WEEK 3 PARKLAND @ EASTON PREVIEW
PARKLAND VS EASTON
Week 3 features a massive District 11 showdown as the Parkland Trojans (1-1) visit the Easton Area Red Rovers (1-1).
This is a revenge opportunity for Parkland after its 2025 season ended with a 42-17 loss to Easton in the PIAA District 11 6A Championship Game. Now, the Trojans get another shot at the Red Rovers in one of the biggest games of Week 3.
PARKLAND
The Trojans enter this matchup with a 1-1 record and are coming off a huge 41-21 win over Freedom last week.
Three of those touchdowns came from Villanova commit TJ Lawrence, who also piled up 255 rushing yards in an outstanding performance. The senior running back will look for another explosive night against Easton.
Lawrence is not just a contributor on offense, either. He also makes an impact on the defensive side of the ball, recording 1 sack and 1 tackle for loss last week. Expect Lawrence to be heavily involved on both sides of the football Friday night.
Then you have the QB/WR duo of Finn Coen and Blake Nassry. These two have developed a tremendous connection and have already hooked up for three touchdowns this season. Nassry’s size, hands and ability to create separation, combined with Coen’s pinpoint accuracy, make them a dangerous combination that Easton’s secondary will have to account for all night.
On the defensive side of the ball, keep an eye on OLB Jaren Sanchez. Sanchez is a physical, hard-hitting linebacker who loves contact and excels at setting the edge and stopping the run. He plays with tremendous energy and brings an intensity that can fire up the entire Parkland defense.
TE/DE Michael Carr and T/DT Myles Lysek are two more players to watch.
Carr is a physical defensive end who can create problems up front, while also contributing offensively as a blocker and reliable tight end option for Coen.
Lysek is an aggressive defensive tackle who fills gaps well and is extremely difficult to move at the line of scrimmage.
PARKLAND’S KEY TO VICTORY
Shut down Easton’s passing attack.
Easton has a dangerous passing game led by receivers Sean McPeek and Amin Fideen. Parkland has to limit both of them and prevent the Red Rovers from creating explosive plays through the air.
If the Trojans can slow down Easton’s passing attack, Parkland has enough weapons offensively to put points on the board throughout the night.
EASTON
The Red Rovers also enter this matchup with a 1-1 record and are coming off a dominant 32-7 victory over Pennsbury.
Three of Easton’s touchdowns last week came from sophomore wide receiver Amin Fideen, who hauled in three touchdown receptions. Fideen has elite speed and is a legitimate big-play threat every time he touches the football.
He is the type of player who can turn one catch into six points in an instant, so expect Easton to look for ways to get him involved early.
Then you have junior quarterback Zahviay McGurn, who has had a tremendous start to the season for the Red Rovers.
McGurn is a threat both through the air and on the ground. He already has six total touchdowns this season — five passing and one rushing — and will look to continue that hot start against Parkland.
Expect senior wide receiver Sean McPeek to play a major role as well. McPeek is a big, long receiver who excels at making contested catches and finding open areas in the defense. He has already recorded 11 receptions for 203 receiving yards this season.
RB/DB Jeffrey Thomas is another player to watch for the Red Rovers.
Thomas has been a force defensively, already totaling 1 sack, 3 tackles for loss and 9 total tackles this season. He also contributes on offense as a runner, has already found the end zone, and rushed for more than 50 yards last week.
EASTON’S KEY TO VICTORY
Shut down TJ Lawrence.
Lawrence is an absolute game-changer for Parkland, and Easton cannot allow him to take over the game.
The Red Rovers need to limit his production on the ground, make Parkland find other ways to consistently move the football, and prevent Lawrence from controlling the pace of the game.
If Easton can contain him, its high-powered offense should have opportunities to put points on the board.
PA EAST PREDICTION
Parkland 27, Easton 22
As always, this is a tough game to pick.
From what I’ve seen so far this season, I think Parkland has the slight edge. The Trojans have a tremendous amount of talent and several playmakers capable of making an impact on both sides of the football.
Easton absolutely has the offensive firepower to keep pace, though, and this feels like a game that could come down to one or two plays late in the fourth quarter.
These are two very talented teams going at it Friday night, and I could easily see this matchup going either way.