A pass intended for Wyoming Valley West’s Jaheir Cooper-Mickens, left, is broken up by West Scranton’s Quincy Mosley at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Scranton Friday, September 11, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
West Scranton’s Jonyae Sostre (1) puts his arm up to block Wyoming Valley West’s Connor Krobert at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Scranton Friday, September 11, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Wyoming Valley West’s Tanner Ragukas intercepts the ball in the second quarter at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Scranton Friday, September 11, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Wyoming Valley West’s Malique Campbell (6) runs the ball at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Scranton Friday, September 11, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Wyoming Valley West’s Gadgidas Reisinger is brought down by West Scranton’s Yereme Paredes at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Scranton Friday, September 11, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Wyoming Valley West’s Malique Campbell runs against West Scranton at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Scranton Friday, September 11, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Wyoming Valley West’s Trevor Ruddy, left, attempts to grab West Scranton’s Brayden Rodney as Rodney runs into Wyoming Valley West linebacker Tanner Ragukas at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Scranton Friday, September 11, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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A pass intended for Wyoming Valley West’s Jaheir Cooper-Mickens, left, is broken up by West Scranton’s Quincy Mosley at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Scranton Friday, September 11, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
SCRANTON— After a West Scranton touchdown cut Valley West’s lead to 11 points with 7:00 left in the fourth quarter, it was up to the Valley West offense to perform.
Fundamentally, it was all about taking time off the clock and more importantly protecting the football so as not to give the Invaders any more momentum.
That is when the Valley West offensive line really came together and the Spartans ran out the remaining time to secure a 25-14 victory Friday night at Scranton Memorial Stadium. The win is the first for Valley West head coach Brydon Rukstalis as the Spartans are 1-2 on the season. West Scranton dropped to 2-1.
“We controlled the clock pretty much throughout the game with our run game,” Rukstalis said. “We were physical. I am excited for these kids. They were in a place where we really didn’t know if do something like that.”
On the final drive Valley West ran 10 plays, all of them runs to put the game away. Malique Campbell, who finished the game with 26 carries for 212 yards and two touchdowns carried the ball five times. The other carries went to Colton Kocher, who rushed for 60 yards on the night. Valley West finished with 323 yards on the ground.
“We knew coming in what they were going to try and do,” West Scranton head coach Jake Manetti said. “We knew they were a dangerous team and knew they were going to try and run the ball. The only way a team puts together a seven-minute drive is if you can’t stop the run. Any week you struggle to stop the run you are going to be on the wrong side of time of possession. If you don’t play well on offense you are going to be on the wrong side of the scoreboard.”
Valley West scored twice in the first quarter, once on a Gadgidas Reisinger 42-yard touchdown reception and the second on a Campbell 45-yard touchdown run. In between, Kazual Colbert had a 21-yard touchdown reception.
Valley West quarterback Damien Eastman scored on a 1-yard run to put the Spartans ahead, 18-8, at the half.
“Malique (Campbell) ran phenomenally,” Rukstalis said. “When we need him we call on him. Colton (Kocher) ran the ball well. You have to give the credit to the offensive line. They are the ones who block and give them the holes. It was a total team win. I’m proud of them.”
Trailing by 10 early in the third quarter, West Scranton had an opportunity to cut into the lead when Colbert recovered a fumble at the Valley West 24. The Invaders could do nothing with it and turned the ball over on downs following an incomplete pass on fourth down.
“We didn’t give ourselves enough wiggle room to make mistakes and still be in the game,” Manetti said. “Any time you get a mistake on the other end and get a turnover inside their 30 we have to capitalize. We didn’t do that. It’s tough to win when you are coming from behind.”