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.
Matchup Scale
Must-see: Four Footballs Rating
Great: Three Footballs Rating
Good: Two Footballs Rating
Fair: One Football Rating
WEEK 5
North Pocono Trojans (4-0) at Abington Heights Comets (4-0)
Comets Stadium – The Pit (Grass), Saturday 1pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
LFC Division I Game
Series: Abington Heights 34-20-1
Last Meeting: 2024 Abington Heights 21-3
Last Week: North Pocono 38, Wallenpaupack 13; Abington Heights 45, Valley View 7
Players To Watch
North Pocono: RB Joe Briskie; Abington Heights: LB Thatcher Loss
The Skinny: This is the Game of the Week in the LFC and maybe Game of the Year. Both teams are unbeaten and both are trying to erase recent past failures with a shot at a championship. The key to this game will be if the Trojans can match the Comets physicality. If they do, we will have an instant classic because both teams have skill players that will make plays.
Key Matchup: Abington Heights defensive line vs. North Pocono offensive line
Favorite: Abington Heights by 3
Scranton Knights (2-2) at Scranton Prep Cavaliers (1-3)
Dunmore Veterans Memorial Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm
LFC Division I Game
Series: Scranton Prep 11-9
Last Meeting: 2024 Scranton Prep 43-0
Last Week: Scranton 51, West Scranton 6; Scranton Prep 49, Delaware Valley 44
Players To Watch
Scranton: RB Keith Jones; Scranton Prep: LB Braedon McPartland
The Skinny: Prep welcomed the return of QB Will McPartland who was responsible for seven touchdowns. The Cavaliers hope to ride that momentum through the rest of their division schedule which would put them in line for a share of the title. Even though Scranton won The Bell again, they have to find more playmakers, especially if RB Reece Whitman will be out for any long period of time.
Key Matchup: Scranton Prep running back vs. Scranton linebackers
Favorite: Scranton Prep 14
Pittston Area Patriots (3-1) at Dallas Mountaineers (1-3)
Mountaineers Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
WVC Division 1 Game
Series: Dallas 25-18
Last Meeting: 2024 Dallas 30-22
Last Week: Pittston Area 64, Wyoming Valley West 20; Dallas 24, Wilkes-Barre 21
Players to Watch
Pittston Area: QB Paulie Ferentino; Dallas: RB Marc Saracinaj
The Skinny: Pittston Area has had a fairly easy schedule through four weeks although they did hang with the No. 1 ranked team. The Patriots are on a mission to prove they can play with the best in WVC Division 1. This is the first test. Dallas finally got a win, and they are still the King of the Hill in our eyes and already knocked off the preseason division favorite.
Key Matchup: Dallas secondary vs. Pittston Area wide receivers
Favorite: Dallas by 6
Berwick Bulldogs (4-0) at Hanover Area Hawkeyes (2-2)
Hanover Area Memorial Stadium (Grass), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
WVC Division 2 Game
Series: Hanover Area 5-4
Last Meeting: 2024 Hanover Area 48-6
Last Week: Berwick 48, Hazleton 6; Hanover Area 40, Old Forge 0
Players To Watch
Berwick: RB Ashton Smith; Hanover Area: LB Brody Richardson
The Skinny: Berwick actually went into this game last season winless and now they go in without a loss. The Hawkeyes offense has been very good, but the defense will be tasked to slow down Dawgs’ running back Ty’Meere Wilkerson. Hanover Area will have to score a lot to stay in this game and that won’t be easy against a Berwick defense that has allowed only 25 points.
Key Matchup: Hanover Area linebackers vs. Berwick offensive line
Favorite: Berwick by 18
Dunmore Bucks (2-2) at Carbondale Area Chargers (3-1)
Cerra Sports Complex (Grass), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
LFC Division Crossover Game
Series: Dunmore 43-4-4
Last Meeting: 2024 Dunmore 7-6
Last Week: Lackawanna Trail 30, Dunmore 28; Carbondale 45, Holy Cross 15
Players to Watch
Dunmore: DB Jacob Costanzo; Carbondale: DL Jaiden Keller
The Skinny: The Bucks two losses have come in overtime and on a safety. That’s a total of five points. They could easily be 4-0. Carbondale is off to a strong start again, but will have to bring their A game to hang with Dunmore. Both teams will run the ball a lot on Friday.
Key Matchup: Carbondale defensive line vs. Dunmore run game
Favorite: Dunmore by 13
Delaware Valley Warriors (0-4) at Wallenpaupack Buckhorns (2-2)
Wallenpaupack Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
LFC Division I Game
Series: Delaware Valley 21-10
Last Meeting: 2024 Delaware Valley 31-14
Last Week: Scranton Prep 49, Delaware Valley 44; North Pocono 38, Wallenpaupack 13
Players To Watch
Delaware Valley: TE James Dabney; Wallenpaupack: WR Mason Gonzalez
The Skinny: Delaware Valley is 0-4 but still a major threat every week. The offense has been outstanding, but the defense has had issues. They have allowed a district high 195 points. Granted the competition has been very good, but that’s been the case in the past and we haven’t see this from the Warriors D. Paupack runs the ball very well so we expect them to continue that trend on the Big Lake.
Key Matchup: Wallenpaupack secondary vs. Delaware Valley passing game
Favorite: Delaware Valley by 13
Lackawanna Trail Lions (3-1) at Mid Valley Spartans (2-2)
Spartans Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm
LFC Division Crossover Game
Series: Lackawanna Trail 20-14
Last Meeting: 2024 Lackawanna Trail 26-14
Last Week: Lackawanna Trail 30, Dunmore 28; Mid Valley 42, Honesdale 21
Players To Watch
Lackawanna Trail: DE Kaylix Douglas; Mid Valley: WR Nick Pinto
The Skinny: Mid Valley got back on track the past two weeks while Trail had to sneak out a home win last week. Both these teams will try to control the line of scrimmage with the running games and the Spartans’ Mason Vinansky and the Lions’ Isaac Ryon. Both also have senior quarterbacks that are capable of making big plays.
Key Matchup: Mid Valley linebackers vs. Lackawanna Trail running game
Favorite: Lackawanna Trail by 7
Valley View Cougars (2-2) at Honesdale Hornets (1-3)
Hornet Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
LFC Division Crossover Game
Series: Valley View 19-3
Last Meeting: 2024 Valley View 36-20
Last Week: Abington Heights 45, Valley View 7; Mid Valley 42, Honesdale 21
Players To Watch
Valley View: LB Jeffrey Wasilchak; Honesdale: DL Logan Dieterich
The Skinny: Both these teams have struggled on offense although Honesdale looked better last week. The Cougars defense was outstanding until this past week. It will be interesting to see how a young Valley View roster handles an overwhelming loss. Of course, this is also the first time Hornets coach George Howanitz face his alma mater where he won a state title and the team he coached to multiple league and district titles.
Key Matchups: Honesdale defensive line vs. Valley View running game
Favorite: Valley View by 11
Hazleton Area Cougars (1-3) at Wyoming Valley West Spartans (0-4)
Spartan Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm
WVC Division 1 Game
Series:Wyoming Valley West 29-18-1
Last Meeting: 2024 Hazleton 34-7
Last Week: Berwick 48, Hazleton 6; Pittston Area 64, Valley West 20
Players To Watch
Hazleton: WR Jose Lopez; Valley West: WR Preston Sninsky
The Skinny: Wyoming Valley West at least has a pulse on offense this year, but the defense continues to struggle. Hazleton is young and it has shown at times. They have struggled with the better teams so they are hoping to have a breakout win this week.
Key Matchup: Valley West wide receivers vs. Hazleton secondary
Favorite: Hazleton by 10
Western Wayne Wildcats (1-3) at Old Forge Blue Devils (0-4)
Old Forge Veterans Memorial Stadium (Grass), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
LFC Division Crossover Game
Series: Tied 9-9
Last Meeting: 2024 Western Wayne 52-14
Last Week: Crestwood 49, Western Wayne 7; Hanover Area 40, Old Forge 0
Players To Watch
Western Wayne: WR Pat Donahue; Old Forge: WR Ayden Aversa
The Skinny: These two teams have really struggled to start the season. Old Forge has been shut out two straight weeks and desperately needs to find some offense. The Wildcats haven’t been much better and their inexperience has been a big factor. Somebody gets a win which will help them get through a difficult season.
Key Matchup: Old Forge wide receivers vs. Western Wayne secondary
Favorite: Old Forge by 4
Wilkes-Barre Wolfpacks (2-2) at West Scranton Invaders (1-3)
Scranton Veterans Memorial Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
Conference Crossover Game
Series: Wilkes-Barre 1-0
Last Meeting: Wilkes-Barre 35-2
Last Week: Dallas 24, Wilkes-Barre 21; Scranton 51, West Scranton 6
Players To Watch
Wilkes-Barre: WR Kevon Creech; West Scranton: WR Jonyae Sostre
The Skinny: After a signature win, the Wolfpack suffer a signaure loss. The had a chance to knock off the two-time defending champs but lost on a last-second field goal. West Scranton is on a three-game losing streak and still is trying to get more consistency.Wilkes-Barre should be able to get their high-power offense going after struggling in recent weeks.
Key Matchup: West Scranton secondary vs. Wilkes-Barre wide receivers
Favorite: Wilkes-Barre by 21
Nanticoke Trojans (0-4) at Crestwood Comets (2-2)
Crestwood Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm
WVC Division Crossover Game
Series: Crestwood 13-12-1
Last Meeting: 2024 Crestwood 55-0
Last Week: Tunkhannock 42, Nanticoke 6; Crestwood 49, Western Wayne 7
Players To Watch
Nanticoke: WR Justin Johnson; Crestwood: LB Logan Lawson
The Skinny: The Comets have won two straight as they try to position themselves in a good spot for a Class 4A playoff spot. Jaden Shedlock continues to shine and Crestwood has shown to be more balanced on offense than recent years. Nanticoke is still a work in progress.
Key Matchup: Crestwood offensive line vs. Nanticoke linebackers
Favorite: Crestwood by 31
Tunkhannock Tigers (2-2) at Wyoming Area Warriors (4-0)
Jale Sobeski Stadium (Grass), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
WVC Division 2 Game
Series: Wyoming Area 26-4
Last Meeting: 2024 Wyoming Area 54-13
Last Week: Tunkhannock 42, Nanticoke 6; Wyoming Area 38, Lakeland 14
Players To Watch
Tunkhannock: RB Moses Montero; Wyoming Area: RB Nick Ciampi
The Skinny: Seems like Tunkhannock is eiether getting beat bad or delivering bad beatings. This week, they run into the division two-time defending champions Expect Wyoming Area to be the one to pile up the points at home this week.
Key Matchup: Wyoming Area offensive line vs. Tunkhannock defensive front
Favorite: Wyoming Area by 28
Susquehanna Sabers (0-4) at Lakeland Chiefs (3-1)
Lakeland Stadium (Grass), Friday 7pm
LFC Division Crossover Game
Series: Lakeland 23-6
Last Meeting: 2024 Susquehanna 16-6
Last Week: Holy Redeemer 27, Susquehanna 20; Wyoming Area 38, Lakeland 14
Players to Watch
Susquehanna:RB Michael Smith; Lakeland: OL Weston Loomis
The Skinny: The Chiefs had a 14-0 lead last week and then fell apart, giving up 38 straight points in their first loss of the season.Lakeland still has a lot of good football ahead of them, but that game was a slight setback. Susquehanna continues to struggle with a young roster.
Key Matchup: Lakeland wide receivers vs. Susquehanna secondary
Favorite: Lakeland by 28
Riverside Vikings (3-1) at Montrose Meteors (1-3)
Bennett/Mullen Field (Grass), Thursday 7pm
Independent Game
Series: Riverside 11-0
Last Meeting: 2024 Riverside 55-0
Last Week: Bye Week; Riverside 42, Lake-Lehman 12
Players To Watch
Riverside: RB Carmelo Barnett; Montrose: WR Evan McComb
The Skinny: Thursday Night Football again for these two teams. It actually helps Riverside this year as the offense still needs some work. Montrose will try to keep it respectable.
Key Matchup: Montrose defensive line vs. Riverside offensive line
Favorite: Riverside by 35
Lake-Lehman Black Knights (1-3) at Holy Redeemer Royals (1-3)
Spartan Stadium (Turf), Saturday 7pm
Independent Game
Series: Lake-Lehman 18-0
Last Meeting: 2024 Lake-Lehman 42-0
Last Week: Riverside 49, Lake-Lehman 7; Holy Redeemer 27, Susquehanna 20
Players To Watch
Lake-Lehman: RB Chris Yetter; Holy Redeemer: WR Kaden Sepkoski
The Skinny: The Royals broke their 24-game losing streak while Lehman was getting smoked last week. Expect the two teams to reverse roles this week.
Key Matchup: Holy Redeemer linebackers vs. Lake-Lehman running backs
Favorite: Lake-Lehman by 35
Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech Rams (3-1) Holy Cross Crusaders (1-3)
Msgr. Crotti Field (Grass), Saturday 1pm
District Crossover Game
Series: Col-Mont Vo-Tech 4-3
Last Meeting: 2024 Col-Mont Vo-Tech 24-14
Last Week: Col-Mont Vo-Tech 34, Renaissance Academy 20; Carbondale 45, Holy Cross 15
Players To Watch
Col-Mont Vo-Tech: QB Axton Kozer; Holy Cross: RB Henry Chilewski
The Skinny: The Rams have a good running back and a really good offense. The Crusaders are having trouble keeping people healthy. Could be a long afternoon for Holy Cross.
Key Matchup: Holy Cross linebackers vs. Col-Mont Vo-Tech run game
Favorite: Col-Mont Vo-Tech by 20
