On a November night in 2014, Berwick and Scranton Prep met for the first time in the District 2 postseason in a pivotal game for both programs.

Berwick won that matchup, 51-29, and advanced to the District 2 Class 3A final, which it lost to Crestwood. Scranton Prep pointed to taking its next step toward becoming a factor on the District 2 stage.

The two teams squared off a year later, only this time, Scranton Prep powered to a 37-7 win for its first district championship. From there, the Cavaliers replaced Berwick as the dominant team force in Class 3A, winning eight championships. Berwick, which moved up to Class 4A for a time, has played in only two championship games, losing to North Pocono in 2016 and Valley View in 2017.

Third-seeded Scranton Prep (6-5) plays at No. 1 seed Berwick (11-0) on Friday at Crispin Field in the District 2 Class 3A championship game.

“I think with all that we went through in the regular season, going 5-5, we learned a lot about ourselves from our experiences,” Scranton Prep receiver and defensive back AJ Croom said. “I think we are an underdog, and that makes this a very special game for us.”

Scranton Prep has faced its most serious amount of adversity during its 11-year run of dominance in Class 3A. The Cavaliers started the season without all-state player Will McPartland, who was still recovering from a torn ACL suffered in last season’s PIAA playoffs. They lost the first three games of the season, a heartbreaker on a late field goal to rival Abington Heights, and in the regular season finale against North Pocono.

Last week, Scranton Prep put the 5-5 season behind it with an overpowering win over No. 2 seed Wyoming Area, 42-0.

“At the start of the season, with the quality of teams we played and doing it without Will, who is a huge part of what we do, we struggled a little and had to fight through that,” Croom said. “Our coaches just kept telling us to stick together, and sometimes you have to face adversity. We did that, and it has worked out with us playing for a district championship.”

McPartland ran for two touchdowns and threw for 204 yards and a touchdown in the win. His brother, Braedon, caught four passes for 97 yards, AJ Croom had a touchdown reception, and Anthony Prince had 68 yards rushing and two touchdowns for the Cavaliers.

Scranton Prep’s defense limited Wyoming Area to 173 total yards in the shutout. Croom and Charlie Speicher each had an interception.

Berwick has had a massive turnaround from 2024, when it reached the District 2 Class 3A playoffs but lost to Western Wayne, 7-0, in the quarterfinals and finished with a record of 3-7 overall.

Running back Ty’Meere Wilkerson has run for 2,707 yards on 198 carries and 39 touchdowns. Quarterback Brady Clever has thrown for 251 yards and six touchdowns this season.

Last week, Wilkerson ran for 284 yards and five touchdowns in a 49-8 win over Hanover Area.

Berwick’s defense contained Hanover Area to 76 yards rushing on 25 attempts and has given up nine points in the last three games.

“They are a great team,” Croom said. “They have an explosive offense. We need to eliminate those quick-scoring plays and try to contain Wilkerson.

“When we are playing at our best, we can be tough on defense, and we will need to get a lot of guys to the ball. That will be important.”

DISTRICT 2 CLASS 3A CHAMPIONSHIP

3-Scranton Prep (6-5) at 1-Berwick (11-0)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Where: Crispin Field.

Last: Scranton Prep, 37-7 (2015).

Up next: The winner advances to the PIAA Class 3A first round to play the winner of the District 4 championship game between Montoursville and Mifflinburg.

The buzz: Scranton Prep has won four straight District 2 Class 3A championships. This is the first road game in the playoffs for the Cavaliers since 2019. Scranton Prep and Berwick have common opponents in Wyoming Area and Mid Valley. Scranton Prep defeated Wyoming Area, 42-0, and Mid Valley, 35-0. Berwick beat Wyoming Area, 35-13, and Mid Valley, 42-0. Berwick’s last District 2 championship came in Class 3A in 2013 against Abington Heights.