Here are the Super Six Power rankings powered by Gaughan Auto Store. All teams in the WVC and LFC are eligible for the rankings. Big School rankings consist of teams from Class 6A, 5A and 4A schools. Small School rankings consist of teams from Class 3A, 2A and 1A schools. Check back as we count up to No. 1 for the preseason.
BIG SCHOOL
1. Dallas Mountaineers
The Mountaineers are coming off a season where they made it the state championship game. They have been playing at the highest level over the five years and will be one of the favorites to defend their WVC Division 1 and Class 4A crowns. The Mounts return two of the best skill players in All-District QB Brady Zapoticky and WVC 1 Most Valuable Player Dylan Geskey. They do have to replace all five starting offensive lineman which might make you pause and ask why they are the No. 1 team. However, they had four new starting lineman entering the 2023 season and you saw what happened. This is a credit to the coaching staff and the depth of the program. No reason to think they can’t do it again.
2. Delaware Valley Warriors
Most of the time when a team loses a senior class like the Warriors did from 2023, you would think they would take a big step. However, DV reloads, not rebuilds. Delaware Valley is the defending LFC Division I and Class 5A Champion and will be in the running for both titles again this year. Quarterback Logan Olsommer is back and expect him to be given more responsibility in the offense. DV starts with a brutal schedule as usual, but that usually gets them ready for league and district play. People who sleep on the Warriors haven’t been paying attention.
3. Wilkes-Barre Wolfpack
Wilkes-Barre is always a team that has athetes. The biggest question is can they put it together to make a championship team in WVC 1. They are the defending Class 6A champions which they will be the favorite to repeat although it will be more challenging this season. The Wolfpack biggest asset for 2024 is team speed. This team is fast across the board. And with quarterback Jake Howe back for his third year as a starter, the passing game should be lethal. The offensive and defensive lines took a hit by graduation, but do have two-way all-star Jimmy Gryskewicz. The defense also has to fill some holes and if they do, the Pack will be one of the best teams in District 2.
4. Valley View Cougars
The Cougars have been one of the most consistent programs over the past decade and have had at least 10 wins every season since 2016 (with the exception of the COVID season). That consistency has led them to championships although not in recent years. Valley View lost the district title game by 5 points in 2022 and 3 points in 2023. This year, they have an experienced roster with 30 seniors and will be in the mix for both the LFC Division I and Class 4A. The defense will be one of the best in area led by all-state linebacker Gianni Marino and all-district cornerback Nick Kucharski. If the Cougars can get consistent play at the quarterback position, there is enough talent to make another run at a 10-win season and a chance to get back to the district title game for the fourth straight season.
5. Crestwood Comets
Crestwood suffered a losing season in 2023 and injuries were a big issue why. The good news is they seem to excel in even years winning district title in 2014, 2020, and 2022. So if the trend continues, they should be right in the mix for the WVC Division 1 and Class 4A. Jaden Shedlock was one of those players that missed games and he makes the offense go. He is healthy heading in this season which is critical for the Comets to have success. Crestwood also is strong up front with Kyle Draina and Aleks Janiewicz anchoring the trenches. Lincoln Bibla was another player who missed the first half of the season but still almost led the teams in tackles. He will be the leader of the defense in 2024.
6. Abington Heights Comets
The Comets had their first winning season since 2016 and the feel is the program is on the upswing. Abington had one of the best passing games in District 2 and quarterback Nick Bradley returns for his junior season after throwing for over 2,000 yards. They will have to replace their top two receivers, but feel they have replacements ready. Another reason for improvement was the offensive line played better and four starters return up front. Can the Comets get back to the top of LFC Division I? That remains to be seen, but no doubt they are closer than recent years.
SMALL SCHOOL
1. Scranton Prep Cavaliers
Prep has been a football power for over a decade winning multiple league and district championships. They are the defending Class 3A champion heading into this season and the favorite to win LFC Division I. They lost some very talented players to graduation so there are holes to be filled, but the return of QB Louis Paris and ATH Treyvon Dickey make them dangerous on offese while LB Reese Tanner will lead the defense. The Cavaliers have also upgraded their schedule to play two out of state Jesuit schools to prepare them for the postseason. No doubt Scranton Prep is the favorite this season and anything less than 10 wins would be surprising.
2. Wyoming Area Warriors
The Warriors continue to be one of the premier programs in the area. They won WVC Division 2 last season and made it the Class 4A semifinal. Wyoming Area moves back down to Class 3A where they won their state championship in 2019. The Warriors have plenty of experience coming back with the biggest holes to fill on the offensive line. Quarterback Anthony DeLucca returns and the combo of Lidge Kellum and Michael Crane rushed for over 800 yards last season as backups. Josh Mruk leads the defense which could be even better in 2024. Once they get to the postseason, the Class 3A bracket is highly competitive, but the Warriors will be right there challenging for the title.
3. Western Wayne Wildcats
Western Wayne is a program that has been on the rise over the past decade. However, they are still looking to win championship. That might happen this season. The Wildcats return almost everybody on the offensive and defensive front from a team that won 8 games last season. They also return all-league running back Josh Vinton. They will have to get a new quarterback acclimated and if he can manage the run-first offense, the Cats offense should be very good. Sean Owens also returns at receiver and safety as one of the best two-way players in the LFC.
4. Lackawanna Trail Lions
The Lions finished 2023 as the No. 1 Small School after an unbeaten regular season, LFC Division III title, and a District 2 Class 1A title. Lackawanna Trail has enough coming back to go on a similar run in 2024 despite losing some key players to graduation. Trail has been one of the most consistent football programs in the area for decades and they continue to make waves on the state level. This version of the Lions has a very good offensive line, all-league running back Demetrius Douglas taking over as the primary ball carrier and defensive back Max Kimmel leading the defense. The offense should put up points again, and if the defense can plug in some new players who can make plays, that unit can play at a high level once again.
5. Riverside Vikings
Riverside came within a touchdown to win the league title and a touchdown to win the district title in 2023. That should motivate them to get them back to those positions with different results. The offense is in good hands with Chase Taddonio and will be high-octane once again. Tavian Branch can be dominant up front and the supporting cast is good enough for the Vikings to put up plenty of points. The defense will determine Riverside’s fate as they have to replace some all-league players on that side of the ball. But overall they should be one of the favorites in LFC Division III and Class 2A.
6. Mid Valley Spartans
The Spartans qualified for the district playoffs and won seven games in 2023 and that was despite numerous injuries including losing their quarterback. But Mid Valley fought hard every game and with a strong cast coming back including five starters on the offensive line, they should be in the mix for LFC Division II. Expect more ground and pound with all-league running back Jakob Lesher and a defense that has an experienced linebacking corp to lead the way.
