The Perfect Pickle
“That’s the best tasting pickle I ever heard!”
— The Vlassic Stork, 1974
The Stork had 17 assignments this week. He completed those 17 assignments, correctly and on time, to the delight of 17 families. That’s right my pickles, it was a classic weekend for The Stork. Perfect on predictions. 17-0.
Peeking ahead to this week’s games, I must say, another perfect pickle is possible. (Say that three times fast.) But let’s not be premature on another unblemished pickle. Read first, pick later.
Remember, The Stork’s delivery should not be ignored.
The Best (16-4)
Wyoming Area 37, Berwick 16
After a scoreless first quarter at Crispin Field in 1989, Berwick exploded for 34 points in the middle quarters to beat Wyoming Area, 34-0, in a game that was delayed until Monday, September 26 because of the remnants of Hurricane Hugo that struck the area. Dawgs’ QB Joe Kelchner went to the air as the Warriors put nine-men in the box against Coach George Curry’s vaunted rushing attack. Kelchner – the brother of future West Virginia QB Jake Kelchner – threw for 119 yards and two TDs on just five completions. Kevin Woodeshick and Marty Force caught the scoring strikes.
Expect the game this season between the two storied programs in the WVC to be a reversal of the one in 1989 with some similarities. Berwick may very well stack the box with nine defenders in hoping to contain Warriors RB Lidge Kellum. Should they do that, it will open things up for QB Anthony DeLucca and WR Luke Kopetchny who have formed one of the most dangerous aerial combinations in District 2. The Dawgs have been in a pickle all season, and the Warriors will have another bitter ending for them.
Western Wayne 34, Honesdale 13
One of the most dominant running backs of the late 20th century is probably an unknown to many of today’s players. Well, The Stork is here to deliver an education. Honesdale’s Terrin Ash was the Pennsylvania all-time leading rusher for a moment in the 1990s. He is currently 7th on the state’s all-time rushing list with 7,748 yards. On a night in October of 1993, Ash rushed for 258 yards and three TDs in a 26-6 win over Western Wayne. Damon Verton returned a kick 81 yards for the Wildcats’ lone score.
The Battle for Wayne Manor this year could get ugly. The Wildcats are playing the role of Batman this year while the Hornets are The Joker. The Joker is one of the most formidable foes for the Dark Knight, but the Crazy Clown has spent too much time in Arkham and sometimes just doesn’t show up. Just like the Hornets. Western Wayne has run a gauntlet to its 5-0 start and will have it somewhat easier the final five weeks. Don’t be surprised if the Batman ends up with the last laugh and a perfect regular season mark.
Riverside 28, Susquehanna 22
Five years ago, Riverside made a statement on the first play of the game when Johnny Gilchrist hit Razen Reyes with a 58-yard touchdown pass to ignite a 54-13 victory over Susquehanna on opening night in 2019. The Vikings all-time leading passer would throw for 334 yards and six touchdowns on the night. Reyes caught six passes for 165 yards and three scores. Riverside led 34-0 before the Sabers got into the endzone. Garrett Decker accounted for both Susquehanna scores with a six-yard TD pass and a two-yard TD run.
Many an expert stork expect the Vikings to do to the Sabers what they did in 2019. But not this stork. The Riverside offense has been humming as QB Chase Taddonio has used a multitude of weapons to get the Vikings into the endzone. And The Stork’s list of expectant parents shows that Coach Harry Armstrong’s Air Skol gets another option back for this week’s game. Still, the Sabers have some big wins over traditional powers this year. I am not saying that Susquehanna has enough to win this game, BUT don’t sell the Sabers short. This one will be worth the price of admission.
Lakeland 14, Dunmore 12
After dominating the Suburban Conference, Lakeland joined the Big 11 in 1980 and proceeded to win three straight titles. Many a football rivalry were born that year because of the move, including the one between the Chiefs and Dunmore Bucks – two of the most successful gridiron programs in District 2 history. The first game saw Lakeland Legend Bob Speicher run for 188 yards and two TDs as the Chiefs beat the Bucks, 28-14. Tony Rusnak and Al Wanas scored the other Lakeland touchdowns. Jackie Miles caught six passes for 128 yards for Dunmore.
The rivalry continues this year and while it may be just as intense and hard-fought, it will be for different reasons as both clubs try to save their current seasons. Lakeland has lost three straight games. Dunmore broke its four-game losing streak to open the season last week with a fourth-quarter touchdown to beat Carbondale at home, 7-6. This game is at Lakeland where the Chiefs blasted the Chargers to open the season. Dunmore played Riverside tough to open the year while the Vikings blasted Lakeland. Both teams lost to Susquehanna on the road. What does all this mean? A close win for the Chiefs.
The Rest (61-15)
Delaware Valley 24, Abington Heights 19
Dallas 33, North Pocono 27
Valley View 29, Scranton 21
Prep 32, Wallenpaupack 18
Carbondale 28, Montrose 6
Mid Valley 19, West Scranton 11
Holy Cross 31, Holy Redeemer 13
Lackawanna Trail 38, Old Forge 21
Wilkes-Barre 44, Hazleton Area 38
Crestwood 22, Pittston Area 20
Executive Education 37, Valley West 21
Hanover Area 24, Tunkhannock 18
Lake-Lehman 30, Nanticoke 18
VEGAS PICKS
Vegas The Sports Expert Dog is a 2-year old Mini Golden Doodle who knows his football. His record is 2-3 in 2024.
STAFF BEST BETS
LFC GAME OF THE WEEK:
Tom Robinson: Two surprising teams during the non-league half of the schedule set up an interesting opener in Lackawanna Football Conference Division 3 where each will play its entire division schedule over the final five weeks. For a change, the Lackawanna Trail at Old Forge game, which is also set for Friday, is not automatically the Game of the Year in the division. Susquehanna at Riverside now also shapes up as an interesting game. Riverside’s 5-0 start in itself is not surprising, but the Vikings have been flat-out dominant, scoring the most points in District 2 and allowing the fewest with a 216-41 scoring margin. Susquehanna has won four straight, including beating Dunmore and Lakeland in the same season for the first time ever. They share three common opponents, the Bucks, Chiefs and Montrose. Riverside has beaten those teams by a total of 112-16 and Susquehanna has beaten them by a total of 83-33. Riverside’s wide-open, multi-weapon passing game will go against Susquehanna’s fierce pass rush. Chase Taddonio is coming off a six-touchdown passing game. The Sabers have 10 sacks in their winning streak. PICK: Riverside
Justin Ossont: The gauntlet of the schedule begins for one of these teams, while the other has faced some heavy challenges and is now looking forward to the second-half drive. The Cougars and the Knights will face off in a key Division 1 match-up between two of our top 6 big school rankings. The Knights had a tough one last week against the Cavaliers and are looking to find a rebound quickly, so the season doesn’t get out of hand. On the other sideline, the Cougars might have just found their groove by rattling off four straight wins. The Division 1 title is not out of reach for them, but they are going to need some help. They have to stay focused on the Knights. PICK: Valley View
Rick Staron: There are a number of intriguing matchups in the LFC this week, but Delaware Valley visiting Abington Heights might be the most fun.
Despite a 1-4 overall record, thanks to a tough early schedule, the Warriors are 1-1 in conference play and 2nd in 5A playoff seeding. And you know head coach Keith Olsommer will have his team peaking down the stretch. Junior running back Mike Iuzzolino had a big night in last week’s win over Wallenpaupack.
Abington Heights can move the ball and score. Junior quarterback Nick Bradley has 643 yards and nine touchdowns through the air, and has rushed for almost 200 yards and three more scores. But the Comets have ridden their tough defense to the top of the 5A playoff standings, giving up just 67 points through the first five games. Keeping Del Val off the scoreboard is a tough ask though. PICK: Delaware Valley
WVC GAME OF THE WEEK:
Robinson: Wilkes-Barre at Hazleton Area Friday night represents a chance for the host Cougars to tie Dallas at the top of the Division 1 standings. The Cougars have come up with just enough offense to put together a three-game winning streak after a sluggish, 0-2 start. Wilkes-Barre (0-1 in the division, 2-3 overall) has a trio of electric offensive threats in wide receiver Treyvon Gembitski, running back Davon Underwood and quarterback Jake Howe. Hazleton Area comes in with a defense that has allowed just 20 points in the winning streak, which includes last week’s division opener. Hazleton Area will probably need this to be another low-scoring game to extend its streak. PICK: Wilkes-Barre
Ossont: Crestwood and Pittston Area come into this contest 2-3 on the season. The Comets had been battled tested early in the year, and three of those ended in losses (Wyoming Area, Valley View, and Western Wayne). Pittston Area also had struggled early in the year but has seemed to find its identity after last week when it gave WVC 1 favorite Dallas everything it could handle and then some. This match-up is being played for the first time since 2021 when the Patriots walked away victorious. Now they are in the same division once again and are looking to battle it out for some major district playoff points. Trippi Stadium has some magic to it. Let’s see if it keeps the Patriots going. PICK: Pittston Area
Staron: We’ve turned the corner on the halfway point of the season. And while the next week or two can still accurately be called “mid-season” the push for playoff positioning is prominent. And when Crestwood makes the trip to Pittston Friday night, both teams have post season stakes.
While Pittston seems pretty well assured of a 5A playoff spot, they are within striking distance of Delaware Valley for 2 seed. That would mean the difference between a home game and going om the road in week 11. So every game is big for the Patriots and they’ll be banking on a big night from sophomore sensation Lucas Lopresto.
Crestwood is in a more dire situation, sitting in 6th among 4A teams, with playoff berths going to the top four. And the Comets are without starting quarterback Jaden Shedlock for the rest of the season. They combined for 175 yards on the ground against Nanticoke last week, but it will be tougher sledding against Pittston. PICK: Pittston Area
UPSET OF THE WEEK:
Robinson: A streak will end in Week Six. For four straight weeks, I was able to identify a ranked team that would be “upset”. Some were not as surprising as others, but in each case an unranked or lower-ranked team won. I can’t see any game to fit that description this week. Instead, we’ll look to the bottom two spots in the Wyoming Valley Conference Division 2 standings for a game sending last-place Tunkhannock to face Hanover Area at Wilkes-Barre Area Stadium. This game is closer to a toss-up, but the Tigers are a mild underdog on the road after some extreme struggles at home. Tunkhannock was 1-1 before starting a three-game homestand in which it allowed 48 first-half points twice and managed just 12 points against a Nanticoke team that is otherwise allowing 45-plus per game. It should be a wild one, but the Tigers have a chance to begin salvaging something out of their season. UPSET: Tunkhannock
Ossont: This game is going to be quite interesting if you ask me. There have been doubts about Riverside throughout the season. The only challenge the Vikings have faced so far was in Week 1 vs Dunmore where they were only able to produce 16 points. Lakeland made things interesting in the first half, but the Vikings pulled away. The rest of it? Teams that have been working on rebuilding. But now the Sabers of Susquehanna are coming to town and are 4-1 on the season. Riverside has the skills, but Susquehanna is starting to believe, especially with Weston Yannone being a triple threat of catching, running, and throwing the football. Coach Armstrong will have the Vikings ready, but don’t let the Sabers stay close, or else they will catch you off guard. UPSET: Susquehanna
Staron: The Western Wayne Wildcats are undefeated and flying high, coming off a 52-14 thumping of Old Forge to face Honesdale Friday night. Josh Vinton was tabbed as the player to watch last week in this space, and the senior running back delivered, with 270 yards rushing and five touchdowns, one of them an interception return for the game’s first score. But here’s the thing. It is hard going undefeated in a high school football season. The level of intensity and concentration required is really difficult to achieve. And the Hornets might be just the team to spoil it. They’ve played tough, competitive football through the first half of the season, and are coming off a loss to an outstanding Valley View team. Mason Avery has 561 yards rushing on the season, and if he gets rolling Friday night, it could spell trouble for Western Wayne. UPSET: Honesdale
LFC Player to Watch
Robinson: Western Wayne’s Josh Vinton has been a two-way force as the Wildcats have started 5-0, including handing three different teams – Susquehanna, Lackawanna Trail and Wyoming Area – their only losses. Vinton has four straight games with a least 140 yards rushing, but he does not stop there. He leads the Wildcats into Honesdale for their Division 2 opener. Vinton has interception returns for touchdowns in two of the past three games. He leads district players in points (84), total touchdowns (14) and rushing touchdowns (11).
Ossont: The Cougars have found their groove. Four straight is no easy feat, especially with some of the heavy hitters behind them. Now, with Scranton coming off a very tough loss, the Cougars can make it five in a row with the assist of signal caller Zach Cwalinski under center. Cwalinski is a tough player, he’s been battling injuries dating back to last season, but he is not letting that slow him down. He has 52 rushes this season for 333 yards, 14 of 32 for 239 yards, 8 total TDs, and two PATs. Don’t be surprised if he puts up big numbers this week.
Staron: There is probably a good reason that eight of the top 10 rushers in District 2 are from the LFC, and seven of the top 10 receivers are from WVC teams. I can’t tell what it is, but there’s gotta be one. Right? Susquehanna Sabers quarterback Weston Yannone is among those LFC backs eating up real estate, with over 600 yards and seven touchdowns to his credit so far. He had 169 yards and two scores last week, leading the Sabers to their fourth straight win. Expect him to be central to Susquehanna’s game plan when they visit Riverside.
WVC Player to Watch
Robinson: Hanover Area has had a tough time in an 0-5 start. During that time, sophomore wide receiver Jonathan Otway-Kellom has emerged as a much-needed offensive threat. He has three of the Hawkeyes’ seven touchdowns and is the team’s top receiver with 19 catches for 382 yards. Otway-Kellom represents one of Hanover Area’s biggest hopes of breaking into the win column when it hosts Tunkhannock (1-4 overall) in a Division 2 game.
Ossont:Hazelton welcomes Wilkes-Barre area this week and will see two quarterbacks clash. Hazleton, though, has a dual threat in Austin Wilson. He has 44 carries for 289 yards, 27 of 63 for 314 yards, and 4 rushing touchdowns. The Cougars are trying to stay in the hunt for the WVC D1 title, and a win over a tough Wilkes-Barre area team might just do that. Wilson is going to have to play perfectly to keep this winning streak alive!
Staron: In Wyoming Area’s lopsided win over Tunkhannock last week, sophomore wide receiver Luke Kopetchny wasn’t needed much, but still managed to haul in a 21-yard touchdown grab in the first quarter. That ran his total to 463 yards and six touchdowns through five weeks. Expect an early dose of the leading WR in District 2 again this week, when the Berwick Bulldogs, fresh off their first win, come to town.
2024 NPF HS Fantasy Football
Standings After Week 5
- T-Rob T-Rexes 466.21
- Party Paul Animals 442.72
- Seabass Says 430.71
- BBD Bosses 411.18
- Dandy Don Licks 407.99
- Mack Daddies 399.71
**Team managers will pick a new lineup every week. Each team can only select a player once during the season.**
WEEK 6 PICKS
BBD Bosses
QB – Louis Paris, Scranton Prep
RB – Demitrius Douglas, Lackawanna Trail
RB – Will McPartland, Scranton Prep
WR – Chris Sholtis, Lake-Lehman
WR – Connor Hughes, Mid Valley
TE – Josh Mruk, Wyoming Area
K –Ryan Bianchi, Lakeland
DEF – Lackawanna Trail
Dandy Don Licks
QB – Tyler Jervis, Lackawanna Trail
RB – Demitrius Douglas, Lackawanna Trail
RB – Will McPartland, Scranton Prep
WR – Treyvon Gembitski, Wilkes-Barre
WR – Jonathan Otway-Kellom, Hanover
TE – Cole Rigol, Dallas
K – Rowan Laubach, Dallas
DEF – Lake-Lehman
Mack Daddies
QB – Brady Zapoticky, Dallas
RB – Davon Underwood, Wilkes-Barre
RB – Issac Ryon, Lackawanna Trail
WR – Sean Owens, Western Wayne
WR – J.J. Rogers, Riverside
TE – Ben Dowling, Lake-Lehman
K – Santino D’Amico, Riverside
DEF – Holy Cross
Party Paul Animals
QB – Jake Howe, Wilkes-Barre
RB – Jim Mitkowski, Lake-Lehman
RB – Nick Kucharski, Valley View
WR – Brady Holmes, Scranton Prep
WR – Sean Owens, Western Wayne
TE – Lincoln Bibla, Crestwood
K – Jacob Wells, Western Wayne
DEF – Pittston Area
Seabass Says
QB – Louis Paris, Scranton Prep
RB – Issac Ryon, Lackawanna Trail
RB – Jim Mitkowski, Lake-Lehman
WR – Brady Holmes, Scranton Prep
WR – Deacon Eisenbach, Hanover Area
TE – Gianni Marino, Valley View
K – Nick Ciampi, Wyoming Area
DEF – Carbondale
T-Rob T-Rexes
QB – Jake Howe, Wilkes-Barre
RB – Dylan Geskey, Dalllas
RB – Will McPartland, Scranton Prep
WR – Jonathan Otway-Kellom, Hanover
WR – Brayden Rose, Riverside
TE – James Dabney, Delaware Valley
K – Ryan Bianchi, Lakeland
DEF – Mid Valley
WEEK 5 RESULTS
Dandy Don Licks – 136.60
QB – Jake Howe, Wilkes-Barre 14.15
RB – Josh Vinton, Western Wayne 43.50
RB – Davon Underwood, Wilkes-Barre 34.85
WR – Chris Sholtis, Lake-Lehman 10.30
WR – Trey Newton, Delaware Valley 17.80
TE – Cayd Sespico, Abington Heights 0.00
K – Jacob Wells, Western Wayne 10.00
DEF – Wilkes-Barre 6.00
Seabass Says – 96.10
QB – Jaden Shedlock, Crestwood 0.00
RB – Josh Vinton, Western Wayne 43.50
RB – Mike Iuzzolino, Delaware Valley 14.90
WR – Luke Kopechny, Wyoming Area 9.10
WR – Treyvon Gembitski, Wilkes-Barre 7.85
TE – Ben Dowling, Lake-Lehman 16.75
K – Rowan Laubach, Dallas 4.00
DEF – Riverside 0.00
BBD Bosses – 75.35
QB – Jaden Shedlock, Crestwood 0.00
RB – Dylan Geskey, Dallas 26.40
RB – Preston Reed, Valley View 1.45
WR – Sean Owens, Western Wayne 23.00
WR – Treyvon Gembitski, Wilkes-Barre 7.85
TE – Lincoln Bibla, Crestwood 12.65
K –Rowan Laubach, Dallas 4.00
DEF – Valley View 0.00
Mack Daddies – 75.05
QB – Jake Howe, Wilkes-Barre 14.15
RB – Lidge Kellum, Wyoming Area 17.15
RB – Dylan Geskey, Dallas 26.40
WR – Treyvon Dickey, Scranton Prep 1.35
WR – Chase Rosenkrans, Lakeland 3.90
TE – James Dabney, Delaware Valley 2.10
K – Jacob Wells, Western Wayne 10.00
DEF – Dunmore 0.00
T-Rob T-Rexes – 70.80
QB – Louis Paris, Scranton Prep 20.70
RB – Mike Iuzzolino, Delaware Valley 14.90
RB – Caedon Voglino, Carbondale 0.00
WR – Shawn Theodore, Abington Heights 5.40
WR – Trey Newton, Delaware Valley 17.80
TE – Josh Mruk, Wyoming Area 0.00
K – Nick Ciampi, Wyoming Area 6.00
DEF – Wyoming Area 6.00
Party Paul Animals – 68.55
QB – Louis Paris, Scranton Prep 20.70
RB – Mike Iuzzolino, Delaware Valley 14.90
RB – Dylan Geskey, Dallas 26.40
WR – Treyvon Dickey, Scranton Prep 1.35
WR – Jordan Kieselowski, Wilkes-Barre 1.20
TE – Cayd Sespico, Abington Heights 0.00
K – Rowan Laubach, Dallas 4.00
DEF – Lake-Lehman 0.00
