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 4
Abington Heights Comets (2-1) at Valley View Cougars (2-1)
John Henzes Veterans Memorial Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
LFC Division I Game
Series: Valley View 32-20-2
Last Meeting: 2023 Valley View 35-14
Last Week: Abington Heights 30, Dallas 13; Valley View 25, Wilkes-Barre 2o
Players To Watch
Abington Heights: QB Nick Bradley; Valley View: WR Beyon McLean
The Skinny: This is a great opportunity for Abington to become a league contender for the first time in over a decade. The Comets’ road win last week was impressive and now they start league play with high aspirations. The Cougars showed some guts in their own road win when they scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter. The quarterbacks in this game are very different. Nick Bradley is a pocket passer who will pick you apart while Zach Cwalinski runs like a fullback, but did make two big throws for touchdowns last Friday.
Key Matchup: Abington Heights defensive line vs. Valley View run game
Favorite: Valley View by 6
Scranton Prep Cavaliers (2-1) at Delaware Valley Warriors (0-3)
Warriors Stadium (Turf), Saturday 4pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
LFC Division I Game
Series: Delaware Valley 6-4
Last Meeting: 2023 Delaware Valley 31-27
Last Week: Canisius (NY) 39, Scranton Prep 25; Central York 31, Delaware Valley 20
Players To Watch
Scranton Prep: WR Brady Holmes; Delaware Valley: QB Logan Olsommer
The Skinny: Many people thought in the preseason that this game could decide the LFC Division I title as it did last season and it still might. DV has started 0-3 for the fourth straight season, but they have rebounded every year to win a District 2 title. Prep is coming off their first loss as they have stacked their schedule to start the season. The Warriors offense finally woke up last week as they were able to run the football. But the big question is can they stop the Cavaliers run game. Canisius found a way last week so Delaware Valley will see if they can repeat that fete.
Key Matchup: Scranton Prep offensive backfield vs. Delaware Valley linebackers
Favorite: Scranton Prep 3
Wilkes-Barre Wolfpack (1-2) at Dallas Mountaineers (0-3)
Mountaineer Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm
WVC Division 1 Game
Series: Dallas 4-1
Last Meeting: 2023 Dallas 14-7
Last Week: Valley View 25, Wilkes-Barre 20; Abington Heights 30, Dallas 13
Players to Watch
Wilkes-Barre: QB Jake Howe; Dallas: QB Brady Zapoticky
The Skinny: It’s kind of a surprise these two teams are a combined 1-5 to start the season. Both are still above average football teams who have played a tough schedule to start the season. And the winner of this game will probably have the inside track to the WVC Division 1 title. But there also should be some desperation for both teams. This is also one of the best quarterback matchups you will see with Dallas’ Brady Zapoticky and Wilkes-Barre’s Jake Howe.
Key Matchup: Wilkes-Barre offensive line vs. Dallas linebackers
Favorite: Wilkes-Barre by 4
North Pocono Trojans (3-0) at Wallenpaupack Buckhorns (2-1)
Wallenpaupack Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm
LFC Division I Game
Series: North Pocono 17-12
Last Meeting: 2023 North Pocono 28-14
Last Week: North Pocono 23, Wyoming Valley West 7; Wallenpaupack 14, Honesdale 6
Players To Watch
North Pocono: RB Brady Lavery; Wallenpaupack: RB Logan Caruso
The Skinny: This will be the first league game for these two teams who were predicted to be in the bottom half of the LFC Division I standings. But both teams are off to a good start with the Trojans on a three-game winning streak and the Buckhorns on a two-game winning streak. North Pocono has been able to run the football as they break in new quarterback Chase Zimmerman while Paupack relies on their senior quarterback Drew Kiesendahl to make the offense go. This is also a special game for first-year coach Matt Nawrocki who is a North Pocono grad.
Key Matchup: North Pocono offensive line vs. Wallenpaupack defensive line
Favorite: North Pocono by 7
Lakeland Chiefs (2-1) at Wyoming Area Warriors (2-1)
Jake Sobeski Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
Conference Crossover Game
Series: Wyoming Area 3-2
Last Meeting: 2021 Wyoming Area 35-32
Last Week: Riverside 42, Lakeland 13; Western Wayne 34, Wyoming Area 23
Players to Watch
Lakeland: TE Kody Miller; Wyoming Area: WR Luke Kopechny
The Skinny: Both these teams have already played quality opponents and both lost last week for the first time. Lakeland loves to spread the field and will throw the ball all over the lot and we have seen Warriors struggle with their pass defense early in the season. The Chiefs will have to find a way to slow down RB Lidge Kellum and win the battle up front. Definitely two of the more respected programs in NEPA should produce a very competitive football game.
Key Matchup: Lakeland wide receivers vs. Wyoming Area secondary
Favorite: Wyoming Area by 6
Western Wayne Wildcats (3-0) at Crestwood Comets (1-2)
Crestwood Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm
Conference Crossover Game
Series: Crestwood 6-2
Last Meeting: 1980 Western Wayne 38-14
Last Week: Western Wayne 34, Wyoming Area 23; Crestwood 55, Tunkhannock 15
Players To Watch
Western Wayne: LB James Jimenez; Crestwood: RB Jacob Jeckell
The Skinny: The Wildcats are the red-hot team in District 2 with a huge win over Wyoming Area who edged Crestwood in the first game of the season. The Comets got their first win of the season last week and also got back QB Jaden Shedlock who missed Week 2. Both teams want to run the football and both teams have pretty good offensive lines. So, the trenches will probably decide this game as well.
Key Matchup: Western Wayne offensive line vs. Crestwood defensive line
Favorite: Western Wayne by 7
Mid Valley Spartans (3-0) at Honesdale Hornets (2-1)
Hornets Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm
LFC Division II Game
Series: Honesdale 13-6
Last Meeting: 2023 Mid Valley 26-25
Last Week: Mid Valley 42, Old Forge 18; Wallenpaupack 14, Honesdale 6
Players To Watch
Mid Valley: RB Jakob Lesher; Honesdale: RB Gabe Duda
The Skinny: We thought this might be a battle of unbeatens to start LFC Division II play, but Honesdale was upset last week and will have to bounce back to avoid their first losing streak of the season. Mid Valley is bullying teams at this point as RB Jakob Lesher is averaging over 200 yards per game. Whoever win this game will be in a position to compete with division favorite Western Wayne while the loser will have to play catch-up the rest of the season.
Key Matchup: Mid Valley linebackers vs. Honesdale offensive line
Favorite: Mid Valley by 10
Carbondale Area Chargers (2-1) at Holy Cross Crusaders (2-1)
Msgr. Crotti Field (Grass), Saturday 1pm
LFC Division III Game
Series: Carbondale 14-1
Last Meeting: 2023 Carbondale 20-7
Last Week: Carbondale 45, Holy Redeemer 7; Holy Cross 24, Hanover Area 20
Players to Watch
Carbondale: RB Caedon Voglino; Holy Cross: QB Josh Lentowski
The Skinny: Hard to believe both these teams, who have struggled in recent years, come into Week 4 with winning records. Both want to run the football, but both have quarterbacks that have made plays this season. Actually, this should be a fun game to start LFC Division III play.
Key Matchup: Susquehanna option vs. Montrose linebackers
Favorite: Carbondale by 6
Lackawanna Trail Lions (2-1) at Dunmore Bucks (0-3)
Dunmore Veterans Memorial Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
LFC Division Crossover Game
Series: Dunmore 10-4
Last Meeting: Lackawanna Trail 46-21
Last Week: Lackawanna Trail 35, Berwick 0; Susquehanna 25, Dunmore 21
Players To Watch
Lackawanna Trail: RB Issac Ryon; Dunmore: RB Jacob Costanzo
The Skinny: The Bucks have played three close games and have come out of each one with a loss. Last week, they were upset on the road, but will be back at the friendly confines of the Dunmore Borough for this one. Trail dominated this game last season, but it served as a wakeup call for the Bucks as they ran the table after that loss last year. No doubt Dunmore is desperate right now to avoid going 0-4. This game will also be a battle of Wing-T offenses and so far this season, Trail has been much better at it.
Key Matchup: Lackawanna Trail run game vs. Dunmore defensive line
Favorite: Lackawanna Trail by 14
Hanover Area Hawkeyes (0-3) at Old Forge Blue Devils (2-1)
Old Forge Veterans Memorial Stadium (Grass), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
Conference Crossover Game
Series: Old Forge 6-3
Last Meeting: 2021 Old Forge 54-0
Last Week: Holy Cross 24, Hanover Area 20; Mid Valley 42, Old Forge 18
Players To Watch
Hanover Area: RB Dewayne Downey; Old Forge: WR Frankie Pero
The Skinny: Old Forge jumped ahead of Mid Valley last week 10-0 but then the leaky defense had issues the rest of the night as the Blue Devils were outscored 42-8. Hanover Area has some speed and likes to throw vertical passes so they will try to take advantage of the Old Forge holes. Meanwhile, the Hawkeyes will need some improvement on defense as the Blue Devils offense has been pretty good so far this season.
Key Matchups: Hanover Area secondary vs. Old Forge passing game
Favorite: Old Forge by 17
Pittston Area Patriots (1-2) at Wyoming Valley West Spartans (0-3)
Spartan Stadium (Grass), Friday 7pm
WVC Division 1 Game
Series: Wyoming Valley West 31-14
Last Meeting: 2023 Pittston Area 20-13
Last Week: Pittston Area 55, Nanticoke 0; North Pocono 23, Wyoming Valley West 7
Players To Watch
Pittston Area: TE Colton Lis; Wyoming Valley West: WR Tyler Mattis
The Skinny: Pittston will try to make it two straight while Valley West is trying to break their 12 -game losing streak. The Spartans were competitive in the first half against unbeaten North Pocono, but the offense still is trying to find iteself. The Patriots scored 55 points last week and hope that momentum will carry over this week on the road.
Key Matchup: Pittston Area secondary vs. Wyoming Valley West passing game
Favorite: Pittston Area by 3
Lake-Lehman Black Knights (2-1) at Riverside Vikings (3-0)
Taylor Veterans Memorial Stadium (Grass), Friday 7pm
Conference Crossover Game
Series: Lake-Lehman 4-3
Last Meeting: 2021 Lake-Lehman 47-14
Last Week: Lake-Lehman 42, Northwest 6; Riverside 42, Lakeland 13
Players To Watch
Lake-Lehman: RB Jayden Skipalis; Riverside: TE Richie Kostoff
The Skinny: It was a breakout game for running back and return man Jayden Skipalis who transferred from Hanover to Lake-Lehman in the summer, but they will need more than him if they are going to keep pace with unbeaten Riverside. The Vikings defense has been underrated so far this season because most people think offense when they talk about Riverside football. This matchup has two pretty exciting quarterbacks so keep an eye on Lehman’s Hayden Evans and Riverside’s Chase Taddonio.
Key Matchup: Lake-Lehman secondary vs. Riverside passing game
Favorite: Riverside by 18
Scranton Knights (3-0) at West Scranton Invaders (0-3)
Scranton Veterans Memorial Stadium (Turf), Friday 5pm
LFC Division Crossover Game
Series: Scranton 20-14
Last Meeting: 2023 Scranton 43-25
Last Week: Scranton 34, Pocono Mt. East 6; Hazleton 13, West Scranton 3
Players To Watch
Scranton: DL Dyjeere Weekes; West Scranton: WR Cayden Farr
The Skinny: The Battle for the Bell is a great rivalry between the two Scranton public schools. However, the Knights have been the dominant player in recent years. Scranton has been very good the first three weeks and don’t want to look past the Invaders because West Scranton will give it their all. This is important for Scranton to get this win as they head into division play where it will start to get hard.
Key Matchup: Scranton offensive line vs. West Scranton linebackers
Favorite: Scranton by 20
Hazleton Area Cougars (1-2) at Berwick Bulldogs (0-3)
Crispin Field (Turf), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
WVC Division Crossover Game
Series: Berwick 53-27-2
Last Meeting: 2023 Berwick 39-34
Last Week: Hazleton Area 13, West Scranton 3; Lackawanna Trail 35, Berwick 0
Players To Watch
Hazleton Area: WR Yohansel Moran; Berwick: WR Ty’Meere Wilkerson
The Skinny: Hazleton found some points last week in the second half to secure their first win of the season. However, the Cougars offense is still developing. Berwick also has offensive issues, so the defenses for both these teams might have big nights.
Key Matchup: Hazleton Area passing game vs. Berwick secondary
Favorite: Hazleton Area by 7
Nanticoke Trojans (0-3) at Tunkhannock Tigers (1-2)
Tunkhannock Memorial Stadium (Grass), Friday 7pm
WVC Division 2 Game
Series: Nanticoke 8-7
Last Meeting: 2023 Nanticoke 41-6
Last Week: Pittston Area 55, Nanticoke 0; Crestwood 55, Tunkhannock 15
Players To Watch
Nanticoke: RB Treston Allen; Tunkhannock: WR Andrew Lupinski
The Skinny: Nanticoke has struggled for the first three weeks while Tunkhannock managed a win in Week 2, but were blown out the other two games. The Tigers will rely on their run game while the Trojans will try to find offense wherever they can.
Key Matchup: Nanticoke defensive line vs. Tunkhannock running game
Favorite: Tunkhannock by 21
Susquehanna Sabers (2-1) at Holy Redeemer Royals (0-3)
Spartan Stadium (Turf), Saturday 4pm
Conference Crossover Game
Series: Susquehanna 10-0
Last Meeting: 2023 Susquehanna 49-0
Last Week: Susquehanna 25, Dunmore 21; Carbondale 45, Holy Redeemer 7
Players To Watch
Susquehanna: RB Nathan Orapallo; Holy Redeemer: RB Nathan Orlando
The Skinny: Susquehanna recorded their biggest win in a long time while Redeemer continues to struggle although the Royals finally got on the scoreboard after two shutouts. The Sabers veer will help them run for a lot of yards this week. Holy Redeemer just trying to improve each week.
Key Matchup: Susquehanna offensive line vs. Holy Redeemer linebackers
Favorite: Susquehanna by 28
