The Hawks defense, which has yielded only 21 points, is headed by tackles Luke Hutkin and Paul Johnson, and linebackers Eric Medes, Peter Siki, and Dan Mancini.
North Penn's Kyle Mayfield, a junior tailback, has carried 34 times for 302 yards and four TDs. Corey Ernst has hit on 18 of 32 throws for 226 yards and three scores. Fullback James Fielder is another threat.
Defensively, the Knights are led by middle linebacker Ralph Reeves, end Shayne Watson, outside linebacker Matt Smith, and cornerback Dan Gevirtz.
Last year, North Penn, scoring on its first five possessions and totaling 360 yards on offense, rolled to a 38-7 home win. The Knights hold a 5-1 advantage in the head-to-head series.
Pick: North Penn, 31-14.
Last week: 10-3. Overall: 17-6 (.739).
Here are some of Friday's top contests:
Overbrook (0-2, 0-1) at Northeast (1-1, 1-0), 6:30 p.m. This Public League Class AAAA Gold Division game will be televised on The Comcast Network. Pick: Northeast, 33-12.
No. 10 Ridley (2-0, 1-0) at Conestoga (1-1, 0-1), 7 p.m. Matt Davis, a first-year starter, is settling in nicely as Ridley's QB. Pick: Ridley, 28-7.
Garnet Valley (1-1, 1-0) at Upper Darby (1-1, 1-0), 7 p.m. For Garnet Valley, QB Ryan Corkery and halfback Justin Pyle have combined for 352 rushing yards. Pick: Garnet Valley, 28-20.
No. 2 Downingtown East (2-0) at Glen Mills (0-2), 7 p.m. Glen Mills will try to keep Drew Harris (53 carries for 383 yards, 9 TDs) from running wild. Good luck. Pick: East, 39-14.
Cheltenham (2-0) at Quakertown (2-0), 7 p.m. Cheltenham's defense, yielding seven points a game, will be tested by dual-threat QB Zac Gravelle. Pick: Quakertown, 21-20.
Norristown (2-0) at Central Bucks South (1-1), 7 p.m. C.B. South QB Matt Johns, ticketed for Virginia, has thrown for 332 yards and three TDs. Pick: South, 27-19.
Abington (2-0) at Souderton (1-1), 7 p.m. The Ghosts will get a real gauge of their defensive strength against Souderton's potent wing-T attack. Pick: Souderton, 23-21.
In Saturday nonleague games to watch:
Interboro (1-1) at Penn Charter (1-0), noon. Pick: Penn Charter, 21-7.
Chestnut Hill Academy (1-1) vs. Roman Catholic (1-1), at Roxborough, 1 p.m. Pick: Roman, 35-7.
Archbishop Carroll (1-1) vs. Bishop McDevitt (1-1), at Cheltenham, 7 p.m. Pick: Carroll, 14-7.
Contact staff writer Rick O'Brien at 610-313-8019, robrien@phillynews.com, or @ozoneinq on Twitter.
