Here are the rankings after Week powered by Gaughan Auto Store:
BIG SCHOOL
- Valley View Cougars (4-1), defeated Honesdale 36-20 (Last week: 2)
Valley View climbs all the way back to the top of the rankings after dropping out after Week 1. The Cougars have been consistent the last four weeks with a strong defense, big play offense and quality wins against some good opponents. They will have to deal with the rest of LFC Division I to stay there.
Next up: at Scranton (4-1) (Listen on NPF) – Friday - Abington Heights Comets (3-2), defeated North Pocono 21-3 (Last week: 3)
After a close loss to No. 1 Valley View, the Comets went on the road and didn’t allow a touchdown. They also have become more balanced on offense which has helped take pressure off the passing game. Abington also got a special teams touchdown. This week will be a true test and a possible preview of the Class 5A title game.
Next up: vs. Delaware Valley (1-4) (Listen on NPF) – Saturday - Delaware Valley Warriors (1-4), defeated Wallenpaupack 31-14 (Last week: 5)
Here come the Warriors. They finally got that first win and the rest of LFC Division I should be on notice. The defense has gotten better every week and DV should be able to run the football the rest of the way with a very good offensive line. A road win this week would go a long way of putting the Warriors in the drivers seat in Class 5A.
Next up: at Abington Heights (3-2) (Listen on NPF) – Saturday - Scranton Knights (4-1), lost to Scranton Prep 43-0 (Last week: 1)
We talked about the strength of schedule that helped the Knights to a 4-0 start and finally they got a quality opponent last Friday. It didn’t go well from the opening kickoff which Scranton fumbled. Won’t get any easier with another tough LFC Division I foe coming to town. The Knights have to regroup quickly.
Next up: vs. Valley View (4-1) (Listen on NPF) – Friday - Dallas Mountaineers (2-3), defeated Pittston Area 30-22(Last week: 6)
It was a struggle on the road, but Dallas got the win and that’s the bottom line. They should be able to move up the Class 4A standings in the second half of the season as the LFC team beat each other up. The Mountaineers are still one of the favorites to win the district again despite the early losses.
Next up: vs. North Pocono (3-2) – Friday - Wallenpaupack Buckhorns (3-2), lost to Delaware Valley 31-14 (Last week: 4)
The Buckhorns struggled on offense again Friday night and the defense couldn’t bail them out this week. Another LFC Division I power is up next and Paupack will have to find a way to figure out how to score more points if they want to remain in the rankings.
Next up: at Scranton Prep (4-1) – Friday
SMALL SCHOOL
- Scranton Prep Cavaliers (4-1), defeated Scranton 43-0 (Last week: 1)
Prep had Scranton saying ‘No Mas’ halfway early in this game as the Cavaliers get back to their dominating ways. They have the lead in the division, but more important they do not currently have the No. 1 seed in Class 3A. Winning out is a must to get homefield in the playoffs.
Next up: at Scranton 4-0) (Watch on NPF) – Friday - Western Wayne Wildcats (5-0), defeated Old Forge 52-14 (Last week: 2)
The Wildcats are making it look easy now as they raced out to a 28-0 first quarter lead last Friday. The passing game has come to life to complement what is already one of the best running games in the district. A key division road game is up next against a rival so Western Wayne must stay focused in the second half of the season.
Next up: at Honesdale (2-3) – Friday - Wyoming Area Warriors (4-1), defeated Tunkhannock 54-13 (Last week: 4)
The Warriors got through a tough first half schedule with only one blemish and they start WVC Division 2 play with an easy win. They know they playoffs will be challenging in Class 3A so staying healthy and getting those wins the rest of the way will be a priority going into the postseason.
Next up: vs Berwick (1-4) (Watch on NPF) – Friday - Lackawanna Trail Lions (4-1), defeated Mid Valley 26-14 (Last week: 5)
Two fourth quarter touchdowns pushed Trail to their third straight victory. But the defense also was prominent in the win after giving up an early long touchdown run. Lions still have some work to do to win the division and seal a No. 1 seed in the Class 1A subregional. Key head-to-head coming up this Friday as well against another Class 1A team.
Next up: at Old Forge (3-2) (Listen on NPF) – Friday - Riverside Vikings (5-0), defeated Montrose (Last week: 6)
Riverside took care of business last Thursday, but now a game that might have not looked so tough at the beginning of the season could test the Vikings. The schedule still has some tough opponents at the end of the season, but if they can get by this, Riverside is looking good going into Week 9.
Next up: vs. Susquehanna (4-1) – Friday - Mid Valley Spartans (4-1), lost to Lackawanna Trail 26-14 (Last week: 3)
The Spartans fought hard at Tunnel Hill last Friday, but the fourth quarter ended up being their downfall. They haven’t played in many closes games so maybe a loss like this will help them down the road.
Next up: vs. West Scranton (0-5) – Friday
