The Rick, Week 7 – 2025
By Righetto Notari, BDFN
@BDFN_OldForge
(2162-604 overall, .781 winning percentage)
In a New York State of Mind….
The Rick was sent out to Long Island last weekend to take care of some Family business. I didn’t realize there was a boardwalk and a Long Beach in New York. There were also some Italian style eateries in this town, yet none compared to those here in NEPA.
As I studied the results as The Rick returned home, I noticed that only one of last week’s game was decided by less than two scores – interestingly enough, that was the game between Holy Cross and Holy Redeemer. Eleven of the games were decided by three or more scores and six of those games were shutouts. Two more teams only scored one touchdown in their losses.
We wonder why less, and less people attend games. Maybe it’s because the results are already known before the kickoff. No, they’re not scripted. It’s just obvious who is going to win. Something needs to be done, and The Rick saw a suggestion on social media by The Captain that maybe it’s time schedules are made year by year and not every two years.
The Rick needs time to think about this. My annual realignment proposal is on the horizon.
Ok, let’s get to Week 6….
THE RICK’S PICKS (88-24)
May their first child be a masculine child (2-4)
(The Big Boys)
North Pocono at Valley View
The Moscow Red and Black take to the road this week as they begin the toughest month of their schedule. North Pocono is undefeated so far and is everyone’s No. 1 team in D2. The Trojans will play three of their next four on the road, beginning with a trip to historic Henzes Stadium in Peckville on Friday night. There is no looking ahead as Valley View has rebounded with two wins after two straight losses. The Cougars have been outstanding on defense all season. But the one team that is better defensively in the LFC has been North Pocono. Can Valley View muster enough offense to pull the upset? Expect a Big 11 atmosphere on and off the field for this one. Maybe, just maybe, this one comes down to the kickers – two of the best in all District 2.
Trojans 23, Cougars 17
The Luca Brasi (4-2)
(Toughest Pick of The Week)
Wilkes-Barre at Pittston Area
The Rick believes in Pittston Area this season. There is something in the sauce in Yatesville this year and Chef Paul Russick has mixed all the ingredients together to give Patriots fans something tasty this year – a first place standing entering the final month of the season. The pundits, including The Rick, predicted Wilkes-Barre would be in the top spot this season – and they still may end up there. But despite having the leading passer in D2 in Jake Howe (1,253 yards and 11 TDs), the Wolfpack have lost two games that, looking back, they probably shouldn’t have. Yet, here we are. WBA is on a win two, lose one trend through the first six weeks and guess what week it is?
Patriots 35, Wolfpack 31
Don’t ask me about my business (3-3)
(No Rhyme or Reason)
Hanover Area at Wyoming Area
This isn’t your typical business game. Hanover Area isn’t a pushover anymore. The Hawkeyes can easily win six games this season. The Richardson triplets and the Downey brothers have made this team exciting to watch. And don’t forget wideout Deacon Eisenbach. But this game is against Wyoming Area you say! Yes, the Warriors have been the power broker in WVC 2 for seemingly the past decade. But the Green and Gold suffered a tough loss last week at Berwick and are licking their wounds. The Rick doesn’t see an upset, but I expect something closer than what everyone sees on paper.
Warriors 33, Hawkeyes 23
Leave the gun, take the cannoli (6-0)
(Lead-Pipe Lock of The Week)
Berwick at Nanticoke Area
Nanticoke Area is in full rebuilding mode. The Trojans are last in D2 in both points scored and points given up. The Trojans opponent this week leads D2 in points given up and is tied for second in points scored. That opponent? The undefeated Berwick Bulldogs. Expect a quick game as the Dawgs have only thrown the ball 20 times in six games. Lots of time to enjoy cannoli.
Dawgs 48, Trojans 6
Going to the mattresses (3-3)
(A Rivalry-type Game)
Mid Valley at Dunmore
Those outside of Lackawanna County may not realize this, but the Spartans and Bucks share a border. But that’s not why this game is going to the mattresses. This game is a crossroads for both teams. Dunmore has beaten the three teams they were supposed to, while losing three close games that were tossups going in. Mid Valley on the other hand has won the three games they were expected to win but lost in convincing fashion the three teams they probably weren’t expected to beat. So, can they beat the Bucks? They have the ingredients to do so. They can run it and have an efficient QB in Brett Yanoski to distribute the ball to sure-handed receivers. Dunmore also has a plethora of options on offense. But they haven’t gotten over the hump against the good teams they’ve played. That changes this week.
Bucks 27, Spartans 21
Fredo, You broke my heart (3-3)
(Upset Special)
West Scranton at Western Wayne
These two teams had this game circled when the schedule game out as one they could win. West Scranton has lost five straight since opening the season with a win over Old Forge. Western Wayne also has a win over the Blue Devils, to go with a victory over Susquehanna in Week 1. Neither team has had an easy road, so this is a game each needs to take care of. The Wildcats have two wins, so they are the favorite. The Rick doesn’t expect Fredo Invader to break his heart.
Invaders 20, Wildcats 17
Keep Your Friends Close, Keep Your Enemies Closer (5-1)
(They just don’t like each other)
Scranton Prep at Abington Heights
If you have never been to an athletic contest between Scranton Prep and Abington Heights, you need to do yourself a solid and get to one. It doesn’t matter the sport; it’s intense. Like most schools who win multiple championships in multiple sports, these teams are not liked by many – and they especially do not like each other. Not only do both schools produce winners, but they are also thought to be the top-rated academic institutions in the LFC. The jocks are also nerds. They are probably all good looking too. See why they’re not liked? Anyway, Prep is back to being Prep since QB Will McPartland returned from injury. In just three short weeks, the Cavaliers have gone from jesters to kings. McPartland has thrown for 577 yards and six TDs and rushed for 340 yards and eight TDs in three straight victories. Meanwhile, the Comets were flying high until they were grounded by North Pocono and star QB Nick Bradley was sidelined with an injury. Abington Heights showed fight at DV last week without Bradley, but they are going to need an out of the world effort this week to send the Cavs back to Wyoming Avenue with a loss.
Cavaliers 34, Comets 22
Time to settle all Family Business (62-8)
Delaware Valley over Long Island (NY) Lutheran
Dallas over Valley West
Hazleton Area over Crestwood
Riverside over Holy Cross
Trail over Carbondale Area
Wallenpaupack over Scranton
Old Forge over Susquehanna
Lake-Lehman over Tunkhannock
Lakeland over Honesdale
Holy Redeemer over Montrose
The Rick Six
(The top 3 big schools & top 3 small schools)
- North Pocono (6-0, 1)
- Berwick (6-0, 3)
- Scranton Prep (3-3, 4)
- Wyoming Area (5-1, 2)
- Delaware Valley (2-4, 6)
- Abington Heights (4-2, 5)
Next Six: Lackawanna Trail (5-1, NS); Pittston Area (5-1, NS); Lakeland (5-1, NS); Valley View (4-2, NS); Riverside (5-1, NR); Wilkes-Barre Area (4-2, NR).
PLAYOFF PICTURE
D2 Class 6A (Subregional with D4)
If the playoffs started today:
4-Hazleton Area at 1-Wilkes-Barre Area, 3-Scranton at 2-Williamsport
D2 Class 5A
If the playoffs started today:
4-Wyoming Valley West at 1-Pittston Area, 3-Delaware Valley at 2-Abington Heights.
D2 Class 4A
If the playoffs started today:
4-Dallas at 1-North Pocono, 3-Crestwood at 2-Valley View
D2 Class 3A
If the playoffs started today:
8-Tunkhannock at 1-Berwick, 7-Hanover Area at 2-Wyoming Area, 6-Lake-Lehman at 3-Scranton Prep, 5-Carbondale Area at 4-Mid Valley
D2 Class 2A
If the playoffs started today:
4-Holy Redeemer at 1-Lakeland, 3-Dunmore at 2-Riverside
D2 Class 1A (Subregional with D11)
If the playoffs started today:
4-Holy Cross at 1-Lackawanna Trail, 3-Tri-Valley at 2-Marian Catholic
