2023 WVC Mid-Season Report

By Chris Kucharski, NPF

We are at 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.

WVC Division 1

Dallas was the favorite and continues to be the favorite heading into the second half of the season. Wilkes-Barre has the best chance to knock down the Mounts as they still have a head-to-head meeting coming. That could allow Crestwood to insert themselves in the conversation.

Preseason Prediction

1.Dallas
2.Crestwood
3.Williamsport
4.Wilkes-Barre
5.Berwick
6.Hazleton
7.Wyoming Valley West

Midseason Prediction

1.Dallas
2.Crestwood
3.Wilkes-Barre
4.Berwick
5.Williamsport
6.Hazleton
7.Wyoming Valley West

Grades & MVPs
Grades are based in first half results and preseason expectations. MVPs are based on players most impactful to date.

Dallas: A
After three one-score wins to start the season, the Mountaineers have been rolling and should continue that trend in the WVC. One big game against Wilkes-Barre that will probably decide the division. Dallas’ offense is averaging 40 points per game.
Midseason MVP: QB Brady Zapoticky

Crestwood: B
The Comets were fighting some early season injuries and lost three games by one score to three ranked opponents. This team will be right in the mix in the district and could sneak into the division race if they get some help.
Midseason MVP: QB Jaden Shedlock

Wilkes-Barre: B+
Some summer defections dampened the Wolfpack’s prospects, but they have gotten past that and now control their own destiny in the division. The passing game is very good, and the defense has improved after losing two games by one score to two ranked teams.

Midseason MVP: QB Jake Howe

Berwick: B-
The Bulldogs had one of the hardest schedules of the first half of the season and there are still some formidable opponents looming. But there are also some games they should win to help get them into the district playoffs.

Midseason MVP: RB/DB Tyler Winter

Williamsport: C-
This has to be the most disappointing team in the area considering the talent on the roster. They started 0-3 in the division which is also their last season in the WVC. Still time to get back into the Class 6A playoff hunt.

Midseason MVP: QB Caleb Williamson

Hazleton Area: C
This roster was ravaged by graduation, but the Week 5 loss to West Scranton was unexpected. Still some positives in what is a rebuilding year for the Cougars.

Midseason MVP: RB/LB Brady Mizenko

Wyoming Valley: C+
The good news is the losing streak ended quickly with a Week 1 win. The bad news is that has been followed up with four straight losses. The Spartans are better than a year ago, but this program shouldn’t be losing this many games.

Midseason MVP: RB/LB Isaiah Cobb

WVC Division 2

Wyoming Area was a heavy favorite, and it will be surprising if they are even challenged in the remaining division games. Their non-conference schedule with games against Scranton and Southern Columbia will show us their standing in the district. Nanticoke and Pittston will fight for second, but the bottom four will be struggling for wins unless they play each other head-to-head.

Preseason Prediction

1.Wyoming Area
2.Nanticoke
3.Pittston Area
4.Lake-Lehman
5.Tunkhannock
6.Hanover Area
7.Holy Redeemer

Midseason Prediction

1.Wyoming Area
2.Nanticoke
3.Pittston Area
4.Tunkhannock
5.Lake-Lehman
6.Hanover Area
7.Holy Redeemer

Grades & MVPs
Grades are based in first half results and preseason expectations. MVPs are based on players most impactful to date.

Wyoming Area: A
The Warriors got a win by a touchdown in their toughest first half game against Crestwood but have won everything else by at least three touchdowns. Wyoming Area is very intriguing this season and could make a district run.
Midseason MVP: RB/LB Aaron Crossley

Nanticoke: C+
This was supposed to be the year the Trojans took a step, but an early-season loss on the last play of the game to Old Forge took that momentum away. They played Wyoming Area tough but still lost by 3+ touchdowns. They should get some wins in the second half of the season to help their District 2 seeding.
Midseason MVP: RB Zack Fox

Pittston Area: B-
The Patriots only returned one starter on defense and two starters on offense and have a huge sophomore class. Youth and inexperience have been an issue although they do have two wins to their credit.
Midseason MVP: QB Drew DeLucca

Tunkhannock: A
The Tigers were the surprise of the first half and are the only team in the division besides Wyoming Area above .500. Part of that was a weak schedule, but new coach Pat Keating will take it.
Midseason MVP: RB Logan Ross

Lake-Lehman: C
Another team that is very young and offensively challenged. Injuries haven’t helped. Wins for the Black Knights will be hard to find in the second half of the season.
Midseason MVP: TE/DL Benjamin Dowling

Hanover Area: C-
The Hawkeyes are better than 2022 but are on the same path as last season with their opening win against Holy Cross. Still, they could win two more games in 2023 which would be an improvement.
Midseason MVP: RB Jaydon Skipalis

Holy Redeemer: D
The offense has trouble getting positive yards while the defense can’t stop anyone. This was expected after a record four wins last season that saw many of those contributors graduate.
Midseason MVP: QB Thomas Dugan

On Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 11:57:07 AM EDT, Chris Kucharski <chris@npfsports.com> wrote:

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 answer as we head towards the postseason.

WVC Division 1

Preseason Prediction

1.Dallas
2.Crestwood
3.Williamsport
4.Wilkes-Barre
5.Berwick
6.Hazleton
7.Wyoming Valley West

Midseason Prediction

1.Dallas
2.Crestwood
3.Wilkes-Barre
4.Berwick
5.Williamsport
6.Hazleton
7.Wyoming Valley West

Grades & MVPs
Grades are based in first half results and preseason expectations. MVPs are based on player most impactful to date.

Wilkes-Barre: B+
Some summer defections dampered the Wolfpack’s prospects, but they have gotten past that and now control their own destiny in the division. The passing game is very good and the defense has improved after losing two games by one score to two ranked teams.

Midseason MVP: QB Jake Howe

Berwick: B
The Bulldogs had one of the hardest schedules of the first half of the season and there are still some formidable opponents looming. But there are also some games they should win to help get them into the district playoffs.

Midseason MVP: RB/DB Tyler Winter

Williamsport: C-
This has to be the most disappointing team in the area considering the talent on the roster. The have started 0-3 in the division which is also their last season in the WVC. Still time to get back into the Class 6A playoff hunt.

Midseason MVP: QB Caleb Williamson

Hazleton Area: C
This roster was ravaged by graduation, but the Week 5 loss to West Scranton was unexpected. Still some positives in what is a rebuilding year for the Cougars.

Midseason MVP: RB/LB Brady Mizenko

Midseason MVP: RB/LB Isaiah Cobb

WVC Division 2

Wyoming Area was a heavy favorite and it will be surprising if they are even challenged in the remaining division games. Their non-conference schedule with games against Scranton and Southern Columbia will show us their standing in the district. Nanticoke and Pittston will fight for seconbd, but the bottom four will be struggling for wins unless they play each other head-to-head.

Preseason Prediction

1.Wyoming Area
2.Nanticoke
3.Pittston Area
4.Lake-Lehman
5.Tunkhannock
6.Hanover Area
7.Holy Redeemer

Midseason Prediction

1.Wyoming Area
2.Nanticoke
3.Pittston Area
4.Tunkhannock
5.Lake-Lehman
6.Hanover Area
7.Holy Redeemer

Grades & MVPs
Grades are based in first half results and preseason expectations. MVPs are based on player most impactful to date.

Wyoming Area: A
The Warriors got a win by a touchdown in their toughest first half game against Crestwood, but have won everything else by at least three touchdowns. Wyoming Area is very intriguing this season and could make a district run.
Midseason MVP: RB/LB Aaron Crossley

Nanticoke: C+
This was supposed to be the year the Trojans took a stop, but an early-season loss on the last play of the game to Old Forge took that momentum away. They played Wyoming Area tough but still lost by 3+ touchdowns. They should get some wins in the second half of the season to help their District 2 seeding.
Midseason MVP: RB Zack Fox

Pittston Area: B-
The :Patriots only returned one starter on defense and two starters on offense and have a hugh sophomore class. Youth and inexperience have been an issue although they do have two wins to their credit.
Midseason MVP: QB Drew DeLucca

Tunkhhanock: A
The Tigers were the surprise of the first half and are the only team in the division besides Wyoming Area above .500. Part of that was a weak schedule, but new coach Pat Keating will take it.
Midseason MVP: RB Logan Ross

Lake-Lehman: C
Another team that is very young and offensively challenged. Injuries haven’t helped. Wins for Black Knights will be hard to find in the second half of the season.
Midseason MVP: TE/DL Benjamin Dowling

Hanover Area: C-
The Hawkeyes are better than 2022, but are on the same path as last season with their opening win against Holy Cross. Still, they could win two more games in 2023 which would be an improvement.
Midseason MVP: RB Jaydon Skipalis

Holy Redeemer: D
The offense has trouble getting positive yards while the defense can’t stop anyone. This was expected after a record four wins last season thats saw many of those contributors graduate.
Midseason MVP: QB Thomas Dugan