Here are the rankings after Week 12 powered by Gaughan Auto Store:
BIG SCHOOL
- Delaware Valley Warriors (9-3), defeated Abington Heights 55-16 (Last week: 1)
That’s another District 2 title for the Warriors and nine straight wins in 2023. They are done with District 2 opponents and will play a District 11 team. They are 0-3 outside District 2 this season, but will be the favorite on Friday as they get a home game. DV lost to the Zephyrs in the same round last season, but this is a different Delaware Valley team.
Next up: vs. Whitehall (8-4) (Listen on NPF) – Friday - Dallas Mountaineers (12-0), defeated Nanticoke 48-22 (Last week: 2)
The Mountaineers remain one of two unbeaten teams from District 2 and will host the district final for the first time since 2019. This will be the fifth time these two teams meet for the district title and also a rematch of a semifinal game from 2022. Dallas wants to prove the naysayers wrong and a win Friday will do just that.
Next up: vs. Valley View (10-2) (Listen on NPF) – Friday - Valley View Cougars (10-2), defeated Wyoming Area 20-0 (Last week: 4)
The Cougars played their best game of the season and was dominant physically on both sides of the ball. The defense has only given up 7 points in two playoff games and has been the strength of the team. Valley View also made a quarterback change last Friday that paid off with efficient play at the position.
Next up: at Dallas (12-0) (Listen on NPF) – Friday - Wyoming Area Warriors (10-2), lost to Valley View 20-0 (Last week: 3)
It was a tough way for the Warriors to end the season. With Aaron Crossley not 100%, Wyoming Area struggled offensively and although the defense played well, it wasn’t enough. The Warriors will head back to Class 3A next season.
Next up: Season Complete - Abington Heights Comets (7-5), lost to Delaware Valley 55-16 (Last week: 5)
Unfortuately for Abington, they had to deal with the best team in the area in their classification. Outside of those two blowouts, the Comets had somewhat of a resurgence and hope that carries over the 2024.
Next up: Season Complete - Wilkes-Barre Wolfpack (6-5) (Last week: 6)
Next up: Season Complete
SMALL SCHOOL
- Lackawanna Trail Lions (12-0), defeated Morrisville 47-6 (Last week: 1)
Trail continued District 2’s easy wins over the Class 1A Philly schools. They will now face Minersville who loves to run the football just like the Lions. If they can get a win there, it could set up a showdown with the No. 1 team in the state Steelton-Highspire.
Next up: vs. Minersville (10-2) (Listen on NPF) – Friday - Scranton Prep Cavaliers (11-1), defeated Western Wayne 45-14 (Last week: 2)
As expected, the Cavs swept through the Class 3A bracket. Now, they head to Philly to play a familiar opponent. Prep has a chance because of their team speed which is usually a characteristic of District 12 teams.
Next up: vs. Neumann-Goretti (10-1) – Saturday - Dunmore Bucks (10-2), defeated Riverside 13-7 (Last week: 3)
Dunmore sweated it out, but the defense did the job once again. They will now face a team that is a mirror image of a stereotypical Bucks offense. Williams Valley has a player that averages 238 rushing yards per game. The defense will have to continue their high-level play.
Next up: vs. Williams Valley (8-3) (Listen on NPF) – Friday - Western Wayne Wildcats (8-4), lost to Scranton Prep 45-14 (Last week: 4)
The Wildcats played hard, but were without their best offensive player although that might not have made much of a difference. A good overall season for Western Wayne who continues to be a winning program
Next up: Season Complete - Riverside Vikings (8-4), lost to Dunmore 13-7 (Last week: 5)
Riverside lost four games by one score this season, but as the old cliche goes, “close, but no cigar’. The defense showed up in big games, but surprisingly the offense was limited in some of those close games.
Next up: Season Complete - Mid Valley Spartans (7-4), (Last week: 6)
Next up: Season Complete
