Lakeview has two losses, but a playoff berth isn’t that far fetched. The Sailors can only afford one more loss at most, yet still have Sharpsville, Farrell and Mercer on the slate.

Linesville, however, is 4-0 overall and 3-0 in the Region 1. The Lions passed a huge test last week by beating then-undefeated Mercer. And Friday they’ve got another big challenge when they take on Farrell.

Also, big games against West Middlesex (on Oct. 17) and Sharpsville (on Oct. 24) loom on the horizon as the Lions go for their first conference title since 2001.

Devils do it with “D”

Taking a look at the top eight Class A football teams and almost each of them have one thing in common — lots of points. Region 2-leading Saegertown, for example, has scored a District 10-high 195 points in its first four games. Linesville, which is in first in Region 1, has 163.

Yet of the top eight, one of these things is not like the other.

Cambridge Springs is currently in a tie for second place in Region 2, yet has only 42 points. That’s tied for fifth lowest in all of Class A. In fact, Cambridge is the only team in District 10 with a winning record that has given up more points than it has scored.

So, with so few points, how have the Blue Devils posted a 3-1 record and stayed in the Region 2 hunt?

Defense, duh.

After surrendering 44 points to Linesville in Week 1, the Blue Devils have gone on to win three straight while giving up a grand total of six points. In Week 2, Cambridge edged Youngsville 6-0. They followed that up with a 7-6 nail-biter over then-undefeated Union City. Then last week the offense broke out in a 22-0 win over Conneaut Lake.

Who gets the credit? Well, the linebacker corps for one. James Tobin is leading the team with 30 total tackles. Fellow linebacker Matt Brown follows with 29. And Giordano Tartaglione has 25 tackles and one sack. Mike Olon, another linebacker, has rushed the passer three times and has one sack.

Nose guard Dan Lineberry leads the team in both sacks (4) and fumbles caused (4). Finally, defensive back Jay Felton has the team’s only interception.