs can come out firing, put points on the board, and force Hanover to play from behind, they'll put themselves in an excellent position.
Big Spring has the defensive playmakers to back up a strong offensive start and make things difficult for Hanover.
If the Bulldogs establish momentum in the first half and continue putting pressure on the Nighthawks, their chances of keeping that undefeated season alive will increase significantly.
HANOVER NIGHTHAWKS (8-0)
The Nighthawks enter Friday night's showdown coming off a dominant 27-0 shutout victory over Biglerville last week.
This is Hanover's first winning season in more than a decade, and the Nighthawks aren't satisfied with just having a winning record.
They have an opportunity to finish the regular season a PERFECT 10-0.
But standing in their way this Friday is an undefeated Big Spring team that could present their toughest challenge of the season.
A huge reason for Hanover's success this year has been the outstanding play of senior quarterback Boden Strausbaugh.
Strausbaugh has an ARM.
He throws the football extremely well downfield and does an outstanding job keeping plays alive when everything seems to be breaking down around him.
He's an efficient, accurate passer who consistently makes smart decisions with the football. And while his arm is certainly a major weapon, he's also capable of making plays with his legs.
Need a clutch play?
Strausbaugh will show up for you.
Watch out for #8 on Friday night.
Then you have junior RB/OLB Jesus Chavez.
Chavez is a big, physical, downhill runner who will RUN YOU OVER.
He has outstanding vision, makes quick, sharp cuts, and consistently turns what looks like a minimal gain into something much bigger.
His ability to break tackles and gain yards after contact makes him extremely difficult to bring down.
Chavez has already recorded 13 rushing touchdowns this season and also contributes defensively for the Nighthawks.
Look out for #4 on Friday night.
Junior OLB/FB Cooper Gerlach is another player Big Spring MUST account for.
Gerlach is ALL OVER THE FIELD defensively.
He plays fast, physical football and brings tremendous energy every time he steps onto the field. He's an excellent open-field tackler who consistently finds his way into the backfield and makes plays.
Gerlach is also capable of dropping into coverage and making an impact.
And don't forget about him on offense.
He can come out of nowhere and make a BIG play when his team needs it most.
#18 is EVERYWHERE for the Nighthawks.
OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH — HANOVER
Anthony "AJ" Wright (#2) | Senior | CB/RB
Wright is a MAJOR impact player on offense, defense, and special teams for Hanover.
He's a lockdown corner who excels in coverage and isn't afraid to come up and make physical open-field tackles.
Offensively, he's an explosive running back capable of breaking a big play whenever the football is in his hands.
Oh yeah, and he's also a DANGEROUS return man who can take one to the house on any given return.
Wright can do it ALL for Hanover.
Colton Cue (#7) | Junior | WR/FS
Cue has been DOMINANT offensively for the Nighthawks.
He has totaled 824 all-purpose yards, including 451 rushing yards and 373 receiving yards.
His tremendous speed and ability to create yards after the catch make him a serious threat whenever he touches the football.
Cue is also a BIG-TIME playmaker defensively, giving Hanover yet another dangerous two-way weapon.
HANOVER KEY TO VICTORY: CREATE TURNOVERS ON DEFENSE
Hanover needs to make life difficult for Big Spring's explosive offense.
The Nighthawks must create turnovers, capitalize on mistakes, and find ways to get the Bulldogs' offense off the field.
Limiting Big Spring's possessions while giving their own offense additional opportunities could make a huge difference in this matchup.
If Hanover can win the turnover battle and prevent Big Spring from establishing an early offensive rhythm, the Nighthawks will give themselves an excellent opportunity to remain undefeated.
PA EAST FINAL OUTLOOK
This is EXACTLY the type of matchup you want to see this late in the regular season.
Two undefeated teams. Two outstanding quarterbacks. Explosive playmakers on both sides of the football. And major District 3 Class 4A playoff implications on the line.
Big Spring comes into this matchup with an offense that has been absolutely ROLLING. Nathan Baranoski's ability to extend plays and make things happen with both his arm and his legs will be a major challenge for Hanover's defense.
And with weapons like Wade Moore and Jordan Myers around him, the Bulldogs have multiple ways to hurt you.
But Hanover isn't 8-0 by accident.
The Nighthawks have playmakers EVERYWHERE.
Boden Strausbaugh has the ability to make big throws in crucial situations, Jesus Chavez brings a physical rushing attack, and Cooper Gerlach is the type of defensive player who can completely change the momentum of a football game.
For Big Spring, it starts with establishing the offense early and keeping the pressure on Hanover.
For the Nighthawks, creating turnovers and limiting Big Spring's offensive opportunities could be the difference.
One thing is certain: SOMEBODY'S undefeated record is coming to an end Friday night.
With both teams having so much talent and so much to play for, expect a physical, competitive battle from start to finish.
Friday night. Two undefeated teams. One MASSIVE District 3 showdown.
PA East Sports Media will be there to capture it all.
GAME INFORMATION
PA East Featured Game of the Week — Week 9
Matchup: Big Spring Bulldogs (8-0) at Hanover Nighthawks (8-0)
District: PIAA District 3 | Class 4A
Date: Friday, October 23, 2026
Kickoff: 7:00 PM
Location: Sheppard-Myers Field | Hanover, Pennsylvania
WE COVER. WE TELL. WE ARE. PA EAST.