We had four exciting high school football games last weekend on the Astound TV Network.

 Undefeated Freedom kept up its great season with a big win over its rival from Bethlehem Catholic and continue to be the number-one ranked team in our poll, as they have been since week three (more on that below).

Head Coach Jason Roeder and those same Patriot players will be in our studio this Thursday to talk about their great week one win up in New York City, their successes so far this fall and the read ahead, on this Thursday’s ATVN’s “SportsTalk” show, live on our network at 7pm.

We’ll also have interviews from this year’s top boys and girls finishers in the District XI golf tournament.

If you can’t watch the show from your home television set, the program will also be live-streamed at youtube.com/@AstoundTVnetwork 

Sign up to get alerts about all our free, live streaming programming when you log on to YouTube.

Then on Friday, we’ll have a pair of 6-1 teams (Easton vs. Liberty) live at 7pm, followed by Freedom and Northampton.  On Saturday we’ll have Parkland playing Central Catholic – both teams are coming off big wins last weekend.

Now for the latest “Astounding 10’’ high school football weekly poll for this fall season.

Our pollsters give their selections for who they believe are the top 10 performing football teams that you’ll see on the Astound TV Network this fall.

Each voter will select the top 10 teams – with the top team getting 10 points, 9 for the second best team, 8 for third and so forth.

One caveat – in order to balance the bigger and smaller schools in the region, each pollster MUST include at least three teams that are NOT a 6A-sized school.

It’s a brand new way to gauge the top teams in Eastern Pennsylvania this fall, and we invite you to check back each week throughout this football season to see which teams make our poll…and who’s listed where, as decided by our diverse group of voters.

One other unique aspect to our poll…the coaches and athletic directors’ names are never revealed so they can vote with their minds…and also avoid any potential “bulletin board” material, so each one can make selections without repercussions.

Throughout the years that we have done our poll, the coaches and athletic directors have always maintained very objective opinions.  If you look back through our archives, you’ll notice that our pollsters have been amazingly accurate and unbiased in their selections, and our polls’ top teams very often finish similarly in the same order as the “power points” system that District XI uses when compiling its standings and playoff positionings.

So without any further delay, here’s this week’s edition of the “Astounding 10” … (the number in parenthesis is the average points received for each team, with ‘10’ being the maximum.)

1. Freedom (10)

2. Parkland (9)

3. Easton (7.6)

4. Nazareth (5.4)

5. Northwestern (5)

6. Liberty (4.8)

7. Emmaus (4.2)

8. Blue Mountain (1.2)

9. Southern Lehigh (1)

10. Notre Dame – Green Pond (.08)

Other team(s) receiving more than one mention: Saucon Valley

Bookmark and return to our page each week and check back after this weekend’s game to see if your favorite teams moved up or down in the minds and opinions of our pollsters!

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Astound Broadband or any other agency, organization, employer or company.

We hope you enjoyed Astound’s exclusive coverage of the Celtic Classic last weekend but looking ahead, we’re back with yet another big weekend of HS football on ATVN, with four games coming your way!

On Thursday, we’ll have another Bethlehem battle as undefeated Freedom plays Bethlehem Catholic.   On Friday, we’ll have yet another undefeated Christmas City team – Liberty – taking on Nazareth (the #4 and #5 teams in our poll – see below), followed by Whitehall traveling to Emmaus.  On Saturday, we’ll once again feature the Colonial League with two teams coming off explosive victories last week: Notre Dame – Green Pond and Pen Argyl.

Now for the latest “Astounding 10’’ high school football weekly poll for this fall season.

Our pollsters give their selections for who they believe are the top 10 performing football teams that you’ll see on the Astound TV Network this fall.

Each voter will select the top 10 teams – with the top team getting 10 points, 9 for the second best team, 8 for third and so forth.

One caveat – in order to balance the bigger and smaller schools in the region, each pollster MUST include at least three teams that are NOT a 6A-sized school.

It’s a brand new way to gauge the top teams in Eastern Pennsylvania this fall, and we invite you to check back each week throughout this football season to see which teams make our poll…and who’s listed where, as decided by our diverse group of voters.

One other unique aspect to our poll…the coaches and athletic directors’ names are never revealed so they can vote with their minds…and also avoid any potential “bulletin board” material, so each one can make selections without repercussions.

Throughout the years that we have done our poll, the coaches and athletic directors have always maintained very objective opinions.  If you look back through our archives, you’ll notice that our pollsters have been amazingly accurate and unbiased in their selections, and our polls’ top teams very often finish similarly in the same order as the “power points” system that District XI uses when compiling its standings and playoff positionings.

So without any further delay, here’s this week’s edition of the “Astounding 10” … (the number in parenthesis is the average points received for each team, with ‘10’ being the maximum.)

1. Freedom (10)

2. Parkland (9)

3. Easton (7.2)

4. Liberty (5.6)

5. Nazareth (4.6)

6. Northwestern (4.2)

7. Emmaus (4)

8. Tamaqua (1.8)

9. Blue Mountain (1.2)

10. Notre Dame – Green Pond (0.8)

Other team(s) receiving more than one mention: Southern Lehigh

Bookmark and return to our page each week and check back after this weekend’s game to see if your favorite teams moved up or down in the minds and opinions of our pollsters!

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Astound Broadband or any other agency, organization, employer or company.

Before you get ready for another weekend of high school football games, a quick look back at some great games – and some unbelievable plays – from the last few weeks as seen on the Astound TV Network.

Among them include Becahi’s Cayden Vassa’s amazing touchdown run on a broken play, and several great plays in Easton’s dramatic overtime win over Emmaus.

Enjoy!

Astound TV Network Sports: Emmaus vs. Easton (9/24)

Astound TV Network Sports: Allentown Central Catholic vs. Bethlehem Catholic (9/24)

Astound TV Network Sports: Parkland vs. Nazareth (9/24)

Astound TV Network Sports: Stroudsburg vs. Liberty (9/24)

Astound TV Network Sports: Nazareth vs.  Whitehall  (8/24)

Copies of all of ATVN’s sports broadcasts are available by contacting our studio.

Also, don’t forget to check out all of Astound TV’s exclusive coverage of this weekend’s Highland Games Athletic Championships and the Celtic Classic in Downtown Bethlehem, all weekend long on the Astound TV Network! 

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Astound Broadband or any other agency, organization, employer or company.

Before we unveil this week’s high school football poll and look at recent highlights of teams’ games that aired on the Astound TV Network, a quick programming note…

This Thursday at 7pm, Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Football Chairmen Chuck Dailey and Dr. Matt Baltz will be our special guests on “ATVN SportsTalk,” discussing the new football scheduling and other local issues.  You can email comments and questions to chris.michael@astound.com and we might read them on this week’s show.  The program is broadcasted live on ATVN and also live-streamed for free at: youtube.com/@AstoundTVnetwork

Now, a look at recent highlights of some of the teams featured so far this season on ATVN.

Astound TV Network Sports: East Stroudsburg South vs. Whitehall (9/24)

Astound TV Network Sports: Wilson vs. Catasauqua (8/24)

Astound TV Network Sports: Saucon Valley vs. Bangor (8/24)

Now for the latest “Astounding 10’’ high school football weekly poll for this fall season.

Our pollsters give their selections for who they believe are the top 10 performing football teams that you’ll see on Astound TV Network this fall.

Each voter will select the top 10 teams – with the top team getting 10 points, 9 for the second best team, 8 for third and so forth.

One caveat – in order to balance the bigger and smaller schools in the region, each pollster MUST include at least three teams that are NOT a 6A-sized school.

It’s a brand new way to gauge the top teams in Eastern Pennsylvania this fall, and we invite you to check back each week throughout this football season to see which teams make our poll…and who’s listed where, as decided by our diverse group of voters.

Our voters are a combination of coaches, athletic directors and media members who regularly see different teams in games from different regions of the District XI coverage area.

One other unique aspect to our poll…the coaches and athletic directors’ names are never revealed so they can vote on what they truly believe without any hesitation to avoid any potential “bulletin board” material, so each one can make selections without repercussions.

Throughout the years that we have done our poll, the coaches and athletic directors have always maintained very objective opinions.  If you look back through our archives, you’ll notice that our pollsters have been amazingly accurate and unbiased in their selections, and our polls’ top teams very often finish similarly in the same order as the “power points” system that District XI uses when compiling its standings and playoff positionings.

Aside from Freedom holding the top spot yet again this week, there was quite a bit of movement in our poll!

Several teams moved up as Parkland, Northwestern, Easton, Tamaqua, Notre Dame and Liberty all won big games last weekend, while Nazareth and Emmaus slid down after dropping games.

Here’s this week’s edition of the “Astounding 10” … (the number in parenthesis is the average points received for each team, with ‘10’ being the maximum.)

1. Freedom (10)
2. Parkland (9)
3. Easton (7)
4. Northwestern (5.8)
5. Nazareth (5.6)
6. Liberty (5.4)
7. Emmaus (3.6)
8. Tamaqua (1.8)
9. Notre Dame-GP (1.4)
10. Blue Mountain (1.2)

Other team(s) receiving more than one mention: Southern Lehigh, Saucon Valley

Bookmark and return to our page each week and check back after this weekend’s game to see if your favorite teams moved up or down in the minds and opinions of our pollsters!

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Astound Broadband or any other agency, organization, employer or company.

Here is a look at recent highlights of some of the teams that have been featured so far this season on the Astound TV Network…

Astound TV Network Sports: Nazareth vs. Freedom (9/24)

Astound TV Network Sports: Allentown Central Catholic vs. Freedom (9/24)

Astound TV Network Sports: Northampton vs. Liberty (9/24)

Astound TV Network Sports: Parkland vs. Northampton (9/24)

Astound TV Network Sports: Northern Lehigh vs. Pen Argyl (9/24)

Contact the ATVN offices for copies of these and other Astound TV Network productions.  Tune in for three more high school football games coming up this weekend!

Bookmark and return to our page each week and check back after this weekend’s game to more of your favorite teams video highlights.  Plus, see which teams moved up or down in our “Astounding” HS football polls and also get local news and opinions on other local fall sports action in our region!

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Astound Broadband or any other agency, organization, employer or company.

On last Thursday’s “SportsTalk” show on the Astound TV Network (and also live streamed for free on our YouTube channel), I think I ruffled some feathers when I said that I thought Freedom was not only the best team in our area this year, but that if they win the district championship this fall, I think they have a legitimate shot at beating whichever teams come out of District 12 in the first round of the state playoffs.

I had people STRONGLY disagree with on that very program.  I had people disagreeing me me via text and emails.  I ran into people disagreeing with me when I saw them on the street the next day … and even had people disagreeing with me on my way to the press box before Freedom’s game against undefeated Nazareth last Friday night.

I haven’t received one dissenting comment since I LEFT that press box.

In fact, quite the opposite.

Almost immediately after Freedom beat Nazareth 38-10, I had people agreeing with that comment and stating in fact how solid the Patriots are looking right now.

Granted, there is still a LONG way to go in this fall season, but I don’t think you’re going to see a change atop our high school football poll very soon (more details on that below).

Coming up this Friday, Astound TV will broadcast two games featuring four teams all sporting 3-1 records: we’ll have Parkland versus Nazareth live at 7pm, followed by Easton at Emmaus airing at 9:30pm.

We will also broadcast Central Catholic vs. Bethlehem Catholic live on Saturday night.

On Thursday at 7pm, we’ll honor four retiring District XI referees who combined for over 150-years of officiating in the Lehigh Valley – Bob Andrews, Rodney Strobl Sr, Mark Cesare and Mike Eberwine will be our special guests.  The show will be broadcast live on ATVN and also streaming the program for free at: youtube.com/@AstoundTVnetwork

Last but not least, check back here to the “SportsTalk Shop” later this week for highlights of recent games that we broadcast on the Astound TV Network.

Now for the latest “Astounding 10’’ high school football weekly poll for this fall season.

Our pollsters give their selections for who they believe are the top 10 performing football teams that you’ll see on the Astound TV Network this fall.

Each voter will select the top 10 teams – with the top team getting 10 points, 9 for the second best team, 8 for third and so forth.

One caveat – in order to balance the bigger and smaller schools in the region, each pollster MUST include at least three teams that are NOT a 6A-sized school.

It’s a brand new way to gauge the top teams in Eastern Pennsylvania this fall, and we invite you to check back each week throughout this football season to see which teams make our poll…and who’s listed where, as decided by our diverse group of voters.

One other unique aspect to our poll…the coaches and athletic directors’ names are never revealed so they can vote with their minds…and also avoid any potential “bulletin board” material, so each one can make selections without repercussions.

Throughout the years that we have done our poll, the coaches and athletic directors have always maintained very objective opinions.  If you look back through our archives, you’ll notice that our pollsters have been amazingly accurate and unbiased in their selections, and our polls’ top teams very often finish similarly in the same order as the “power points” system that District XI uses when compiling its standings and playoff positionings.

So without any further delay, here’s this week’s edition of the “Astounding 10” … (the number in parenthesis is the average points received for each team, with ‘10’ being the maximum.)

1. Freedom (10)
2. Nazareth (9)
3. Parkland (7.2)
4. Emmaus (6.2)
5. Northwestern (5.8)
6. Liberty (4.2)
7. Easton (3.8)
8. Tamaqua (1)
9. Notre Dame-GP (.08)
10. Blue Mountain (.06)

Other team(s) receiving more than one mention: Saucon Valley, Southern Lehigh

Bookmark and return to our page each week and check back after this weekend’s game to see if your favorite teams moved up or down in the minds and opinions of our pollsters!

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Astound Broadband or any other agency, organization, employer or company.

Before we unveil this week’s high school football poll, a look at recent highlights of some of the teams have have features so far this season on the Astound TV Network:

Astound TV Network Sports: Becahi vs. Emmaus (8/24)

Astound TV Network Sports: George Washington vs. Parkland (8/24)

Astound TV Network Sports: Northwestern Lehigh vs. Northern Lehigh (8/24)

Coming up this Friday, the top two teams (both 3-0) in the Astound TV Network coverage area square off, as we’ll be broadcasting Freedom and Nazareth live at 7pm, followed by Northampton vs. Liberty airing at 9:30pm.

We will also broadcast our first Lafayette football game of this year on Saturday.

On Thursday at 7pm, we’ll recap the first three weeks of the high school football season and preview this weekend’s games on “ATVN SportsTalk,” broadcasting live on ATVN and also streaming the program for free at: youtube.com/AstoundTVnetwork

Now for the latest “Astounding 10’’ high school football weekly poll for this fall season.

Our pollsters give their selections for who they believe are the top 10 performing football teams that you’ll see on the Astound TV Network this fall.

Each voter will select the top 10 teams – with the top team getting 10 points, 9 for the second best team, 8 for third and so forth.

One caveat – in order to balance the bigger and smaller schools in the region, each pollster MUST include at least three teams that are NOT a 6A-sized school.

It’s a brand new way to gauge the top teams in Eastern Pennsylvania this fall, and we invite you to check back each week throughout this football season to see which teams make our poll…and who’s listed where, as decided by our diverse group of voters.

One other unique aspect to our poll…the coaches and athletic directors’ names are never revealed so they can vote with their minds…and also avoid any potential “bulletin board” material, so each one can make selections without repercussions.

Throughout the years that we have done our poll, the coaches and athletic directors have always maintained very objective opinions.  If you look back through our archives, you’ll notice that our pollsters have been amazingly accurate and unbiased in their selections, and our polls’ top teams very often finish similarly in the same order as the “power points” system that District XI uses when compiling its standings and playoff positionings.

As far as which media members have a say?  They will identify themselves on our Thursday “SportsTalk” show, which, this fall, will be streamed live on YouTube every Thursday at 7pm, in addition to being broadcast on ATVN.

So without any further delay, here’s this week’s edition of the “Astounding 10” … (the number in parenthesis is the average points received for each team, with ‘10’ being the maximum.)

1. Freedom (9.8)
2. Nazareth (9.2)
3. Parkland (7.2)
4. Emmaus (6.4)
5. Northwestern (6)
6. Liberty (4.2)
7. Easton (3.6)
8. Northampton (2.2)
9. North Schuylkill (0.8)
10. Bethlehem Catholic (.06)

Other team(s) receiving more than one mention: Notre Dame-GP, Blue Mountain

Bookmark and return to our page each week and check back after this weekend’s game to see if your favorite teams moved up or down in the minds and opinions of our pollsters!

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Astound Broadband or any other agency, organization, employer or company.

Before we unveil this week’s high school football poll, a quick word about yet ANOTHER way that Astound TV is bringing you more local sports than ever before.

This week, ATVN will broadcast a NETWORK-RECORD FIVE HS football games!

That’s right…not just one or two or even, three, but FIVE!  (We actually were going to equal this new record NEXT WEEK as well, but we’re now hearing that the Salisbury/Catasauqua game we were scheduled to do on September 12th is now being moved to a different date).

Astound TV is the place to be to watch your favorite teams and we look forward to having you watching our coverage of both the Colonial League and the EPC–with teams from all three divisions, on our station this weekend!

Now for the latest “Astounding 10’’ high school football weekly poll for this fall season.

Our pollsters give their selections for who they believe are the top 10 performing football teams that you’ll see on the Astound TV Network this fall.

Each voter will select the top 10 teams – with the top team getting 10 points, 9 for the second best team, 8 for third and so forth.

One caveat – in order to balance the bigger and smaller schools in the region, each pollster MUST include at least three teams that are NOT a 6A-sized school.

It’s a brand new way to gauge the top teams in Eastern Pennsylvania this fall, and we invite you to check back each week throughout this football season to see which teams make our poll…and who’s listed where, as decided by our diverse group of voters.

One other unique aspect to our poll…the coaches and athletic directors’ names are never revealed so they can vote with their minds…and also avoid any potential “bulletin board” material, so each one can make selections without repercussions.

Throughout the years that we have done our poll, the coaches and athletic directors have always maintained very objective opinions.  If you look back through our archives, you’ll notice that our pollsters have been amazingly accurate and unbiased in their selections, and our polls’ top teams very often finish similarly in the same order as the “power points” system that District XI uses when compiling its standings and playoff positionings.

As far as which media members have a say?  They will identify themselves on our Thursday “SportsTalk” show, which, this fall, will be streamed live on YouTube every Thursday at 7pm, in addition to being broadcast on ATVN.

So without any further delay, here’s this week’s edition of the “Astounding 10” … (the number in parenthesis is the average points received for each team, with ‘10’ being the maximum.)

1. Freedom (9.6)
2. Nazareth (9.4)
3. Parkland (7.2)
4. Emmaus (6.8)
5. Northwestern (6.4)
6. Northampton (4.4)
7. Notre Dame-GP (2.6)
8. Liberty (2.4)
9. Easton (1.8)
10. Bethlehem Catholic (.04)

Other team(s) receiving more than one mention: Stroudsburg 

Bookmark and return to our page each week and check back after this weekend’s game to see if your favorite teams moved up or down in the minds and opinions of our pollsters!

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Astound Broadband or any other agency, organization, employer or company.

Last week, we unveiled the all new “Astounding 10’ high school football weekly poll for this fall season.

Our pollsters give their selections for who they believe are the top 10 performing football teams that you’ll see on the Astound TV Network this fall.

Each voter will select the top 10 teams – with the top team getting 10 points, 9 for the second best team, 8 for third and so forth.

One caveat – in order to balance the bigger and smaller schools in the region, each pollster MUST include at least three teams that are NOT a 6A-sized school.

It’s a brand new way to gauge the top teams in Eastern Pennsylvania this fall, and we invite you to check back each week throughout this football season to see which teams make our poll…and who’s listed where, as decided by our diverse group of voters.

One other unique aspect to our poll…the coaches and athletic directors’ names are never revealed so they can vote with their minds…and also avoid any potential “bulletin board” material, so each one can make selections without repercussions.

Throughout the years that we have done our poll, the coaches and athletic directors have always maintained very objective opinions.  If you look back through our archives, you’ll notice that our pollsters have been amazingly accurate and unbiased in their selections, and our polls’ top teams very often finish similarly in the same order as the “power points” system that District XI uses when compiling its standings and playoff positionings.

As far as which media members have a say?  They will identify themselves on our Thursday “SportsTalk” show, which, this fall, will be streamed live on YouTube every Thursday at 7pm, in addition to being broadcast on ATVN.

For week one (or “week zero” as some across the state refer to it) in which nearly every Lehigh Valley team plays someone from outside the area (and Freedom played a team from California), most teams had decided victories to kick off their seasons.

Two exceptions were Emmaus and Whitehall – both teams slipped up in their season opener and fell in our poll.  Both the Hornets and the Zephyrs have important “week two” matchups – both teams’ games will be featured on our Astound TV Network this Friday night.

So without any further delay, here’s week two of the “Astounding 10” … (the number in parenthesis is the average points received for each team, with ‘10’ being the maximum.)

1. Parkland (9.6)
2. Nazareth (7.6)
3. Freedom (7.2)
4. Emmaus (6.2)
5. Northampton (5.4)
6. Northwestern (4.8)
7. Becahi (3.2)
8. Notre Dame-Green Pond (2.8)
9. Central Catholic (1.4)
10. Whitehall (.06)

Other teams receiving more than one mention: So. Lehigh, Liberty

Bookmark and return to our page each week and check back after this weekend’s game to see if your favorite teams moved up or down in the minds of our pollsters!

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Astound Broadband or any other agency, organization, employer or company.

For several years now, I thought that we at Astound TV Sports had generated the most comprehensive high school football poll in our District XI/ATVN coverage area.

Each season, we are blessed to have a rotating panel of very knowledgeable Lehigh Valley football coaches, athletic directors and media members to give their opinion and vote for the top teams in the area.

But this year, we’re upping our game a bit!

For this fall, we unveil the “Astounding 10’ high school football weekly poll!

Our pollsters this fall will be giving their selections for who are the top 10 performing football teams that you’ll see on the Astound TV Network this fall.

Each voter will select the top 10 teams – with each team getting 10 points for the top team, 9 for the second best team, 8 for third and so forth.

One caveat – in order to balance the bigger and smaller schools in the region, each pollster MUST include at least three teams that are NOT a 6A-sized school.

It’s a brand new way to gauge the top teams in Eastern Pennsylvania this fall, and we invite you to check back each week throughout this football season to see which teams make our poll…and who’s listed where, as decided by our diverse group of voters.

One other unique aspect to our poll…the coaches and athletic directors’ names are never revealed so they can vote with their minds…and also avoid any potential “bulletin board” material, so each one can make selections without repercussions.

Throughout the years that we have done our poll, the coaches and athletic directors have always maintained very objective opinions.  If you look back through our archives, you’ll notice that our pollsters have been amazingly accurate and unbiased in their selections, and our polls’ top teams very often finish similarly in the same order as the “power points” system that District XI uses when compiling its standings and playoff positionings.

 As far as which media members have a say?  They will identify themselves on our Thursday “SportsTalk” show, which, this fall, will be streamed live on YouTube every Thursday at 7pm, in addition to being broadcast each week on ATVN.

 So without any further delay, here’s the grand unveiling of the new “Astound 10” for our preseason poll….(the number in parenthesis is the average points received for each team, with ‘10’ being the maximum.)

1. Parkland (9.6)
2. Nazareth (7.8)
3. Emmaus (6.8)
4. Freedom (6.6)
5. Northampton (5.4)
6. Northwestern (4.8)
7. Becahi (3.2)
8. Whitehall (2.8)
9. Central Catholic (1.6)
10. Notre Dame-Green Pond (.8)

Other teams receiving more than one mention: Easton, So. Lehigh

Our preseason polls show that while Parkland received a heavy majority of first place votes, there’s a tight race among many of the teams behind Trojans and should make for some interesting races for this year’s District XI playoffs.

Bookmark and return to our page each week and check back after this weekend’s game to see if your favorite teams moved up or down in the minds of our pollsters!

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Astound Broadband or any other agency, organization, employer or company.