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LEHIGH VALLEY WEATHER

Area coaches share their memories, predictions

On the eve of any Catasauqua-Northampton Thanksgiving Day clash, there are always a myriad of predictions on both sides of the ball.

With the 101st meeting set for a 10 a.m. kickoff at Northampton’s Al Erdosy Stadium on Thanksgiving morning, here are some predictions and reflections from some coaches from both schools:

• Catasauqua field hockey coach Amanda Freiler: “38-14, Northampton.”

• Catasauqua boys’ soccer coach Josh Inman: “42-10, Northampton.”

• Catasauqua head baseball coach Steve Bradley: “No prediction. My best memory has to be the 2013 drubbing we gave Northampton. Then it was seeing the seniors walk off the field with Zack (Bradley) and Paryss (Marshall) being the last ones.

“In the 2012 game, Alex Parker set the tone by leveling one of their receivers. That huge hit dictated how the rest of the game would go.

“In 2011, Ra’Von’s (Burton) scoring, Paryss’s (Marshall) catching, and Rhaine Sziy’s game-saving tackle contributing to the first of three-straight wins.”

• Catasauqua boys’ basketball coach Eric Snyder: “Northampton, 35-14.

“When Glenn Reightler had about a 75-yard touchdown run for the only score of the game, and we beat Northampton.”

• Catasauqua assistant boys’ basketball coach James Snyder: “I won’t give a score, but I’ll say Catty is prepping to shock the Valley.”

• Northampton field hockey coach Carrie Saul: “Northampton 42-12.

“When I was in high school, I don’t think we ever beat Catty. Those were dark days! It was raining my senior year in Catty in 1992. One year, it snowed on Thanksgiving, so the game was played that weekend.”

• Northampton boys’ basketball coach Matt Scholl: “Northampton 37, Catty 12.

“I have never gone to the game. I grew up in Whitehall, so I don’t feel the same connection that the town does to the game. My Thanksgiving Day mornings are spent cooking with my family, watching the parade on TV, and taking a breather from the beginning of basketball season.

“I would actually like to see the game go away because it keeps our basketball players away from the team one to two weeks of practice each year.”

• Northampton baseball coach Mick Sugra: “Northampton, 42-7

“I always enjoy being on the sideline working the chains for the game. It’s a great rivalry game that’s been going 100-plus years now.

“That’s pretty cool.”

• Northampton girls’ basketball coach Jeff Jacksits: “Northampton 52-14 (unfortunately, I am a Catty grad).

“In 1981, I had my only interception in our win at Northampton. We were undefeated, 12-0, and the number-one team in the Valley. The sad part is my best friend and current scorekeeper, Bill Gillespie, got credit for it in the newspaper the next day.”