Every week, we will give you a capsule preview of every game involving WVC and LFC teams presented by Dickson City Hyundai.
WEEK 13
Valley View Cougars (10-2) at Dallas Mountaineers (12-0)
Mountaineer Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm
District 2 Class 4A Final – Media: NEPAFootball.com
Series: Valley View 6-3
Last Meeting: 2022 – Valley View 31-14
Last Week: Valley View 20, Wyoming Area 0; Dallas 48, Nanticoke 22
Players To Watch
Valley View: QB Dom Memo; Dallas: RB Dylan Geskey
The Skinny: These two have become familiar foes in the playoffs over the past decade. This will be the fourth time they play for the district title since 2011. No doubt these are two of the most stable and consistent programs in District 2 and this game should be one of the best of the week in the toughest classification.
Key Matchup: Valley View secondary vs. Dallas passing game
Favorite: Dallas by 4
Looking ahead: Winner plays the winner of Bonner-Prendie/Pope John Paul II
Whitehall Zephyrs (8-4) at Delaware Valley Warriors (9-3)
Warrior Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
PIAA Class 5A First Round
Series: Tied 1-1
Last Meeting: 2022 – Whitehall 34-12
Last Week: Delaware Valley 55, Abington Heights 16; Whitehall 45, Southern Lehigh 34
Players To Watch
Whitehall: QB Chris Fritts; Delaware Valley: RB Ryder Machado
The Skinny: Delaware Valley has won state playoff games and is riding a nine-game winning streak. The Warriors lost to the Zephyrs at Whitehall in this round last season, but will be the favorite at home this time around. The DV senior class is a good one and the Warriors will be a prominent foe against everyone moving forward.
Key Matchup: Whitehall passing game vs. Delaware Valley secondary
Favorite: Delaware Valley by 7
Looking ahead: Winner plays the winner of Imhotep Charter/Roman Catholic
Scranton Prep Cavaliers (11-1) vs. Neumann-Goretti Saints (10-1)
Northern Lehigh Bulldogs Stadium (Turf), Saturday 1pm
PIAA Class 3A First Round
Series: Neumann-Goretti 1-0
Last Meeting: 2022 – Neumann-Goretti 22-14
Last Week: Neumann-Goretti 1, Kipp-DuBois 0; Scranton Prep 45, Western Wayne 14
Players To Watch
Scranton Prep: QB Louis Paris; Neumann-Goretti: QB Mekhi Wharton;
The Skinny: The Cavaliers almost pulled the upset last year against the Saints. This Prep team has speed which is what you need when you play Philadelphia teams. Neumann-Goretti is the favorite as the Cavs need to travel to the Saints backyard, but this is defintely a winnable game for Scranton Prep.
Key Matchup: Scranton Prep secondary vs. Neumann-Goretti receivers
Favorite: Neumann-Goretti by 7
Looking ahead: Winner plays the winner of Northwestern Lehigh/Palmerton
Dunmore Bucks (10-2) vs. Williams Valley Vikings (10-2)
Rotary Field (Schuylkill Haven HS) (Turf) – Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
PIAA Class 2A First Round
Series: First Meeting
Last Week: Dunmore 13, Riverside 7; Williams Valley 49, Schuylkill Haven 35
Players To Watch
Dunmore: RB Daniel Pigga; Williams Valley: RB Alex Achenbach
The Skinny: Both these teams want to run the ball. So, the game could be a quick one. Both teams also have a playoff pedigree although Vikings were a Class 1A team in the past. The Bucks have played their best football the second half of the season and this could propel another state playoff run.
Key Matchup: Dunmore defensive line vs. Williams Valley run game
Favorite: Williams Valley by 3
Looking ahead: Winner plays the winner of West Catholic/Camp Hill
Lackawanna Trail Lions (12-0) vs. Minersville Battlin’ Miners (10-2)
Blue Moutain Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
PIAA Class 1A First Round
Series: Tied 1-1
Last Meeting: 2003 – Lackawanna Trail 35-7
Last Week: Lackawanna Trail 47, Morrisville 6; Minersville 28, Marian Catholic 12
Players To Watch
Lackawanna Trail: RB Lukas Gumble; Minersville: RB Luke Stevenosky
The Skinny: The Lions need to take care of business to get to the next step which would most likely be the No. 1 team in the state. Minersville is a solid team with a good running game, but will have problems matching Trail up front.
Key Matchup: Trail run defense vs. Minersville offensive line
Favorite: Lackawanna Trail by 10
Looking ahead: Winner plays the winner of Steelton-Highspire/Northern Bedford
