Welcome to Pigskin Picks presented by Motorworld and Ray Novak. Every week, we will get predictions about teams and players from District 2 from our staff of experts . The Stork, Vegas Picks, Staff Best Bets, and HS Fantasy Football will be featured every week on Pigskin Picks. Enjoy!

The Stork Delivers

The stork came hopping round the corner
scraped his claw across the door —
Hello, hello? he called, polite,
then screamed I will not be ignored!

— Hannah Lowe, The Stork

Salutations Northeastern Pennsylvania, I am The Stork.

For many years, I have delivered football loving children to homes across our football loving commonwealth. But as the number of those children playing football decreased, the need for a flock of delivery storks was in less demand. So, I needed to transition. Instead of delivering kids, I am now employed to deliver wins to you, the fans of high school football in NEPA.

Each week I will historically highlight a few of matchups in District 2 and give you some other odds and ends surrounding the Lackawanna Football Conference and Wyoming Valley Conference.

So, join me as I venture to predict each score. The Stork’s delivery should not be ignored.

The Best…
Valley View 28, Scranton Prep 27
Forty years ago, these two teams met in the final week of the season with Valley View winning, 19-6, to clinch an undefeated regular season and the Big 11 title. Dave Pegula scored two touchdowns for the Cougars, but it was Greg Angeli’s punt block that was recovered for a touchdown that put Valley View in control at halftime. Ironically, Angeli’s dad, Phil Angeli, was the head coach at Scranton Prep.

While it’s not Week 10 and a championship isn’t on the line, this Week 1 result will go a long way in deciding the title in the Lackawanna Football Conference Division 1 race. Valley View has 30 seniors, and the Cougars will use that experience to take control of this game early and then hang on late. Prep has some returnees as well, and a difficult schedule faces them this season. When the season ends, the Cavaliers will no doubt be in the mix. But not tonight.

Riverside 33, Dunmore 26
Back in the 20th century, Dunmore was the same rock-solid program that we all have come to know today. Meanwhile, Riverside had its moments in the Big 11, but never had a stretch like they have experienced during its runs during the first two decades of the 21st century. A September matchup in 1997 sparked the turnaround for the Vikings. Beating the Bucks for the first time since winning the Big 11 in 1988, Riverside mauled Dunmore, 48-7, behind a 268-yard, four touchdown effort from Jeremy Ransom.

Friday night’s opener could be that same spark for Riverside. Coming off its best season in a few years, the Vikings are poised to go on another run and it’s no surprise that the quarterback of that 1997 team is current Riverside head coach Harry Armstrong. Expectations are high in Taylor, and with the return of seniors Richie Kostoff and Chase Taddonio, the Vikings could be on the verge of something special.

West Scranton 20, Old Forge 14
These two storied programs will meet for the first time since 1986. That’s a 38-year gap for two schools separated by less than five miles. Makes little sense. But that was the divide Old Forge’s move to the Suburban Conference created in the late 80s. West won the last matchup in the Big 11, 7-0, as Nick Stelmak went 77 yards on the second play of the game. Future NFL player Marc Spindler led the Invaders defense that night with three sacks.

The storyline for this game is one of family. West Head Coach Jake Manetti is in his third year leading the Invaders. Manetti was the Old Forge quarterback who led Mike Schuback’s Blue Devils to the state title game in 2013. Many of Manetti’s assistants are former Blue Devils who also played during the era in which Old Forge dominated. A few of Old Forge’s assistants played with Manetti, and many of its players idolized him and his teammates growing up. This goes down to the wire, but West is best.

Lakeland 27, Carbondale 24
Once a big rivalry, Lakeland hosts Carbondale on Friday night in Montdale. When the rivals battled in 1979, they played in front of more then 2,000 fans at Lakeland High School. The Chiefs intercepted five passes that day – returning four of those interceptions for touchdowns in a 33-0 victory. It was the second straight week the Lakeland secondary intercepted five passes. Future Penn State punter Chris Claus was a freshman on this team

Forty-five years later, both programs are in a rebuilding stage. The Chargers are young and maybe sport the most freshman and sophomores of any roster in the Lackawanna League. The Chiefs won only once last season but bring back some of young talent from a year ago. That should be enough to allow Lakeland to match last year’s win total after the first week of play. But don’t count out the Chargers, this is a rivalry game after all.

The Rest…
Abington Heights 24, East Stroudsburg South 14
Lincoln (FL) 17, Delaware Valley 15
East Stroudsburg North 31, Honesdale 21
North Pocono 27, Nanticoke 6
Pocono Mountain West 21, Scranton 14
Stroudsburg 23, Wallenpaupack 6
Western Wayne 34, Susquehanna 13
Holy Cross 24, Montrose 14
Lackawanna Trail 36, Tunkhannock 18
Mid Valley 28, Pittston Area 21
Nazareth 14, Hazleton Area 0
Whitehall 38, Wilkes-Barre Area 34
Williamsport 28, Wyoming Valley West 14
Wyoming Area 21, Crestwood 20
Jersey Shore 24, Dallas 21
Berwick 22, Lake-Lehman 19
Marian Catholic 20, Hanover Area 8
Nativity BVM 16, Holy Redeemer 14

VEGAS PICKS

Vegas The Sports Expert Dog is a 2-year old Mini Golden Doodle who knows his football. He will pick a game each week on NPF!

 

STAFF BEST BETS

LFC GAME OF THE WEEK:

Tom Robinson: When it’s all over and done with, the most important game of the LFC Division 1 season just might be the only one being played on Opening Night, Valley View and Scranton Prep in a game the Cavaliers will host at Dunmore. Two state-ranked teams square off and I’ll give the edge to Scranton Prep as Valley View may need a little bit of time to adjust offensively. PICK: Scranton Prep

Justin Ossont: Well, well, well, look at what we have here. This game has division implications every season. Scranton Prep is possibly the best team in the area. Lpuis Paris is back under center and looking to make a statement not only in the LFC but on the state level as well. This Prep team is looking for more than just district gold. Yet, they are going to have one toughest challenge as it’s first game of the season against Valley View, another program that has eyes on the prize of District 2 gold and being the top cat once again. A week one match-up of division foes makes me wonder how deep in the playbook each team is willing to go. This will be another strong matchup and the victor put themselves in the driver’s seat for the LFC Division 1 title. Defense will be key like it was a year ago. But this is also a heavyweight fight to kick off the 2024 season. Cougars by a field goal. PICK: Valley View

Rick Staron:  Valley View and Scranton Prep – a couple of heavyweights, duking it out to open the LFC season. What could be better? The Cougars feel like they have some unfinished business from the last couple years, and it starts Friday night. Scranton Prep has some unusual matchups the next couple weeks, so they’ll be looking to make a lasting impression on LFC rivals. PICK: Valley View

 

WVC GAME OF THE WEEK: 

Robinson: With most opening action taking place in various non-league combinations, the only WVC divisional game in the first week is a significant one – Lake-Lehman at Berwick. The significance? Berwick after decades of excellence, including six state titles, battling among the big schools, has slipped a bit and for the first time will officially be competing as a small school as a Division 2 member and Class 3A team. Lake-Lehman is a good test within Division 2, but I expect Berwick to look much more potent against a different level of competition, beginning with an opening win. PICK: Berwick

Ossont: This one is going to be a good one folks! You have this strong up and coming team in Jersey Shore who possibly could have played against Dallas in the state championship game. That would not come through as the Bulldogs fell to Selinsgrove in the District 4 4A final last season. Jersey Shore knows how to score often and they bring back a good good group up front. On the other side, you have Dallas who made it all the way to the 4A State Championship game. Dallas has the pieces to possibly make the run again. This is a great first test for both teams and why it was also a game to watch for us. If you want offensive fireworks, you are gonna get it. PICK: Dallas

Staron: Is there a matchup with a better storyline for Week One in the WVC? C.J. Curry, grandson of legendary Bulldogs coach George Curry, taking over the reins. And doing it against Lake-Lehman, the team where his grandfather started his coaching career. Between the lines, both teams are looking for quick start to rebound from a tough 2023. The Knights are returning a ton of talent, while the Bulldogs expect to strong up front. PICK: Berwick

UPSET OF THE WEEK: 

Robinson: Mid Valley returns 10 offensive starters, including 1,485-yard rusher Jakob Lesher, from a 7-4 team. Pittston Area was 5-6 last season while playing a comparable schedule as it was still part of Division 2 of the WVC at the time. The Patriots have a new coach in Joe DeLucca and a new quarterback in Matt Walter as they hit the road for an opener that appears to be a difficult way to go through that transition. But, Pittston Area has its share of returnees and young talent, making the Patriots a threat to beat a quality team on Opening Night. UPSET: Pittston Area

Ossont:  Delaware Valley journey has led them to opening up their schedule with out-of-state games to test them early and get them ready for district games. Sometimes their results aren’t victories, but the losses pay off down the road. So Coach Olsommer and his Warriors will take the trip south to take on Lincoln High School out of Tallahassee, Florida. These games have not favored DV in the past, but this group of new faces is looking to make a splash not only in the district, but on the state level as well. UPSET: Delaware Valley

Staron: The Sabers made some adjustments midway through last season inserting Weston Yannone at quarterback to run the triple option offense. With that experience under his belt and a Saturday afternoon home game, Susquehanna might just have enough to carry some momentum from last season into 2024. UPSET: Susquehanna

LFC Player to Watch

Robinson: Dunmore beat Riverside in two different types of games last season – 46-21 in the regular season and 13-7 for the District 2 Class 2A championship on the way to the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association state semifinals. Riverside has the chance to make it an entirely different game this season, led by the presence of two-way lineman Tavian Branch, who has emerged as District 2’s top recruit during the offseason. The 290-pound lineman is approaching a dozen major college scholarship offers, including one from Penn State, before the start of his junior season. With Dunmore sending out a smaller lineup than usual, Branch has a chance to lead a significant up-front advantage for the Vikings.

Ossont: Chase Taddonio was under center in both games against Dunmore last season. Both games the Vikings came up short. Riverside is looking for some payback and Taddonio wants to get his season off on the right foot. He has a great arm and his leadership will help the Vikings get the ball rolling. A good test with the first game, and as Ric Flair says, “To be the best, you have to beat the best.”

Staron: Quarterback Chase Taddonio of Riverside is back for his senior season and he is a returning all-star, with something to prove, opening up against a rival.

WVC Player to Watch

Robinson: Dallas finished 2023 as the official number-two team in the state in Class 4A, reaching the PIAA final before suffering its first loss. The Mountaineers will open at home against the unofficial number-two, Jersey Shore, the District 4 power, which holds that position in the preseason state rankings posted by PennLive.com. With a newly constructed line, Dallas quarterback Brady Zapoticky is likely to have less time and perhaps less support from the running game, but the Mountaineers will need him to maintain his high level of production in those more challenging circumstances.

Ossont: Crestwood opens up the season against a WVC rival Wyoming Area and Lincoln Bibla is looking to have another great season. He’s on our Five To Watch list at linebacker and despitemissing half the season last year, he still almost lead the team in tackles. He wants to continue that success and if the Comets want to make a run at the District 2 4A title the defense lead by Bibla is going to be the focal point this year.

Staron: Pittston Area signal caller Matt Walter is an outstanding athlete who will be  changing positions from wide receiver to quarterback and he’ll face a test right away against very good Mid Valley defense.

2024 NPF HS Fantasy Football

Team managers will pick a new lineup every week. Each team can only select a player once during the season.

WEEK 1 PICKS

BBD Bosses
QB – Nick Bradley, Abington Heights
RB – Josh Vinton, Western Wayne
RB – Aidan Wudarski, Holy Cross
WR – Chris Rasmus, Old Forge
WR – Tae Weeks, Scranton
TE – Richie Kostoff, Riverside
K – Sam Magnotta, North Pocono
DEF – North Pocono

Dandy Don Licks
QB – Brady Zapoticky, Dallas
RB – Mason Avery, Honesdale
RB – William Marcy, Susquehanna
WR – Cole West, North Pocono
WR – J.J. Rogers, Riverside
TE  -Manny Sosa, Nanticoke
K – Santino D’Amico, Riverside
DEF – Riverside

Mack Daddies

QB – Chase Taddonio, Riverside
RB – Josh Vinton, Western Wayne
RB – Brady Lavery, North Pocono
WR – Lucas Lopresto, Pittston Area
WR – Chris Sholtis, Lake-Lehman
TE – Richie Kostoff, Riverside
K – Ryan Bianchi, Lakeland
DEF – Lackawanna Trail

Party Paul Animals

QB – Chase Taddonio, Riverside
RB – Caden Cuozzo, Lakeland
RB – Joshn Vinton, Western Wayne
WR – Treyvon Gembitski, Wilkes-Barre
WR – Gavin Anders, Abington Heights
TE – Richie Kostoff, Riverside
K – Ryan Bianchi, Lakeland
DEF – Lakeland

Seabass Says

QB – David Naniewicz, Lakeland
RB – Mason Avery, Honesdale
RB – Aidan Wudarski, Holy Cross
WR – Cole West, North Pocono
WR – Shane Brower, Abington Heights
TE – Jake Bondy, Mid Valley
K – Isiah Rodriguez, Old Forge
DEF – Western Wayne

T-Rob T-Rexes

QB – Nick Bradley, Abington Heights
RB – Mason Avery, Honesdale
RB – Demetrius Douglas, Lackawanna Trail
WR – Treyvon Gembitski, Wilkes-Barre
WR – Gavin Lewis, Dallas
TE – Richie Kostoff, Riverside
K – Isiah Rodriguez, Old Forge
DEF – Honesdale