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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.
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I might be a little stitious on this upcoming Friday The 13th in HSFB! Time to make predictions.
– Scranton Prep vs. DV (LFC 1): Prep has their two biggest division games to start. Meanwhile, DV gets to finally play Lackawanna League opponents. DV starting 0-4 is unfamiliar territory in the Olsommer era. I think we see that on Homecoming Saturday (which honestly should be the following week vs. Paupack instead).
– Mid Valley vs. Honesdale (LFC 2): The only in-division showdown is in Honesdale. A very good team in Mid Valley will take on an improved Honesdale team. While Western Wayne is dominating, this will show us who is #2 in division 2. I think Sparty is better.
– Lake-Lehman vs. Riverside (LFC 3): This is a crossover game we should look at. The team from the Back Mountain travels to Taylor where they’ll be an underdog. However, Riverside shouldn’t overlook the Black Knights, either. They’re a quiet 2-1. The Vikes should prevail in this one.
– Wilkes-Barre vs. Dallas (WVC 1): I like a good game to potentially determine the division. However, I won’t say the winner of this will. Wilkes-Barre looks to break their two-game skid after a Whitehall dub in Week 1. Dallas just feels off & I don’t know why. They’ve played two close games & lost a toughie to Abington Heights. I’ll say Dallas bounces back, but I’m far from confident.
– Hazleton vs. Berwick (WVC 2): There just aren’t good games in the WVC this week. This brings back an old divisional rivalry that seems to always be great. I think Berwick gives CJ Curry his first win here.
– Abington Heights vs. Valley View (LFC HM): The Comets & the Cougars have always been tough outs in the gauntlet known as LFC 1. Want to be 2nd or 3rd best? Put yourself in position by winning here & maybe you’ll be second best if you steal a game somewhere else or if DV slips. Valley View seems to have shaken the rust off after a beatdown in Week 1. Abington Heights seems to be in a rhythm. I’ll go with the Cougars but expect this to go either way.
– Western Wayne vs. Crestwood (WVC HM): The crossover game to watch is this. Crestwood is a team that can play anyone tough. Western Wayne has a schedule that they can run the table with, given they win here. CalPreps favors the Wildcats. I think they’re playing better but expect this to be tight.
– North Pocono vs. Wallenpaupack (D2 HM): If you told me that these would be the top 2 in the D2 4A race heading into Week 4, I’d think you’d be crazy. Paupack leads the way, after two wins against opponents they’ve historically (recently) done well against. North Pocono’s schedule has been weak, with a combined 1 win to their opponent’s names. These two teams could be the teams battling for the 4-seed heading into November, or at least the Eastern Conference game. Paupack is favored by CalPreps. I don’t know if they’re ready to take the next step, but their defense last week makes me more confident.
– Scranton vs. West Scranton (Rivalry): One more highlight in the week, but both teams are on opposite wavelengths. The undefeated Knights play the winless Invaders for the Battle Of The Bell. Scranton looks like a threat in LFC 1 this year & might actually pose a threat to the four playing each other this week. This is a tune-up game before a big division test next week. Scranton goes 4-0 & it won’t be close.
– Nativity vs. Tri-Valley (Subregional): I’ll give 3-0 Williamsport their flowers next week. This is a very important game between #1 & #4 in the 1A race. Tri-Valley is rolling through the competition, but it’s not surprising. Nativity lost a tough game against Williams Valley but give them credit. They fought until the end. The Bulldogs look to be a solid favorite here & I’ll have to agree.
Scores
– Scranton Prep 28, DV 20
– Mid Valley 27, Honesdale 12
– Riverside 38, L-L 8
– Dallas 21, WBA 17
– Berwick 26, Hazleton 16
– VV 26, AH 22
– Western Wayne 23, Crestwood 19
– Paupack 20, North Pocono 17
– Scranton 42, West Scranton 6
– Tri-Valley 34, Nativity 14
@ Foleman – Not to nitpick but the writer of this article must not be very familiar with the PIAA playoffs and classifications, otherwise he would have known that Wood won 3 3A state titles in the 4 class era prior to 2016, and another 3 from 2016-2019 in 5A, they didn’t dominate 5A for a decade because the classification hasn’t been around that long. It is stunning how that program totally imploded after winning their last title in 2019, they certainly lost the arms race with SJP, Roman and LaSalle.
@Jc
CJ Curry will be a tremendous coach. I believe Berwick will get better each week and ultimately surprise people in weeks 8-10. Congrats to Valley View on a hard faught win at Wilkes Barre. I am looking forward to the matchup with Abington Heights this week, two programs playing well with confidence.
Dave Armstrong has resigned as the Head Coach of Archbishop Wood. What once was one of the Premier Football Programs in the State-6 5A Championships from 2011 to 2019 is now a team that is averaging a few wins per year. Armstrong cited “Personal Reasons” His record was 2-22 in 2+ years at Wood. I believe the final straw was Bonner/Prendie beating Wood 62-14 last week. Word has it that parents of Wood players were livid at the coaching and culture within the program, Wood had to cancel a few games in 2022 due to lack of players. Several coaching changes and player transfers didn’t help either. I have heard that the Wood administration is no longer putting an emphasis on the football program and has placed an emphasis on basketball. Being around successful and not so successful private school football programs for many years, you need 2 things in place in order to be successful-A good coach and administration buy in. Wood had several top notch coaches for several years, 2 of them are now coaching in college plus they had the backing from the administration during their run. Article below:
https://www.phillyburbs.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2024/09/10/archbishop-wood-football-coach-dave-armstrong-resigns-archbishop-piaa-bucks-county-high-school-pa/75163948007/
Ok only positives. Each week I’ll mention a team and give me a positive reaction. Berwicks offense? Positive thoughts?
I forgot to mention while I am in ( J.U.G 😉
From Eastern PA Football I wish all of you a great rest of your season.
Thank you David. I love this site and the blog. You do everyone a great service. Thanks for what you do.
@everyone
First of all, don’t blame David Mika he has always been an
Outstanding person .
All those posts that I put were directed absolutely at the coaching staff not the athletes I have said that before
And also the administration of the PIAA
Please never say anything negative about David again
I take full responsibility
And I apologize if I offended anybody
I will stand on the sidelines anymore quietly
Peace be with you
Hey, district 2 football let it go already. You’re making a whole area look stupid.
JCo – I think Schuylkill Haven is going to come out a clear favorite after some more weeks are played. I think they have a good shot to make a legit run this year. Might be a bold prediction but I think they meet Southern in the eastern final
David Mika
Pleas stop putting up these hateful posts. I am baffled as to why you let D2 Football verbally attack KIDS and then call everyone at Scranton Prep pricks, multiple times. I have been reading this blog since its inception, and I have never seen you allow these types of posts. Why are you giving D2 Football a pass? I had a post not put up last season where I was critical of Wilkes-Barre Area coach Zero Cinti. it was no where near as hateful as what you allow D2 Football to post.
Maynard, I told my staff to stop posting these type of post.
There are too many comments in here about Scranton Prep and North Schuylkill. Please give it a rest already.
After Week 3 is when I think the contenders really start emerging. It’s early but SJP and La Salle clearly appear to be the top two teams in 6A. Not sure if La Salle can pull off the upset but it seems much more possible this year than past years. I suspect the best public 6A will come out of D3 between Manheim Twp and Harrisburg, Manheim has looked the part but Harrisburg has two very solid wins after their opening day stinker. I expect both to run the table and meet in the D3 title game again, which hopefully lives up to last year’s classic.
I’m most familiar with D11 so a quick look at each class:
6A – Liberty has been a nice surprise but I think Freedom is the top dog here. Big showdown with Nazareth this week, but Freedom has been very impressive and I think they come out on top. Can’t rule out Parkland turning it on come playoff time but they’ve got some work to do I think.
5A – Idk how they got away with not having a subregional, but all 4 teams will make the playoffs and both PV and PM East look terrible. Whitehall has been bad too, though injuries have played some part as Carter Troxell is a big loss, he should come back before the season’s done. ES South is the clear favorite and has performed well, but the bracket pairs the D11 champ with the D12 champ and beating Roman is a long shot, so don’t expect much from D11 at the 5A level.
4A – The Catholics usually run this class, but Blue Mountain has looked very good and Southern Lehigh has dropped down, so this will be a tougher road than normal. Whoever advances will have earned it.
3A – There are several solid teams here, but it would be shocking if anyone other than Northwestern wins this. They are legitimate state title contenders.
2A – A really interesting mix with no clear favorite yet. Williams Valley, Schuylkill Haven, Northern Lehigh, Minersville, Catasauqua, and Executive all have arguments. Schuylkill Haven is my pick right now, they hung with Blue Mountain and have destroyed their last two opponents. They play Minersville and Williams Valley later this month so we will learn more soon.
1A – Now a subregional with D2, which is shaping up to be lots of fun. Tri-Valley vs. Nativity is a big clash this week, but I feel like Lackawanna Trail would be my current pick of the group.
I agree….Moving forward. If you don’t like a program and can’t say anything good…..DON’T
@D2 Fan – Imani is voluntarily playing up to 3A for this cycle, they are 2A by enrollment but playing 3A, as they have a few Power 4 recruits, they are definitely a threat to win WPIAL 3A, and would be big favorites if they were still in 2A, very impressive win last week over a solid Beaver team.
TJ had a big time comeback last week over McKeesport, they trailed 28-7 at half after taking a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, then shut out McKeesport in the 2nd half, and won in OT when they held them to a field goal and then scored a TD.
Clairton may win 1A, I think it will be them and Ft Cherry in WPIAL final, although as you mentioned South Side Beaver is very good, as is Neshannock who is now back in 1A after being in 2A the last several cycles.
All 3 South Hills teams are very good, MaxPreps has them all in the top 6 in the state, that might be a stretch but they are all top 10, USC and Bethel have destroyed everyone they have played, and so has Peters, those games are going to be absolute battles. An under the radar team in 5A is Latrobe, they have 2 big time recruits, including LB/RB Alex Tatsch who is going to Penn State to play linebacker, he’s also an excellent HS running back and ran for 251 yard and 4 TDs last week against Norwin, I think Latrobe wins their conference (which includes Penn Trafford, Gateway, and Woodland Hills) and gets a #2 or #3 seed in WPIAL 5A playoffs, they play at Pine Richland in week 7 in a nonconference game that will have an impact on seeding for the playoffs.
@ District 2 Football.
You are a coward, you can hate on Scranton Prep all you want but in reality your nothing but a coward. Literally you sit behind a computer and spew BS constantly towards young men who are trying to achieve success in life. You are a disgruntled loser who never amounted to anything in life. You and your fake family who supposedly attended Scranton prep, get a life because obviously you don’t have one.
@ D2 Fan, The Rustin-PJP game was basically even, the final score was the result of PJP fumbling a crazy desperation lateral play in the endzone with a few seconds left. PJP missed on a two point conversion attempt with a minute left. Rustin has a veteran tough team that runs the wing t offense.They should be a major factor in 5A,probably right behind Garnet Valley. PJP has a different type team this year with the gradution of an all state running back and an all american offensive lineman they are relying on throwing the ball, They have a talented wide receiver who is headed to Villanova next yr along with some other speedy wideouts. They have a tough game in a few weeks with Phoenixville one of their big rivals. If they stay healthy they should get thru District one 4A. Would have to develope some balance with the running game to move forward after that. They have enough talent to do that and are well coached. Bonner- Prendie in District 12 is really good again.
Early prediction that actually could happen
Delaware Valley 17
Scranton Prep 14
Delaware Valley is 0-3 but only to out of conference solid teams and out of state
Scranton 30
Scranton Prep 21
Scranton is on a mission this year outstanding skill players and a massive line that can move
@ FG hey dad , mom said stop pretending to be someone else and defending your coaching and come to bed
I heard he wears his Shenandoah valley uniform to bed the night before games. Pads and all.
You’re asking for a death sentence if you do that. He’ll throw you through the goalpost from the 20
Correction: I was 6-4 this week with D2 area picks. I somehow skipped over a few losses. I’m having a very bad year as a prognosticator. So bad that I was eliminated from a survivor pool in Week 1 this year. I guess I’m not as knowledgeable as I make myself out to be. Or maybe D2 is that chaotic this year (honestly, chaos is good for HS Football).
Everywhere else, better, but I whiffed on District 3 this week. I was 39-11, which might be one of my best out of state weeks yet. 45-15 (83.3%) is much better this week, but I feel I can improve.
Some observations on other state games
– How is Troy compared to Southern this year? They defeated a big school last week & dominated a decent South Billtown team. Just want to gauge 2A a little more.
– East Stroudsburg South might’ve became 5A favorites in D11 after a nice win over Whitehall. Wins over Abington Hts & the Zephs are great for their season resume.
– How about Line Mountain? Impressive win over a competitive Juniata team.
– Garnet Valley looks great this year & I think they’ll spoil the party for a few good 5A teams.
– PJP suffered an interesting loss to Rustin this week, but Kevin X was right.
– CD East beats Cedar Cliff in a close fight. Got that wrong, but that’s a good win there.
– L-S defeated Cocalico this weekend & it was quite a solid game for them. These wins go a long way to show how tough of an out they’ll be in the playoffs.
– Garden Spot beat a good Ephrata team this weekend. I think they could make a case to be an interesting team in D3 5A.
– Port A came out & possibly put up a Scorigami on Redbank Valley. This could be a year McKean County shows up in 1A States. I’ll give them credit there. Doubted them because of recent history.
– Another good win for TJ over McKeesport. They look like a threat to dethrone the Quips.
– I also really like the win for Belle Vernon over Central Valley. Heard it came down to the end.
– Can you say defense? Harrisburg won 7-6 over State College in one of those defensive battles. I’d bet weather had a bit to do with it.
– Chester played Imhotep, #3 in PA on MaxPreps in quite the battle. This is impressive & if only both were 5A this year.
– Farrell is 0-3 to start the year? That is, in a word, shocking. Tough schedule, at the least, but am I missing something?
Now to respond back after forgetting all week,
@ Kevin X: I wish I had Strath game there. I would’ve gone with Strath Haven if I had remembered. I kind of overlooked the other opponent. For future reference, how many points is the band worth? LOL. I kid. Their running game seems to be solid. Wish I saw your Rustin mention. I think what you said was right. I know little to nothing about the smaller C-M teams, so it’s always a guess for me. I’ll look into them a bit more as the season goes along. You were off on Spring-Ford, but what a quality win for DTE. Something about the Cougars that made me pick them.
@ Foleman: Thank you for sharing info about Twin Valley. I’m impressed with how well they’ve played these last few seasons. They were sort of irrelevant (at least from a casual state football follower) before then, but it’s good to see that program becoming something. I’d have to agree that they might not be at Wyo (or even L-S’ level, but I’ll pay attention to those games.
@ Jeff H: I know I’m a week late. I had things written out, but Labor Day happened & I forgot. I was off on a few Week 2 picks. I sort of went with last season’s success with those. That 5A race out there is going to be so fun to watch, as well. Didn’t realize how close those South Hills teams are to each other in the class rankings. You’re right about TJ being back. It’s good to see. Somehow, I completely forgot ICA was 3A. Thanks for the reminder. Lastly, I think Clairton might be the challenger in 1A this year. I can’t count out Canevin & South Side, but Clairton winning would be good. It’s been a minute since they won in 1A.
Well forest gump id tell wally to try holding onto the ball for 48 minutes because his defensive coordinator is offensive. Id tell him if they go for 2 you try and stop them and id tell him your even shorter and heavier in person.
Not even close to Frackville haha.
How would you defend Southern Lehigh and Olesh this week? I’m hoping Wally sees this and puts your plan into place.
Had a very nice Friday night down in Delco. Close game for most of the first half, then Strath Haven started to turn it on. Very nice crowd at the game as well. I did not see any NFL/Eagles effect on attendance whatsoever. Curious to know if you attended a game Friday night, was it a ghost town with no wait at the concession stands and rest rooms as some were predicting?? I understand there was some weather issues in the western part of the state, more interested in reports from the eastern part of the state.
Would not be surprised if come November I’ll be paying more attention to the District One 5A playoffs versus 6A. Chester, Rustin, Strath Haven, Springfield Delco and new kid to the 5A club, Garnet Valley……..be some difficult choices on games to attend.
One more thing, the Strath Haven band still rocks!!! They are worth the price of admission alone.
I think we should trade frackville to Shenandoah for the heights, William Penn, lower and upper shaft and lost creek.
Go Mountaineers