The Panthers earned the eighth and final spot in the playoffs with their 24-21 win over Wellsboro last week, their second straight win and third of the season. 

Mount Carmel is undefeated on the season, with their 8-point win over North Schuylkill in the season opener being their smallest margin of victory all year, followed by a 14-point win over Southern Columbia.

The Red Tornados average 43 points per game and are led by QB Cole Spears, who has completed 77 percent of his passes for over 700 yards, 10 touchdowns and just one interception. The junior has rushed for 146 yards and three more scores, while Mount Carmel’s leading rusher is junior Xavier Diaz, who has rushed for nearly 700 yards and nine touchdowns.

Senior wideout Garrett Varano has caught 25 passes for 387 yards and five touchdowns, and junior Jacob Schultz has 16 receptions for 400 yards and five scores.

Diaz, Varano and sophomore Chase Balichik each have four interceptions on the season, and senior d-lineman Matt Scicchitano leads the Tornados with five sacks and 10 tackles-for-loss.

North Penn-Mansfield will counter with 1,400-yard passer Karson Dominick. The junior has thrown 11 touchdown passes and has rushed for five more.

Senior Kohen Lehman has rushed for 766 yards and six touchdowns and has 22 receptions on the season for another 230 yards and a score. Senior Sammy Lawrence has 34 catches for 530 yards and eight touchdowns and Alex Davis has 33 receptions for 330 yards and a score.

Dominick has three picks on the year and Lawrence has two, while senior Ethan Dick leads the Panthers with 3.5 sacks and two tackles-for-loss and sophomore George Valentine has recorded 95 tackles.

The Panthers average 17 points per game .. 22/game in their final two games, both wins, and 40 in a win over CV.

The winner of Friday’s game will advance to play the winner between No. 4 seed Bloomsburg and No. 5 seed Hughesville. 

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.