Farrell can continue to ride its wave of what might be deemed by some as unexpected success with a victory over Union (0-3, 0-4) tonight at Anthony Paulekas Stadium.

The key to Farrell's season so far has been the play of junior quarterback J.J. Wilson. He was 4 of 8 for 141 yards and 2 TDs in last week's 41-12 romp over Summit Academy.

This year he has completed 22 of 45 attempts, has thrown 6 TDs and averages 129.3 yards/game. He is currently the 11th most prolific passer in the WPIAL based on total yards.

Union, on the other hand, is winless so far and would like nothing better than to quell the playoff hopes of the Steelers as they head into the meat of their schedule.

The Scotties played Laurel tough the first half last week but went on to lose 22-6. Back Dan Hilton led Union with 65 yards rushing on just 4 carries. Ben Gunn had the team's lone score on a 9-yard run.

Elsewhere it is:

• Sharon (1-0, 3-1) at Mercer (0-1, 0-4) -- Sharon continues to click on all cylinders, especially after its 62-19 rout of East Canton last week. The Tigers' offense put up 493 total yards offensively, led by T.J. Phillips' 15-carry, 129-yard performance. With 4,445 career yards, Phillips needs only 93 to move past former Reynolds great Ron Park (4,537) into third place on the county's career rushing list.

  Based on five regular season games remaining, Phillips would need to average approximately 150 yards per game to catch school record holder Mike Archie (5,136) and county record holder Joe Korcinsky (5,197) of Greenville. That average drops depending on whether or not the Tigers qualify for postseason play and how far they advance if they do.

  Quarterback Jeff Valentino was 8 of 11 for 164 yards and had 4 TD passes, two of which were to Bear Shimrack.

  Mercer, still looking to give coach Ed Klutcher his first victory, played Wilmington tough last week in the first half, but couldn't maintain it in the second half. The Hounds led just 7-0 at halftime but went on to a 35-0 win.

  The Mustangs' offense has struggled, putting up just 126 yards/game, and has just 3 yards total passing over the first four games.

• Hickory (2-1, 2-2) at Wilmington (3-0, 3-1) -- Wilmington's defense is its usual self, allowing a scant 8 points per game. Last week against a previously-porous Grove City defense, Hickory managed just 7 points, and that was on a return of a blocked punt.

  The Class AAA Hornets need to rebound and get a big game out of backs Marcus Horvath and Tim Tarkanick. Also, freshman Ross Trimmer saw his first action under center in replace of Derek Perkins against the Eagles.

  Class AA Wilmington has rebounded nicely from its opening-game setback. Quarterback Matt Robison is guiding the Hounds to 31.8 points/game and the area's second-best per-game output of 350.3 yards/game.

• Greenville (3-0, 4-0) at Erie East (0-3, 0-4) -- Greenville is in its usual perch atop the Northwest Conference, while Erie East is looking up from the bottom of the league standings.

  Led by Todd Shimshock's three TDs last week, the Trojans thumped Warren, Pa., 32-0, and are now limiting opponents to just 3 points/game.

  East lost to Erie Central 21-0 last week and has been outscored by its opponents 103-20. Bryan Gore leads the way with 388 yards on 77 carries.

• Lakeview (1-2, 1-3) at Conneaut Valley (3-1, 3-1) -- The Sailors used its 59-6 loss to Sharpsville last week as a learning experience. What was gained will come in handy against Conneaut Valley as Lakeview looks to put a surprise in the French Creek Valley Conference.

  In their defeat, however, the Sailors suffered a loss they could not afford in running back Justin George, who is among the area's rushing leaders. He went down with a sprained ankle and his status is uncertain.

  Conneaut Valley is rolling as the defense hasn't allowed a point in its last eight quarters of play. Last week the Indians defeated Maplewood 19-0.

• Brookville (1-3) at Grove City (1-3) -- The Eagles broke into the win column with their victory over the Hornets last season and they did it on the ground. Julian Pierce rushed for 136 yards and a 27-yard touchdown.

  Grove City heads into this non-conference game on the heels of its best offensive performance of the season, putting up 287 yards, 230 of which were on the ground.

  Brookville, which dropped to AA this year, lost to St. Marys, 31-13, last week.

  Despite being a first-year starter, junior Ben Marzullo has thrown for over 200 yards in three of his four games. He's completed 43 of 78 attempts for 792 with 6 TDs and 3 interceptions.

• Conneaut Lake (2-2) at West Middlesex (3-1) -- The Big Reds suffered its first defeat last week to a vengeful Monaca squad on the Indians' home field.

  Do-it-all quarterback Clint Doolin was injured during the game and his status for tonight is uncertain. However, before he left, he burned Monaca for 153 yards through the air. Ron Goodman, George Burns, Jason Burns and Adam Buxton each hauled in a pair of passes.

  Conneaut Lake is coming off a 21-0 shutout of Cochranton last Friday.

• LaBrae (0-0, 2-2) at Hubbard (1-0, 2-2) -- Hubbard's defense led the way in its shutout victory over Lakeview, Ohio, last week. It was a good thing because the Eagles managed to put an uncharacteristically-low 14 points on its side of the board.

  Carmen Tanferno led the ground attack with 116 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown. Quaterback Steve Kanetsky chipped in a 7 of 10, 58-yard performance to balance the offense.

  LaBrae is coming off a 14-7 non-league victory over Garrettsville.

• Lakeview, Ohio, (0-1, 2-2) at Brookfield (1-0, 2-2) -- Lakeview will try to get off to a fast start against the Warriors. The Bulldogs managed only 38 yards of offense in the first half against Hubbard last week.

  The Bulldogs' junior quarterback Kevin Posey led the way by completing 11 of 27 passes for 142 yards.

  Brookfield also got out to a fast start in their 45-29 victory over Champion last week. The Warriors led 25-8 at halftime en route to the victory.

  Spike Bayus and Chris Reiser each notched 100-yard games, running for 115 and 113, respectively. Bayus also completed 4 of 8 passes for 61 yards and a TD.

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  SATURDAY

• Slippery Rock (1-3) at Sharpsville (4-0) -- The Rockets enter the game fresh off their first victory under new coach Brendan Smith.

  The 34-14 victory over Reynolds allowed the Rockets to stay in the hunt for the Class AAA playoffs.

  Class A Sharpsville continued to roll. The Blue Devils put up 447 total yards against Lakeview last week, despite playing its underclassmen for much of the second half.

  Justin Lucas had three scores in the game. He returned the opening kickoff 80 yards for a TD and later added a 10-yard run and a 23 yard pass reception.

• Mercyhurst Prep (1-2) at Kennedy Christian (3-1) --The Golden Eagles are coming off their first loss of the season, a 35-0 defeat to Ohio powerhouse Warren JFK.

  Despite the loss, Kennedy still ranks near the top in total offense, netting 331.5 yards/game. Running back Jason Cecil is a big part of it, he has 591 yards on 60 attempts (9.9 carry, 147.8 game, 10 TDs).

  Mercyhurst Prep lost to Painesville (Ohio) Riverside, 12-6, last week. The Lakers' only win came against Conneaut, Ohio, 39-8.

  Senior quarterback Jason Gabbard is 14 of 28 for 264 yards.