H.S FOOTBALL WEEK 4 PREVIEW: WVC teams seek better times

The Wyoming Valley Conference football season heads to Week 4 and so far it hasn’t been a good one for most of the 12 teams.

Consider the following:

• None of the teams are unbeaten. Only two — Lake-Lehman and Wyoming Area, both 2-1 — have winning records. Five teams are winless, with the biggest surprise being 2023 Class 4A state runner-up Dallas. The Mountaineers have been in all three games into the fourth quarter, yet have come up short against very good opponents.

• The WVC has been completely dominated by the Lackawanna Football Conference.

The two conferences have played 16 crossover games and the LFC has won 15 of them, including four by shutout.

Hazleton Area’s 13-3 victory over winless West Scranton last Friday afternoon is the only exception.

• Wyoming Area is the only team to reach 100 points as some teams are struggling mightily to score.

Hazleton Area and Wyoming Valley West each have only three offensive touchdowns. Berwick has one and Nanticoke Area has none. Berwick and Nanticoke Area were District 2 Class 4A playoff teams a year ago.

Hazleton Area is the only one among the four with a win.

• The 12 WVC teams were shut out a total of nine times during the 2023 regular season. Those 12 teams have been shut out seven times thus far.

• Pittston Area (1-2) is second in the District 2 Class 5A standings by default since the three teams below the Patriots are winless. Wyoming Area is fourth in Class 3A and Lake-Lehman fifth in Class 3A.

Crestwood and Dallas, both 4A playoff teams last season, aren’t in position to make the D2-4A field, which will be just four teams instead of eight like the past two years.

• The LFC isn’t immune to some oddities. Delaware Valley and Dunmore, both perennial powers, are 0-3.

Yet, if you overlook the aforementioned doom-and-gloom, there are some important games Friday night.

The best could be Wilkes-Barre Area (1-2) at Dallas (0-3). The game looked like a gem when the schedule was released, but some of the luster has dull because of the records. That shouldn’t be the case.

Both teams could very well be unbeaten if not for bad breaks befalling both of them.

Dallas lost 30-13 to Abington Heights last Friday in a game where the Mountaineers trailed 17-13 with nine minutes left. The season started with close losses to state-ranked Jersey Shore and Wyoming Area.

“We have to stick to the grind, stick to the process. … There’s no shortcut, there’s no magic answer,” Dallas coach Rich Mannello said after the Abington Heights loss. “We’ve got a core group of guys that are north of 500 plays in three games, and the rest of them have to step up.”

Dallas’ concern is WBA will be looking for guys to step up as well after consecutive close losses. The Wolfpack surrendered 18 fourth-quarter points in a 25-20 loss to Valley View last Friday.

“We had a chance to seal it and we didn’t,” WBA coach Ciro Cinti said. “Our kids played their hearts out. They played hard. I can not fault them one bit. We played good enough to win the game, but we didn’t. That’s football.”

WEEK 4 AT A GLANCE

Hanover Area (0-3) at Old Forge (2-1)

7 p.m. Friday

The Coaches: Hanover Area’s Jason Majiros (4-20), 3rd year; Old Forge’s Mike Schuback (189-72), 23rd year

Last Meeting: Old Forge 54-0 in 2021

First Meeting: Hanover Area 28-21 in 2008

All-Time Series: Old Forge 6-3

Scouting Hanover Area: A fourth-quarter rally against Holy Cross fell short in a 24-20 loss. RB Dwayne Downey had two TDs, but the running game as a whole needs to progress. The passing game has many young, promising players like QB Logan Richardson and WRs Jonathan Otway-Kellom and Deacon Eisenbach.

Scouting Old Forge: The Blue Devils enter off a 42-18 loss to Mid Valley. Their two wins have been by a combined four points. Old Forge has nice balance of offense with a pair of seniors – QB TJ DiMattia and RB Cael Krushnowski. The defense could use some improvement, especially with some tough game ahead.

Bottom Line: Old Forge’s experience will provide a big edge.

Hazleton Area (1-2) at Berwick (0-3)

7 p.m. Friday

The Coaches: Hazleton Area’s Dennis Buchman (23-20), 5th year; Berwick’s CJ Curry (0-3), 1st year

Last Meeting: Berwick 39-34 in 2023

First Meeting: Berwick 14-6 in 1992

All-Time Series: Berwick 22-7

Scouting Hazleton Area: The Cougars did just enough to get past winless West Scranton 13-3. The defense bent at times, but kept the Invaders out of the end zone. QB Austin Wilson and WR Yohansel Moran have connected the past two games. The running game has shown some advances.

Scouting Berwick: Berwick was shut out for the first time in 13 games in a 35-0 loss to Lackawanna Trail where it surrendered TDs on offense, defense and special teams. The Dawgs haven’t been able to get anything going on offense with one touchdown all season.

Bottom Line: Based on early results, this looks like a close but low-scoring game.

Lakeland (2-1) at Wyoming Area (2-1)

7 p.m. Friday

The Coaches: Lakeland’s Dave Piwowarczyk (35-20), 5th year; Wyoming Area’s Randy Spencer (106-64) 16th year

Last Meeting: Wyoming Area 35-32 in 2023

First Meeting: Lakeland 26-21 in 2006

All-Time Series: Wyoming Area 3-2

Scouting Lakeland: The Chiefs have already doubled last year’s win total, but it’s too early to determine whether they have returned to past success. There is balance on offense with QB David Naniewicz and WR Chase Rosenkrans forming a solid duo. Very young and probably a year away from making serious noise.

Scouting Wyoming Area: The Warriors fell 34-23 to unbeaten Western Wayne despite having over 100 more yards of offense. WR Luke Kopetchny and RB Lidge Kellum turned in strong games. Wyoming Area has surrendered 96 points after allowing just 141 during the 2023 regular season, so things need to tighten up.

Bottom Line: If Wyoming Area wins, it will be primed to go on a roll.

Lake-Lehman (2-1) at Riverside (3-0)

7 p.m. Friday

The Coaches: Lake-Lehman’s Jerry Gilsky (89-69) 15th year; Riverside’s Harry Armstrong (80-55), 12th year

Last Meeting: Lehman 47-14 in 2021

First Meeting: Riverside 20-13 in 1992

All-Time Series: Lehman 4-3

Scouting Lehman: RB Jaydon Skipalis, a Hanover Area transfer, scored three TDs as the Black Knights wrapped up a 42-6 win over Northwest by halftime. QB Hayden Evans didn’t need to throw much, but has been able to connect with WR Chris Sholtis quite a bit. Riverside is a tough game, but they’ll be favored in the next three.

Scouting Riverside: The Vikings defeated Lakeland 41-13 in a game where they led by seven at halftime. QB Chase Taddonio threw for over 1,700 yards last season and is well on his way to reaching that number again. Plus, he’s a threat running the ball. Ny-Jai Scott-Holt has taken over the main running duties.

Bottom Line: Taddonio’s arm and legs will be the difference.

Nanticoke Area (0-3) at Tunkhannock (1-2)

7 p.m. Friday

The Coaches: Nanticoke Area coaching staff; Tunkhannock’s Pat Keating (86-43), 2nd year at Tunkhannock

Last Meeting: Nanticoke Area 41-6 in 2023

First Meeting: Nanticoke Area 21-14 in 1984

All-Time Series: Nanticoke Area 8-7

Scouting Nanticoke Area: The Trojans were hit hard by graduation and it has shown this season. With all-time leading rusher Zack Fox gone, they haven’t been able to run the ball. Nanticoke Area has a net of zero rushing yards. The passing game has produced just 71.

Scouting Tunkhannock: The Tigers surrendered over 500 yards in a 55-15 loss to Crestwood. Andrew Lupinski’s 86-yard touchdown on a kick return was the only highlight. Turnovers were also a problem as Tunkhannock lost three fumbles for second consecutive game.

Bottom Line: Tunkhannock is a little farther along than Nanticoke Area at this point.

Pittston Area (1-2) at Wyoming Valley West (0-3)

7 p.m. Friday

The Coaches: Pittston Area’s Joe DeLucca (1-2), 1st year; Valley West’s Bob Stelma (1-12) 2nd year

Last Meeting: Pittston Area 20-13 in 2023

First Meeting: Valley West 40-6 in 1970

All-Time Series: Valley West 32-14

Scouting Pittston Area: The Patriots defeated Nanticoke Area 55-0 as RB CJ Pietzrak and QB Matt Walter each ran for two touchdowns. The school record for points in a game came in a 62-16 victory over Lake-Lehman in 1973. Pittston Area probably won’t have anymore similar offensive outbursts this season like last Friday.

Scouting Valley West: The Spartans’ offensive woes continued as they rushed for negative yards and finished with 43 yards of total offense in a 23-7 loss to North Pocono. Opponents have found success running the ball, averaging nearly 6 yards per carry.

Bottom Line: Valley West needs to find some offense because the schedule only gets tougher.

Western Wayne (3-0) at Crestwood (1-2)

7 p.m. Friday

The Coaches: Western Wayne’s Shane Grodack (11-4), 2nd year; Crestwood’s Ryan Arcangeli (37-24), 6th year

Last Meeting: Crestwood 21-0 in 2021

First Meeting: Crestwood 39-6 in 1973

All-Time Series: Crestwood 7-2

Scouting Western Wayne: The Wildcats enter off a 34-23 win against Wyoming Area. RB Josh Vinton continued his strong season with 184 yards rushing plus an interception return touchdown. They don’t throw much, but have been effective. One concern was the defense allowed 352 yards against its best opponent thus far.

Scouting Crestwood: The Comets broke into the win column with a 55-15 victory over Tunkhannock. QB Jaden Shedlock returned after missing Week 2 to rush for 140 yards on just five carries. Plenty of others got carries and that diversity could help out down the line. The schedule eases up a bit after this game.

Bottom Line: Crestwood is better than its record indicates. Western Wayne is good as its record indicates.

Wilkes-Barre Area (1-2) at Dallas (0-3)

7 p.m. Friday

The Coaches: WBA’s Ciro Cinti (98-100) 6th year at WBA, 19th overall; Dallas’ Rich Mannello (77-35), 10th year

Last Meeting: Dallas 14-7 in 2023

First Meeting: Dallas 35-7 in 2019

All-Time Series: Dallas 4-1

Scouting WBA: The Wolfpack surrendered 18 fourth-quarter points in a 25-20 loss to Valley View. Mistakes, like a week early, once again cost them a chance at a victory. Still, WBA arguably has the most balanced offense in the WVC, although it’s been tilting a little more towards the passing game.

Scouting Dallas: The Mountaineers trailed by four points with nine minutes to play, yet lost 30-13 to Abington Heights. Like WBA, they aren’t winning those handful of plays that often decide close games. The schedule has been brutal and with a few breaks here or there, Dallas could be undefeated.

Bottom Line: These teams are better than their records and this game should be quite entertaining.

Susquehanna (2-1) at Holy Redeemer (0-3)

4 p.m. Saturday

The Coaches: Susquehanna’s Moses Perry (7-8), 2nd year; Redeemer’s Tyson Kelley (7-41), 6th year

Last Meeting: Susquehanna 49-0 in 2023

First Meeting: Susquehanna 48-7 in 2010

All-Time Series: Susquehanna 9-0

Scouting Susquehanna: The Sabers defeated Dunmore 25-20, but it must be noted that the Bucks aren’t as deep and bulky as those strong teams in the past. Still, it was an impressive victory. QB Weston Yannone does his most damage with his legs. RB William Marcy is another threat in the run-heavy attack.

Scouting Redeemer: The Royals lost their 14th in a row with a 45-7 loss to Carbondale Area. A late touchdown pass prevented a sixth consecutive shutout loss. Redeemer’s issues mirror those from last season. The offense hasn’t been able to move the ball and the defense hasn’t been able to stop the run.

Bottom Line: Susquehanna should be able to roll.