Berwick’s long trip to Moscow quickly went sour for the season opener as the Bulldogs’ climb from a big halftime hole fell short in a 36-20 loss at North Pocono in a non-conference game on Friday night.
Trojans standout Cole West took the opening kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown to spark a dominant first half.
The Bulldogs, who are trying to replace record-shattering running back Ty’Meere Wilkerson, trailed 30-0 at halftime before finding a major spark in the second half to pull within 10.
Joe Briskie (7 yards) and Jayden Taylor (1 yard) added touchdown runs to make it 20-0 before the North Pocono defense got in on the act, recovering a fumble in the end zone for a four-score lead.
Even special teams was sharp for the Trojans as Shane Youngblood booted a 47-yard field goal in the first half.
After the break, the Dawgs managed to find a major spark, getting the first score of the year on a 78-yard connection between Brady Cleaver and Bryce Cleaver in the opening minute of the second half.
Gavin Galutia made it 30-14 in the fourth quarter with a 6-yard touchdown run.
Brady Cleaver then delivered with another long-distance score, taking it himself on a 76-yard scamper to pull within 30-20 with under five minutes to play.
The Trojans put an end to the rally from there as Briskie scored his second of the night, a 3-yard run to secure the win.
Carbondale Area 40, Nanticoke Area 7
Caedon Voglino had an opening night to remember, racking up four touchdowns in the first half alone to power the Chargers to a non-conference win on the road.
Voglino couldn’t have had a better start, receiving the opening kickoff and taking it all the way back for 89 yards and the score.
Carbondale continued to feature Voglino in the first half as he added matching 14-yard touchdown runs before finding the end zone a fourth time to make it 26-0 at halftime.
Francisco Roman then took the spotlight in the second half, adding two touchdowns of his own. The first one came on a 15-yard pass from Nick Zaccone and the second came on a goal line plunge.
Nanticoke Area got on the board in the fourth quarter courtesy of Jeremy Smith, who ripped off a 45-yard touchdown run to close out the scoring.
East Stroudsburg South 50, Pittston Area 32
Santino Capitano and Lucas LoPresto accounted for three touchdowns each, but it was not enough for defending WVC Division 1 champion Pittston Area in its non-league season opener at East Stroudsburg South.
The Patriots scored first on a Capitano quarterback draw from more than 20 yards out, but East Stroudsburg South answered with a score, recovered the kickoff and scored again.
Pittston Area appeared to go back ahead once, but had a touchdown wiped out by penalty.
Capitano hit LoPresto with a 50-yard touchdown pass and added a late scoring run.
LoPresto stripped the ball from an opponent and ran it in for a score. He also threw a touchdown pass to Deondre Miller.
Miller added an interception in the loss.
East Stroudsburg South scored late in the second quarter for a 37-26 halftime lead, then stretched its margin in the second half.
West Scranton 38, Hazleton Area 17
A year after the Cougars’ lone win came against the Invaders, West Scranton turned the tables in the 2026 opener, pulling off a non-conference road win.
The victory could loom large by the end of the season as both teams are now in the Class 6A ranks with four district playoff spots up for grabs among six teams.
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