Jared Samuel<\/a> | August 27, 2026<\/p>\nWe\u2019re finally here, on the doorstep to another season of high school football.\u00a0 As we get set to watch some games, let\u2019s take a look at the Lackawanna Football Conference (LFC).<\/p>\n
Division 1:\u00a0 Abington Heights, Delaware Valley, North Pocono, Scranton, Scranton Prep, Valley View, Wallenpaupack, West Scranton<\/p>\n
Abington Heights had some significant losses from graduation.\u00a0 Coach Joe Repshis did get a lot of underclassmen on the field last year however, and that experience should help.\u00a0 Senior RB Jayden Anglin will be a key contributor this season as a strong runner who is hard to bring down. Senior QB Noah Kayal has big shoes to fill but is more than capable of delivering some big-time leadership.\u00a0
\nDelaware Valley has always found a way, right?\u00a0 Coach Keith Olsommer sometimes appears to be a quiet leader, but he knows how to prepare his guys and get them to buy into the process.\u00a0 2 key leaders for the Warriors should be Senior RB Devin Estevez and Senior TE James Dabney who have both seen plenty of action coming into this season.
\nNorth Pocono is coming off of a strong state playoff run in their 13-1 2025 season.\u00a0 Coach Greg Dolhon lost a few starters to graduation, but J-Man thinks he\u2019s gotta be pleased with the Trojan roster. Senior QB Chase Zimmerman and Junior RB Joe Briskie are solid, but it\u2019s Senior DB\/WR Cole West who has turned the most heads and may be the best all-around player in the LFC.
\nScranton lost quite a bit to graduation, so new Head Coach Jack Miles has some work to do in getting the Knights back on an upward trajectory.\u00a0 As long as they stay healthy, the positives will undoubtedly come.\u00a0 Junior QB Jack Cabets will be looked to early for leadership for this young group.
\nAnother year, another group of talented players have graduated\u2026.and another reload to make yet another run for Scranton Prep.\u00a0 Coach Terry Gallagher has been here before though, and knows how to get his team prepared and how to get the younger players tome under the lights.\u00a0 Senior RB\/LB Braedon McPartland and Senior DB\/WR Noah Krzywiec have the experience and will be called on to set the example of the Cavalier way.
\nValley View vs. Everyone.\u00a0 We know this, and it\u2019s evident that this is how this program prepares for the season.\u00a0 Coach Scot Wasilchak has his crew looking to improve on last year\u2019s 6-5 campaign, and they have a good foundation to do just that.\u00a0 Senior RB Tyler Muchal, Senior FB\/LB Jeffrey Wasilchak and Junior QB Caleb Brown have plenty of experience and toughness to lead the Cougars.
\nUp at the lake, Wallenpaupack has a nicely balanced roster coming into this season.\u00a0 Coach Matt Nawrocki definitely has the services of a full stable (3 by J-Man\u2019s count) of Kiesendahls!\u00a0 Senior RB Ed Kiesendahl and Sophomore RB Anthony Kiesendahl return, as does Junior QB Jake Rafferty which give the Buckhorns some solid leadership.\u00a0 Wallenpaupack usually starts the season pretty strong, so we will see if they can do the same this year and keep the momentum going.
\nWest Scranton has something to prove.\u00a0 Coach Jake Manetti has good numbers out this year, but the team has also moved up to 6A.\u00a0 Senior QB Jake Deluca had a pretty good season last year, and the Invaders are developing several other QB\u2019s as well.\u00a0 Having not been that heavily impacted by graduation like some other teams, is this the year the Invaders take home the Bell?<\/p>\n
Prediction:\u00a0 This division should be a huge slug-fest between North Pocono, Scranton Prep and Valley View, with Abington Heights possibly mixing it up as well.\u00a0 In the end, it will be the team that avoids injuries that most likely takes it.\u00a0 J-Man thinks that team is the North Pocono Trojans.<\/p>\n
Division 2:\u00a0 Dunmore, Honesdale, Lakeland, Mid Valley, Riverside, Western Wayne<\/p>\n
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Expectations are high in Bucktown as Dunmore returns a solid core of players this season.\u00a0 Coach Kevin McHale\u2019s group is a tight-knit one, led by Senior QB\/DB Weston Yannone, Senior FB Xavier Burke and Junior FB Brandon Mecca.\u00a0 If the defense rises to the occasion like the Bucks did 2 years ago, they may definitely make some playoff noise this season.\u00a0\u00a0
\nHonesdale is now in year 2 under Coach George Howanitz.\u00a0 There are some good returning players, led by Senior RB Gabe Duda who rushed for over 1200 yards last season.\u00a0 The line also has some significant size and experience, and thus the J-Man feels that the Hornets will definitely improve from their 4-win campaign a year ago.
\nLast season was a big return to greatness for Lakeland.\u00a0 The returning District 2 Class 2A champs also return quite a few playmakers, and Coach Dave Piwowarczyk has to be pleased with the experience his underclassmen received last year.\u00a0 Lakeland has a great trio of guys on offense\u2013Junior WR Jackson Pochas, Junior QB Rocco Spotaro and Senior WR Chase Rosenkrans.\u00a0 As long as the Chiefs stay healthy, this should be a very interesting season.
\nMid Valley had some significant losses via graduation.\u00a0 Coach Stan Yanoski does however have a pretty sizeable group and a great mix of underclassmen.\u00a0 Senior WR Aiden Willson and Sophomore WR Nick Hricenak have some experience and will be counted on to lead the pack.\u00a0 Expect some growing pains, but also expect some growth this season.
\nRiverside is another team that graduated a lot, has a new head coach (Jim Tucker) but has underclassmen with some pretty significant experience.\u00a0 Senior QB\/DB Brayden Rose is a terrific athlete who can do just about anything on the field, and Senior WR Jared Jackson keeps getting better and better.\u00a0 The line may be a bit undersized but is quick and athletic.\u00a0 If there are no significant injuries, the Vikings may surprise.
\nWestern Wayne is far removed from that magical run 2 years ago.\u00a0 There have been quite a few changes, coaching and otherwise, but the community support there is great.\u00a0 The roster does have some bright spots of experience, like Senior RB Quinn Swartz and Junior QB Jake Grodack.\u00a0 They will need to get back to their roots of strength and conditioning in order to get back on track.<\/p>\n
Prediction:\u00a0 J-Man thinks there\u2019s gonna be a whole lot of Lakeland and Dunmore hype here, and it should come right down to a head-to-head matchup week 10.\u00a0 The head says it\u2019s too close to call, but the gut keeps saying \u201cBucktown\u201d.<\/p>\n
Division 3:\u00a0 Carbondale, Holy Cross, Lackawanna Trail, Montrose, Old Forge, Susquehanna<\/p>\n
Carbondale had a pretty good season last year.\u00a0 They have some continuity, with main contributors Senior RB Francisco Roman and Senior RB Caedon Voglino back to lead the Chargers.\u00a0 If they stay healthy and continue to grow as a team, they can improve from last year.
\nHoly Cross is struggling a bit right now with low numbers and some injuries.\u00a0 They\u2019ve unfortunately had to forfeit their opener against Lakeland, but hopefully they will get healthy and improve their numbers and get back on the field soon.\u00a0
\nCoach Steve Jervis continues to prove all the doubters wrong.\u00a0 Just when you think he is going to have a lean year, Lackawanna Trail performs well yet again.\u00a0 On offense Junior FB Carter Edwards has experience, as does Junior RB Hayden Reed.\u00a0 On defense, watch out for Senior DL Kaylix Douglas off the edge.
\nMontrose makes their return to the LFC this year after several years as an independent.\u00a0 Their roster is pretty balanced and not senior heavy, so the experience they will gain this season should pay some dividends in future seasons.\u00a0 Returning to the LFC is a challenge and there will be growing pains for sure, but if they stay healthy it will be a positive for the program.
\nIs this the year that Old Forge gets back on track?\u00a0 The roster is young, but has pretty decent numbers.\u00a0 The schedule definitely has winnable games, so there may be improvement on the horizon for the Blue Devils.
\nMuch like the Blue Devils, Susquehanna also has a young roster but good numbers.\u00a0 The early schedule is balanced so if the Sabers can get off to a decent start then they may gain some momentum.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Prediction:\u00a0 Even with losses on the roster again this year, it\u2019s hard for the J-Man to pick against Lackawanna Trail, although Carbondale could surprise.<\/p>\n
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Feel free to reach out to me via DM on \u2018X\u201d\u00a0 @jaredsamuelpfn\u00a0 or email me at nepafootball71@gmail.com<\/p>\n
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