Every week, we will give you a capsule preview of every game involving WVC and LFC teams presented by Dickson City Hyundai.
WEEK 12
Abington Heights Comets (7-4) at Delaware Valley Warriors (8-3)
Warrior Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
District 2 Class 5A Final
Series: Delaware Valley 14-12
Last Meeting: 2023 – Delaware Valley 42-7
Last Week: Abington Heights 14, Scranton 6; Delaware Valley 42, Pittston Area 7
Players To Watch
Abington Heights: QB Nick Bradley; Delaware Valley: LB Justin Kalitsnik
The Skinny: The Warriors are trying to win their eighth straight district title while Abington Heights is trying to win their first district title since 2016. Delaware Valley has won eight straight games includng a dominating win over the Comets in the regular season finale. Abington is without their top receiver Mason Fedor and will have to rely on their defense to keep this game close. DV has a strong senior class that makes them a heavy favorite.
Key Matchup: Abington defensive line vs. Delaware Valley run game
Favorite: Delaware Valley by 21
Looking ahead: Winner plays District 11 winner Southern Lehigh or Whitehall
Wyoming Area Warriors (10-1) at Valley View Cougars (9-2)
John Henzes Veterans Memorial Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
District 2 Class 4A Semifinal
Series: Valley View 7-4
Last Meeting: 2009 – Wyoming Area 21-20
Last Week: Wyoming Area 31, North Pocono 19; Valley View 12, Berwick 7
Players To Watch
Wyoming Area: DL Josh Mruk; Valley View: RB Camryn Higgins
The Skinny: These are two of the most successful programs in District 2 over the last decade. Wyoming Area won a state title in 2019 while Valley View has made it to the district champiosnhip game 5 of the past 6 years (the only year they didn’t was the Covid season) and has won three titles in that span. Both teams rely on their running backs to generate their offense so the team that has the best defensive day will probably win this game.
Key Matchup: Wyoming Area running game vs. Valley View linebackers
Favorite: Valley View by 3
Looking ahead: Winner plays Dallas or Nanticoke
Nanticoke Trojans (7-4) at Dallas Mountaineers (11-0)
Mountaineer Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm
District 2 Class 4A Semifinal
Series: Dallas 22-16-2
Last Meeting: 2019 – Dallas 62-7
Last Week: Nanticoke 28, Crestwood 21 (2 OT); Dallas 43, Wallenpaupack 11
Players To Watch
Nanticoke: DL Jaidyn Johnson; Dallas: WR Zach Paczewski
The Skinny: Last week’s overtime victory was probably the best win for the Nanticoke program in decades. Now, they face a taller task taking on unbeaten Dallas. The Mounts are trying to win a district title for the first time since 2019 and are the No. 1 seed. The Trojans have a size advantage up front and will have to win the line of scrimmage to score points. And they will need them as the Dallas offense has been pretty unstoppable most of the season.
Key Matchup: Nanticoke secondary vs. Dallas receivers
Favorite: Dallas by 20
Looking ahead: Winner plays Valley View or Wyoming Area
Western Wayne Wildcats (8-3) at Scranton Prep Cavaliers (10-1)
Dunmore Veterans Memorial Stadium (Turf), Saturday 1pm
District 2 Class 3A Final
Series: Scranton Prep 23-0
Last Meeting: 2022 – Scranton Prep 28-14
Last Week: Western Wayne 21, Lake-Lehman 16; Scranton Prep 54, Hanover Area 0
Players To Watch
Western Wayne: QB Frankie Leyshon; Scranton Prep: WR Liam Barrett
The Skinny: The Cavaliers scored five touchdowns on the first six offensive plays last Saturday and have dominated the competition all season with the exception of two games. The Wildcats gave Prep everything they could handle in last year’s title game, but this year’s version is banged up and some key players might be questionable to play. It would take a monumental effort by Western Wayne to pull the upset.
Key Matchup: Western Wayne linebackers vs. Scranton Prep run game
Favorite: Scranton Prep by 27
Looking ahead: Winner plays District 1 winner Neumann-Goretti
Riverside Vikings (8-3) at Dunmore Bucks (9-2)
Dunmore Veterans Memorial Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm
District 2 Class 2A Final – Media: NEPAFootball.com
Series: Dunmore 60-19-2
Last Meeting: 2023 – Dunmore 20-16
Last Week: Riverside 28, Mid Valley 6; Dunmore 49, Susquehanna 22
Players To Watch
Riverside: WR Reese Gaughan; Dunmore: QB Thomas Bowen
The Skinny: This might be the best game of the weekend with two teams very familiar with each other and Dunmore winning the regular season matchup by one score. The Vikings played the second half of that game without their quarterback and their best defensive player didn’t play that game. Since Week 4, the Bucks have found their offense running a version of the Wing-T while also finding a playmaker in Daniel Pigga who is capable of hurting teams in the run and pass games.
Key Matchup: Riverside linebackers vs. Dunmore offensive line
Favorite: Dunmore by 6
Looking ahead: Winner plays District 11 winner Schuylkill Haven or Williams Valley
Lackawanna Trail Lions (11-0) at Morrisville Bulddogs (6-5)
Bristol HS Stadium (Grass), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
District 1/2 Class 1A Subregional
Series: Lackawanna Trail 1-0
Last Meeting: 2019 – Lackawanna Trail 54-20
Last Week: Lackawanna Trail 40, Old Forge 0; Morrisville 20, Jenkintown 0
Players To Watch
Lackawanna Trail: QB Stephen Jervis; Morrisville: RB Raymond Holman
The Skinny: District 2 teams have had their way in this subregional over the years and the Lions already have a playoff win over the Bulldogs back in 2019. Trail is playing their best football right now and should take care of business, especially with the way their offensive line has dominated most opponents.
Key Matchup: Lackawanna Trail run game vs. Morrisville defensive line
Favorite: Lackawanna Trail by 21
Looking ahead: Winner plays District 11 winner Minersville or Marian Catholic
