Are you ready for some football?
Welcome to the official forum on high school football for the 2026 season.
During the off-season let’s talk about players, recruiting news, teams, and everything about high school football.
During the season each week let’s talk about match-ups and how teams did. Let us know what player(s) stood out each week.
1,986 Responses
@ Irish1
Sorry, finally 🙂
PV: I don’t know if there is a better winless team in the state, at least not in the Philly area. Brutal schedule for their first 4 games, big difference from their and S-F’s schedule from years ago. I think it is conceivable, if not probably, that they go 5-1 the rest of the way and end up 5-5 and grabbing one of the lower double digit seeds in the D1 6A playoffs. PJPII may be their only loss from here on out. Speaking of……
PJPII: Thanks for the stadium updates. Outside of their field, trying to remember the last time I saw a high school football game on natural grass. Guessing really not that long ago, maybe PV or NP before they put in turf?? They should cruise to the District 1 4A title. Not seeing much competition after their pulling away from Shanahan last week. Maybe I’ll seek out the S-F homecoming game in mid October. Rare D1 Saturday afternoon game. I do a little at times miss the PJPII and CB East Saturday afternoon games. My Saturday live games anymore are exclusively of PCL and Inter-Ac games.
I miss having some Saturday games around the area too. I’m old enough to remember opening the local papers and seeing more Saturday games then Friday night games . That was in the 80s many Suburban one and Ches mont schools didn’t have lights yet..I think PJP is the favorite in 4a I’m not sure if they cruise it’s probably the strongest field it’s been in a while. In the pac they have SF and PV back to back that won’t easy.
Came across photos of LaSalle’s Flannery Field and unless they are AI generated fake photos, why do they not play their home games there? Looks like turf, stands and lights already in place. Just curious if anyone knows.
LS grad here,
Flannery was redone for freshman, JV football, and the other sports that don’t draw potential crowds of 10k+ people. The field also sits in a weird spot on campus. Between the physical school building and the field sits a very quiet $$ neighborhood that absolutely does not want crowds or lights or traffic associated with a Friday night game against SJP for example. The campus itself also cannot support the amount of parking or traffic that would be caused. Both matchups against SJP last year brought in a crowd that would rival some D1 games and overflowed one of the larger high school stadiums in the area (Wiss).
Not sure if its local township that prevented them from building a PCL mecca, or if its respect for the neighborhood or logistical impossibility but I don’t think there will ever be a home stadium for La Salle. That being said they just announced a $35M project to build a new fieldhouse just across the walking trail from Flannery which takes away just about the rest of the open space needed for stadium and parking.
D2 Notes
Not my greatest week in the D2 picks.
I whiffed on Carbondale & Williamsport games pretty bad & didn’t give enough respect to the Cougars & Wolf Pack down south. 6-4.
Some interesting stories.
– A bit of a defensive brawl for Prep & DV, as the Cavs stole their homecoming 14-7. I’m not sure if DV’s defense is that good, Prep’s offense (& DV’s) is okay, or that it was that kind of game. Both teams are almost an enigma to me. Prep’s got an easier one next week against West Scranton & DV travels to the lake to take on “rival” Paupack (a game I’m featuring this week).
– Montrose, what was that? You really lost to a Holy Cross team that hasn’t had much to cheer about? The schedule might’ve been as soft as Charmin for the meteors, but I was singing praises. At least they weren’t blown out, like in the past. Though they’ll at least get a bit of love this week in the picks segment because of their matchup.
– It can’t be stated how fascinating HSFB can be. Crestwood got their QB back, but the Cougars of Hazleton decided to pick up win #1 in a 17-14 rivalry thriller. You gotta love a rivalry. This turned Hazleton’s season around a bit. As for WBA, they finally got their first dub of the season after beating Berwick 22-12. Maybe it helped that there wasn’t a Ty’Meere Wilkinson legacy game again. Maybe it wasn’t that. Good to see. They get undefeated Dallas next, so that may be a toughie.
– Back to Holy Cross a minute. Seriously, I do give a congrats. 1-3 this year with a major win on Saturday over an improved Meteor team. They’re somehow leading the way in D2’s side of a weaker 1A class. I’m not sure how long it’ll last, but they should score win #2 against a very bad CMVT team next week, who has lost 3 games in a span of 8 days.
– WVW getting win #2 was on my picks sheet & they proved me right. What a turnaround for Sparty. They now hold 2nd in 6A behind Billtown. Good news, Sparty Nation: You have a realistic chance to go to 3-2 as you take on GNA.
– Quick love to VV-NP. Valley View hung around pretty well against North Pocono on Friday Night, losing 27-14. I kinda felt it’d be that kind of game, just closer. Let’s see how VV handles the rest of the division slate. As for NP, they get Abington Heights next, & that’s probably the biggest game of the week…
– Honesdale is legit. I thought that the loss to them for Paupack was bad, since I thought they’d be the better team based on history, but Honesdale’s a lot better than I expected. They took out Carbondale 51-20 & their running game is the key. Howanitz’s squad has a serious chance at home field if they can hold their own against Dunmore & Lakeland (& maybe steal one: a big maybe though). They’ll get Crestwood next & I have to figure out a spot for it in the picks segment.
This could turn into a new weekly feature for me, congratulating a District 2 team. Last week it was Carbondale, this week I’ll second your congrats to Holy Cross. After a forgettable first 3 weeks, that may should never have happened, they get their first win and looks like the potential to have a decent remaining season with fairly favorable schedule. Good luck and stay healthy!!!
District 11 champ game predictions after week 4
A: Williams Valley over Tri Valley (darkhorse Marian)
AA: Northern over Haven (Shenendoah dark horse)
AAA: Northwestern Lehigh over Notre Dame (Executive darkhorse)
AAAA: Bethlehem Catholic over Blue Mountain (Lehighton darkhorse)
AAAAA: Southern over PM East
AAAAA: Parkland over Nazareth (Whitehall darkhorse)
Football Fan…I like your picks. I originally had Schuylkill Haven to win AA.
Yeah. I did as well but they have struggled. Looks like (based on here) they lost a lot on the lines. They also seem to have some trouble with the coach being suspended. I think northern ( especially when they get frame back) is probably the best out of a weak AA in dist 11. Northwestern Lehigh is absolutely incredible. What a well run and coached program year in and year out.
For those of you who think the D11 winner will win the 3A state title I will say they might but whoever comes out of D11 will be the underdog against the WPIAL winner especially if it’s Avonworth based on what I saw last night Avonworth is still the team to beat in 3A.
I would honestly put the 3A title game as a toss up between the Northwestern(or ND, maybe Archbishop Wood) and Hopewell/Avonworth/Propel(maybe Aliquippa). I am not sure people realize how good these teams are, possibly the deepest classifications in years that I can remember, all championship contenders. Usually you get 2 or 3, maybe 4 legitimate teams.
My biggest concern with Northwestern was a sophomore quarterback but he has welcomed the challenge and been amazing. They don’t start a senior on the line and play maybe 3 seniors(2 all state guys) on either side of the ball.
Someone better get Northwestern this year because next year will be even tougher.
I agree with Avonworth. I believe that week 1 was an absolute lack of discipline after winning a state title. I am sure there mind set is reset. I believe that they win the WPIAL!
There RB is back and he was a big part of there success.
NWL is young with talent, they would have to win some big games prior to a 4th straight final. They absolutely have top quality coaches to develop this team to a final and win! Was able to see 2 NWL games this season and they in my opinion are top notch and every player is focused on the game. It is clear that the coaches have there attention. They lost a few pieces to there team last year but maybe have a solid 11 every down this year.
The RB (Velisaris) did not play in week 1 and they were starting a new QB after 3yr starter Carson Bellinger graduated last year, and Hopewell is very good, their QB is going to Penn State, and they have a very talented junior class (the QB James Armstrong is junior), so it was a challenging game on the road to start the season. Velisaris had 1,500 yards rushing before he tore his ACL in the WPIAL championship game, they were so deep and loaded last year they didn’t need him to win a state title. Their O-line is still big and strong, their defense and special teams are solid, they have a good kicker and an excellent coaching staff that has been together for awhile, and in virtually every game they play they’ll have the best player on the field in Jaden Jones. Its still early but if I were picking the state finalists in 3A this year I think we get the rubber match between Avonworth and NW Lehigh, if it happens you heard it hear first! (I made the same prediction halfway through last season on this forum)
Propel Braddock Hills??
They play Avonworth in the final game of the season for the conference title and likely number one seed in the playoffs, I think Avonworth is the more complete team and better in the trenches but we’ll see, those 2 met in the final last year when Propel was playing as Imani Christian and Avonworth won 30-6. Jaden Jones for Avonworth is a stud on both sides of the ball as he showed in the state final last year, he reminds me of Joey O’brien from LaSalle, similar type of player, tall, lanky, fast, instinctive, very athletic, covers a lot of ground playing center field on defense.
Saw Avonworth last night for the the first time and they were impressive in a workmanlike 34-14 victory over New Castle after giving up a 76 yard catch and run to their four yard line on the first play from scrimmage and subsequent TD a few plays later. RB Dimitri Velasaris played his first game since tearing his ACL in the WPIAL final last year and rushed for 208 yards. Avonworth is not as good as their juggernaut last year but are still very good and starting to round into form and come November they will be an extremely tough out in the playoffs don’t be surprised if you see them in the state final for the third year in a row.
Anyways, even though I know some have their comments about North Schuylkill’s performance last night, I would like to thank (sincerely) the classy presentation of the ball from the family of the late Michael Pahira that was used in the game by the NS team.
Was at the Archbishop Wood-Conwell Egan game last night. Was one of the best games I have seen in a long time. Back and forth the entire game. Wood won in OT 48-42. Both teams left it out on the field. Congrats to both teams.
Last night when watching the Wilson WL Manheim Twp game, I heard a score in D3. Elizabethtown 85-6 over Lebanon. Announcers said it was 56-0 @ half and Etown had four pick 6’s. Not a fan of piling it on a bunch of 16 yo. Why not call off the dogs. No reason for a score like that, especially with mercy rule.
Lebanon should go independent. The L-L League has failed them with their unbalanced divisional alignments.
Ahhhh maybe north schuylkill should find a new athletic director too.
That was a good ole fashioned beat down!
@ Kevin X – regarding Clairton, the reason they gave for forfeiting their game against SV in week 2 was due to an internal investigation of the coaching staff and lack of healthy players. I have not heard if the WPIAL is investigating as it hasn’t been reported in any media outlets, although I wouldn’t be surprised if it was discussed at the board of directors meeting earlier this week.
Picks across PA. Billtown game, I never finished up the summary for. I’d say Shik stays in for a bit, but the Millionaires pull away late.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1GUxlidj7VGViUg2plch8PiubTY8TTZf19MuYLcA8jk0/edit?usp=sharing
@ D2 Fan
Just wanted to acknowledge and send congrats to Carbondale on beating Crestwood last week.
Also, if you are looking for a Deputy Commissioner for that new league you mentioned, I’l like to apply for the job. But we need to think big, and do it with a statewide league of some sort.
@ Irish1
Hang in there, I haven’t forgot…….
Kevin,
It’s yours if you want it, haha! This kind of league should happen & I’d welcome a western version of it, too. I’d like to make a master list of teams. Have maybe a 20-24 team big school league & a 40-48 team smaller school division (maybe 22 East & 22 West)
@ Jeff H
I responded to your Clairton post from a week or so ago, a few days ago, it buried on the previous page. Don’t know if you saw it. I did have a question in my reply about the Woodland Hills (?) coach as well.
Sorry, I missed your response, I was going to post about the WH coach last week but never got around to it. He coached their first game against New Castle, then was “on leave” for the next 2 games against PCC and NA, and the story finally broke last week, the school district suspended him for 1 year for violation of WPIAL and PIAA rules during the summer. There were no other details released, appears to be due to illegal practices and social media posts, whatever that means. The WPIAL board of directors met on Tuesday and one of the items on the agenda was whether they thought the school district punishment was enough considering the infractions, but I have not heard anything from that meeting, I’m not as connected to the district like I was in the past since my daughter graduated 7 years ago, so I don’t get the inside scoops anymore.
@ Jeff H, Irish and D2 fan, some stuff for you guys tomorrow.
I could see PV rebounding and going on a run when league play starts dont think they win it,but that team is better then their record indicates. Except for their first game all close games,against good competition. It wont probably wont happen but there was talk of the chest-mont and pac merging for football at least a few yrs ago when they started the scheduling agreement for early season games. That would be a really fun and very strong league with a couple divisions.
Picking up where we left off on Tuesday…..with only a handful of games across the state tonight, here are some halftime scores:
35-0
35-0
45-0
49-0
Does it really matter who was playing??
Thank goodness for PBH/McKees and PV/DTW for offering up some resemblance of sanity going into tomorrow night.
Oh Perkiomen Valley, have you seen enough of Downingtown football for awhile??
Crestwood/Hazleton comments: This game should be an interesting one. Hazleton hasn’t looked great, but Crestwood is back to full strength. Give me Crestwood here.
Week 4 D2 Picks. I have Thursday & EPA picks this weekend so far on the doc. Will hop on & predict anything else west of the Susquehanna later…
– North Pocono vs. Valley View (GoW): Quite the start to the LFC 1 season between two pretty solid teams. I think the Trojans are going to keep the momentum up, but VV will keep it fairly close for a while.
– Scranton Prep vs. Delaware Valley (LFC): Ahhhhhh, nothing like Homecoming Saturday in Milford. Prep’s back in town after going 2-1 in the “Megalopolis Private School Tour”. I think they ruin DV’s homecoming with a win to go to 3-1.
– Dallas vs. Pittston (WVC): The Mounties are back, but this is a quality game that should be looked at as a trap. Pittston got their first win & gets their chance to sneak back to .500. Sadly, I don’t see it this time.
– Hanover Area vs. WVW (Big Boys): The irony that this game is between weaker big schools is valid. However, maybe the win against West was the momentum boost needed for Sparty to get back on track. I’ll say they go back to .500. I don’t see Hanover Area taking this.
– Lake-Lehman vs. Dunmore (Small School): I’ve featured them all season, but Trail’s taken out of the bigger game picks until further notice. L-L couldn’t crack Lakeland. I don’t think they can against Dunmore, either. They’re on another level.
– Crestwood vs. Hazleton (Rivalry/Respect): I could give love to WVW here, but the Rivalry of 309 is here.
– Carbondale vs. Honesdale (Playoffs?): 4A is TIGHT right now from 3-7. The winner of this game gets a good seeding advantage in 4A. C’dale is on the rise, but this inter-divisional matchup might be a slight challenge. Give me the Chargers, barely.
– Mid Valley vs. Wyoming Area (Crossover): Wyoming Area below the cutline for the playoffs is a stunning story. This is a big must-win game against Mid Valley. I think they get it.
– Shikellamy vs. Williamsport (5A/6A): Let’s do a 6A subregional spotlight for once. Both Shik & Billtown look so good this year.
– Williams Valley vs. Nativity (1A): We finally get an all 1A showdown & by default, you get them all in this spot. Nativity is in a must win mode, just in case the 4-seed is still up for grabs. However, nothing tells me Nativity beats one of the best in 1A.
Scores
– N Pocono 29, VV 20
– Scranton Prep 31, DV 16
– Dallas 40, Pittston 17
– WVW 21, Hanover Area 16
– Dunmore 38, L-L 14
– Crestwood 27, Hazleton 14
– C’dale 20, Honesdale 19
– Wyo Area 20, Mid Valley 17
– Billtown 30, Shik 21
– WV 34, Nativity 14