Every week, we will give you a capsule preview of every game involving WVC and LFC teams presented by Dickson City Hyundai. The games will be listed based on how competitive they are, rivalry impact and storylines. So, if you are looking for a game to go watch, this guide will help you each week.
WEEK 14
Must-see: Four Footballs Rating
Lackawanna Trail Lions (12-1) vs. Belmont Charter Tigers (9-1)
Northern Lehigh Bulldog Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
PIAA Class 1A Quarterfinal
Series: First Meeting
Last Week: Lackawanna Trail 31, Line Mountain 20; Belmont Charter 36, York Catholic 20
Players To Watch
Lackawanna Trail: DB Sean Dwyer; Belmont: QB Nafis Watkins
The Skinny: When local teams have to play teams from the Philadelphia area, they have to deal with the same issues – speed and athleticism. Belmont Charter doesn’t have a legacy and their strength of schedule is questionable, but the bottom line is you just don’t know how good they are. They have a dual-threat quarterback and are very similar the the Lions’ opponent from last week. Trail will do what Trail does well and expect that to work on offense. The defense will determine if they advance to the state semifinals.
Key Matchup: Belmont passing game vs. Lackawanna Trail secondary
Favorite: Lackawanna Trail by 6
State Playoffs: Winner plays either Bishop Guilfoyle or Westinghouse
North Pocono Trojans (13-0) vs. Cardinal O’Hara Lions (9-4)
Zephyr Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm
PIAA Class 4A Quarterfinal
Series: First Meeting
Last Week: North Pocono 40, Bishop Shanahan 36; Cardinal O’Hara 34, West Philadelphia 6
Players To Watch
North Pocono: WR Cole West; Cardinal O’Hara: RB Amahj Gowans
The Skinny: North Pocono is unbeaten and that’s impressive enough. However, what’s more important is when they have played quality opponents and been in close games, they have found ways to win. Cardinal O’Hara had a monster schedule so don’t be fooled by the four losses. Three of them came to Philly big boys St. Joe’s Prep, LaSalle, and Roman Catholic. This one could go either way and the kicking game could be the difference.
Key Matchups: Cardinal O’Hara run game vs. North Pocono defensive line
Favorite: North Pocono by 3
State Playoffs: Winner plays either Southern Lehigh or Shamokin
Scranton Prep Cavaliers (8-5) vs. Northwestern Lehigh Tigers (13-0)
Crispin Field (Turf), Friday 7pm
PIAA Class 3A Quarterfinal
Series: Northwestern Lehigh 2-0
Last Meeting: 2024 Northwestern Lehigh 34-0
Last Week: Scranton Prep 28, Mifflinburg 21; Northwestern Lehigh 35, Notre Dame 14
Players To Watch
Scranton Prep: LB Kaleb Pagnotti; Northwestern Lehigh: QB Shane Leh
The Skinny: Here they are again for the third straight postseason with the Cavaliers and Tigers running into each other. The first two games haven’t been close. Northwestern Lehigh is the defending state champions and is unbeaten. Their current winning streak stands at 29 games with the last loss coming in the state title game in 2023. Prep will have to play a mistake-free game to have a chance to pull the upset.
Key Matchups: Scranton Prep linebackers vs. Northwestern Lehigh run game
Favorite: Northwestern Lehigh by 12
State Playoffs: Winner plays either Neumann-Goretti or Trinity
