Each time Valley View players enter the locker room or take the field at John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium, they are reminded of the past.

The program is one of the most successful in Northeast Pennsylvania history, and owns one of only two PIAA championships by Lackawanna Football Conference teams.

Last season started with high expectations, and the Cougars had a fast start. It ended with a 17-0 loss to Dallas in the District 2 Class 4A semifinals.

That finish, one game short of having a chance to defend their district title, hasn’t sat well with the returning players. It’s motivation for a group determined to return to a championship level.

“We really have to bond as one team,” said Valley View H-Back/defensive end Brady Cunningham, who had 49 yards rushing and 64 tackles last season. “Everyone is fighting for each other. It is an honor to play for Valley View. We have to live up to the expectations of this program and play to the level of the teams that I looked up to when I was younger.”

Valley View has a plethora of talent returning on both sides of the ball.

Quarterback Caleb Brown completed 30 of 70 passes for 363 yards and two touchdowns, and sophomore Colin Dempsey provides depth. They will have senior Ben Evans, a speedster who had 11 catches for 170 yards, and Colin Witkowski, who had eight catches for 97 yards and a touchdown, as experienced targets. Cash Roe, Maddox Carey and Luke Evans add depth in the receiving corps.

Tailback Tyler Muchal ran for 411 yards and four touchdowns, and fullback Jeffrey Wasilchak added 365 yards and four touchdowns while punishing would-be tacklers with his physical running style. Shamus Sprague, Janzier Rivera, Brady Bachman and Nico Castellani are also solid running backs.

The Cougars have size and experience up front. Junior Brody Call returns at tackle, and Cameron Malsburger, who started as a freshman, is back at center. Tackles Jackson Siekierka and Maddox Krupovich, guards Ryan Sweeney, Jeffrey Ashby and freshman Luke Fiorelli, and center Alan Buckland add depth on the offensive line.

Valley View’s defense is expected to be strong. Wasilchak, a returning All-Region linebacker, headlines the unit that returns its top seven tacklers.

“You can’t sleepwalk through games,” Wasilchak said. “You have to play your hardest on every single play. The biggest key for us is to have fun. Having fun has a lot to do with wins and losses, so you have to work hard, but the key is to run around and have fun playing the game that you love.”

Last season, Wasilchak had 107 total tackles, giving him 214 stops in 24 career starts.

Also at linebacker, Bachman was the team’s second-leading tackler with 80, and Muchal added 78, while Jeffrey Ashby had 42.

In addition to Cunningham at the end, the Cougars return Call and Mason Mitchell at defensive tackle. That group combined for 158 tackles and 25 for loss.

Valley View also has an experienced secondary with four starters returning.

Tristan Smith and Ruby each had 20 tackles, Evans had 43 and All-Region sprinter Gavin Orpishko added 15 tackles. Smith led the team with three interceptions, while Ashby, Evans, and Orpishko each had one.

Valley View also has one of the top kickers in the LFC. Braden Loff has a powerful leg and made 29 of 30 extra points and three of four field goals.

FAST FACTS
■ Head coach: Scot Wasilchak (4th season, 27-10)

■ Division: LFC I

■ Last season: 6-5 overall; 3-3 (Tied for fourth in LFC I).

■ Male enrollment: 295; Class 4A

■ Home field: John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium

CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

■ Overall record: 460-185-8

■ PIAA Class 2A: 1992

■ District 2: (Class 3A) 2011; (Class 4A) 2017, 2018, 2021, 2024.

■ LFC: (Division I) 2011, 2022; (Division II) 2018, 2019, 2020.

■ Big 11: 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1992, 1994, 1995.

■ Eastern Conference: (A) 1970, 1971, 1982, 1984; (II) 1992; (3A) 2010.

SCHEDULE

Aug. 28: Northwestern Lehigh (3A), 7

Sept. 4: at Crestwood (4A), 7

Sept. 11: at Wilkes-Barre  (6A), 7

Sept. 18: North Pocono (4A), 7

Sept. 25: at Scranton (6A), 7

Oct. 2: Delaware Valley (5A), 7

Oct. 9: at West Scranton (6A), 7

Oct. 16: Abington Heights (5A), 7

Oct. 23: at Scranton Prep (3A), 7

Oct. 30: Wallenpaupack (4A), 7