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.
2,275 Responses
You are a very smart man Mr. Jeff H. Glad I listened to you. I never did officially withdraw my nomination of Harrisburg 🙂
I think we have a winner (or should I say looser). Maybe they needed another scrimmage. Gotta love all of these pollsters who seem to have just blindly mailed in their ballots for Harrisburg as the #2 team in 6A week after week after week. Can’t believe I am going to type this, but kudos to MaxPreps who actually had them ranked #28 overall in PA in their most recent PA rankings.
Hburgh was hit hard by transfers this year, their starting QB transferred to Coatesville, 2 stud Linebackers-Rick Brown-West Virginia commit and Titus Brown both transferred out and are playing for Susquehanna.
Yep Harrisburg got exposed as a pretender like I thought they might I figured they would lose to McDevitt but must say I am surprised they got mercy ruled I expect them to lose again to SC this week.
One of my other WPIAL undefeated pretenders went down this week as 2A Ligonier Valley was blasted by Steel Valley.
Thinking now I should have tossed Shamokin out there as well. At least per the final score, appeared they got beat pretty well by Blue Mountain. Now it looks like possible potentially competitive game between BM and Beth Cath come D11 playoff time.
Back to McDevitt. Does this mean we may now have a potentially competitive 6A western semi final between them and PCC???
I agree about Shamokin I found it hard to believe they were the best 4A team in the state and Blue Mountain proved that. The WPIAL winner will play General McLane from D10 in the quarterfinals and I previously nominated them for undefeated pretender they have played nobody with the exception of Erie Prep and they are nowhere close to as good as in the past. I expect the WPIAL winner to win that game and then play Shamokin in the western finals and based on how Blue Mountain handled them I like the wpial winners chances.
I was thinking that exact same thing after I saw how they crushed Harrisburg! Keep in mind PCC will have to beat SC in the quarterfinals first and SC beat McDevitt earlier in the season so PCC’s path to the final looks a little more challenging than it did previously although I would be shocked if PCC loses to SC.
If PCC does play McDevitt I will probably make the 2 hour drive to Altoona to see it I went to the McDevitt vs Peters game last year and it was worth the trip as McDevitt prevailed 31-28 in a back and forth thriller.
Penn Trafford as good as advertised and maybe better they dismantled a very solid woody high team 42-13. WH couldn’t stop their 2 headed power running game as they rushed for well over 300 yards. Most polls have PT in the bottom half of the top 10 but I think they are better and IMO just like in 3A the WPIAL has 3 of the top 5 teams in the state. PT will be seeded to play USC in the semi-finals in a game I have circled 4 weeks from now which will be a heavyweight battle 2 power rushing teams with really good defenses winner of that game will give PR all they can handle in the final.
Looking ahead in the state playoffs I think the WPIAL winner will be a decided favorite over D3 in the western finals, presumably Twin Valley or Exeter. D3 won that matchup the last 2 years, but McDevitt is of course in 6A now, I would be very surprised if D3 makes in 3 in a row.
A few things about 7-2 Wilson West Lawn. They’ve played 3 decent teams this year…a one loss CB West, one loss Manheim Township and a 2 loss Central York( lost 2 close games to State College & Manheim Township). They lost to CB West(35-23) and CY(37-35) and shutout Manheim Twp, 17-0 for MT’s only loss. WWL problem is that they just couldn’t play clean in these 2 losses.
-CBW loss, they held CBW to 7, 2nd half pts. at Doyestown, but the damage was already done with 6 TO’s, 100+ penalty yds, and zero pts inside the red zone 3x.
-Manheim Twp win, they play clean as a whistle, shut down the run game, and shutout MT for their only loss.
-Tonight they lose 37-35 to CY. WWL has 529 total yds., Their QB is 25-33, for 324 yds., no INT’s , and 5TD’s. They out gain CY
524 to 319. And except for a CY 75 yd TD run on the 2nd play of the game they shut down CY rushing, 118 yds total on the ground….but again huge mistakes and penalties. Two TD’s called back from holds, including a 32 yd QB run for the go ahead score, late in the 4th. They muffed a 1st Q pooch KO return which CY recovered at the Wilson 40, CY takes it in and CY was up 14-0, 2 min into the game. 3x inside CY 30, but zero pts., including a strip sack at CY 29..2nd & 1 at CY 27, snap over the QB’s head for a 12 yd loss.
They have the talent/speed on both sides of the ball(their D has forced 22 TO’s)to be 9-0 currently, and even win the D3, 6A Title. Which includes HBurg, Bishop McD, Central York amd Manheim Twp. But with that group it will be quite the gauntlet.
Not really sure what the uncharacteristic mistakes are all about this year, but hopefully in two weeks, they will be over it, because this can’t happen in the post season. Very disappointing loss at home, to Central York tonight!
EmanD3 – very good and accurate summation of Wilson’s season so far. They had the talent to be undefeated, but a lack of focus and discipline prevented that. Also, they’ve played without their biggest – and best – lineman the whole season. Their best running back has seen little action as well. I’m not predicting they’ll win Dist. 3, but they just might.
Scott Hagy (What happened to the G?) – You see, when you recruit, you have to recruit in depth. You can’t just get one or two studs from the other local (non-magnet, of course) schools. You also need to get some second and third-string guys as well. Let me know if you’d like me to explain this to Dirty Dawg Doug so you won’t have to suffer another second-round D-3 exit next year. 650-700 kids per class, and you still have to recruit — says a lot about your program…
@Dirty Dawgs…what seems to be your problem? So what if a handful of kids, over the years, have transferred to Wilson. They were all small school programs, and the parents were helping to get their children, who were potential D1 talent get more exposed at the big school level. Especially when WWL is constantly in the post season in D3 and beyond on a regular basis. Many D1 potential kids have been transferred over the years. Harrisburg has been doing it every year for the last 6 yrs and no one cares about that? Wilson is not doing it, it’s the parents that are helping their kids have a better chance at a good education, and saving some college expenses. Everything at Wilson has been done legally and by the PIAA book. Sounds like you have a gut full of sour grapes to me!
EmanD3 Actual facts mean NOTHING to hate-filled clowns like Mr. Dawgs (or Dwags) as he once spelled it. His idea of “proof” is a hearsay screed from his BR Buddy.
EmamD3 and Scott (G) Hagy – so it’s all good to cheat if you’re a big (700+ kids per class) school, you’ve got a crap youth program, and you’ve always cheated. Got it. And to your point, the PIAA is fine with it because the PIAA is a bunch of spineless idiots. They invented a rule to prevent transfers after the Micah Parsons debacle, but that rule actually allows our friends at Dirty Dawg HS (and others) to exploit by allowing kids to transfer for “mental health” and other fabricated reasons. Emam – NONE of these kids say they transfer for football – they (and their families, and the school they move to) LIE to make it justified. It’s both illegal and disingenuous. I’ve stated proof in earlier posts (which you ignore). Foleman has stated proof (which you ignore). Just because you ignore it doesn’t make it false, Scotty.
And Scotty – your precious Dirty Dawgs are lucky they play the other simps in Section 1 of the LL – they would get dismantled by Twin Valley if there was an outright Berks Champ. But hey, second best in Berks and 5th best in the district should get you a banner, right?!? I’m sure next year’s recruiting class will be SUPER impressed! LOL! Later, clowns!
Spot on, AGAIN EmanD3!
Replying to you is pointless because you are delusional, but I’ll do it one last time. Wilson simply doesn’t “recruit” and you have ZERO evidence it does – just hearsay from haters with an agenda. You certainly are obsessed with that notion. All you do is reveal your contempt for a good school!
I would be surprised if Wilson beats McDevitt in the playoffs if they end up playing. McDevitt certainly looks like the favorite after dismantling Harrisburg yesterday.
@ Jeff H,
Yep if the D3 seedlings stay about the same after this weekend, and even if HB loses to SC, it won’t change much, WWL would be in the same bracket as HB and Manheim Twp. McD and CY would be on the other side. Which is a much easier side. I doubt WWL and HB are too thrilled with having to potentially play already, in the quarters….but it is what it is.
Horrible tragedy in the WPIAL tonight as Cornell head coach Ed Dawson collapsed on the sidelines during their game at Rochester and subsequently passed away after being transported to a local hospital in Beaver County. Thoughts and prayers to the entire Cornell community particularly the players as they try to cope with this unthinkably tragic situation.
Rumor has it that north schuylkill will run a 4th play tonight
Just a message from up in District 2 here
If I could request, prayers from those who do so
My Lakeland Chiefs have been hit extremely hard this year with injuries very uncharacteristic of them
At this point in time there are 9 players who are out completely due to injuries
One of them being treated for lymphoma in Philadelphia
We started out the season without our starting quarterback, who is no stranger to athletic greatness like his brother from the 2022 undefeated regular season Chiefs team
He injured his elbow region, throwing the javelin last spring .
So courageously, a young man named Jackson
Pochus stepped in to the role of quarterback that he never played in high school his position, his wide receiver and also defensive secondary. He did an amazing job leading us to a 6-0 record
His last game was at Riverside when a horrible injury happened, where he broke his tibia and had to be taken off the field with an ambulance
Our third string quarterback is our number one receiver and all-time receiver in Lakeland history which we’ve had many Chase Rosencrase who is filling into the role slowly but nicely
We all give him lots of credit. It must be difficult never playing the position before and then now all this pressure on him.
The other injuries are from mostly the lineman offense and defense, and also our secondary on defense
I don’t think we’ve ever had a season such as this it’s uncharted territory
From a team who was still young last year, mostly
9th and 10th graders
Who had an outstanding season with only one loss in the regular season last year
We also beat the mighty Dunmore Buck
Not once but twice once for the regular season
And the second was for the district championship
Might I say Dunmore is loaded with seniors this year?
So I tip my hat to the youngsters at Lakeland, who were able to do this last season and they are doing their best this year as much as they can with nine people out please keep them in your prayers
Moving forward
My predictions are as follows
2A Dunmore ~ eventually faces
Philadelphia West Catholic
Dunmore20 West Catholic 17
As they roll along, I predict they
Also beat perennial power
Southern Columbia as they have in years past
Dunmore 23 Southern Columbia 21
3A my prediction is that Scranton Prep
Will reach the eastern final along the way
We have a nailbiter game with Mount Carmel
I’ll take the Cav’s on this one
Not sure from there
In class 4A
A big showdown is about to happen between
North Pocono and Dallas
Should be a good one
I’ll take Dallas Mountaineers on this one
Again, thanks for all those who do pray please keep the Chiefs in your prayers
At the end of the day, they are all just kids just trying to live out their dreams of playing the great game of football.
May God keep them ALL SAFE !
Good luck to all
And God bless
thanks for the compliment for the bucks.!!!!! i think. prayers and more prayers for the young man in philadelphia.
That’s a shame about the injury bug for Lakeland, hopefully all the kids make a full recovery, especially the one battling lymphoma.
As for your predictions Dunmore is certainly having a tremendous year, highest scoring team in the state regardless of classification, and given up the second fewest points, which is impressive no matter who they have played. They are a threat in the state playoffs, I think if they play WC in the quarterfinals the game is a tossup, the winner of that game more than likely gets Southern Columbia in the Eastern Finals, although as I mentioned before on this board SoCo will have their hands full with a very good Westinghouse team from the Pittsburgh city league in the quarterfinals. I do know if they play SoCo in the Eastern final everyone in the state outside of Catawissa will be rooting for them!
As for Scranton Prep, every year is the year they are going to make a run, but they always flame out in the state playoffs once they get out of the district, maybe this year will be different, but I doubt it. I will say they are on the favorable side of the bracket because they would avoid Mt Carmel or the D11 winner until the Eastern final, but 3A in the east still runs through D11 until proven otherwise, I personally think we may be headed for the rubber match between NW Lehigh and Avonworth.
I got distracted by other stuff, so sorry for the lack of picks.
Thanks for the words last week. I’m fine. I just haven’t put as much effort into paying attention to HS sports the last few weeks. Been very in & out of it. Will go back to full state stuff by the playoffs.
Week 9 Picks
– Carbondale vs. Lackawanna Trail (GoW): I wouldn’t have expected this to be game of the week, yet here we are. This game is for all the marbles in LFC 3. A very important game for both sides. But I’m going to say it may be time to pass the torch. C’dale gets their first championship since 2005 & May even get their first outright since 1973
– Dunmore vs. Riverside (LFC): Dunmore has DOMINATED their opponents. They won’t be playing with their food here. Riverside’s dealt with some injuries, especially to their QB, but brand name alone pits this game on the map.
– WVW vs. Pittston (WVC): This is for the Div. 1 crown. It’s really cool to see both teams on the up & up after their struggles in the past. I think Pittston takes the crown this year, but if Valley West’s defense can hold it together, they have a shot to upset.
– Valley View vs. Scranton Prep (Big Boys): I have to count Prep as a big boy since they play in Division 1, after all. This game has a chance to really be electric. A win gives the Jesuit Giants another title, but don’t be too shocked if VV pulls off magic this year. Not this time.
– Mid Valley vs. Honesdale (Small Schools): I have to give respect where it’s due. These teams I wouldn’t have put as second place hopefuls in LFC 2, yet here we are. They’ve only lost to Dunmore in division, & I feel like this game is so underlooked. Give me the Hornets in a game where their running game will take control.
– Holy Redeemer vs. Montrose (Rivalry/Respect): Speaking of respect, can we take a second to appreciate how great it is to see both teams having their best seasons in recent history? HR has set records for wins, but Montrose in their first season back in the LFC did decent. A win or two more in the league would be nice. For now, the Royals add to their historic season.
– Holy Cross vs. Old Forge (Playoffs): Yes, the 1A D2 crown is still up for grabs. A Trail loss puts the winner in a battle for the crown next week. Meanwhile, the winner here has a half decent shot to take on Northwest in the EC small school game. History says that Blue Devils win this all the time. 21-0 vs. HC they go.
– Lake-Lehman vs. Northwest (Crossover): It isn’t the old WVC anymore, but that’s also doesn’t mean that rivalries can’t go on. The indie Northwest Area Rangers take on their kinda rival L-L.
– Williamsport vs. Hollidaysburg (5A/6A): The game features both subregionals, which is something we don’t get too often. Billtown is a lock for the 1, while H’burg wants to try to pounce because they want to be ready for the first of two games against DuBois. I’ll take the D4 side over D6.
– Nativity vs. Tri-Valley (1A Watch): Neither are in danger of losing a seed, but this is a 1A game after all. Bulldogs won’t be caught taking a snooze looking ahead to their little rivalry week showdown.
Scores
– C’dale 28, Trail 24
– Dunmore 49, Riverside 21
– Pittston 23, WVW 19
– Honesdale 33, Mid Valley 15
– HR 20, Montrose 16
– OF 31, Holy Cross 10
– L-L 35, Northwest 6
– Billtown 34, D6 H’burg 27
– T-V 38, Nativity 7
North schuylkill runs 3 offensive plays, that’s all I have to say.
Very interesting matchup in the WPIAL tomorrow night with North Hills hosting Pine Richland in the biggest game at Martorelli stadium in recent memory. Eric Kasperowicz has done a great job turning the program around in his first year at the helm of his alma mater and has NH at 6-1 behind a stingy defense that has given up only 49 points all season, as he looks to lead his team to an upset of the school who unceremoniously fired him after winning a 2nd state title in 2020. I think NH will stay in this game for awhile behind their stingy defense, but to have a chance to win they will need some breaks and turnovers as I don’t think their offense is good enough to sustain long drives against PR, I see PR pulling away in the 2nd half and winning by at least 2 scores
2 other very big 5A games with major playoff seeding implications with Upper St Clair hosting TJ and Penn Trafford hosting Woodland Hills, these are the 6 best teams in WPIAL 5A this year and they are all playing each other on the same night, I like USC and PT, although I would love to be wrong and see WH beat PT for the third year in a row, that’s the game I’m going to.
LC let their head coach go yesterday. If a school wants to change coaches they have every right to. Doing at this point in the season for performance only reasons seems over the top for high school at least. Lc won 12 games last yr
He resigned after LC played Archbishop Wood; the week before the Archbishop Carroll game. I don’t think administration let him go based on performance. There may be more to the story and the current state of the program.
Article stated that three assistants were fired, and he was told he would be “head coach in name only”, so he resigned a couple days later. Seems like there must be something more to the story to cause this much disruption with only two games to go.
If he was told he would be head coach in name only don’t blame him at all for telling them to shove it. Who is left to coach the team. Not sure what went down but there are so many reasons why there aren’t close to being as many coaches who coach for a long time anymore. Too many headaches.
Ok thanks for the info, what I saw said they let him go. He got the program going again., but with high school who knows there is usaually some drama with parents or something. Not saying thats what happened. I have no idea. I do think he is a solid football coach, sometimes thats not enough
William Allen would have been right in the thick of the division race if they were still in the EPC North. It’s a shame that the powers that be shoved them back with Parkland/Emmaus/Whitehall.
Picked the right game this afternoon. West Catholic punches in the winning TD with 28 seconds left after Wood scored with about 3 minutes to go to take the lead 23-20. Back and forth second half. Final 28-23 WC. Some PCL thoughts later……need to thaw out first 🙂
West looks like they might be a contender in 2A I can see them making some noise in the playoffs and going on a run. Also looks like O’Hara might be the team to beat in 4A not just in the PCL but the state.
I mentioned this before, guess I’m double down here, I see no reason why we are not looking at a West Catholic/Dunmore 2A quarterfinal game in the east bracket over Turkey Day weekend. After that, who knows. Curious to know from any D2 folk who is the most pass happy team Dunmore has faced and what team had the most team speed. Kind of what you’re going to get with WC.
As far as O’Hara, yikes I can’t figure out Bonner and O’Hara. Really going to come down to the PCL 4A Championship game and Bonner/O’Hara 2.0 on 11/7 at Wissahickon HS that I have penciled in on my schedule. Winner of that game gets the D1 champ, not getting overly concerned about that game of whoever comes out of D1, but the winner of that game most likely gets Becahi, which should be good Catholic battle.
Just how I’m reading the room it at this point.
I can see WC beating Dunmore to set up a matchup with SoCo in the Eastern final, assuming SoCo beats a very good Westinghouse team in the quarterfinals, and we all know the recent history between those schools. Whoever wins the rematch between O’Hara and Bonner in the PCL playoffs will be a tough out as both have played a brutal schedule which will serve them well in the state playoffs assuming they are healthy.
Agree on the Bonnor/Ohara vs district one champ for this yr, next year could be another story. But thats a long way off and could be a whole different playoff system then. I dont like seperating the schools for football but even more for basketball.
@ Kevin X – one of my previously undefeated pretenders went down in flames last night as Elizabeth Forward was crushed by Montour 49-12. And Montour’s star dual threat QB didn’t play as he was still in concussion protocol but their backup carved up EF’s defense. Keep an eye on Montour in 4A as they are definitely a threat to get to Cumberland Valley if they are healthy IMO they should be ranked higher in state polls despite their 6-2 record
Based on my own criteria, going to have to withdraw Harrisburg’s nomination. They finally begin their regular season 2 game schedule this week after basically 9 scrimmages. So if they beat State College and McDevitt back to back, they are the deserving real deal. If they loose one or both of those games, they obviously won’t be undefeated any longer. Thinking about withdrawing Dunmore as well. Thought Honesdale would give them a game. Trying to figure out the best team that they have played. They haven’t been tested whatsoever. Looking like no speed bumps until possibly the D2/D11 playoff game. I’ll leave Dallas. Same situation as Dunmore, except I think they’ll loose in a not so as close of game as probably everyone will be expecting to North Pocono in the D2 playoffs. I’ll have to think about new eastern nominations. Guess to be fair, maybe nominated a list of under the radar contenders.
I would hold off withdrawing Harrisburg’s nomination for now, as you mentioned they have played a very easy schedule to date, and I’m still skeptical they are the 2nd best team in 6A which is where most polls have them ranked. I do agree if they beat both McDevitt and SC they are legit, although I still don’t see them giving PCC much of a game if they win D3.
Looks like there possibly could end up being more Sat games this week with the rare threat of severe weather on an October Friday night. Will see
I stand corrected to my reply to you from earlier this morning. Closest game to me this evening is actually Carroll @ LC @ Crawford Stadium. Really no interest in seeing a one win LC team, but Carroll has a pretty dynamic freshman QB who is on my “want check out in person sometime” list. They also moved that game back to a 7:45p kickoff, so may see about threading the needle for that game. Been seeing a few other games getting moved up, which may be the wrong direction for adjusted kickoff times.
Young man (D. Dawg) you are giving all the very good respectable people from non boundary schools a black eye with your immature baseless tantrums. That’s why hardly anyone with common sense is sticking their neck out to defend your fake information. This is very sad. The PIAA system is obviously broken and they are taking advantage of it. Grow up. At least try to get your facts correct. Avery Cole was never a Wilson track coach. He was a personal trainer for some of the Wilson track members at the Sinking Spring YMCA. And Justice Hardy & Mike Glover were best friends. Hardy always asked Glover to come play with him at Wyomissing but he never wanted to leave Wilson so Hardy finally decided to leave Wyomissing for Wilson so they could finally play together their senior year.
Wilson4Ever (HAHAHAHA) – Thank you very much for proving my point. Your anecdote about Glover recruiting Hardy, with the (ahem) tacit approval of Drity Dawg Doug, just proves my point. Wilson cheats, has always cheated, and will continue to cheat. I don’t need anyone on this board to substantiate that, you’ve just done it. Have a great day!
Unfortunately there was proof Abdul MacFoy was recruited from the Wilson School District and also paid off from a non boundary school. The recruiter was a well known man with deep pockets. And then the coach from Wyomissing High School got so fed up with recruiters hanging around his practices he decided to ban all visitors there. Check it out. This is why the non boundary schools get so upset. It’s a sad fact they have to live with. This happens to their best players all the time.
MacFoy! Really, you mean the kid who the BCIAA wanted proof of age from the Wilson SD as he was clearly was much older than the kids he was playing against. Wilson SD came up with nothing regarding proof of age, one of their boosters came up with a bone scan…….saying he was still growing….who knows where that scan came from as the kid didn’t grow at all. Another tidbit, when he did transfer, I heard he had put down Muhlenberg SD as where he lived. Wilson has clearly targeted Berks Catholic athletes the last several years and BC’S athletic director refuses to do anything about it which ticks off their alumni. Wilson should be happy about that transfer as it ruined BC’S program, I heard from several kids on the team that MacFoy was the 4th best tailback on the team but he quickly was granted 1st team status as their coaches were promoting him. The heir apparent for BC at tailback transferred out at the end of summer camp as he saw what was happening, the other 2 tailbacks who both went on to play Division 1 football transferred out the next year. BC coaches ticked off their CYO players, their bread and butter and the program has never recovered.
Can someone translate for me the first sentence of this announcement??
https://williampennsd.org/important-update-regarding-penn-wood-high-school-athletics/
“Culture and Climate” a word salad that stated we are not telling anyone about what is being investigated. It looks like a hazing incident from the outside, however, the local police have not been contacted and the SD is using an outside investigator which makes no sense to me. If the incident happened on the football team or another school team, why suspend all athletics even at the middle school level? The PennWood SD has been a mess for a long time, one of their football players was shot and killed over the summer, the school was shutdown a few years ago after a massive brawl broke out in the school. Lansdowne was once a beautiful area with gorgeous homes, no one wants to move into Lansdowne due to the WP SD.
“Culture and Climate” sounds like the name of a mandatory freshman class at Swarthmore College.
That’s pretty funny because it’s true!
Honestly guys, I haven’t been myself for a while, so I’ll give y’all the picks in my area this week. No rest of the state picks.
– Dunmore vs. Honesdale (GoW): Who would’ve thought that Lakeland would be taken down by Honesdale? They’re for real, but the bigger test is Dunmore. I think Dunmore rolls to 8-0.
– Abington Heights vs. Valley View (LFC): I was wrong on Abington Heights. They stopped Paupack last week & held them to 7. Can they spoil the party again with Valley View? I’ll take the Cougars here.
– Crestwood vs. Dallas (WVC): Speaking of Comets, a must win game for Crestwood here. Dallas has been rolling all season, so I expect a hefty victory here.
– Scranton Prep vs. Wallenpaupack (Big Boys): Paupack’s homecoming is a game against Prep. Paupack has hit the hard part of the schedule. Prep should take this.
– Mid Valley vs. Lakeland (Small School): Okay, so Mid Valley can compete in LFC this season. Let’s see if they can hand Lakeland a second loss. Honestly, this is a bounce back game for the Chiefs.
– West Scranton vs. Scranton (Rivalry/Respect): The rivalry has to be here. 2-5 West meets 0-7 Scranton in the biggest game of the year for both. One’s gotta win. I’ll give Scranton one close win this year.
– Holy Cross vs. Lackawanna Trail (Playoffs?): The battle for the 4 has heated up. The District 2 rep in the 1A subregional may be decided by tonight. Trail is on the up & up. That should continue.
– Berwick vs. Williamsport (Crossover): The 6A race for Billtown seems to be safe-ish, but Berwick could use a big win here tomorrow. I think the Millionaires will hold off the dogs…
– Jersey Shore vs. Hollidaysburg (5A/6A): Put this game in game of the week, honestly. A fun matchup here with D4 vs. D6 as dogs & cats square off. A huge battle. H’burg leads DuBois by 60 heading into this weekend. Big win if so for this one, but I’ll take Shore. DuBois should dominate Baldwin.
– Marian vs. Williams Valley (1A): Keep an eye on this one. Marian is #3 in 1A subregional, while the Vikes lead it. If Marian wants a home seed, they need help. I don’t see it here.
Scores
– Dunmore 35, Honesdale 21
– VV 26, AH 14
– Dallas 38, Crestwood 12
– SP 41, Paupack 14
– Lakeland 31, Mid Valley 20
– Scranton 19, West Side 14
– Trail 50, HC 7
– Billtown 36, Berwick 24
– Shore 29, D6 H’burg 23
– WV 35, Marian 12
I will second Irish1’s comments, hope things get better for you, appreciate your contributions to the board.
Hope things get better for you. Better days ahead
Does anyone have anything to contribute that doesn’t involve Wilson West Lawn?? I’d almost rather read about Southern Columbia at this point.
OK, here’s something. Maybe little poll type of question. After 7 weeks, who is/are the most overrated undefeated team(s) in eastern PA?? I’ll start. My 3 nominations are Harrisburg, Dallas, and Dunmore. Have fun with this!!! 🙂
Jeff H., feel free to nominate any western PA teams.
Where you headed to this weekend? I’m looking for a decent Friday night matchup and then heading to the Pjp vs SF game Sat afternoon.
Irish 1 Beating SF and Perkiomen Valley back to back is going to be tough for PJP. PV’S back is against the wall, if they beat PJP next week and they surely will win the PAC crossover game, 5-5 might get them in the D1 6A playoffs as 16 teams get in. PV is a talented, very young team who has played a brutal schedule, I could definitely see them knocking off a top tier team in the 1st round if they make it in the playoffs.
Foleman, definitely a big challenge for PJP, particularly with SF and Perk Valley back to back ..I know PJP won games they were expected to win convincingly the last two weeks, might sound crazy since both teams will be playing on it but I think getting to play on the turf helps PJP they need their speed to be a factor..agree with you on PV they have a young team and their frosh team is unbeaten too. PJP is junior heavy and SF has a good soph RB so should be interesting next few yrs..PJP does miss the two way lineman who is out.
Irish 1 Beating SF and Perkiomen Valley back to back is going to be tough. PV’S back is against the wall, if they beat PJP next week and they surely will win the PAC crossover game, 5-5 might get them in the D1 6A playoffs as 16 teams get in. PV is a talented, very young team who has played a brutal schedule, I could definitely see them knocking off a top tier team in the 1st round if they make it in the playoffs.
Tonight, probably the couch and a night of game streaming and channel surfing. Maybe sneak over to CBW if this weather prediction is another dud or blows past sooner rather than later. That is the closets game to me. My usual Friday night partner in crime and I originally had another road trip down to mushroom country and the Great Valley/Kennett game. Been wanting to check out GV’s stud RB. They (GV) play Wood next Friday which could be interesting instead. Tomorrow afternoon is a toss-up between RC/LaS at and WC/Wood. Both at 1p. That S-F/PJPII game looks juicy as well. Unfortunately, all 3 games at or near the same time. Might be the first hat game of the year wherever I end up tomorrow afternoon.
Have to go to the smaller classifications in the WPIAL, the only undefeated big school teams are PCC, USC, and Penn Trafford, and all 3 are legit, although I haven’t seen Penn in person yet. In 3A I’ll nominate Elizabeth Forward, they play a very good 4A Montour squad tomorrow and I have a feeling their undefeated season ends, if they beat Montour then maybe they are a contender in 3A but I don’t think they are on the same level as Avonworth, Propel and Hopewell.
In 2A Ligonier Valley is nowhere near as good as either Seton LaSalle or Canevin, and think some of the 1 loss schools like Apollo Ridge and Neshannock are better than LV
In 1A the nominations are Shenango and Beth Center, both play in weaker conferences and are no threat in the playoffs to either Clairton or Washington even if they go undefeated in the regular season.
Familiar with General McLane up in D10?? Someone to keep an eye on come November in 4A, or put them on the nomination list??
They are definitely on the list of pretenders who are still undefeated I don’t think they are any threat whatsoever in the playoffs.
If GM played a WPIAL schedule they would probably lose 3-4 games. I think there are at least 3 WPIAL schools who are better (SouthFayette, Montour, Mckeesport) and maybe New Castle.
I know where you’re coming from Irish1because ironically some of the best guys I ever knew in my life were either Irishmen or Italians who either played for Catholic schools or g, raduated from them. They had much to be greatly proud of as I’m sure you do also. BTW I loved the movie Rudy. LOL. I am greatly torn apart on this issue because even though I have known some of these wonderful Catholic friends for a very long time I am also loyal to my old alma mater Wilson HS and I’m very concerned that if nothing changes soon I might never live long enough to witness a state title for my hometown even though our Bulldogs were extremely worthy a few times in the past. Let me tell you a touching story about a big 81 year old Irishman that recently passed and I’m grieving for who worked with me in the steel mill we both worked for and retired from. I didn’t contact him for many years and wished I would have seen him one last time. Life is too short. He was the salt of the earth and was married for 57 years.. This big guy was Edward J. Moran from Minersville, Pa. He was Captain of his Championship Nativity BVM HS team and also played semi-pro football for the Schuylkill Coal Crackers. He attended Minersville football games for 75 years, was an Eagles season ticket holder, and attended their Super Bowl LII victory in 2018. Lastly I was a decent athlete on big championship teams myself. GO DAWGS FOREVER.
Let’s try to get along on here and not throw mud at Scott Hagy an older respectable guy or each other. Everyone has their own opinions on here whether we like it or not. Let’s not fight like kids in a playground sandbox. I’m sure the guy that runs this forum would agree with that. Let’s try to deal with cold hard facts from reliable sources and not hearsay if possible. I have been following high school football from my region in the east that I love with a passion for over six decades. I will try to be blunt and to the point. Two of the main things that makes each other’s blood boil the most on here is RECRUITING & PUBIC vs NON BOUNDARARY PLAYOFFS. Everyone in their right mind knows public schools playing non boundary “ALL STAR TEAMS” is not a level & fair playing field. But first all the way back to the John Gurski days (IN EARLY 60s) Wilson has begun being a magnet school for good players because of their winning tradition called “THE STREAK”. It all started with Big John Gurski’s coal region, religious, brutal hard type of hard nosed football but he never ran the score up on any opponent and we still don’t to this day. It’s very rare to ever see a score of 50-0 because the subs always go when the score hits 35 or 42 points. In the beginning he wouldn’t allow anyone to drink water for any reason and they practiced late at night with car headlights. We never had to recruit and it was always frowned upon and still is. And lastly the huge myth about Wilson recruiting started with Kerry Collins. That’s probably the biggest example of Wilson really being a “MAGNET SCHOOL”. I won’t drag this explanation out but will try to make this very short. Back in around 1987 Kerry’s father was an asst. coach at Lebanon High. And the head coach there wanted his vastly unqualified son to be the starting QB so he purposely put Kerry trough those old fashioned Indian drills where he has to survive a pounding by everyone if you can get from the beginning of the line to the end of the line. Well I think he made it to the end but he was so beat up that he was just laying on the ground and couldn’t get up so Kerry’s infuriated pop picked him up in his arms and said ‘WE’RE OUT OF HERE KERRY”. And he decided to bring him Wilson and the rest is history. Everybody started yelling “WILSON RECRUITS” EVER SINCE. Oh BTW it took about a a year for Kerry to fully recover from that brutal beating. Kerry’s very lucking that didn’t cost him his pro career. But it may have cost him some mental problems when he started drinking because his parents got divorced because his mom wanted him to stay in Lebanon. And it also may have caused some problems with the Carolina Panthers that caused him to leave a promising career there. This is just my opinion but without those extra problems he had I feel he could have been a slam dunk for the Pro Football HOF with all the God given abilities he was blessed with. His pro career just got off on the wrong foot. But he did have a long 18 year career anyway. GO DAWGS FOREVER.
No thanks. I’ll call out Scott’s nonsense when he posts it, and yours too. Why don’t you guys go back to the West Lawn echo chamber where you can celebrate all those DAWG championships in the last 10 years? OH WAIT, YOU CAN’T! You haven’t won diddly-squat in a decade, even with the open recruiting! But you’ll always have the super-cool streak to fall back on! Have fun…
Nonsense? You personify it with your hate and false claims. You seem to be making a career out of bashing a respectable program. To claim that Wilson has won “nothing” is beyond ludicrous! What a little ‘man’ you are!
Keep deflecting, Scott! Anytime you want to address the actual proof I posted, please let me know. Otherwise, keep clowning!
Scott, it’s not a claim; it’s a fact. Wilson hasn’t won any District III or PIAA Championships since 2016: https://piaadistrict3records.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/D3-FB-CHAMPIONS-AND-RECORDS.pdf. If you’re claiming winning section 1 of the L-L as a “championship,” well, that’s just sad. Does Wilson hang banners for section championships?
D. Dogs – you have a problem: Wilson Derangement Syndrome. The point IS: Wilson HAS won District 3 Titles and won its League Section One Title numerous times. May be nothing to an exalted fop like you but these are decent achievements the kids should be proud of. The fact that you can’t respect the title of the top Section of a respectable League is really “SAD.” You’re the one with a problem. And YES, Wilson – like most schools will hang “banners” for its Championships. How many big titles has YOUR school won?
Let’s hope its one and done for the coach at North schuylkill. Maybe think about getting a different ad in there. Offensive play calling is the worst I’ve ever seen. There is no need to even practice when you run 3 plays.
Anyone have Any predictions?
Southern Lehigh v Notre Dame
I really don’t think this one will be as close as everyone thinks. I believe SL is the best team in the Colonial League, which they probably should be, the only 5A team with most schools being 2A and 3A.
SL will control the LOS, they are very balanced and they have athletes to match up with ND. Until I see ND own the LOS in a big time game, I have my reservations, still a great 3A team and will push Northwestern in the 3A final but I am going SL 35 – ND 17
Since I’m new on posting in this forum I had a problem with a recent post that I put on here twice. I didn’t think the the first one went through. I was sending a respectful reply to Jeff H on his last post to me saying thanks to him on my two similar posts. I also wanted to say no offense to Jeff H but me and most public school fans sadly don’t usually attend games in person anymore when they are basically playing “ALL STAR TEAMS”. That’s why the crowds are very small most of the time for years unless two “ALL STAR TEAMS” are playing each other. The games are very boring when public schools have to play non boundary schools because you always know what the outcome will be most of the time. Until the PIAA finally wises up and levels the playing field for public schools in Pennsylvania this problem will never end. No offense Jeff H. You sound like a very decent guy and I think we could be friends but it would probably have to be after a playoff game with two public schools playing each other. I think if we got past some of our differences we could be good friends because we still have many important high school football related things in common. I have other good friends similar to you with similar football differences and we get along great. GO DAWGS FOREVER.
Agree with you completely with regard to public schools vs non-boundary schools who are able to draw players from wherever. How good would the Parochial and other non-boundary schools be if an imposed boundary was drawn on them? The PIAA should definitely separate public and Private. The system as it now exists is unfair!
Let me add a few more Wilson recruits for you: Avante Lockhart, Brad Hoffman, Damoni Daglis plus many more, Wilson is one of the Dirtiest programs in the State. Hagy says no proof? Brandon George -(recently cut from the eagles), father told me that Wilson’s reps reached out to him several times regarding their infamous “Move in” Notice that all of these great football players didn’t move into Daniel Boone, Kutztown or Lebanon! District 3 is a joke! All the best programs-Hburgh, Wilson, C. York, McDevitt all had big time players transfer in this year, notice that Wilson transfers are always eligible for the playoffs! They have friends in high places in D3.
For those of you who might not know, Wilson is FAMOUS for recruiting the top football players from around Berks (and surrounding) counties for DECADES. For reference, see: Kerry Collins, Jeremy Palm, Scott Robitzer, Iggy Reynoso, and now Justice Hardy, to name (very) few.
How did they all magically show up in West Lawn, Scott?
Wilson “famous” for recruiting? Nonsense – only in the fantasies of apparent WDS (Wilson Derangement Syndrome!) wonks. Ask Jeremy Palm if he was “recruited?” Hardy was also not recruited. He has a strong friendship with one of the Wilson players, but no one enticed him to transfer.
If you think Justice wasn’t openly recruited through Athlete IQ (private “trainer” in West Lawn), then you are completely out of touch. That’s straight-up common knowledge, and done with the tacit approval of Big Dawg Doug. Open your eyes, Scott! Wilson cheats and everyone knows it!
Ridiculous assertions: Don’t believe it for a nano-second! “many more?” Name them! Wilson doesn’t recruit! Some athletes transfer to schools that have successful programs. By the way – Wilson has LOST a few themselves – you didn’t mention that fact. Players don’t go to Daniel Boone, Kutztown or Lebanon because their programs are currently moribund. You obviously don’t know anything behind those transfers you mentioned. Collins, for example was publicly humiliated by the Lebanon staff – prompting his transfer. Hatred of Wilson won’t do a thing for your own favs!
Sure he was, Scott. Sure he was.
Just to let you know the catholic schools have always had good programs even before open enrollment ever existed. . If the bill passing means the end to the non stop whining on here about then let it happen. If you think that recruiting doesnt happen at public schools think again. I believe that lengendary Wilson program has had a few players show up out of the blue over the yrs including recently.
AMEN…well said!
There’s a BIG difference between being a magnet school and one which has boosters which actively try to entice players to transfer. No evidence that Wilson ever recruited anyone. Again, if a parochial or private school had to deal with a boundary that would be a real test of maintaining a “good” program!
Specific evidence for Scott – Justice Hardy was openly recruited to Wilson by Avery Cole, the trainer at Athlete IQ (who also happens to be a former Wilson track coach), throughout the summer and fall of his junior year. Avery has also been a conduit for other athletes to explore transferring (looking at you, Coach Myers at Twin Valley). Justice transferred to Wilson in January so he could establish residency for eligibility purposes (he has family in the Wilson school district, but I can assure you he doesn’t live there) for this season. To be clear – I have no problem at all with a student transferring for better opportunities; that’s the American way. Scott, you need to come to the realization that your precious DAWGS recruit, have recruited, and will continue to recruit no matter how loudly you shout on this message board! UNCLEAN! UNCLEAN!
Catholic schools have had great programs for many yrs well before open enrollment,going back to the 40s,50,60s 70s,80s,90s and that’s with just players from their Catholic feeder schools. Get over it
What Mr. Dirty Dwags asserts below is completely FALSE! Zero evidence. Wilson has indeed benefitted from several players transferring over the years. Most successful schools have similarly benefitted. The Kerry Collins story had as its foundation ill treatment by his former school. I defy Mr. Dwags to submit proof of active recruiting – he won’t be able to, but it makes for a convenient assertion!
Scott, Wilson isn’t a magnet school. Wilson is a public school that openly recruits players through their booster club, including renting them houses in the district (Kerry Collins, Greenwood Mall IYKYK…).
Scott G. Hagy “No evidence that Wilson ever recruited anyone,” is the funniest thing I’ve read in a long time! Thanks for that! For those of you who might not know, Wilson is FAMOUS for recruiting the top football players from around Berks (and surrounding) counties for DECADES. For reference, see: Kerry Collins, Jeremy Palm, Scott Robitzer, Iggy Reynoso, and now Justice Hardy, to name (very) few.
How did they all magically show up in West Lawn, Scott?
Keep the comedy coming!
Anybody attend the La Salle/St. Joe Prep game yesterday at Lafayette?? I’m just curious how much they were charging for the game.
$16 online
$10 at the gate
Thanks. Can I assume the $10 at the gate was for cash?? If so, the price difference is crazy. If anything, I would think it would be reversed.
The bigger question for me is why the game was played at Lafayette. LaSalle was the home team, so I’m assuming it was their decision, but SJP must have gone along with it. I get why LaSalle has been playing games in Ocean City, especially against Malvern, at the very start of the season but this is different.
As for the game itself, neither team looked very impressive on offense. I understand there are lots of injuries on both teams. In fact, it seems injuries are getting more common in recent years. The Prep’s defense (without its best player, Lockley, who I understand is out for the year) was very good. (I watched the livestream.)
Stack Monster and I had this conversation last week. Scroll back in the forum a few days and hopefully you can get an answer re: Lafayette.
I was there. Got tix online thru LaSalle. $16 each plus small processing fee. I think that was the only option – I did not see a cash box at the gate, but wasn’t really looking for it so maybe I’m off.
Thanks. How was the crowd/attendance?? From the few pics that I saw, it didn’t look overwhelming.
You mentioned last week about the PCL 6A championship game. I saw on the AOP Athletics website that the game is oddly on a Sunday, November 15th at noon at Franklin Field. Penn has a home game on the 14th, and the Eagles a bye week (I refrain from any comments or attempted jokes) that Sunday the 15th, so they’ll have the stage to themselves.
I’d guess 500-600, definitely less than 1000 (the 2019 game at Wissahickon was SRO with people jumping the fence). Hard to gauge in a stadium that big and with a fair number of folks roaming around. For those that have never been, Fisher is a really nice facility with plenty of good sightlines. Both fan bases were plenty vocal as expected, and the LaSalle pep band is solid, so it sounded like a bigger crowd than was actually there. That said, at one point I noted to my dad that there didn’t seem to be the usual level of animosity – maybe that returns if and when they see each other in the playoffs closer to home lol.
A Sunday game is odd for sure, but good point that they’ll have the spotlight. I guessed Northeast because it’s easy for all teams that could be involved – of the four PCL 6A teams, only Judge has their own stadium, but it’s a small capacity and parking is an issue. Franklin Field has been hosting a fair number of PCL games over the last few years, so perhaps they’ve worked something out that makes it financially do-able. Word on the bricks is that Villanova wanted $50K, which a LaSalle booster paid for last year’s playoff game.