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.
WEEK 12
Must-see: Four Footballs Rating
No. 2 Dallas Mountaineers (8-3) at No. 1 Valley View Cougars (10-1)
John Henzes Veterans Memorial Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
District 2 Class 4A Final
Series: Valley View 6-4
Last Meeting: 2023 – Dallas 21-18
Last Week: Dallas 48, Honesdale 14; Valley View 21, Crestwood 14
Players To Watch
Dallas: QB Brady Zapoticky; Valley View: QB Zach Cwalinski
The Skinny: These teams have played against each other in the district title game five times with Dallas leading the series 3-2. They met last year in a game that ended up being decided by extra points. That win propelled Dallas to a state playoff run. This season, both teams come in with long winning streaks – Valley View 10 games, Dallas 8 games. Both these teams have shown outstanding offenses. So which team comes up with the most defensive top wins the game.
Key Matchups: Dallas passing game vs. Valley View secondary
Favorite: Valley View by 3
State Playoffs: Winner plays either Pope John Paul or Springfield-Montco
No. 3 Dunmore Bucks (5-6) at No. 1 Riverside Vikings (10-1)
Taylor Veterans Memorial Stadium (Grass), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
District 2 Class 2A Final
Series: Dunmore 61-20-2
Last Meeting: 2024 – Riverside 16-3
Last Week: Dunmore 49, Susquehanna 34; Riverside 36, Lakeland 7
Players To Watch
Dunmore: RB Izaiah Parker; Riverside: TE Richie Kostoff
The Skinny: The Week 1 meeting raised some eyebrows as an inexperienced Dunmore defense held Riverside to 16 points. The Bucks offense has improved and avenged one of their regular season losses in the semifinals last Saturday. The Vikings have more talent and are the clear favorite. But Dunmore is defending their title and one thing you always get from the Bucks is tough, hardnosed football
Key Matchups: Dunmore secondary vs. Riverside passing game
Favorite: Riverside by 10
State Playoffs: Winner plays either Bristol or Lansdale Catholic
No. 2 Delaware Valley Warriors (6-5) at No. 1 Abington Heights Comets (7-4)
Comets Stadium (Turf), Saturday 1pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
District 2 Class 5A Final
Series: Delaware Valley 16-12
Last Meeting: 2024 – Delaware Valley 35-28
Last Week: Delaware Valley 38, Pittston Area 15; Abington Heights 35, Wyoming Valley West 0
Players To Watch
Delaware Valley: QB Logan Olsommer; Abington Heights: QB Nick Bradley
The Skinny: The first meeting between these two teams was an instant classic. Like a heavyweight fight, they kept exchanging blows until the Warriors scored the game-winning touchdown with :16 seconds left. That will be in the Comets’ memory banks as they have a chance to avenge that loss as well as the last two District 2 title game losses. The good news for the fans is this game is Saturday afternoon at The Pit which has produced many great football memories over the past several decades.
Key Matchups: Delaware Valley run game vs. Abington linebackers
Favorite: Delaware Valley by 6
State Playoffs: Winner plays either DuBois or Hollidaysburg
No. 2 Tri-Valley Bulldogs (7-4) at No. 1 Lackawanna Trail Lions (10-1)
Lions Pride Stadium (Grass), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
District 2/11 Class 1A Subregional Final
Series: Lackawanna Trail 2-1
Last Meeting: 2018 – Lackawanna Trail 41-6
Last Week: Tri-Valley 27, Marian Catholic 0; Lackawanna Trail 47, Nativity 20
Players To Watch
Tri-Valley: RB Cole Gemberling; Lackawanna Trail: RB Isaac Ryon
The Skinny: The Lions disposed one of the District 11 teams and hope to repeat the feat at home this Friday. Trail has the pedigree and the recent history of going far in the state playoffs. If they take care of business, they will find themselves on another journey to try to win PIAA gold.
Key Matchup: Tri-Valley defensive line vs. Lackawanna Trail run game
Favorite: Lackawanna Trail by 13
State Playoffs: Winner plays either Muncy or Line Mountain
No. 3 Wyoming Area Warriors (10-1) at No. 2 Western Wayne Wildcats (10-1)
Sharkey-Rosetti Sports Complex (Turf), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
District 2 Class 3A Semifinal
Series: Western Wayne 2-1
Last Meeting: 2024 – Western Wayne 34-23
Last Week: Wyoming Area 49, Carbondale 0; Western Wayne 7, Berwick 0
Players To Watch
Wyoming Area: QB Anthony DeLucca; Western Wayne: RB Josh Vinton
The Skinny: This was one of the best football games of the regular season and Western Wayne came out on top. Flash to Week 12 where these two 10-1 teams will play again and once again it will be at the Varden Garden. The Warriors have been on a roll while the Wildcats have struggled on offense two of the last three weeks. Two great running backs are matched up in this game. They both carried the ball 29 times in the first meeting. Western Wayne’s Josh Vinton ran for 184 yards and Wyoming Area’s Lidge Kellum ran for 164.
Key Matchup: Wyoming Area offensive line vs. Western Wayne defensive line
Favorite: Western Wayne by 1
No. 4 Mid Valley Spartans (8-3) at No. 1 Scranton Prep Cavaliers (10-1)
Dunmore Veterans Memorial Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm
District 2 Class 3A Semifinal
Series: Scranton Prep 17-6-1
Last Meeting: 2024 – Scranton Prep 28-0
Last Week: Mid Valley 35, Lake-Lehman 18; Scranton Prep 41, Tunkhannock 0
Players To Watch
Mid Valley: RB Jakob Lesher; Scranton Prep: RB Treyvon Dickey
The Skinny: Scranton Prep shut out Mid Valley in the first meeting between the two teams in Week 8. The Cavaliers had 317 yards of total offense and were very balanced in their gameplan. This game was the first for Spartans RB Jakob Lesher returning from injury and there is no doubt he wasn’t 100 percent as he was held to 71 rushing yards. The key for Mid Valley to stay in this game is up front where Prep manhandled them the first time. If they can hold their own on both sides of the ball on the lines, they can give the Cavs a game.
Key Matchups: Mid Valley defensive line vs. Scranton Prep run game
Favorite: Scranton Prep by 17
No.2 Williamsport Millionaires (6-5) at No. 1 Wilkes-Barre Wolfpack (6-5)
Wilkes-Barre Area Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm
District 2/4 Class 6A Subregional Final
Series: Tied 3-3
Last Meeting: 2024 – Williamsport 34-20
Last Week: Williamsport 15, Hazleton 6; Wilkes-Barre 35, Scranton 7
Players To Watch
Williamsport: WR Kyreek Bradshaw; Wilkes-Barre: QB Jake Howe
The Skinny: Wilkes-Barre looked to be headed for a win in the Week 10 meeting between these teams. Then the Millionaires scored three unanswered touchdowns in the fourth quarter to win 34-20. The Wolfpack are as good as anybody during part of games, but seem to have some problems playing all four quarters. They will have to do that Friday to earn a title and a state playoff game.
Key Matchups: Williamsport secondary vs. Wilkes-Barre passing game
Favorite: Wilkes-Barre by 5
State Playoffs: Winner plays either State College or Erie McDowell
