Delaware Valley’s Trey Newton is brought down by North Pocono’s Cole West at Trojan Stadium in Moscow Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
North Pocono started the season with high expectations and lofty goals.
If the football team wanted to make history, the Trojans would need to rely heavily on the efforts of the defense.
Through 13 weeks, that unit has dominated, and when the going got tough in the PIAA Class 4A first-round battle with District 1 champion Bishop Shanahan, it came through in the clutch.
The Trojans are a reflection of their coordinator, Randy Wolff, who emphasizes playing with a fierce passion and physical intensity.
On Friday, North Pocono (13-0) will face a challenge again when it faces District 12 champion Cardinal O’Hara (9-4) at Whitehall High School’s Zephyr Stadium in the program’s first state quarterfinal game.
“The culture we have built here on the defensive side really helped us throughout the year,” North Pocono defensive back Tate Bowen said. “We have a great mentality and great senior leadership on our team.
“Our chemistry has been the key. We have been building something here for a few years now, and it has come together for us.”
North Pocono sent a clear message early in the season about its intentions on defense.
The Trojans limited Nanticoke Area to 14 yards rushing on 15 attempts in a 56-0 win and corralled Wyoming Valley West to 47 yards on 24 carries in a 48-0 win in Week 3.
Evan Wolff, one of the emotional leaders of the defense and assistant coach Wolff’s son, and Aidan Maguire each had nine tackles, Bowen had eight, and Cole Zimmerman had two tackles for loss in a win over Pittston Area in Week 2. Bowen and Cole West each had an interception for the Trojans.
Facing the top offenses in the Lackawanna Football Conference, the defense kept rising to the occasion.
In a hard-fought victory over Abington Heights, the Trojans held Abington Heights to 33 yards rushing on 22 attempts as the front line of Cole Zimmerman, Warren Kramer, and massive nose guard Dylan Castor, a 6-foot-8, 330-pound roadblock, shut off any creases.
There were also some sacks of quarterback Nick Bradley in there as well, and even though the secondary gave up 316 yards, Cole West provided an important interception early in the game.
Kramer and Wolff, who had eight total tackles, had three sacks each, and Matthew Laboranti had one against the Comets.
“It is a combination of preparation and anticipation for us,” Kramer said. “Coach Wolff does a great job of getting us to know what the offenses want to try to do, and we are always ready for what we see.”
After a win over Dallas, where freshman Max LaFave had two key interceptions, North Pocono overmatched Valley View in a Week 7 matchup.
In those two games, the Trojans outscored the second- and third-ranked teams in the District 2 Class 4A playoff chase, 77-24. The Trojans suffocated the Valley View running game and gave up 87 yards on 30 carries.
Linebackers Aidan Maguire and Jayden Taylor each had eight tackles, while Cole Zimmerman and Castor each had six with a tackle for loss. West, who also had six tackles, had two interceptions against the Cougars.
With a chance to secure the LFC Division I title, North Pocono forced overtime against Delaware Valley. Josiah Gray scored a 2-yard run for the Trojans on their possession. Then, the defense made stops on all four downs, with Chase Zimmerman collaring Mike Iuzzolino to secure the 28-21 win.
Chase Zimmerman and Aidan Maguire each had nine tackles, and Taylor had seven against the Warriors.
North Pocono slowed Scranton Prep just enough in a 28-21 win that secured the first undefeated regular season record since 1991. LaFave had four tackles, with two for loss.
North Pocono’s defense controlled the win over Dallas in the District 2 Class 4A final. The Trojans yielded 74 yards rushing on 21 carries; they had two interceptions, and much of the Mountaineers’ statistics were compiled well after the outcome had been determined.
Others who have made valuable contributions to the defense include Matthew Laboranti, Connor Ruddy, Mike Bell, and Henry Wolff.
“We are a physical defense,” Taylor said. “We bring it, and we don’t give up until the clock hits zero.”
Last week, West rallied the Trojans and scored with 45.4 seconds remaining in the game. Bishop Shanahan had good field position following a short kickoff and return. Seamus Maguire provided a sack and a forced fumble, and Gray pounced on the loose ball to secure the win.
Against Cardinal O’Hara, North Pocono will face a solid offensive line that has good size with DeVonte Ferrigon (6-0, 255), Jayden King-Gant (6-3, 290), and Mike Davis (6-1, 260).
Cardinal O’Hara won its first district championship with a 34-6 win over West Philadelphia last week. Running back Amahj Gowans ran for 195 yards and scored three touchdowns for the Lions.
“We have to stay low and read our keys and do what the coaches teach us to do,” Kramer said.
PIAA CLASS 4A QUARTERFINAL
12-1 Cardinal O’Hara (9-4) vs. 2-1 North Pocono (13-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: Whitehall High School’s Zephyr Stadium.