Here are the rankings after Week 11 powered by Gaughan Auto Store:
BIG SCHOOL
- Valley View Cougars (10-1), defeated Crestwood 21-14 (Last week: 1)
Valley View outgained Crestwood 365 to 137, but only won by a touchdown. That seems to be the Cougars M.O. this season. Penalties have been their Achilles Heel in 2024 and if they do that in the title game, it won’t end good. Meanwhile, Valley View has a 10-win season every full season since 2017 and has been to every district title game since then with the exception of the Covid season.
Next up: vs. Dallas (8-3) (Watch on NPF) – Friday - Delaware Valley Warriors (6-5), defeated Pittston Area 38-15 (Last week: 2)
DV cruised to an easy win over Pittston as expected. The Warriors now get to defend thier title at The Pit, where they beat Abington on a last-minute touchdown during the regular seaso. Delaware Valley has to be the favorite just because of history, but this should be an excellent football game.
Next up: at Abington Heights (7-4) (Listen on NPF) – Saturday - Abington Heights Comets (7-4), defeated Wyoming Valley West 35-0 (Last week: 3)
This is the best team Abington Heights has had in years. They are several plays away from being 10-1. The Comets offensive line has been the main reason for improvement, but the defense will be the key on Saturday as they have to find a way to stope the run.
Next up: vs. Delaware Valley (6-5) (Listen on NPF) – Saturday - Dallas Mountaineers (8-3), defeated Honesdale 48-14 (Last week: 4)
The Mountaineers are as hot as anyone and they will get to defend their district title agaisnt the team they defeated last season 21-18 on their way to the state title game. Dallas has great balance with a running game that can pound you into the ground and a high-flying passing game with a veteran quarterback. The rematch should be fun.
Next up: at Valley View (10-1) (Watch on NPF) – Friday - Wilkes-Barre Wolfpack (6-5), defeated Scranton 35-7 (Last week: 6)
The Wolfpack get a rematch from Week 10 with Williamsport. In that game, Wilkes-Barre had a 7 point lead in the 4th quarter and gave up 21 unanswered points to lose. They have already won their second straight District 2 Class 6A title, but would like to get that Subregional gold medal and earn a state playoff game.
Next up: vs. Williamsport (6-5) – Friday - North Pocono Trojans (5-6), defeated Hamburg 41-0 (Last week: NR)
North Pocono finished the season with an Eastern Conference win and a losing record. However, they were playing as good as anyone with a brutal second half schedule. They hung around with Delaware Valley, Valley View and Scranton Prep so they earned a spot in the Super Six. They will be a team to reckon with in 2025.
Next up: Season Complete
SMALL SCHOOL
- Scranton Prep Cavaliers (10-1), defeated Tunkhannock 42-0(Last week: 1)
The Cavaliers cruised to an easy win and got through the game unscathed. Now, they will get a rematch with a team they beat 28-0. However, Mid Valley isn’t the same team they defeated in Week 8. Prep is still a heavy favorite to return to the district title game, but it won’t be as easy as last week’s gane.
Next up: vs. Mid Valley (8-3) – Friday - Wyoming Area Warriors (10-1), defeated Carbondale 49-0 (Last week: 2)
The Warriors will have a chance to avenge their only loss of the season in the semifinals and they are playing their best football and are heathy heading into Friday. We expect this game to be physical and a showcase of two of the best running backs in District 2. Anything could happen in this game.
Next up: at Western Wayne (10-1) (Watch on NPF) – Friday - Lackawanna Trail Lions (10-1), defeated Natvity 47-20 (Last week: 3)
Lackawanna Trail won easily at home last Friday and will be a favorite again this week. A win would send them on another journey to try to win a state title. The Lions looked healthy and refreshed which means they will probably be the best team on paper the next several weeks. They just have to go out and execute to win games.
Next up: vs. Tri-Valley (7-4) (Listen on NPF) – Friday - Western Wayne Wildcats (10-1), defeated Berwick 7-0 (Last week: 4)
The Wildcats had a scare last week in the quarterfinals. It took a fourth quarter touchdown to advance. Western Wayne looked like they couldn’t be stopped most of the season, but there seems to be some questions after their only loss and the way they played last week. They get a rematch with a very good football team and that was one of the ‘Cats best played games of the season.
Next up: vs. Wyoming Area (10-1) (Watch on NPF) – Friday - Mid Valley Spartans (8-3), defeated Lake-Lehman 35-18 (Last week: 5)
Mid Valley seems to peaking right now and a lot of that can be attributed to the return from injury of Jakob Lesher. He will get plenty of postseason accolades, but if he can lead his team to an upset this Friday, he will become a Spartan legend and this team might be considered the best in school history.
Next up: at Scranton Prep (10-1) – Friday - Riverside Vikings (10-1), defeated Lakeland 36-7 (Last week: 6)
After getting down 7-0, the Vikings scored 36 unanswered points to roll to the championship game. They will get a rematch from last year’s title game where they lost to Dunmore by one score. They beat the Bucks to open the season, but it wasn’t easy and Dunmore has improved. This Riverside program needs this win as they have racked up plenty of individual accolades but championship trophies have been absent in the school’s trophy case in recent years.
Next up: vs. Dunmore (5-6) (Listen on NPF) – Friday
