Every week, we will give you a capsule preview of every game involving WVC and LFC teams presented by Dickson City Hyundai. The games will be listed based on how competitive they are, rivalry impact and storylines. So, if you are looking for a game to go watch, this guide will help you each week.
Matchup Scale
Must-see: Four Footballs Rating
Great: Three Footballs Rating
Good: Two Footballs Rating
Fair: One Football Rating
WEEK 4
Scranton Prep Cavaliers (3-0) at Scranton Knights (3-0)
Scranton Memorial Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
LFC Division I
Series: Tied 9-9
Last Meeting: 2022 – Scranton 21-9
Last Week: Scranton Prep 49, Lake-Lehman 6; Scranton 43, West Scranton 25
Players to Watch
Scranton Prep: QB Louis Paris; Scranton: QB Billy Maloney
The Skinny: We get No. 1 vs. No. 1. Both teams enter the game unbeaten and start league play with a doozy. The Knights shocked the Cavaliers last season, but won’t be able to sneak up on them this time. Great quarterback matchup in this game and the defenses are also two of the best in the area.
Key Matchup: Scranton’s secondary vs. Prep’s playmakers
Favorite: Scranton Prep by 7
Valley View Cougars (3-0) at North Pocono Trojans (2-1)
NP Sports Complex (Turf), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
LFC Division I
Series: Valley View 33-16
Last Meeting: 2022 – Valley View 33-13
Last Week: Valley View 40, Honesdale 13; North Pocono 23, Hazleton 20
Players To Watch
Valley View: WR Dom Memo; North Pocono: RB Kevin Wickizer
The Skinny: Valley View will head into league play unbeaten and North Pocono should probably be the same if they didn’t trip up Week 1. Both these teams play good defense. The Cougars offense has looked better each week with new skill players from last year’s league championship team. The Trojans still only have five touchdowns in three games.
Favorite: Valley View by 8
Dunmore Bucks (2-1) at Riverside Vikings (2-1)
Riverside Veterans Memorial Stadium (Grass), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
LFC Division Crossover
Series: Dunmore 59-19-2
Last Meeting: 2022 – Dunmore 17-14
Last Week: Dunmore 35, Susquehanna 12; Riverside 45, Lakeland 0
Players To Watch
Dunmore: WR Domenick DeSando; Riverside: WR Brayden Rose
The Skinny: The Bucks beat the Vikings twice last season including a three point win in the district playoffs. Riverside passed the first test without QB Chase Taddonio. No doubt the Vikings can make a statement with a win at home. Dunmore knows that this could be a prelude to a district playoff game again.
Key Matchup: Riverside’s Reese Gaughan vs. Dunmore linebackers
Favorite: Dunmore by 6
Western Wayne Wildcats (2-1) at Abington Heights Comets (2-1)
The Pit (Grass), Saturday 1pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
LFC Division Crossover
Series: Western Wayne 1-0
Last Meeting: 2022 – Western Wayne 28-21
Last Week: Western Wayne 42, Old Forge 7; Abington Heights 47, Berwick 21
Players To Watch
Western Wayne: WR Sean Owens; Abington Heights: DB Kevin Schmidt
The Skinny: These two teams are very different. Wildcats want to pound the football while the Comets want to throw the ball all over the place. Abington has allowed teams to run on them and that’s going to have to stop before league play. Sean Owens back in the secondary for Western Wayne should help.
Key Matchup: Western Wayne run game vs. Abington defensive line
Favorite: Abington Heights by 3
Wyoming Valley West Spartans (1-2) at Crestwood Comets (0-3)
Crestwood Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm
WVC Division 1
Series: Wyoming Valley West 11-4
Last Meeting: 2022 – Crestwood 49-21
Last Week: Pittston Area 20, Wyoming Valley West 13; Wyoming Area 29, Crestwood 22
Players To Watch
Valley West: QB Lucas Zdancewicz; Crestwood: RB Jamie Barrett
The Skinny: The Spartans opened up the season with a win but have struggled since then, especially on offense. The Comets have lost three one-score games to three ranked opponents. Plus they have been missing some key two-way players. They need a win to get on track.
Key Matchup: Crestwood linebackers vs. Valley West running game
Favorite: Crestwood by 13
Wilkes-Barre Wolfpack (1-2) at Hazleton Area Cougars (1-2)
Harman-Geist Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm
WVC Division 1
Series: Tied 2-2
Last Meeting: 2022 – Hazleton 20-7
Last Week: Wilkes-Barre 27, Wallenpaupack 10; North Pocono 23, Hazleton 20
Players to Watch
Wilkes-Barre: WR Treyvon Gembitski; Hazleton Area: WR Carlos Gonzalez
The Skinny: The Wolpack finally got in the win column last week with a quality road victory. They have playmakers and should be able to put up points most weeks. Their challenge is up front. The Cougars had a 1st and goal to win the game last week and could’t score the game-winner. Their offense has improved every week, but it still has only produced one win.
Key Matchup: Hazleton Area passing game vs. Wilkes-Barre secondary
Favorite: Wilkes-Barre by 10
Mid Valley Spartans (2-1) at Old Forge Blue Devils (1-2)
Old Forge Veterans Memorial Stadium (Grass), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
LFC Division Crossover
Series: Old Forge 26-14-1
Last Meeting: 2022 – Old Forge 33-7
Last Week: Mid Valley 51, Holy Cross 0; Western Wayne 42, Old Forge 7
Players To Watch
Mid Valley: TE Jake Bondy; Old Forge: RB Chris Rasmus
The Skinny: The Spartans got to play everyone last week in a mercy rule win. Now, they take on one of the best small school programs in the area. The Devils are down this year and have not been healthy. But don’t ever sell the Old Forge kids short. They play hard every week no matter who is on the field.
Key Matchup: Old Forge defensive line vs. Mid Valley run game
Favorite: Mid Valley by 4
Wallenpaupack Buckhorns (2-1) at Delaware Valley Warriors (0-3)
Warrior Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
LFC Division I
Series: Delaware Valley 19-10
Last Meeting: 2022 – Delaware Valley 42-10
Last Week: Wilkes-Barre 27, Wallenpaupack 10; Downingtown East 36, Delaware Valley 6
Players To Watch
Wallenpaupack: FB Aiden Pierson; Delaware Valley: DL Carter Faubel
The Skinny: The Buckhorns had a chance to run their record 3-0 but the offense could only muster one TD last Friday. DV is 0-3 again, but don’t be fooled. Their schedule was loaded with heavyweights from outside the district. This is a rivalry game and usually competitive. But don’t be surprised if the Warriors take out their frustrations on Paupack.
Key Matchup: Delaware Valley defensive line vs. Wallenpaupack offensive line
Favorite: Delaware Valley by 17
Hanover Area Hawkeyes (1-2) at Pittston Area Patriots (1-2)
Charley Trippi Stadium (Grass), Friday 7pm
WVC Division 2
Series: Pittston Area 11-6
Last Meeting: 2022 – Pittston Area 40-12
Last Week: Carbondale 14, Hanover 6; Pittston Area 20, Valley West 13
Players To Watch
Hanover Area: WR Deacon Eisenbach; Pittston Area: RB Xzavyier Blackshear
The Skinny: The Hawkeyes will be without coach Jason Majiros who took a leave to tend to his health. After an offensive barrage in Week 1, the Hanover offense has struggled. Pittston came into 2023 young and inexperienced. But you can see the progress since the preseason and that should help the get some wins this season.
Key Matchup: Pittston linebackers vs. Hanover run game
Favorite: Pittston Area by 12
Nanticoke Trojans (1-2) at Wyoming Area Warriors (3-0)
Jake Sopbeski Stadium (Grass), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
WVC Division 2
Series: Wyoming Area 37-7-1
Last Meeting: 2022 – Wyoming Area 26-13
Last Week: Lackawanna Trail 40, Nanticoke 13; Wyoming Area 29, Crestwood 22
Players To Watch
Nanticoke: RB Mychal Julian; Wyoming Area: RB Lidge Kellum
The Skinny: The Warriors are rolling and look good on both sides of the ball. Nanticoke has struggled without QB Payton Kepp. The Trojans defense also has been disappointing. Going to be hard for Nanticoke to hang with Wyoming Area on the road.
Key Matchup: Wyoming Area run defense vs. Nanticoke running backs
Favorite: Wyoming Area by 20
Lake-Lehman Black Knights (0-3) at Holy Redeemer Royals (0-3)
Spartan Stadium (Turf), Saturday 1pm
WVC Division 2
Series: Lake-Lehman 16-0
Last Meeting: 2022 – Lake-Lehman 22-20
Last Week: Scranton Prep 49, Lake-Lehman 6; Tunkhannock 35, Holy Redeemer 0
Players To Watch
Lake-Lehman: RB Sammuel Plummer; Holy Redeemer: RB Ryan Garvin
The Skinny: Somebody will get their first win of the season and that’s leaning towards the Knights. Redeemer has -86 rushing yards in three games and lot of that is due to the fact they can’t protect the QB. Lake-Lehman is young so this could be a good game for them to mature a little.
Key Matchup: Redeemer offensive line vs. Lehman pass rush
Favorite: Lake-Lehman by 28
Lakeland Chiefs (1-2) at Susquehanna Sabers (2-1)
William Emminger Stadium (Grass), Saturday 1pm
LFC Division Crossover
Series: Lakeland 22-4
Last Meeting: 2022 – Lakeland 63-7
Last Week: Riverside 45, Lakeland 0; Dunmore 35, Susquehanna 12
Players To Watch
Lakeland:WR Chase Rosencrans; Susquehanna: RB Nathan Oropallo
The Skinny: Lakeland is feeling plenty of payback from the beatings they have laid on teams the past two seasons. The youth and inexperience is noticeable, but you have to think they will get back on track eventually. Susquehanna had a chance last week to make a statement but were totally outmatched. However, this could be a big win for the Sabers on Friday even if the Chiefs are down.
Key Matchup: Susquehanna offensive line vs. Lakeland run defense
Favorite: Susquehanna by 10
Tunkhannock Tigers (2-1) at Carbondale Area Chargers (1-2)
Cerra Sports Complex (Grass), Friday 7pm
Conference Crossover
Series: Carbondale 3-2-1
Last Meeting: 2022 – Carbondale Area 29-22
Last Week: Tunkhannock 35, Holy Redeemer 0; Carbondale 14, Hanover Area 6
Players To Watch
Tunkhannock: WR Randall Paxton; Carbondale: RB Anthony Prince
The Skinny: New head coach Pat Keating has already doubled the win total from last year and they have a chance to make it three straight. The Tigers were a spread offense under the old coaching regime, but they are more of a power running team now and it has worked early in the season. Carbondale’s defense has been respectable and if they find some playmakers, they will compete in league play.
Key Matchup: Carbondale linebackers vs. Tunkhannock offensive line
Favorite: Carbondale by 2
Honesdale Hornets (0-3) at Lackawanna Trail Lions (3-0)
Lions Pride Stadium (Grass), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
LFC Division Crossover
Series: Tied 14-14-2
Last Meeting: 2022 – Honesdale 14-12
Last Week: Valley View 40, Honesdale 13; Lackawanna Trail 40, Nanticoke 13
Players To Watch
Honesdale: RB Gabe Duda; Lackawanna Trail: LB Hunter Patterson;
The Skinny: The Hornets have had a tough schedule to start the season losing games to teams that are a combined 8-1. The offense has potential, but the opponents don’t get any easier. Trail has cruised in all three games and has one of the most dynamic offenses in the LFC.
Favorite: Lackawanna Trail by 13
West Scranton Invaders (0-3) at Dallas Mountaineers (3-0)
Mountaineer Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
Conference Crossover
Series: Tied 3-3
Last Meeting: 2022 – Dallas 42-13
Last Week: Scranton 43, West Scranton 25; Dallas 28, Williamsport 20
Players To Watch
West Scranton: WR Amir Robinson; Dallas: TE Nick Farrell
The Skinny: The Invaders have definitely progressed on offense and have playmakers capable of splash plays, but the defense will have more issues again this week. Dallas had been rolling on offense, but had some issues in the second half last week and ened up with a season-low 241 total yards. The defense also needs to get better for the Mounts.
Key Matchup: Dallas secondary vs. West Scranton speedy wide receivers
Favorite: Dallas by 20
Holy Cross Crusaders (1-2) at Montrose Meteors (0-1)
Bennett-Mullen Field (Grass), Friday 7pm
Conference Crossover Game
Series: Montrose 9-4
Last Meeting: 2022 – Motrose 28-14
Last Week: Mid Valley 51, Holy Cross 0; Montrose off
Players To Watch
Holy Cross: FB Leland Wudarski; Montrose: QB Hudson Aukema
The Skinny: Holy Cross has a chance to get another win if they are healthy enough. The Crusaders depth has always been an issue and when they are get players hurt, they aren’t compeititive. The Meteors are looking for a victory at home.
Key Matchup: Montrose defensive line vs. Holy Cross RB Aiden Wudarski
Favorite: Holy Cross by 6
Berwick Bulldogs (0-3) at Williamsport Millionaires (1-2)
STA Stadium (Turf), Friday, 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
WVC Division 1
Series: Berwick 26-10
Last Meeting: 2022 – Berwick 34-10
Last Week: Abington Heights 47, Berwick 21; Dallas 28, Williamsport 20
Players to Watch
Berwick: WR Billy Hanson; Williamsport: WR Kyreek Bradshaw
The Skinny: Berwick has looked better on offense the past two weeks, but the defense hasn’t been good. Williamsport rallied last week to come up short in the 4th quarter. The Millionaires might have the most lethal passing game in the WVC with multiple options to catch the fooball.
Key Matchup: Williamsport RB Nasir Hennigan vs. Berwick linebackers
Favorite: Williamsport by 7
