Each year, the Times-Tribune asks the head coaches in the Lackawanna Football Conference who they feel will be the top teams in each division that season.

Based on their input and a consensus of their opinions, we put together an informal ranking of the teams in each divisions, as well identify which teams are expected to be “sleepers.”

While making predictions is not an exact science by any means, it certainly give us something to talk about heading into the season.

As always, there will be some surprises along the way, too

The following is a list of the coaches’ rankings as we head into Week 1 of the season, which kicks off Friday with a slate of games across the region.

2026 LFC COACHES’ DIVISION PICKS

Division I

North Pocono

Valley View

Scranton Prep

Abington Heights

Delaware Valley

Wallenpaupack

West Scranton

Scranton

Favorite: North Pocono. A legendary coach once said, “When you have the best player, it means you have a chance to win every game.” Cole West was the best all-around player in the Lackawanna Football Conference in 2025. He was The Times-Tribune Defensive Player of the Year and a Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class 4A all-state selection. He alone can’t win games. North Pocono has enough talent returning, especially in the defensive secondary and in the offensive backfield, to defend its LFC Division I and District 2 Class 4A championships.

Sleeper: Delaware Valley. This is a transition year for the Warriors. They lost a lot of experience and production to graduation and the transfer of All-Region WR Trey Newton from last season’s District 2 Class 5A championship team. Coach Keith Olsommer knows it will take time to get up to speed at the skill positions, but expects to be solid along the line of scrimmage.

Division II

Dunmore

Riverside

Lakeland

Honesdale

Mid Valley

Western Wayne

Favorite: Dunmore. This senior class has speed and athleticism, as evidenced by success in the spring track and field season. All-Region defensive back Weston Yannone and All-Region linebacker Xavier Burke are two dominant players. WR Jacob Costanzo has received an NCAA Division I offer from Army. Ryan Davies is a physical two-way lineman for the Bucks.

Sleeper: Honesdale. The Hornets return All-Region fullback and LFC Division II all-star athlete Gabe Duda to lead the way in coach George Howanitz’s second season. In addition, Honesdale returns all-star defensive lineman Bobby MacDowell and starting quarterback Abe Bryant from a team that earned an Eastern Conference playoff game.

Division III

Lackawanna Trail

Carbondale Area

Susquehanna

Old Forge

Montrose

Holy Cross

Favorite: Lackawanna Trail. This might be the most wide-open division race in the LFC this season. The Lions have won three straight titles, but graduated a large senior class. Still, the returning group has talent and playoff experience. Lackawanna Trail, defending its championship, will depend on staying healthy during the first month of the season and the development of the inexperienced players. Lineman Anthony Paolucci was an All-Region player last season.

Sleeper: Old Forge. The Blue Devils had a large sophomore class that included several players who made contributions last season. Old Forge has weapons who can make plays, but has to replace talent at key positions to challenge for the Division III and District 2 Class 1A championships. WR Ayden Aversa was a Division III all-star last season.