Here are the season previews for all WVC and LFC teams for 2025. Predictions are a consenus from football experts across the region.
Lackawanna Football Conference Division I
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Scranton Prep will look to defend its division title in 2025, but the Cavaliers enter the season with plenty of question marks after being hit hard by graduation. While there is untapped talent ready for opportunities, Prep is not considered the favorite this time around. That role belongs to Delaware Valley, which returns significant firepower. Running back Mike Iuzzolino and wide receiver Trey Newton lead the way, giving the Warriors proven playmakers. The key will be finding a new quarterback to guide the offense, but with most of the other pieces in place, DV has the roster to reclaim the crown it won in 2023. North Pocono should also be a serious contender. The Trojans return most of their skill players and boast a massive offensive line anchored by 6-foot-8 Dylan Caster. The challenge for North Pocono will be proving they can beat the LFC’s elite programs—last year they played them all close, but couldn’t quite finish. Valley View lost 29 seniors and will begin the season inexperienced, but by the second half of the schedule, the Cougars should be a tough matchup for every opponent. Abington Heights brings back quarterback Nick Bradley, but the Comets must replace their entire offensive line and their top two receivers. Scranton has an experienced backfield, though improved line play will be critical for the Knights to compete. Wallenpaupack has plenty of size up front, but the Buckhorns will need new playmakers to step up if they want to be in the division race week in and week out.
Predicted Finish (NPF Consensus)
Wyoming Valley Conference Division 1
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Dallas enters the 2025 season as a two-time defending division champion, but unlike other District 2 teams who are trying for a three-peat, they are not the favorite. That distinction goes to Wilkes-Barre. The Wolfpack return all of their skill players and some key linemen. Quarterback Jake Howe is back for his fourth season as the starter, and he has plenty of talented weapons, many with impressive speed. While the offense is expected to score points, the team’s defense will likely determine how many games they win this season. The Mountaineers will also be in contention, though they must replace nearly all of their offensive production. The good news for Dallas is that they return several experienced offensive linemen, something they lacked over the previous two seasons. Crestwood could also be a factor if quarterback Jaden Shedlock stays healthy. The talented signal-caller has only played one full season, his freshman year, but when on the field, he gives the Comets a legitimate chance to compete. Crestwood will also need to replace several strong offensive linemen who graduated. Pittston Area, under new head coach Paul Russick, cannot rely on inexperience as an excuse this season. The Patriots must find a quarterback capable of getting the ball to a talented collection of offensive weapons. Hazleton is the wild card in the division with new head coach Scott Sacco. The Cougars do not return much from last season, but the team always has talented athletes. The hope is that Hazleton can generate more offense this year, as scoring was a struggle in 2024. Wyoming Valley West enters the season aiming to end its 20-game losing streak. Once that milestone is achieved, the Spartans hope to build momentum and continue to find success on the field.
Predicted Finish (NPF Consensus)
Lackawanna Football Conference Division II
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Mid Valley and Western Wayne split the title last season, but 2025 could be very different. The Spartans should be a major contender in the division again along with Dunmore and Lakeland. The Wildcats were hit hard by graduation so it will probably be a rebuilding year for them. Mid Valley brings back some key players on the both lines. That coupled with QB Brett Yanoski back for his senior year and honorable mention all-star Mason Vinansky returning at tailback, they should have enough offensive production to win games. The Bucks had to rebuild with a young roster in 2024, but they return all five offensive lineman and added transfer Weston Yannone who will give them a playmaker on offense and defense. Dunmore will be a factor again this season. The Chiefs have only won four games the last two seasons, but they were another team with a young roster over that stretch. Lakeland has the horses up front and numerous skill players back including quarterback David Naniewicz. Honesdale brings former Valley View coach George Howanitz in as the new head coach. The Hornets had a winning season in 2024, but were hit hard by graduation. However, there is optimism that the new coaching staff can get the most of this group which includes some key returners including RB/LB Gabe Duda. We mentioned the Wildcats having to rebuild, especially the offense which has zero starters returning. West Scranton has a young roster that will try to help them break their 12-game losing streak.
Predicted Finish (NPF Consensus)
Wyoming Valley Conference Division 2
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Wyoming Area will try for a three-peat in division titles this season, but they will face stiff competition with several teams capable of knocking them off their perch. The Warriors will have to rebuild their offensive line and insert a new quarterback to run the offense, but these haven’t been issues with this program in the past. They are still the team to beat in WVC Division 2. Their main competition will come from Berwick and Lake-Lehman. The Bulldogs were a much better team at the end of 2024 and that momentum along with a very good offensive line and league Offense Player of the Year Ty Wilkerson coming back, they should be a strong challenger. Lake-Lehman also is big and experienced up front with all five linemen returning. They will also have a new quarterback, but the run game should be very good. Hanover Area has a new coaching staff with Eric Richardson taking over. And the Richardson triplets are a good foundation for this program. The Hawkeyes can take big steps in 2025. Tunkhannock is also strong up front and has some key skill players returning. The Tigers will be improved from last season. Nanticoke is still rebuilding and they have brought in Damon Saxon as their new head coach. Holy Redeemer brings in Vito Quaglia as their new head coach and will play an independent schedule again this season.
Predicted Finish (NPF Consensus)
Independent: Holy Redeemer
Lackawanna Football Conference Division III
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Even though we expect some of the teams in LFC III to be better, Lackawanna Trail is still the favorite to win their third straight division title. The Lions are experienced up front and have playmakers returning. Everyone will be chasing them again in 2025. Riverside can’t seem to solve Trail as that has been their only division loss the past two seasons. The Vikings will be right there to challenge for the division again. Carbondale surprised everyone last season, but they will not be able to sneak up on people this season. The Chargers rolled the dice and played some young players last year and it paid off. Those players now have a chance to make even more of an impact. Old Forge has had two straight losing seasons. But with an experienced line and an improved defense, the Blue Devils will tbe darkhorse in the division. Susquehanna brought back coach Kyle Cook, but graduation hit them hard. The Sabers will take some lumps early with an inexperienced roster. Holy Cross has some big linemen and experienced running backs, but can the Crusaders be more competitive when it counts? They haven’t won a division game since 2021.
Predicted Finish (NPF Consensus)
