The regular season is winding down, and teams are claiming Lackawanna Football Conference titles.
Scranton Prep, Dunmore, and Carbondale Area won their matchups last week, securing ties for their respective division championships. Teams are also jockeying for seeding in the fast-approaching postseason.
Scranton Prep (8-1) remains the No. 1 team in The Times-Tribune High School Football Poll. The Cavaliers won another physical battle with a ranked Division I opponent, earned a hard-fought victory over Valley View, 14-7. Scranton Prep plays at Scranton (0-9) on Friday. The Cavaliers have also locked down the No. 1 seed for the District 2 Class 3A playoffs.
Dunmore (9-0) is the only remaining unbeaten team in the LFC and continued its destruction of opponents in Division II, slamming Riverside, 58-6. The No. 2 Bucks’ outcomes are mind-bogglingly one-sided, but more so against division opponents, whom they have outscored, 249-17, in four games.
This week, Dunmore hosts Lakeland in a rematch of last season’s District 2 Class 2A championship game. Lakeland, despite an abundance of injuries that has decimated the starting unit, snapped a two-game losing skid with a 42-14 win at Western Wayne. The Chiefs are ranked No. 9 again this week.
Third-ranked North Pocono (8-1) is 18-1 in the last two regular seasons after a 28-14 win over Wallenpaupack last week. The Trojans finish the regular season at home against West Scranton.
Abington Heights (5-4) posted its third straight win to remain at No. 4. The Comets play a rivalry game against Delaware Valley at home for the I-84 Black and Blue Jug on Friday.
Honesdale (7-2), which has the most wins in a season since 2014, finishes the season at home against Riverside. The No. 5 Hornets last won eight games in a season in 2004.
Valley View (5-4) lost its second consecutive one-score game, falling to Scranton Prep, 14-7. The Cougars are ranked sixth this week and have a critical Week 10 home game against Wallenpaupack.
Wallenpaupack (5-4), ranked seventh, has lost its last three games. The Buckhorns are battling Valley View for seeding position in the District 2 Class 4A playoffs. Entering Friday’s game at John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium, Wallenpaupack is fifth, and Valley View is sixth in the power-rating standings.
Mid Valley (5-4) lost to Honesdale, 52-15, and remains at No. 8. The Spartans have a head-to-head win over No. 9 Lakeland. They finish the season at home against Western Wayne.
Carbondale Area (6-3) is ranked No. 10 after clinching a tie for the LFC Division III title with a win over Lackawanna Trail in Week 9. The Chargers can wrap up the program’s first outright league championship since 1973, when they won the Suburban Conference crown.
THE TIMES-TRIBUNE TOP 10
1. Scranton Prep (3 first-place votes, 39 points)
Record: 8-1.
Last rank: 1.
Last week: Beat Valley View, 14-7.
Next: Friday at Scranton.
2. Dunmore (1, 37)
Record: 9-0.
Last rank: 2.
Last week: Beat Riverside, 58-6.
Next: Friday vs. Lakeland.
3. North Pocono (32)
Record: 8-1.
Last rank: 3.
Last week: Beat Wallenpaupack, 28-14.
Next: Friday vs. West Scranton.
4. Abington Heights (27)
Record: 5-4.
Last rank: 4.
Last week: Beat Scranton, 55-7.
Next: Friday vs. Delaware Valley.
5. Honesdale (23)
Record: 7-2.
Last rank: 6.
Last week: Beat Mid Valley, 52-15.
Next: Friday vs. Riverside.
6. Valley View (20)
Record: 5-4.
Last rank: 5.
Last week: Lost to Scranton Prep, 14-7.
Next: Friday vs. Wallenpaupack.
7. Wallenpaupack (16)
Record: 5-4.
Last rank: 7.
Last week: Lost to North Pocono, 28-14.
Next: Friday at Valley View.
8. Mid Valley (11)
Record: 5-4.
Last rank: 8.
Last week: Lost to Honesdale, 52-15.
Next: Friday vs. Western Wayne.
9. Lakeland (9)
Record: 7-2.
Last rank: 9.
Last week: Beat Western Wayne, 42-14.
Next: Friday at Dunmore.
10. Carbondale Area (5)
Record: 6-3.
Last rank: 10.
Last week: Beat Lackawanna Trail, 40-21.
Next: Friday vs. Old Forge.