SCOTT TWP. — Senior quarterback David Naniewicz accounted for 313 yards of offense, and junior defensive back Chase Rosenkrans had two crucial interceptions to help No. 3 Lakeland defeat Mid Valley, 28-14, and claim the Lackawanna Football Conference Division II title Friday night.

Midway through the first quarter, the Chiefs turned Rosenkrans’ first interception into a touchdown when senior running back Gavin Roberts scored on a 19-yard run.

Then, Naniewicz, who threw for 143 yards and ran for 170, connected with sophomore wide receiver Jackson Pochas in the back corner of the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown to put Lakeland (9-1, 5-0 LFC Division II) ahead, 14-0, with just over a minute left in the quarter.

“That’s one of our main plays,” Pochas said. “We drew it up, and they were in a coverage that we exposed. Dave threw a nice ball, and I made a play.”

Mid Valley (4-6, 3-2) cut into Lakeland’s lead when senior quarterback Brett Yanoski found junior tight end Richard Lupcho for a 6-yard touchdown with 3:04 remaining in the first half.

Lakeland threatened to score right before halftime when Naniewicz hit Pochas for a 42-yard gain, but Naniewicz was stopped two yards short of the end zone two plays later, and time expired.

After a slow start to the second half by both teams, Mid Valley pulled even when senior Jake Bondy scored on a 3-yard run with 36 seconds left in the third quarter, following a 47-yard pass from Yanoski to senior wide receiver Nick Pinto. Freshman kicker Paxton Grebb made both extra-point attempts for the Spartans.

A 61-yard run by Mid Valley senior running back Mason Vinansky, which would have resulted in a touchdown earlier in the third, was called back because of a holding penalty. A nearly 20-yard gain by Yanoski late in the fourth quarter was also called back for holding.

Despite the loss, Mid Valley coach Stan Yanoski felt his team showed grit, but the miscues were too much to overcome. He would cherish another opportunity to lead the group in an Eastern Conference game.

“Nobody really gave us a chance,” Yanoski said. “The division title was on the line and we told the kids that they could have (gone) back-to-back. We played hard, but turnovers hurt and penalties at bad times just hurt, hurt, hurt. Hopefully, we’re playing somewhere next week. Just to be around these seniors one more time would be great, and hopefully we can go out on top.”

Lakeland regained control when Naniewicz capped a 10-play, 57-yard drive with a 23-yard touchdown run with 7:20 remaining in the fourth quarter. Junior kicker Nicholas Janosky converted all four extra-point attempts for the Chiefs.

Rosenkrans’ second interception, off a tipped pass, shifted the momentum even more in the Chiefs’ favor.

“I saw the ball in the air, and had to go make a play on it,” he said. “I knew it was for the team, and I think that really sparked us. As a team, all 11 guys, we always preach ‘grab the rope.’ We kept making plays and stopping them.”

Naniewicz delivered the final block, breaking off a 36-yard touchdown run with 3:05 left in the game.

“We were running the ball to the right, and I saw a cutback lane, so I put my foot in the ground, went left and it opened up pretty good,” he said. “I give a lot of respect to Mid Valley. We knew it was going to be a tough game coming in. They played us hard, and they showed us some adversity, but we faced it, worked hard and got the win.”

As Lakeland prepares to enter the District 2 Class 2A playoffs as the top seed, Rosenkrans looks forward to a strong finish to the year for the Chiefs.

“We worked real hard in the offseason,” he said. “We’re just continuing the legacy.”