Defensive coaches cringe when they learn that their next opponent runs a triple-option.

The misdirection, the number of movements, the sleight of hand is all difficult to prepare in the short period of time between games.

Pleasant Valley has run the offense for years and does it well.

But there’s as much work that goes into running the triple-option as there is in learning how to defend it.

The Bears ran it well in a season-opening win over Saucon Valley last week and will look for more success when they come to Allentown’s J Birney Crum Stadium on Thursday night to kick off Week 2 of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference football scheudle.

There are two other games on the slate involving EPC teams and Executive Education grinds toward the unveiling of its new stadium in three weeks by traveling to Berks Catholic.

Pleasant Valley was one of five EPC Monroe County Division teams to win its opener last week, defeating Saucon Valley handily. Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg South, Pocono Mountain East and West also won. The only one to lose was East Stroudsburg North.

Saeger takes pride in how his team performed — at least late in the game — and also in how much time and effort is placed on running his complicated offense to perfection.

“We were pleased by how last week’s game ended, but necessarily how it started,” said Saeger said. “It looked like Week 1 in the beginning. It was very sloppy and we made a lot of mistakes. The kids had to relax and take a breath for a minute. We kind of settled in during the second half and played a very physical second half.”

Saeger said he’s using two quarterbacks this year with Chris Ward sharing the duties with fellow senior Brandt Wines. When Wines is under center, the offense is the same as it ever was under Saeger. When Ward plays QB, there’s a shotgun package that still has a lot of option elements but with a few twists.

The PV offense is not easy to execute.

“The receivers don’t love it, but when everybody else is out there doing 7-on-7s and throwing the ball all spring and summer, we’re out there meshing our quarterbacks and fullbacks and working on our reads and working on our pitches,” Saeger said. “It’s not easy to run. There are years we haven’t been good at it. But through one game we’re pretty happy with where we’re at with it.”

Saeger said the EPC Monroe Division looks to be competitive but believes his team will be in the mix. He is taking nothing for granted against a Dieruff that was routed 42-0 by Pocono Mountain East in its opener and has injury issues.

“I don’t care how many kids they have out, they’re going to have some fast, athletic kids … they always do,” Saeger said. “Dave Lutte always has them prepared and J. Birney Crum Stadium is always a difficult place for us. We always start slow there. We’re not taking them lightly by any means. Dieruff is no easy task.”

Saeger said he doesn’t mind playing Thursday night. He has another one at home against Pottsville next week.

“I don’t mind them,” he said. “It’s less time to prepare for us and we’re a difficult preparation week and I like it this week because I am off from school on Friday. I will play on a Thursday during Labor Day week every year.”

Saeger, who is in his 24th year of coaching after graduating from East Stroudsburg University, teaches at East Stroudsburg North where he coached for many years with Chuck Dailey. He also spent two seasons as an assistant at Bethlehem Catholic and is in his eighth year in charge at PV.

“I like my team, I like where we’re at and the nonleague schedule gives us a little more of a chance to be competitive after playing teams like Exeter and Gov. Mifflin,” he said. “I am looking forward to it. I think it’s going to be a fun year.”

Bangor (1-0) at Pocono Mountain East (1-0)

The storylines: It’s the second straight EPC North opponent for the Slaters, who opened up the season with a 49-0 rout of East Stroudsburg North. The Cardinals were just as impresssive in a 42-0 blowout of Dieruff. It’s what some might call the Frank Scagliotta Bowl since the legendary basketball official and football coach coached at both places.

Players to watch: East’s record-breaking quarterback Ceejay Serfass only had to throw 13 times, and completed nine, against Dieruff. He had 120 yards and four TDs. Evan Garrett led the East ground game with 59 yards on six carries. Lucas Martin and Jude Hurd both ran for more than 80 yards in the Slaters’ win over North. Lincoln Rehrig ran for 40 yards and threw for 94 yards and three TDs.

Keith Groller’s pick: Pocono Mountain East 35-21

Lehighton (1-0) at Pocono Mountain West (1-0)

The storylines: It’s a high school football version of a family feud as West coach Jim McCarroll goes against his nephew Tom McCarroll. Both have great respect for one another and both are Marian Catholic products. It’s also a renewal of a Mountain Valley Conference rivalry. They used to meet every year, but haven’t since 2012 when West pulled out a 16-14 win. Both teams are coming off impressive opening-night wins. West was dominant on defense in a 27-0 win over Scranton. Lehighton got its first opening-night win since 2020 when it defeated Tamaqua 44-20.

Players to watch: The Indians got 127 yards rushing and two scores from senior Lukas Croizier, while the Panthers got a big offensive effort from Christian Stiehler, who ran for over 200 yards and strong defensive nights from Tahied Samuel and Teddy Stiehler, who combined for seven tackles for loss.

Keith Groller’s pick: Pocono Mountain West 20-14

Pleasant Valley (1-0) at Dieruff (0-1)

The storylines: The Bears were impressive in their 41-7 win over Bangor, getting 309 yards rushing, 20 first downs and converting six times on nine third-down attempts. Dieruff lost expected starter at quarterback Bruce Billger to injury for the first few weeks, and there are several other two-way starters who are out with injuries. Pleasant Valley is 9-4 against Dieruff since 2012 and won last year’s meeting 34-7 as the Bears racked up 245 yards rushing and 401 total yards.

Players to watch: PV’s Chris Ward ran for 97 yards and two TDs and also passed for 82 yards and a score in the Bears opening-night win over Saucon Valley. Sean Cobb Jr. added 81 yards on the ground and Jacob George chipped in 75. William Breuer caught two passes for 73 yards and a TD. Dieruff will need a stout defensive effort to keep it competitive. Kayson Barlow had four tackles for loss in the loss to Pocono Mountain East and also led the team with 12 yards rushing.

Keith Groller’s pick: Pleasant Valley 42-6

Independent
Executive (0-1) at Berks Catholic (0-1), 6 p.m.

The storylines: The Raptors, in their sixth season of football, have played Berks Catholic more than any other team and are 1-4 against the Saints. They are coming off a valiant effort against Northern Lehigh, losing 17-14 on an Anthony Hanna 27-yard field goal as time expired. Executive fought back from a 14-0 halftime deficit with a 50-yard touchdown run by Ayden Ramos and a short TD run by quarterback Shawntez Whitsett and Whitsett’s pass for a two-point conversion to Shakiyl Reid. Berks Catholic was overwhelmed by Notre Dame-Green Pond, 48-14, last week.

Players to watch: Whitsett was 10 of 15 passing for 130 yards and also ran for 88 yards on eight carries. Ramos finished with 64 yards on eight attempts. Lezius Bravo had 18 yards rushing and caught four passes for 88 yards. Berks Catholic got 128 yards rushing by Coy Koller and another 73 yards on the ground from Ryan Spatz.

Keith Groller’s pick: Berks Catholic 24-16

Keith Groller’s prediction record was 10-7 in Week 1