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They all began under hot August skies — 17 Wyoming Valley Conference football teams with hopes for success.

Halfway through the season, some hopes remain alive. Others have wilted. Still others are hanging in the balance heading into the final five games of the regular season.

Here is a look back and ahead for those teams as they strive to be playing Week 11.

BERWICK (3-2)

The first five: The defense has been strong minus a 34-6 loss to Wyoming Valley West. The offense, though, hasn’t produced as hoped and has scored three TDs in the last three games. The lack of playmakers has been noticeable as no skill guy scares opposing defenses.

The next five: The Dawgs were in the same situation last year and advanced to the D2-3A championship game. They’ll be favored in the next five games, so if things go as expected, another playoff spot seems likely. There are some potholes ahead, though.

COUGHLIN (3-2)

The first five: The Crusaders escaped with close wins against West Scranton and Crestwood, then followed by rallying to defeat Dallas. But the season-opening loss to Hazleton Area could come back to haunt them. So could a defense which has been surprisingly leaky, especially against the run.

The next five: Coughlin has made the postseason eight consecutive years and will once again be balancing on the tightrope between the D2-3A or Eastern Conference playoffs. The defense needs to improve or else the equipment will be rounded up after Week 10.

CRESTWOOD (1-4)

The first five: The Comets had visions of defending their D2-3A championship. Then injuries decimated the linemen ranks, causing a domino effect. The offense can’t move the ball consistently, and the defense can’t stop the run. The only win was a 38-35 nail-biter vs. winless Pittston Area.

The next five: The postseason looks unlikely with Wyoming Valley West, Dallas and Williamsport still on the schedule. The Comets will be playing for pride now, something no one could fathom in August.

DALLAS (2-3)

The first five: New coach Rich Mannello wanted to bring a more physical style to the program. It’s starting to show as Dallas has run the ball well the past two weeks. But close losses to Wallenpaupack and Berwick were followed by the squandering of a 14-point lead against Coughlin.

The next five: The Mountaineers still have to tackle two unbeatens — Wyoming Valley West on Friday and Lake-Lehman to end the season. When the dust clears, they might not have enough wins to be playing Week 11.

GAR (3-2)

The first five: GAR played well enough to win in its two losses. The Grenadiers had Old Forge staggered a couple times and had Northwest on the ropes. Both times, though, they couldn’t close out things in the fourth quarter. Last week’s victory over one-win Mid Valley was kind of uneven.

The next five: GAR jumps right into the fire Friday with a game against unbeaten Lake-Lehman. Even with a loss there, if the Grenadiers take care of business the rest of the way they should make the D2-2A playoffs.

HANOVER AREA (1-4)

The first five: The season hasn’t gone too well under new coach Mike McCree. The offense has only produced in one game — a 42-7 win vs. Holy Redeemer. The defense has struggled against better competition and has allowed 40.7 points on average in the last three games.

The next five: A .500 season doesn’t appear possible with road games against GAR and Lake-Lehman remaining. An Oct. 23 date with winless Panther Valley will be the only game where the Hawkeyes will be the favorite for sure.

HAZLETON AREA (2-3)

The first five: The Cougars surprised Coughlin in the opener, but then had issues offensively the next three games. They bounced back with a 47-0 pounding of winless Pittston Area. A rollercoaster ride was expected for the rebuilding program.

The next five: The second half opens with a pair of 1-4 teams. Progress, though, will be measured late with games against Wyoming Valley West, Daniel Boone and Berwick. No postseason this year, but could be ready to turn the corner in 2016.

HOLY REDEEMER (1-4)

The first five: The Royals opened the season with a 21-0 shutout of Holy Cross. Then some of the usual problems cropped up — lack of depth, lack of weight room strength and injuries. The result has been three blowout losses.

The next five: Redeemer has a crack at winning Saturday against Susquehanna, a program with its own set of issues. After that, the Royals will be facing too much talent and speed to project another victory.

LAKE-LEHMAN (5-0)

The first five: Lehman opened with three easy wins and followed with 42-13 rout of state-ranked Old Forge. The win surprised some pundits, but it shouldn’t have. The Black Knights are a darn good football team. Even last week, they didn’t play well vs. Meyers yet won 41-20.

The next five: Hurdles remain, namely GAR on Friday, Northwest and Dallas. Even if the Black Knights lose all three — an implausible scenario — they’ll be playing come Week 11. A legitimate contender for the D2-2A title.

MEYERS (3-2)

The first five: Meyers started the season like last year, winning its first three games. Then came a 24-20 loss to rebuilding Lackawanna Trail, the first game without standout running back Mark Robinson. To the Mohawks’ credit, they didn’t make things easy for Lake-Lehman last Friday.

The next five: It’s hard to see Meyers closing out the season like in 2014 when it lost its final seven games. The Mohawks look like they’ll be a 4-to-6 win team. Six wins might get them in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

NANTICOKE (2-3)

The first five: Two losses could be traced directly to ball security. The Trojans had 12 turnovers in losses to Susquehanna and East Juniata. They were outmatched vs. Lakeland. The two wins came against rather weak opponents.

The next five: The Trojans have some heavy hitters left to play — Lake-Lehman and GAR. Perhaps even Northwest on Friday fits that category. Finishing with a .500 record will take a great effort but certainly not impossible.

NORTHWEST (3-2)

The first five: Northwest entered the season with new faces everywhere and a new coach in veteran Lon Hazlet. Opening with Lakeland and Dunmore didn’t help matters. The Rangers have seemed to gain their footing, with a pivotal overtime win against GAR as part of a three-game winning streak.

The next five: Lake-Lehman is the only major hurdle left. The other four games could result in victories and a spot in the D2-2A playoffs. But remember, this is a very young team and things could go haywire in a blink.

PITTSTON AREA (0-5)

The first five: Like last year, offense has been a major problem. The Patriots simply can’t find consistency on that side of the ball. The 47-0 loss to Hazleton Area last Friday was the seventh time in nine games the team has scored seven points or less. The nine-game losing streak in the longest in District 2.

The next five: Pittston Area is a slight favorite Friday against Tunkhannock. Then comes a brutal stretch of Coughlin, Berwick and Dallas. The season finale vs. rival Wyoming Area won’t be a picnic, either. The ship won’t be righted this season.

TUNKHANNOCK (1-4)

The first five: The Tigers broke a 21-game losing streak with a 40-8 win against Honesdale last Friday. They almost bumped off Western Wayne in the second week, losing 21-20. The program remains a long way off from banging heads with the top teams in the area.

The next five: The Tigers might not win again this season, but that’s not the point. The program hasn’t finished with a winning record since 1996, so the idea was to get things heading in the right direction for the first time in many years.

WILLIAMSPORT (4-1)

The first five: The Millionaires got out of the gates quickly under new coach Chuck Crews, winning four in a row for the first time since 2010. The offense showed more balance while the defense played well. There was a hiccup last week at Dallas, losing 28-14.

The next five: Coughlin is a critical game on Friday. Williamsport had the reputation of folding up the tents at the first sign of adversity under past regimes. The Millionaires’ mettle will be tested Friday and the following week vs. Berwick. Plus, Wyoming Valley West awaits Week 10.

WYOMING AREA (2-3)

The first five: If the Warriors didn’t lose a lead late against North Pocono, they would be in the thick of the D2-3A playoff race. But opening losses to District 2 powers Wyoming Valley West and Scranton Prep showed the team is probably a year away from being a legitimate contender.

The next five: Wyoming Area plays four consecutive D2-3A playoff contenders, so the ball is in their court. The Warriors control their postseason fate right there. It might be a little too much to handle at least this season.

WYO. VALLEY WEST (5-0)

The first five: The Spartans haven’t come close to losing. The offense can attack multiple ways. The defense has stonewalled just about everybody. Nitpicking here, but perhaps things could be tightened up on special teams.

The next five: This could be the next four as Scranton’s season is in limbo due to a teachers strike. Dallas won’t make things easy Friday, nor will Williamsport in Week 10. An unbeaten regular season isn’t farfetched.

Dallas takes the field prior to a Sept. 18 game against Berwick.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_dallasberwick04.jpg.optimal.jpgDallas takes the field prior to a Sept. 18 game against Berwick. Pete G. Wilcox | Times Leader

Wyoming Valley West quarterback Aaron Austin (3) and the Spartans are one of two unbeaten teams in the WVC midway through the season.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_wvwcoughlin032.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Valley West quarterback Aaron Austin (3) and the Spartans are one of two unbeaten teams in the WVC midway through the season. Pete G. Wilcox | Times Leader
High School Football NotebookLooking at the WVC midway through the season

By John Erzar

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Reach John Erzar at 570-991-6394 or on Twitter @TLJohnErzar