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.
Matchup Scale
Must-see: Four Footballs Rating
Great: Three Footballs Rating
Good: Two Footballs Rating
Fair: One Football Rating
WEEK 3
Wyoming Area Warriors (2-0) at Western Wayne Wildcats (2-0)
Sharkey-Rosetti Sports Complex (Turf), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
Conference Crossover Game
Series: Tied 1-1
Last Meeting: 2011 Western Wayne 40-34
Last Week: Wyoming Area 49, Dallas 41; Western Wayne 28, Lackawanna Trail 7
Players To Watch
Wyoming Area: LB Matt Rutkoski; Western Wayne: QB John Pyatt
The Skinny: The schedule gauntlet continues for Wyoming Area as they face a ranked team for the third straight week. So far, they have come out unscathed with one score victories in both games. Both teams will want to run the football. The Warriors’s Lidge Kellum was over 300 yards last week while the Wildcats’ Josh Vinton was close to 200 last week. This is a key Class 3A matchup with the winner moving into the position to best challenge Prep.
Key Matchup: Wyoming Area offensive line vs. Western Wayne defensive line
Favorite: Wyoming Area by 2
Mid Valley Spartans (2-0) at Old Forge Blue Devils (2-0)
Old Forge Veterans Memorial Stadium (Grass), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
LFC Division Crossover Game
Series: Old Forge 26-15-1
Last Meeting: 2023 Mid Valley 41-14
Last Week: Mid Valley 28, Berwick 7; Old Forge 46, Dunmore 43 (OT)
Players To Watch
Mid Valley: QB Brett Yanoski; Old Forge: QB T.J. DiMattia
The Skinny: Defense? Who needs defense? The Blue Devils have given up 70 points in two games, but have scored 74. That makes them 2-0. The Spartans actually have played some defense allowing only 7 points this season. Mid Valley relies on Jakob Lesher and the line on offense while the Blue Devils have multiple weapons in both the running and passing game.
Key Matchup: Mid Valley secondary vs. Old Forge wide receivers
Favorite: Mid Valley by 5
Abington Heights Comets (1-1) at Dallas Mountaineers (0-2)
Mountaineer Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
Conference Crossover Game
Series: Tied 3-3
Last Meeting: 2023 Dallas 31-28
Last Week: Abington Heights 42, West Scranton 0; Wyoming Area 49, Dallas 41
Players to Watch
Abington Heights: RB Dominic Vergnetti; Dallas: WR Logan Geskey
The Skinny: The Comets found a running game on Saturday which is something that has been lacking in recent years. They better try to use it on Friday as they face a Mountaineers defense that gave up 368 yards on the ground last game. On the other side, Abington’s secondary better be ready as Dallas QB Brady Zapoticky eclipsed the 400 passing yard mark against Wyoming Area. Not going to call this a must-win for the Mounts, but an 0-3 start would like to be avoided.
Key Matchup: Abington offensive line vs. Dallas pass rush
Favorite: Dallas by 7
Riverside Vikings (2-0) at Lakeland Chiefs (2-0)
Lakeland Stadium (Grass), Friday 7pm – Media: WQMY
LFC Division Crossover Game
Series: Lakeland 31-17-1
Last Meeting: 2023 Riverside 46-0
Last Week: Riverside 62, Hanover Area 13; Lakeland 21, Holy Cross 3
Players To Watch
Riverside: QB Chase Taddonio; Lakeland: WR Luke McFarland
The Skinny: Battle of unbeatens highlight the Week 3 schedule as the Vikings will face a rejuvenated Lakeland team. This might be the last challenge for Riverside until Week 9 so if they can get past the Chiefs on the road, the table is set to go 8-0. Lakeland has found their offense with a healthy QB David Naniewicz and have the homefield advantage at Chapman Lake where it will probably snow and be 20 degrees colder than the rest of NEPA. (If you have been there, you know). Chase Taddonio is due for a big passing game, but the Chiefs defense has been pretty good through two weeks.
Key Matchup: Riverside secondary vs. Lakeland wide receivers
Favorite: Riverside by 7
Wallenpaupack Buckhorns (1-1) at Honesdale Hornets (2-0)
Hornets Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm
LFC Division Crossover Game
Series: Wallenpaupack 27-23-1
Last Meeting: 2023 Wallenpaupack 23-6
Last Week:Wallenpaupack 36, ES North 14; Honesdale 43, Pocono Mt. East 20
Players to Watch
Wallenpaupack: LB Xaiden Schock; Honesdale: RB Mason Avery
The Skinny: The annual Wayne-Pike Shrine Game will attract a big crowd and will be an importat football game for both teams. The Buckhorns have won five straight in the series and new coach Matt Nawrocki will try to keep that streak going and get career win No. 2. The Hornets have been impressive on both sides of the ball and a win against their neighbor would go a long way to legitimize Honesdale as a contender.
Key Matchup: Wallenpaupack defensive line vs. Honesdale running game
Favorite: Honesdale by 12
Berwick Bulldogs (0-2) at Lackawanna Trail Lions (1-1)
Lions Pride Stadium (Grass), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
Conference Crossover Game
Series: First Meeting
Last Week: Mid Valley 28, Berwick 7; Western Wayne 28, Lackawanna Trail 7
Players to Watch
Berwick: RB Gavin Galutia; Lackawanna Trail: WR Max Kimmel
The Skinny: Berwick has one touchdown on offense and it won’t get any easier this week on the road against an upset Lackawanna Trail team who lost last week. The Lions have a ton of offensive weapons so the Bulldogs defense will have to keep them in this game. Coach C.J. Curry’s offense will evolve, but right now is inexperienced and lacking big plays.
Key Matchup: Berwick defensive line vs. Lackawanna Trail running game
Favorite: Lackawanna Trail by 17
Valley View Cougars (1-1) at Wilkes-Barre Wolfpack (1-1)
Wilkes Barre Area Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
Conference Crossover Game
Series: First Meeting
Last Week: Valley View 28, Crestwood 13; Stroudsburg 35, WIlkes-Barre 20
Players To Watch
Valley View: RB Nick Kucharski; Wilkes-Barre: FB Gene Ardo
The Skinny: The biggest question of this game is will star QB Jake Howe play for the Wolfpack? No doubt, the offense is a different animal with him on the field so keep an eye on pregame. The Cougars got back to looking like Valley View with a hard-hitting defense and a big-play offense that saw six plays over 20 yards. There will be a lot of talented players on the field for this one.
Key Matchup: Valley View secondary vs. Wilkes-Barre passing game
Favorite: Wilkes-Barre by 6
Crestwood Comets (0-2) at Tunkhannock Tigers (1-1)
Tunkhannock Memorial Stadium (Grass), Friday 7pm
WVC Division Crossover Game
Series: Crestwood 12-10
Last Meeting: 2021 Tunkhannock 29-21
Last Week: Valley View 28, Crestwood 13; Tunkhannock 42, Holy Redeemer 0
Players To Watch
Crestwood: WR Carter Kennedy; Tunkhannock: TE Mahki Mickels
The Skinny: Crestwood is another team that wants to avoid an 0-3 start. Last week, they were without QB Jaden Shedlock and didn’t get on the scoreboard until the late third quarter. The Tigers know this will help gauge where they are at after two blowout games – a loss to Trail and a win over Redeemer.
Key Matchup: Crestwood offensive line vs. Tunkhannock linebackers
Favorite: Crestwood by 10
Nanticoke Trojans (0-2) at Pittston Area Patriots (0-2)
Charlie Trippi Stadium (Grass), Friday 7pm
WVC Division Crossover Game
Series: Pittston Area 18-11
Last Meeting: 2023 Nanticoke 35-28
Last Week: Carbondale 26, Nanticoke 20; North Pocono 23, Pittston Area 13
Players to Watch
Nanticoke: QB Mike Stachowiak; Pittston Area: RB C.J. Pietzrak
The Skinny: Nanticoke continues to struggle while a young Pittston Area team will try to right the ship on their home field. Youth will be served as both teams have young rosters. Somebody will get their first win of the season and it will be the team that can control the line of scrimmage.
Key Matchup: Susquehanna option vs. Montrose linebackers
Favorite: Pittston Area by 20
Central York Panthers (1-1) at Delaware Valley Warriors (0-2)
Warriors Stadium (Turf), Friday 6pm
District Crossover Game
Series: First Meeting
Last Week: Manheim Twp. 28, Central York 10; Jersey Shore 14, Delaware Valley 10
Players To Watch
Central York: QB Brooklyn Nace; Delaware Valley: WR Trey Newton
The Skinny: The Warriors are 0-2. Yawn. This is not unusual. They have lost to two quality opponents and play another one this week in their home opener. Remember, these are warmup games for DV to get ready for league play and the postseason. The only concern is the offense only has one touchdown in the first two games. But it will evolve as we get deeper in the season.
Key Matchup: Central York linebackers vs. Delaware Valley offensive line
Favorite: Central York by 5
Dunmore Bucks (0-2) at Susquehanna Sabers (1-1)
William Emminger Field (Grass), Saturday 12pm
LFC Division Crossover Game
Series: Dunmore 13-1
Last Meeting: 2023 Dunmore 49-22
Last Week: Old Forge 46, Dunmore 43 (OT); Susquehanna 42, Montrose 6
Players To Watch
Dunmore: RB Gabe Franek Susquehanna: WR Parker Overbaugh
The Skinny: The Bucks offense woke up last week, but they had all kinds of defensive and special teams issues after playing well in Week 1. Susquehanna has some playmakers and gets that homefield Saturday advantage in what is expected to be a muddy William Emminger Field. Sabers would love to pull the upset, but odds are against them as they have only beaten Dunmore once in the all-time series.
Key Matchups: Dunmore passing game vs. Susquehanna secondary
Favorite: Dunmore by 14
Holy Redeemer Royals (0-2) at Carbondale Area Chargers (1-1)
Cerra Sports Complex (Grass), Friday 7pm
Conference Crossover Game
Series: First Meeting
Last Week: Tunkhannock 42, Holy Redeemer 7; Carbondale 26, Nanticoke 0
Players To Watch
Holy Redeemer: WR Nick Latinski; Carbondale: WR Daniel Gonzalez
The Skinny: Redeemer’s losing streak was extended to 13 while Carbondale got their first win of the season. The Chargers are a gritty group with a freshman quarterback looking pretty good. Royals will look for their first score of the season, but it won’t be easy as Carbondale is strong up front.
Key Matchup:Holy Redeemer defensive front vs. Carbondale offensive line
Favorite: Carbondale by 27
Holy Cross Crusaders (1-1) at Hanover Area Hawkeyes (0-2)
Frank Chicknoski Stadium (Nanticoke) (Turf), Friday 7pm
Conference Crossover Game
Series: Hanover Area 2-1
Last Meeting: 2023 Hanover 51-20
Last Week: Lakeland 21, Holy Cross 3; Riverside 62, Hanover Area 13
Players To Watch
Holy Cross: FB Leland Wudarski; Hanover Area: QB Logan Richardson
The Skinny: The Crusaders hung with Lakeland last week, but couldn’t get the offense going after a huge Week 1. Hanover has struggled with zero touchdowns in two games against a first team defense. This game will be played at Nanticoke’s Frank Chicknoski Stadium due to the ongoing issues at Hanover Memorial Stadium.
Key Matchup: Holy Cross offensive line vs. Hanover Area linebackers
Favorite: Holy Cross by 10
Hazleton Area Cougars (0-2) at West Scranton Invaders (0-2)
Scranton Veterans Memorial Stadium (Turf), Friday 4pm
Conference Crossover Game
Series: West Scranton 12-4-1
Last Meeting: 2023 – West Scranton 41-34
Last Week: Williamsport 23, Hazleton 6; Abington Heights 42, West Scranton 0
Players To Watch
Hazleton: WR Riley Van Gilst; West Scranton: QB Caiden Berardi
The Skinny: Another game where someone will get their first win. The Cougars have struggled on offense with only one touchdown, but the schedule was tough the first two weeks. After an encouraging Week 1, the Invaders struggled in all three phases of the game in a shutout loss last Saturday.
Key Matchup: Hazleton run game vs. West Scranton defensive line
Favorite: Hazleton by 10
Pocono Mountain East Cardinals (0-2) at Scranton Knights (2-0)
Scranton Veterans Memorial Stadium (Turf), Friday 6pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
District Crossover Game
Series: First Meeting
Last Week: Honesdale 43, Pocono Mt. East 20; Scranton 36, Wyoming Valley West 13
Players To Watch
Pocono Mt. East: WR Justin Williams; Scranton: RB Reece Whitman
The Skinny: A special edition of Thursday Night Football sees the Knights, ranked No. 1 for the first time this season, play another District 11 team. Scranton schedule has been light, but they still have shown some positive signs on both sides of the ball and think they have something special this season.
Key Matchup: Pocono Mountain East offensive line vs. Scranton linebackers
Favorite: Scranton by 18
Northwest Rangers (0-2) at Lake-Lehman Black Knights (1-1)
Eddie Edwards Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm
District Crossover Game
Series: Lake-Lehman 28-14-3
Last Meeting: 2019 Lake-Lehman 37-13
Last Week: Athens 44, Northwest 6; Shamokin 49, Lake-Lehman 0
Players To Watch
Northwest: QB Jace McCoy; Lake-Lehman: QB Hayden Evans
The Skinny: The Black Knights didn’t know what hit them last Friday. They will play another District 4 team this week, but a much smaller school who has struggled so far this season. No doubt Lake-Lehman has some talent, but this is a must-win against a team they are much better than on paper.
Key Matchup: Northwest linebackers vs. Lake-Lehman offensive line
Favorite: Lake-Lehman by 14
North Pocono Trojans (2-0) at Wyoming Valley West Spartans (0-2)
Spartan Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm
Conference Crossover Game
Series: Tied 1-1
Last Meeting: 2023 Wyoming Valley West 21-13
Last Week: North Pocono 23, Pittston Area 13; Scranton 36, Wyoming Valley West 13
Players To Watch
North Pocono: WR Cole West; Wyoming Valley West: QB Damian Eastman
The Skinny: The Trojans have taken care of business the first two weeks and get another opponent who they should dominate. This is good for North Pocono to get experience for a new quarterback and a freshman running back. Valley West upset the Trojans in Week 1 last week but still have the same problems they had last year, especially getting outmatched up front.
Key Matchup: North Pocono secondary vs. Valley West receivers
Favorite: North Pocono by 20
Columbia-Mont Vo-Tech Rams (1-1) at Montrose Meteors (0-2)
Montrose Memorial Field (Grass), Friday 7pm
District Crossover Game
Series: Col-Mont Vo-Tech 2-1
Last Meeting: 2023 Col-Mont Vo-Tech 46-14
Last Week: Morrisville 46, Col-Mont Vo-Tech 20; Susquehanna 42, Montrose 6
Players To Watch
Col-Mont Vo-Tech: RB Braxtyn Brown; Montrose: RB Josiah Gabore
The Skinny: Montrose will continue to struggle as they just don’t have enough impact players to compete this year. The good news is they are getting some young players valuable experience.
Key Matchup: Col-Mont Vo-Tech offensive line vs. Montrose defensive front
Favorite: Col-Mont Vo-Tech by 20
Canisius Crusaders (NY) (0-0) at Scranton Prep Cavaliers (2-0)
Dunmore Veterans Memorial Stadium (Turf), Saturday 2pm
State Crossover Game
Series: First Meeting
Last Week: Scranton Prep 26, Loyola Blakesfield (MD) 23
Players To Watch
Canisius: RB Elijah Kimble; Scranton Prep: LB Jack Doughton
The Skinny: Prep came away with a hard-fought victory against a Jesuit school from Maryland and now they welcome another one from New York. The Louis Paris-Will McPartland duo is going to be hard for anyone to handle.
Key Matchup: Canisius defensive front vs. Scranton Prep running game
Favorite: Scranton Prep by 20
