North Pocono continued its unbeaten run this regular season through Week 8 and faces an important Lackawanna Football Conference Division I game.
The Trojans have been the No. 1 team in The Times-Tribune High School Football Poll since the preseason. They defeated Scranton, 37-14, and can clinch the division championship with a win Friday against No. 4 Delaware Valley at home.
The Warriors are on a four-game tear, defeating Valley View, 41-0, last Friday night and evening their record after an 0-4 start. Delaware Valley can pull into a tie for first place in the division with a win in the showdown.
Two small-school teams hold down the two spots in between North Pocono and Delaware Valley.
Lackawanna Trail and Lakeland both improved to 7-1 this season and are ranked second and third, respectively.
The two teams had impressive wins in Week 8. Lackawanna Trail defeated Susquehanna, 54-14, and will host Holy Cross on Friday night. Lakeland beat Western Wayne, 40-14, and plays at West Scranton on Friday.
Riverside, the other team with a 7-1 record in the LFC, remains ranked fifth. The Vikings are averaging 55.4 points per game since a loss to Lakeland in Week 3. On Friday, they host Old Forge in the annual Triboro Rivalry game.
No. 6 Abington Heights (6-2) defeated No. 10 Wallenpaupack, 31-14, in a matchup of ranked teams last Friday. The Comets won two straight since back-to-back losses to North Pocono and Delaware Valley. They get Week 9 started early with a Thursday night game at the Abington Heights High School Athletic Complex against Scranton.
Wallenpaupack held onto the No. 10 spot in this week’s poll.
Scranton Prep (4-4) got back to .500 with a 35-0 win over Mid Valley. The Cavaliers are ranked No. 7 and have a challenging nonconference game against Jersey Shore on Friday.
Dunmore (5-3) remained ranked No. 8 in the poll after a 42-7 win over West Scranton. The Bucks outscored their last two opponents, 77-20, and play at Honesdale on Friday.
Valley View (4-4) stayed in the poll at No. 9. The Cougars are 4-4 overall and play at Wyoming Valley West on Friday in a nonconference game.
The Times-Tribune High School Football Poll
1. North Pocono (8-0)
Voting points: 40 (4).
Last rank: 1.
Last week: Beat Scranton, 37-14.
Next: Friday vs. Delaware Valley.
2. Lackawanna Trail (7-1)
Voting points: 33.
Last rank: 2.
Last week: Beat Susquehanna, 54-14.
Next: Friday vs. Holy Cross.
3. Lakeland (7-1)
Voting points: 32.
Last week: Beat Western Wayne, 40-14.
Last rank: 3.
Next: Friday at West Scranton.
4. Delaware Valley (4-4)
Voting points: 30.
Last rank: 4.
Last week: Beat Valley View, 41-0.
Next: Friday at North Pocono.
5. Riverside (7-1)
Voting points: 24.
Last rank: 5.
Last week: Beat Carbondale Area, 55-7.
Next: Friday vs. Old Forge.
6. Abington Heights (6-2)
Voting points: 21.
Last rank: 6.
Last week: Beat Wallenpaupack, 31-14.
Next: Thursday vs. Scranton.
7. Scranton Prep (4-4)
Voting points: 16.
Last rank: 7.
Last week: Beat Mid Valley, 35-0.
Next: Friday vs. Jersey Shore.
8. Dunmore (5-3)
Voting points: 12.
Last rank: 8.
Last week: Beat West Scranton, 42-7.
Next: Friday at Honesdale.
9. Valley View (4-4)
Voting points: 8.
Last rank: 9.
Last week: Lost to Delaware Valley, 41-0.
Next: Friday at Wyoming Valley West.
10: Wallenpaupack (3-5)
Voting points: 4.
Last rank: 10.
Last week: Lost to Abington Heights, 31-14.
Next: Friday vs. Pittston Area.