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 13
Must-see: Four Footballs Rating
No. 3 Wyoming Area Warriors (11-1) at No. 1 Scranton Prep Cavaliers (11-1)
Dunmore Veterans Memorial Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
District 2 Class 3A Final
Series: Scranton Prep 9-2
Last Meeting: 2021 – Scranton Prep 28-0
Last Week: Wyoming Area 35, Western Wayne 34 (2 OT); Scranton Prep 40, Mid Valley 21
Players To Watch
Wyoming Area: RB Lidge Kellum; Scranton Prep: QB Louis Paris
The Skinny: The best team in the WVC vs. the best team in the LFC. Wyoming Area survived a double overtime win last week and avenged their only loss of the season. Prep hasn’t lost to anyone from the state of Pennsylvania. Both team prefer to run the football so we will use the old cliche that this one will be decided in the trenches. Last time they met was for a district title so no surprise either team is here.
Key Matchups: Wyoming Area defensive line vs. Scranton Prep run game
Favorite: Scranton Prep by 10
State Playoffs: Winner plays either Northwestern Lehigh or Conwell-Egan
Pope John Paul II Golden Panthers (11-1) at Valley View Cougars (11-1)
John Henzes Veterans Memorial Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
PIAA Class 4A First Round
Series: First Meeting
Last Week: Pope John Paul 49, Springfield-Montco 7; Valley View 41, Dallas 14
Players To Watch
Pope John Paul: WR Braden Reed; Valley View: CB Nick Kucharski
The Skinny: The Cougars have not won a state playoff game since 1992. Pope John Paul II is ranked second in the state rankings in Class 4A. The Golden Panthers will be short two starters because of transfer rules. However, they still have plenty of talent including two Division I caliber players. Valley View will continue to try to pound the opposing defense with the three-headed monster (Cwalinski, Reed, Kucharski) with the run and if they are in this game in the fourth quarter, they will have a chance to break the state playoff losing streak.
Key Matchups: PJP passing game vs. Valley View secondary
Favorite: Pope John Paul by 6
State Playoffs: Winner plays either Bonner-Prendie or West Philadelphia
Muncy Indians (10-2) vs. Lackawanna Trail Lions (11-1)
Scranton Veterans Memorial Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
PIAA Class 1A First Round
Series: Lackawanna Trail 1-0
Last Meeting: 2019 – Lackawanna Trail 26-13
Last Week: Muncy 42, Line Mountain 6; Lackawanna Trail 42, Tri-Valley 0
Players To Watch
Muncy: RB Austin Johnson; Lackawanna Trail: DB Max Kimmel
The Skinny: In their only meeting, these two teams met in the state playoffs in 2019 with the Lions prevailing. Both teams want to run the football so expect a grind-it-out mentality throughout the evening, Trail is on a mission to get back to the state title game and have the weapons to do it. But don’t count out the Indians whose two losses were by a combined 8 points.
Key Matchup: Muncy defensive line vs. Lackawanna Trail run game
Favorite: Lackawanna Trail by 14
State Playoffs: Winner plays either Belmont Charter or Delone Catholic
Lansdale Catholic Crusaders (8-4) vs. Riverside Vikings (11-1)
Spartans Stadium – Mid Valley HS (Turf), Friday 7pm
PIAA Class 2A First Round
Series: First Meeting
Last Week: Lansdale Catholic 35, Bristol 17; Riverside 24, Dunmore 6
Players To Watch
Lansdale Catholic: QB Yeboa Cobbold Jr.; Riverside: LB Quinn Pucilowski
The Skinny: Both these teams have talented quarterbacks so expect both to have a big role in this game. The Crusaders have speed and athleticism while the Vikings would like to use their size and strength to control the game. The monkey is off Riverside’s back with last week’s win so expect them to enjoy this experience with a good chance to win.
Key Matchups: Lansdale Catholic passing game vs. Riverside pass rush
Favorite: Riverside by 1
State Playoffs: Winner plays either Schuylkill Haven or Williams Valley
Abington Heights Comets (8-4) vs. Hollidaysburg Golden Tigers (12-0)
Milton Alumni Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm
PIAA Class 5A First Round
Series: First Meeting
Last Week: Abington Heights 20, Delaware Valley 14; Hollidaysburg 28, DuBois 23
Players To Watch
Abington Heights: WR Shaun Theodore; Hollidaysburg: QB Maddox Bainey
The Skinny: On paper, this looks like a shootout with both teams having outstanding passing offenses and quarterbacks. However, the status of Comets QB Nick Bradley is up in the air after leaving the district title game in the first half with an injury. If he can play, even if he isn’t 100%, Abington has a chance. If not, the Comets defense will have to keep them in the game.
Key Matchups: Abington secondary vs. Hollidaysburg passing game
Favorite: Hollidaysburg by 8
State Playoffs: Winner plays either East Stroudsburg South or Roman Catholic
