Legendary professional wrestler Ric Flair coined the catchphrase, “To be the man, you gotta beat the man,” during his world championship reign in the 1980s.
That holds for this week’s Times-Tribune High School Football Poll.
Scranton Prep defeated North Pocono, 37-36, in a game remembered for its physicality, intensity and wild three-overtime finish. The Cavaliers ended the Trojans’ 16-game regular-season winning streak and their 18-week hold on the No. 1 spot in the rankings.
In the aftermath, voters unanimously selected Scranton Prep as the new No. 1 team. The Cavaliers’ only loss is to Loyola-Blakefield of Maryland, which is 5-1 overall and ranked No. 7 in its state by MaxPreps.com.
Scranton Prep last held the No. 1 ranking in 2024. That season, the Cavaliers were the preseason top team and held the spot for 11 weeks.
Scranton Prep faces another ranked opponent this week. The Cavaliers (6-1) are at No. 8 Wallenpaupack. Last Thursday night, the Buckhorns (5-2) had their five-game winning streak snapped by No. 7 Abington Heights (3-4).
Dunmore (7-0) is having an historic season. The Bucks defeated Western Wayne, 72-0, last week. They average 55.7 points per game and win by an average of 52.3 points. With 386 points, they obliterated the previous Lackawanna Football Conference high-scoring total of 334 in seven games set in 2022 by Lakeland. More impressively, they scored 275 points in the first half.
This week, Dunmore hosts No. 5 Honesdale (6-1). The Hornets posted another impressive win, beating Lakeland, 51-20, in a battle of teams that shared fifth place in the poll. They have 50 or more points in four of six victories this season.
North Pocono suffered its first loss of the season and fell to No. 3. The Trojans outgained Scranton Prep, 377-281. They will try to get back on track this week at Delaware Valley on Friday.
Valley View (5-2) held its position at No. 4. The Cougars won their third straight game, with their losses coming against Northwestern Lehigh (7-0), 28-16, and North Pocono (6-1), 27-14. They host Abington Heights in another game in Week 8 between ranked opponents.
Lakeland (6-1) suffered its first loss as they cope with a depleted starting lineup. The Chiefs host No. 9 Mid Valley (4-3) on Friday.
Mid Valley returned to the poll this week after pushing past Riverside, 49-28. The Spartans sandwiched wins over Lackawanna Trail and Riverside around a loss to Dunmore in the last three weeks.
Carbondale Area (4-3) remained undefeated in the Lackawanna Football Conference Division III. The Chargers host Montrose on Friday.
The Times-Tribune Top 10
1. Scranton Prep, four first-place votes, 40 points
Record: 6-1.
Last rank: 3.
Last week: Beat North Pocono, 37-36, 3 OTs.
Next: Friday at Wallenpaupack.
2. Dunmore, 35 points
Record: 7-0.
Last rank: 2.
Last week: Beat Western Wayne, 72-0.
Next: Friday vs. Honesdale.
3. North Pocono, 33 points
Record: 6-1.
Last rank: 1.
Last week: Lost to Scranton Prep, 37-36, 3 OTs.
Next: Friday at Delaware Valley.
4. Valley View, 27 points
Record: 5-2.
Last rank: 4.
Last week: Beat West Scranton, 45-6.
Next: Friday vs. Abington Heights.
5. Honesdale, 25 points
Record: 6-1.
Last rank: 5t.
Last week: Beat Lakeland, 51-20.
Next: Friday at Dunmore.
6. Lakeland, 19 points
Record: 6-1.
Last rank: 5t.
Last week: Lost to Honesdale, 51-20.
Next: Friday vs. Mid Valley.
7. Abington Heights, 17 points
Record: 3-4.
Last rank: 9.
Last week: Beat Wallenpaupack, 21-7.
Next: Friday at Valley View.
8. Wallenpaupack, 12 points
Record: 5-2.
Last rank: 7.
Last week: Lost to Abington Heights, 21-7.
Next: Friday vs. Scranton Prep.
9. Mid Valley, 8 points
Record: 4-3.
Last rank: NR.
Last week: Beat Riverside, 49-28.
Next: Friday at Lakeland.
10. Carbondale Area, 3 points
Record: 4-3.
Last rank: 10.
Last week: Beat Holy Cross, 43-20.
Next: Friday vs. Montrose.