North Pocono and Scranton Prep played an instant classic in Week 10 last season.
This week is a much-anticipated rematch.
In that game, Chase Zimmerman caught a pass from Cole West for an 11-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter, and North Pocono’s defense secured a 24-21 win. The Trojans went on to win the Lackawanna Football Conference Division I championship and District 2 Class 4A title while going 13-1. Scranton Prep stormed to the District 2 Class 3A crown and both programs won PIAA first-round games.
This year, both teams are state-ranked in their respective classifications and tied with Wallenpaupack for first place in the LFC Division I standings.
On Friday, No. 3 Scranton Prep (5-1) plays No. 1 North Pocono (6-0) at North Pocono Trojans Stadium at 7 p.m.
“It’s great that we have an opportunity to face such a great opponent and play that game at home,” Zimmerman said. “We have to continue to do what we have been doing and enjoy the moment.”
North Pocono has held the No. 1 spot in The Times-Tribune High School Football Poll for 19 consecutive rankings. The Trojans have 16 straight regular-season wins.
“We are excited to go up there on a Friday night,” Scranton Prep linebacker Braedon McPartland said. “The atmosphere is going to be great. We will be ready.”
North Pocono has dominated its opponents in the first half, outscoring them, 152-7.
Last week, the Trojans defeated Wilkes-Barre Area, 44-7, despite playing without last season’s Class 4A all-state standout and Cornell commit Cole West, who is expected to return from injury this week. Henry Wolff, who took over as the team’s top running back after starter Joe Briskie suffered a torn ACL in Week 2, ran for 84 yards and two touchdowns as the defense limited the Wolfpack to 29 rushing yards in 19 carries.
The Trojans have a balanced running attack with Wolff leading with 319 yards. West has 305 yards and Jayden Taylor has 286 yards.
Zimmerman has 270 yards passing and two touchdowns.
Taylor leads the team in tackles for a defensive unit that has limited opponents to 47 points. Max LaFave led last week’s effort against Wilkes-Barre Area, holding it to 52 total yards and three first downs.
“We know that they are a great team,” McPartland said. “Last year, we were in the game with them, but they got the best of us. Our line needs to dominate up front, help us control the game and limit their possessions. We have to play together.”
Scranton Prep bounced back from a Week 1 loss to Loyola Blakefield. The Cavaliers have overmatched teams defensively, swarming to the ball and keeping them out of the end zone.
Last week, the Cavaliers held Abington Heights to 69 rushing yards on 20 carries in a 35-0 win. During a five-game winning streak, Scranton Prep has given up 28 total points.
Scranton Prep has also found its footing on offense. After scoring 20 points in a win over Fairfield Prep and 14 against Delaware Valley, the Cavaliers have scored 92 points in the last two games.
McPartland leads the team with 508 rushing yards. Scranton Prep has two productive quarterbacks. Oliver Swingle has 479 yards passing and three touchdowns, and Owen Jeffers has 233 yards passing and 273 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
Noah Krzywiec has 15 catches for 160 yards.
“Their coaches are great, and they are a very physical team,” Zimmerman said. “They make a lot of plays and have a lot of good players to get the ball to.
“We have to get after it and be just as physical. We need to make explosive plays and contain their explosive plays.”
Scranton Prep and North Pocono have outstanding kickers. Scranton Prep’s Tyler Bianchi has 26 extra points and three field goals. North Pocono’s Shane Youngblood has 23 extra points and four field goals. Both have hit season-best 47-yard field goals.
3-SCRANTON PREP
At 1-NORTH POCONO
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: North Pocono Trojans Stadium
Records: SP 5-1, NP 6-0.
Last: North Pocono, 24-21 (2025)
The buzz: Both teams are defending District 2 champions (Scranton Prep in 3A; North Pocono in 4A). Scranton Prep leads the series, 24-17. North Pocono is on a 16-game regular-season winning streak. North Pocono’s win last season ended a 12-game losing streak to the Cavaliers. North Pocono defeated Wilkes-Barre Area, 44-7, and Scranton Prep beat Abington Heights, 35-0, last week.
SCOUTING REPORT
Scranton Prep: The Cavaliers are physical. They have dominated opponents during a five-game winning streak. After giving up 41 points in a Week 1 loss to Loyola Blakefield, the defense has yielded 28 total points. In a shutout of Abington Heights last week, Scranton Prep limited the Comets to 3.5 yards per carry and six first downs. Scranton Prep scored 14 points in a win over Delaware Valley. In the last two weeks, the offense has erupted for 92 points and 824 total yards.
North Pocono: Coming off a school-record 13 wins in 2025, the Trojans are playing at a high level. Last week, without star Cole West, North Pocono beat Wilkes-Barre Area, 44-7, with the defense limiting the Wolfpack to 29 rushing yards on 19 carries and 23 passing yards. This season, the Trojans have two shutouts and have given up one score each to Wilkes-Barre Area and Scranton. Without West, the Trojans still gained 221 rushing yards last week. North Pocono has outscored opponents 152-7 in the first half this season.
Game of the Week Graphic (JOBY FAWCETT / STAFF GRAPHIC)