By Chris Kucharski, NPF
We are the halfway point of the regular season and things are starting to come into focus. As always, some surprises and some disappointments. There will be more answers as we head towards the postseason.
LFC Division I
Delaware Valley scored a big win to be in the driver’s seat for the league title with their win over Scranton Prep. Valley View, Abington Heights and Scranton are also in the picture. There are going to be some important league games in the second half of the season.
Preseason Prediction
1.Delaware Valley
2.Scranton Prep
3.Scranton
4.Valley View
5.Abington Heights
6.North Pocono
7.Wallenpaupack
Midseason Prediction
1.Delaware Valley
2.Scranton Prep
3.Valley View
4.Abington Heights
5.Scranton
6.North Pocono
7.Wallenpaupack
Grades & MVPs
Grades are based in first half results and preseason expectations. MVPs are based on players most impactful to date.
Delaware Valley: B+
The 0-3 start wasn’t surprising but disappointing. Warriors still poised for big things this season.
Midseason MVP: RB/DB Ryder Machado
Scranton Prep: A-
Cavaliers were on fire but ran into DV. Still a heavy favorite to win the district but will need some help to get a share of the division.
Midseason MVP: WR/DB Tae Weeks
Valley View: A
Cougars had to replace a lot of offensive production and did so. The defense is very good. They have to prove they can do it against better competition.
Midseason MVP: DE/OL Robbie Nolan
Abington Heights: A
Could easily be 5-0 or could be 2-3. Lots of close games, but no doubt they are the best they have been in several seasons. Offense has carried them, and defense will determine their fate>
Midseason MVP: QB Nick Bradley
Scranton: B+
The Prep game is their hiccup. Not that they lost, but they didn’t show up. Still have to play four really good teams so there will be opportunities to impress.
Midseason MVP: QB/DB Billy Maloney
North Pocono: B-
So many close games but the opening loss to WVW taints their grade. Second half important for playoff positioning and a possible home game.
Midseason MVP: QB/DB Noah West
Wallenpaupack: B-
Two wins to start the season, but three straight losses since. The Abington loss helped their grade, but Wilkes-Barre and DV handled them. Buckhorns could pull an upset in second half.
Midseason MVP: RB Dylan Podrazil
LFC Division II
This division is wide open as it seems any team can beat any team on any given Friday. The head-to-head matchups should be interesting considering that fact. The recent powers are still the favorites, but don’t bet your house on them.
Preseason Prediction
1.Dunmore
2.Western Wayne
3.Honesdale
4.Lakeland
5.Mid Valley
6.West Scranton
Midseason Prediction
1.Dunmore
2.Western Wayne
3.Mid Valley
4.Honesdale
5.West Scranton
6.Lakeland
Grades & MVPs
Grades are based in first half results and preseason expectations. MVPs are based on players most impactful to date.
Dunmore: C+
The Bucks are still the favorite, but barely. The two biggest games of the season, they weren’t even in, and the offense has had issues. Dunmore can raise that grade a lot if they can find a way to get things going in the second half.
Midseason MVP: WR/DB Domenick Desando
Western Wayne: B+
Getting Sean Owens back is huge for both sides of the ball but brings some balance to the offense. Wildcats are a true smashmouth team which gives them a chance every week.
Midseason MVP: RB/DB Josh Vinton
Mid Valley: A
Their only loss came in the opener to a very talented Lackawanna Trail team. Since then, they have racked up four straight wins and looked good doing it.
Midseason MVP: QB/DB Jordan Chmielewski
Honesdale: B-
Tough schedule to start the season including playing two home games at neutral sites. There is some talent on the roster and the line has size. Will give some teams fits in the division.
Midseason MVP: QB/LB Aiden Collins
West Scranton: B-
The offense has been outstanding, but the defense has been a work-in-progress. If they can find a way to shore things up on that side of the ball, a couple of upsets are possible.
Midseason MVP: RB/LB Hunter Baumgardner
Lakeland: C
Yes, we knew it would be a rough start and yes, we said they would get better as the season goes on. But we haven’t seen much progress yet. Teams can only do so much to overcome the loss of talent.
Midseason MVP: RB/LB Chris Chmiola
LFC Division III
It’s basically a two-team race for the title although there are some feel-good stories in this division. The smaller schools still have roster problems which means injuries can doom you on any given week.
Preseason Prediction
1.Riverside
2.Lackawanna Trail
3.Old Forge
4.Susquehanna
5.Carbondale
6.Holy Cross
Midseason Prediction
1.Lackawanna Trail
2.Riverside
3.Old Forge
4.Susquehanna
5.Holy Cross
6.Carbondale
Grades & MVPs
Grades are based in first half results and preseason expectations. MVPs are based on players most impactful to date.
Lackawanna Trail: A+
Trail has beaten every opponent by at least three touchdowns and that includes Dunmore and Mid Valley. They have so many different offensive weapons and the line on both sides of the ball has been dominant. A state run is a strong possibility for the Lions.
Midseason MVP: FB/LB Hunter Patterson
Riverside: B+
Their two losses were a combined six points or they could easily be 5-0. They have their sights set on Trail to win the division and a Dunmore rematch to win the district.
Midseason MVP:WR/ATH/DB Reese Gaughan
Old Forge: B-
The Blue Devils are gritty and will give teams problems if they have enough healthy players on the field. The roster numbers are the lowest in years which most Class 1A teams experience and we saw what injuries did in the first half.
Midseason MVP: LB/TE Joe Granko
Susquehanna: A
Yes, the schedule was light to start the season and the Sabers beat the teams they were supposed to and lost to the two ranked teams they played. Winning three division games is possible and would be an accomplishment.
Midseason MVP: QB/DB William Marcy
Holy Cross: A
The Crusaders actually have a winning record at the halfway point after going winless in 2022. They are having fun over in Dunmore and that has encouraged some players to join the team to give them some much-needed depth.
Midseason MVP: RB/LB Aiden Wudarski
Carbondale: C+
The Chargers have one of the youngest rosters in the LFC and will continue to play those younger players to help with the future. The defense has been stingy at times, but the offense lacks playmakers at this time.
Midseason MVP: FB/LB Ethen Brewen
