Championship weekend in NEPA
“Sometimes I sleep. Sometimes it’s not for days.”
— Jon Bon Jovi
It’s Week 12 and District 2 will see five championships complete by Sunday morning. The crème of the crop plays at this time of the season and if you have lived here long enough, the faces have changed, but the names have remained the same. Stork will travel all night, just to watch these games.
On a steel horse, I fly. Stork’s delivery should not be ignored.
The Totals (164-35)
Class 6A Subregional (D2/4)
Wilkes-Barre has one loss since September – that coming to Friday’s opponent Williamsport just two weeks ago on the road. That gives the Millionaires some confidence coming into this week’s game and makes them the favorite despite being on the road. But the Wolfpack flashed some swagger last week with a big win over Scranton. Expect a championship atmosphere of this championship game. Stork takes WBA in a minor upset.
Wilkes-Barre 29, Williamsport 25
Class 5A
When these two teams met earlier in the season, Abington Heights controlled the pace for three quarters. But Delaware Valley dominated in the fourth quarter to steal a win at The Pit in Clarks Summit. The Warriors return to The Pit to face the Comets for the D2 Class 5A title on Saturday. It’s been some time since Abington Heights has won a title, and even longer since they were favored to win it. Despite the loss a few weeks ago to Delaware Valley, Stork believe the Comets have learned from that loss and will bring a title back to the Summit this weekend.
Abington Heights 21, Delaware Valley 20
Class 4A
Last year, the winner of this game played for a state championship. Dallas went all the way to the title game after a close win in the Back Mountain for the D2 Class 4A crown. The Mounts are back again, but this time they will travel to Peckville to take on Valley View for the right to go to the state tournament. Dallas is rolling. They are on an eight-game winning streak and are one of the hottest teams remaining. Who’s hotter than the Mounts? The Cougars, winners of 10 straight. Lots of doubts going around the valley this year when it comes to Valley View. But the Cougars just keep winning. Stork believes in the Paw.
Valley View 24, Dallas 22
Class 3A
The only classification that won’t have a champion after Week 12 is in Class 3A. Two semifinals highlight the schedule this week with two rematches. Scranton Prep once again hosts Mid Valley. The Cavaliers shutout the Spartans, 28-0, in Week 8. Mid Valley wasn’t at full strength that night, so expect a better fight from the Spartans this week. Still, Prep is a juggernaut right now – like Grimace and the Mets. The other semi has Wyoming Area traveling to Western Wayne, a Wildcats,34-23, win in Week 3. The Warriors have scored 40-plus in six of their eight wins since the loss. Western Wayne was dominant until they were upset by Mid Valley at home in Week 9. Some of the luster has come off the shine, but Stork expects the Wildcats to give us the matchup next week we’ve wanted to see all year.
Prep 28, Mid Valley 14
Western Wayne 30, Wyoming Area 27
Class 2A
These teams met in Week 1. Seems like an eternity ago. Dunmore and Riverside renew their playoff rivalry this weekend that has goes back a few decades. The Bucks held the Vikings to a season-low 16 points in the opening matchup and will look once again to keep Riverside’s high-powered offense out of the endzone to keep them in the game. The Vikings have beat the teams in front of them – with the exception of Lackawanna Trail – and have beat them soundly. They should be at full strength for this one and will once again go out to prove the doubters wrong. Sounds funny to doubt a 10-1 team, that’s why Stork does not.
Riverside 33, Dunmore 21
Class 1A (D2/11)
Lackawanna Trail is built for the post-season. The Lions have the experience and the talent to make another run to December. The journey starts Friday. Tri-Valley started the season 6-2 but lost two before winning last week against Marian Catholic in the subregional semifinal. The Vikings also beat the Colts in the regular season. Trail’s only loss came at Western Wayne in Week 2. The Lions have rolled since, averaging 47 points per game in their last six games. Issac Ryon, Demetrius Douglas and Max Kimmel have waited for this night all season. Stork knows what it’s like to be in Tunnel Hill in mid-November.
Lackawanna Trail 43, Tri-Valley 13
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