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 7
Scranton Prep Cavaliers (3-3) at Abington Heights Comets (4-2)
Abington Heights Turf Field (Turf), Friday 7pm
LFC Division I Game
Series: Abington Heights 22-20
Last Meeting: 2024 Scranton Prep 27-21
Last Week: Scranton Prep 37, Wallenpaupack 0; Delaware Valley 28, Abington Heights 14
Players To Watch
Scranton Prep: QB Will McPartland; Abington Heights: QB Noah Kayal
The Skinny: With Nick Bradley out for an undetermined amount of time, the Comets will have to find have to find other players to step up. Noah Kayal got the start at quarterback and did an admirable job so there is some hope the dropoff won’t be too bad. Prep is playing their best football right now and a win here keeps their division hopes alive.
Key Matchup: Abington Heights passing game vs. Scranton Prep secondary
Favorite: Scranton Prep by 7
Mid Valley Spartans (3-3) at Dunmore Bucks (3-3)
Dunmore Veterans Memorial Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
LFC Division II Game
Series: Dunmore 42-5
Last Meeting: 2024 Dunmore 21-20
Last Week: Mid Valley 28, West Scranton 7; Lakeland 28, Dunmore 14
Players To Watch
Mid Valley: OL Dylan Maceyko; Dunmore: DL Ethyn Durst
The Skinny: Mid Valley still has a chance to defend their division title, but this is a must-win on the road. The Spartans offense has been good when healthy so it will be up to the defense to play at a higher level. Dunmore is banged up and any hope to win the division will be eliminated if they can’t find a way to win this game.
Key Matchup: Dunmore linebackers vs. Mid Valley offensive line
Favorite: Dunmore by 5
North Pocono Trojans (6-0) at Valley View Cougars (4-2)
John Henzes Veterans Memorial Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
LFC Division I Game
Series: Valley View 35-16
Last Meeting: 2024 Valley View 21-14
Last Week: North Pocono 35, Dallas 14; Valley View 28, Scranton 0
Players To Watch
North Pocono: OL Dylan Caster; Valley View: DL Mason Mitchell
The Skinny: This game has been close the past two seasons, and if the Trojans are going to win a division title, this is the first test as North Pocono will play the three dominant programs in LFC I in the next four weeks. The Cougars offense still is struggling overall and they will need to make some big plays on Friday to pull the upset.
Key Matchup: Valley View defensive line vs. North Pocono run game
Favorite: North Pocono by 10
Wilkes-Barre Wolfpack (4-2) at Pittston Area Patriots (5-1)
Charlie Trippi Stadium (Grass), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
WVC Division 1 Game
Series: Wilkes-Barre 2-0
Last Meeting: 2024 Wilkes-Barre 21-10
Last Week: Wilkes-Barre 35, Hazleton 21; Pittston Area 47, Crestwood 14
Players To Watch
Wilkes-Barre: LB Gene Ardo; Pittston Area: WR Lucas Lo Presto
The Skinny: Pittston Area has already won some big games this season, but this one could clinch at least a tie to win WVC Division I. The Patriots are playing well in all three phases of the game and will be at home. The Wolfpack have to stop shooting themselves in the foot each week. The penalties and turnovers are why they are 4-2 instead of 6-0. A win by Wilkes-Barre puts them in a position to win a share of the division.
Key Matchup: Pittston secondary vs. Wilkes-Barre passing game
Favorite: Pittston Area by 8
Hanover Area Hawkeyes (3-3) at Wyoming Area Warriors (5-1)
Jake Sobeski Stadium (Grass), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
WVC Division 2 Game
Series: Wyoming Area 35-9
Last Meeting: 2023 Wyoming Area 55-7
Last Week: Hanover Area 42, Tunkhannock 0; Berwick 35, Wyoming Area 13
Players To Watch
Hanover Area: LB Lucas Cruz; Wyoming Area: WR Luke Kopetchny
The Skinny: Wyoming Area is coming off a loss that didn’t sit well with the players and coaches. They know their three-peat in the division is probably not going to happen so now they need to get ready for the district playoffs. Seeding could be important for home field and also another shot at Berwick in the post-season. Hanover Area is playing much better football this season, but they are running into the Warriors at the wrong time.
Key Matchup: Wyoming Area run game vs. Hanover defensive line
Favorite: Wyoming Area by 20
Lackawanna Trail Lions (5-1) at Carbondale Area Chargers (4-2)
Cerra Sports Complex (Grass), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
LFC Division III Game
Series: Lackawanna Trail 48-17-1
Last Meeting: 2023 Lackawanna Trail 39-6
Last Week: Lackawanna Trail 38, Old Forge 21; Carbondale 40, Montrose 0
Players To Watch
Lackawanna Trail: RB Sean Dwyer; Carbondale: DB Nick Roman;
The Skinny: Carbondale is looking for that signature win and if they can get it this week, it changes the narrative in LFC Division III to a three-team race. Lackawanna Trail keeps rolling on offense and the defense has made more plays the last couple games. The running games will be prevelant in this one.
Key Matchup: Carbondale linebackers vs. Trail offensive line
Favorite: Lackawanna Trail by 17
Lake-Lehman Black Knights (3-3) Tunkhannock Tigers (2-4)
Tunkhannock Memorial Field (Grass), Friday 7pm
WVC Division 2 Game
Series: Lake-Lehman 28-10-1
Last Meeting: 2023 Tunkhannock 42-0
Last Week: Lake-Lehman 42, Nanticoke 0; Hanover Area 42, Tunkhannock 0
Players to Watch
Lake-Lehman: OL Robert Gregor; Tunkhannock: WR Colin Gregory
The Skinny: Lake-Lehman is winning the games they are supposed to and by big margins. Tunkhannock has struggled to stay in games with the better teams in the division over the last several season. Black Knights should take care of business on Friday on the road.
Key Matchup: Tunkhannock defensive line vs. Lehman offensive line
Favorite: Lake-Lehman by 23
Wallenpaupack Buckhorns (2-4) at Scranton Knights (2-4)
Scranton Memorial Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
LFC Division I Game
Series: Scranton 20-7
Last Meeting: 2024 Scranton 31-7
Last Week: Scranton Prep 37, Wallenpaupack 0; Valley View 28, Scranton 0
Players To Watch
Wallenpaupack: LB C.J. Doty; Scranton: LB Nate Duffy
The Skinny: This is very even matchup with both teams hungry for a win. The Knights have had numerous injury issues. QB Brody Coyle had to leave last week’s game to add to the list. Wallenpaupack can win battles in the trenches and if they do that on Friday, they can come away with a road win.
Key Matchup: Scranton defensive vs. Wallenpaupack run game
Favorite: Scranton by 3
Lakeland Chiefs (5-1) at Honesdale Hornets (2-4)
Hornet Stadium (Turf), Saturday 2pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
LFC Division II Game
Series: Lakeland 16-10
Last Meeting: 2024 Honesdale 41-40
Last Week: Lakeland 28, Dunmore 14; Honesdale 36, Western Wayne 0
Players To Watch
Lakeland: WR Luke McFarland; Honesdale: OL Bobby Macdowell
The Skinny: A rare Saturday afternoon game in Wayne County as the Hornets introduce their inuagural Sports Hall of Fame class. The Chiefs will have to adjust their preparation schedule to stay on track to win the division. Lakeland is healthy and the offense is dangerous. Honesdale has been able to run the ball and the defense had their best game of the season last Friday in the Shrine Bowl.
Key Matchup: Honesdale secondary vs. Lakeland wide receivers
Favorite: Lakeland by 20
West Scranton Invaders (1-5) Western Wayne Wildcats (2-4)
Sharkey-Rosetti Complex (Turf), Friday 7pm
LFC Division II Game
Series: Western Wayne 7-3
Last Meeting: 2024 Western Wayne 42-16
Last Week: Mid Valley 28, West Scranton 7; Honesdale 36, Western Wayne 0
Players To Watch
West Scranton: RB Michael Green; Western Wayne: WR Hunter Rodgers
The Skinny: Another evenly matched game with both teams hoping to get a confidence booster. Expect a lot of offense in this one, especially on the ground with the Invaders’ RB Dayron Groves and Wildcats’ RB Quinn Swartz.
Key Matchup: Western Wayne linebackers vs. West Scranton run game
Favorite: Western Wayne by 2
Susquehanna Sabers (0-6) at Old Forge Blue Devils (0-6)
Old Forge Veterans Memorial Stadium (Grass), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
LFC Division III Game
Series: Old Forge 33-9
Last Meeting: 2024 Susquehanna 42-27
Last Week: Riverside 55, Susquehanna 7; Lackawanna Trail 38, Old Forge 20
Players to Watch
Susquehanna: RB Joey Allen; Old Forge: RB Dante Gonzalez
The Skinny: Somebody gets their first win. Both teams are stuggling, even to stay in games this season. It was expected because the Sabers are young and inexperienced, but the Blue Devils issues are very uncharacteristic for their program. Might be the last chance for both teams in get in the victory column this season.
Key Matchup: Old Forge defensive line vs. Susquehanna offensive line
Favorite: Old Forge by 10
Montrose Meteors (1-5) at Holy Redeemer Royals (1-5)
Spartans Stadium (Turf), Saturday 7pm
Independent Game
Series: Tied 2-2
Last Meeting: 2024 Montrose 13-0
Last Week: Carbondale 40, Montrose 0; Holy Cross 44, Holy Redeemer 38
Players To Watch
Holy Redeemer: WR Josh Grochowski; Montrose: DL Timothy David
The Skinny: Holy Redeemer has been putting up video game numbers in some games and we expect that on Saturday. The have to find enough defense to help them win those games. Montrose is much-improved with their young roster but will have to play well in the secondary if they want to come away with a road win.
Key Matchups: Holy Reeemer wide receivers vs. Montrose secondary
Favorite: Holy Redeemer by 10
Wyoming Valley West Spartans (1-5) at Dallas Mountaineers (1-5)
Spartan Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm
WVC Division 1 Game
Series: Wyoming Valley West 17-16
Last Meeting: 2023 Dallas 45-0
Last Week: Dallas 45, North Pocono 28; Executive Education 42, Wyoming Valley West 6
Players To Watch
Dallas: DL Tim Moore; Valley West: DB Chase Meyers
The Skinny: Wyoming Valley West continiues to show signs of life with their offense, but now they have to make enough plays on defense to win games. Dallas is struggling with a tough schedule and an inexperienced offense that has shown some potential but still is a work in progress. The Mountaineers and Spartans both need a win to keep postseason hopes alive.
Key Matchup: Dallas secondary vs. Valley West wide receivers
Favorite: Dallas by 20
Crestwood Comets (3-3) at Hazleton Area Cougars (1-5)
Harman-Geist Memorial Field (Turf), Friday 7pm
WVC Division 1 Game
Series: Crestwood 11-9
Last Meeting: 2024 Crestwood 28-2
Last Week: Pittston Area 47, Crestwood 14; Wilkes-Barre 35, Hazleton 21
Players to Watch
Hazleton: WR Conor Bacon; Crestwood: OL Brady Cook
The Skinny: Hazleton has shown signs of coming out of their offensive slump while Crestwood has to recover from a bad beating last week at home. This is a rivalry game so expect anything. Comets could use a win for help in the Class 4A standings.
Key Matchup: Hazleton Area linebackers vs. Crestwood offensive line
Favorite: Crestwood by 21
Berwick Bulldogs (6-0) at Nanticoke Trojans (0-6)
Frank Chicknoski Stadium (Turf), Friday 7pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
WVC Division 2 Game
Series: Berwick 20-13-2
Last Meeting: 2024 Berwick 41-0
Last Week: Berwick 35, Wyoming Area 13; Lake-Lehman 42, Nanticoke 0
Players To Watch
Nanticoke: WR Reagan Jackson; Berwick: DE Gabe Decker
The Skinny: Unfortuntately, this will be ugly. Berwick is arguably the best team in the WVC and Nanticoke hasn’t won a game this season and really has struggled to compete. Expect the starters to be rested early in this one for the Bulldogs.
Key Matchup: Nanticoke lienbackers vs. Berwick offensive line
Favorite: Berwick by 35
Lutheran (NY) Crusaders (1-3) at Delaware Valley Warriors (2-4)
Warrior Stadium (Turf), Friday 6pm – Media: NEPAFootball.com
State Crossover Game
Series: Delaware Valley 1-0
Last Meeting: Delaware Valley 40-32
Last Week: Riverdale Baptist 34, Lutheran 24; Delawrare Valley 28, Abington Heights 14
Players To Watch
Delaware Valley: DB Colin McGarvey; Lutheran: WR Peyton Robinson
The Skinny: Delaware Valley wants to keep it rolling as they leave league play for one week. This was a thrilling game last season and we expect a close one again.
Key Matchup: Delaware Valley run game vs. Lutheran linebackers
Favorite: Delaware Valley by 8
Holy Cross Crusaders (3-3) at Riverside Vikings (5-1)
Riverside Veterans Memorial Stadium (Grass), Friday 7pm
LFC Division III Game
Series: Riverside 7-0
Last Meeting: 2024 Riverside 62-20
Last Week: Holy Cross 44, Holy Redeemer 38; Riverside 55, Susquehanna 7
Players To Watch
Riverside: RB Charlie Anstett; Holy Cross: RB Chris Transue
The Skinny: There is little doubt Holy Cross is much-improved, but they still have struggled with the better teams in the LFC. No coach likes moral victories, but if the Crusaders can hang around in this one, it will show how far they have come. The Vikings are still playing for playoff seeding so every game is important the rest of the way.
Key Matchup: Riverside receivers vs. Holy Cross secondary
Favorite: Riverside by 24
