Experienced Valley View Ready to Make a District 2 Run in 2026
With one of the most experienced rosters in District 2 Class 4A, Valley View enters the 2026 season believing it has all the pieces to contend for a league title and make a deep postseason run.
Head coach Scot Wasilchak’s Cougars finished 6-5 a year ago, advancing to the District 2 Class 4A semifinals before falling to eventual champion Dallas. Despite losing three key starters, Valley View welcomes back the vast majority of its lineup, including a returning quarterback, experienced offensive backfield and a defense loaded with proven playmakers.
If the Cougars can clean up mistakes and continue building a stronger team culture, the ingredients are in place for a memorable season.
Brown Returns to Lead the Offense
Junior quarterback Caleb Brown returns after gaining valuable experience during his sophomore season.
Brown completed 71 of 143 passes for 939 yards and eight touchdowns in his first full year as the starter. With another offseason under his belt and nearly every key offensive weapon returning, the Cougars expect him to make a significant jump in 2026.
His continued development will be critical as Valley View looks to become more balanced offensively while still relying on its physical running game.
Veteran Backfield Headlines Offensive Attack
Valley View’s offense begins with a talented and experienced backfield.
Junior tailback Tyler Muchal rushed for 610 yards and five touchdowns on 119 carries while adding three receptions for 40 yards. His combination of vision, toughness and speed makes him one of the top returning running backs in the Lackawanna Football Conference.
Leading the way at fullback is senior Jeffrey Wasilchak, who rushed for 380 yards and four touchdowns while serving as one of the team’s emotional leaders. Wasilchak’s physical running style fits perfectly with Valley View’s identity and gives the Cougars a dependable short-yardage option.
Senior Brady Cunningham returns as another versatile offensive weapon, while senior Ben Evans and junior Colin Witkowski provide experience at wide receiver.
The offensive line returns several key contributors, including two-year starting tackle Brody Call, sophomore center Cameron Malsburger, who started as a freshman, and sophomore tackle Chase Cwalinski. That young but experienced group gives Valley View optimism that it can control the line of scrimmage throughout the season.
Defense Built Around Experienced Front Seven
The Cougars return one of the most productive defensive units in District 2.
Senior linebacker Jeffrey Wasilchak headlines the group after earning All-League and All-Region honors. Entering his third season as a starter, Wasilchak piled up 111 tackles, two sacks, five tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries in 2025.
He is joined by junior linebackers Tyler Muchal and Brady Bachman, giving Valley View an outstanding trio at the second level.
Muchal recorded 97 tackles, three sacks and six tackles for loss, while Bachman finished with an impressive 102 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, an interception and two fumble recoveries.
That linebacker corps gives the Cougars outstanding experience, athleticism and tackling ability.
Dominant Defensive Line Returns
Valley View also brings back an experienced defensive front.
Senior defensive end Brady Cunningham enters his third varsity season after recording 87 tackles, eight sacks and 12 tackles for loss. His ability to pressure quarterbacks and disrupt opposing backfields makes him one of the premier defensive linemen in District 2.
Senior defensive tackle Mason Mitchell, another All-League selection, contributed 74 tackles, four sacks and eight tackles for loss while consistently controlling the interior line of scrimmage.
Junior Brody Call returns after gaining valuable experience at defensive tackle, giving the Cougars another physical presence inside.
Although Valley View must replace standout defensive tackle Aidan Muchal, the returning talent up front should allow the defense to remain one of the area’s strengths.
Veteran Secondary Provides Stability
The secondary returns plenty of experience as well.
Senior Ben Evans intercepted two passes and made 45 tackles last season, while senior Tristan Smith recorded three interceptions, 43 tackles and a fumble recovery.
Junior Marco Ruby continues to develop after recording 25 tackles and an interception during his sophomore campaign.
The combination of an experienced secondary and an aggressive front seven gives Valley View the ability to pressure quarterbacks while remaining sound in coverage.
Reliable Special Teams Return
Sophomore Brayden Loff returns after an outstanding freshman season as both kicker and punter.
Loff connected on three field goals, converted 32 extra points and recorded 12 touchbacks, giving the Cougars one of the top young specialists in District 2.
Cunningham returns as the long snapper, while Witkowski handles the holding duties and also provides explosiveness in the return game.
With every key specialist back, Valley View expects special teams to remain one of its strengths.
Players to Watch
Jeffrey Wasilchak, Sr., FB/LB: All-League and All-Region linebacker who recorded 111 tackles while also contributing 380 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Caleb Brown, Jr., QB: Returning quarterback who threw for 939 yards and eight touchdowns as a sophomore.
Tyler Muchal, Jr., RB/LB: Dynamic two-way standout who rushed for 610 yards while making 97 tackles.
Brady Cunningham, Sr., DE/H: Three-year starter who registered 87 tackles, eight sacks and 12 tackles for loss.
Brady Bachman, Jr., LB: Productive linebacker coming off a 102-tackle season.
Mason Mitchell, Sr., DT: All-League defensive tackle who finished with 74 tackles and four sacks.
Brayden Loff, So., K/P: Talented young specialist who made three field goals and 32 extra points while handling punting duties.
My thoughts on Valley View
Valley View returns the experience every coach hopes to have entering a new season.
The Cougars feature veteran leadership at quarterback, running back, linebacker and along both lines of scrimmage. Their defense returns nearly every major contributor from a unit that consistently kept them competitive, while the offense brings back its top rushing threats and an improving quarterback.
The biggest challenge will be replacing several graduated playmakers, including Aidan Muchal, Jason Munley and Gabe Davis, while continuing to reduce costly mistakes in key situations.
Coach Wasilchak believes improving the team’s culture and eliminating self-inflicted errors are the final steps toward becoming a championship contender.
If the Cougars stay healthy and play to their potential, Valley View has the talent, depth and experience to compete for the Lackawanna Football Conference Division 1 title and make another strong run through the District 2 Class 4A playoffs.
Head Coach: Scot Wasilchak
Assistant Coaches:
Jeff Wasilchak
Chris Reese
Chris Bennett
Anthony Kenney
Josh Lupini
Danny Vizloski
Ryan Castellani
Team Name: Vally View Cougars
District: 2
Class: 4A
League: Lackawanna Football Conference, Division 1
2025 Record: 6-5
8/22 Scranton Prep* (3A) 7:00 pm W 14-10
8/29 @ Crestwood (4A) 7:00 pm W 24-13
9/05 Wilkes-Barre (6A) 7:00 pm L 14-16
9/12 @ Abington Heights* (5A) 7:00 pm L 7-45
9/19 @ Honesdale (4A) 7:00 pm W 49-8
9/26 Scranton* (6A) 7:00 pm W 28-0
10/03 North Pocono* (4A) 7:00 pm L 10-42
10/10 @ Delaware Valley* (5A) 7:00 pm L 0-41
10/17 @ Wyoming Valley West (5A) 7:00 pm W 52-21
10/24 Wallenpaupack* (4A) 7:00 pm W 20-7
10/31 Dallas (4A) 7:00 pm L 0-17 District 2 Class 4A Semifinal
2026 Schedule
Date Opponent Kickof
8/28 Northwestern Lehigh (3A) 7:00 pm
9/04 @ Crestwood (4A) 7:00 pm
9/11 @ Wilkes-Barre (6A) 7:00 pm
9/18 North Pocono* (4A) 7:00 pm
9/25 @ Scranton* (6A) 7:00 pm
10/02 Delaware Valley* (5A) 7:00 pm
10/09 @ West Scranton* (6A) 7:00 pm
10/16 Abington Heights* (5A) 7:00 pm
10/23 @ Scranton Prep* (3A) 7:00 pm
10/30 Wallenpaupack* (4A) 7:00 pm
Key Starters lost:
Aidan Muchal DT
Jason Munley TE
Gabe Davis WR
Offensive Starters Returning:
Caleb Brown QB Junior
Jeffrey Wasilchak FB Senior
Tyler Muchal TB Junior
Brady Cunningham H Senior
Brody Call T Junior
Cameron Malsburger C Soph
Chase Cwalinski T Soph
Ben Evans WR Senior
Colin Witkowski WRJunior
Defensive Starters Returning:
Jeffrey Wasilchak LB Senior All League/All Regional LB
Brady Cunningham DE Senior
Mason Mitchell DT Senior All League
Brody Call DT Junior
Brady Bachman LB Junior
Tyler Muchal LB Junior
Jeffrey Ashby LB Junior
Marco Ruby DB Junior
Tristan Smith DB Senior
Ben Evans DB Senior
Gavin Oprishko DB Senior
Special Team Starters Returning:
Brayden Loff Soph Kicker/Punter
Brady Cunningham Senior Long Snapper
Colin Witkowski Junior Holder………Returner
Key Newcomers:
Cash Roe WR Junior
Brody Bargella TE Junior
Aidan O’connor TE Junior
Ryan Sweeney G Senior
Jeffrey Ashby G Junior
Shamus Sprague TB Junior
Janzier Rivera FB Junior
Brady Bachman TB/FB Junior
Maddox Carey WR Junior
Luke Evans WR Senior
Maddox Krupovich T Fresh
Luke Fiorelli G Fresh
Nico Castellani TB/FB Fresh
Marco Ruby Ath Junior
Colin Dempsey QB Soph
Jackson Siekierka T Soph
Alan Bucklund C Junior
Maddox Krupovich DT Fresh
Nico Castellani LB Fresh
Shamus Sprague LB Junior
Luke Evans LB Junior (We Have 2 Kids Named Luke Evans)
Ethan Heid DB Junior
Janzier Rivera LB Junior
Aaron Williams DT Junior
2026 Returning Player Stats:
Quarterback:
Caleb Brown #9 Soph.
71-143 939 Yards 8 Passing TD
Running Back:
Tyler Muchal #1 Soph.
119 carries – 610 yards 5 td’s 3 catches for 40 yards
Fullback:
Jeffrey Wasilchak #6 Junior
67 carries for 380yards 4 TD’S 3 catches for 22 yards
Guard:
Brody Call # 50 Soph. (2 year starter)
Center:
Cameron Malsburger # 52 (freshman)
Kicker:
Braden Loff # 19 Soph . 3 FG 32 extra points 12 touchbacks
Defensive End:
Brady Cunningham #38 Junior
2 year starter 87 tackles 8 sacks 12 tfl 2 fumble recoveries
Defensive Tackle:
Mason Mitchell # 51 Junior
2 year starter 74 tackles 4 sacks 8 tfl 1 fumble recovery
Linebacker:
Jeffrey Wasilchak # 6 Junior
2 year starter 111 tackles 2 fumble recoveries 2 sacks 5 tfl
Tyler Mushal #1 Soph.
97 tackles 1 fumble recovery ,3 sacks, 6 tfl
Brady Bachman #14 Soph.
102 tackles 1 int, 2 fumble recoveries, 7 tfl, 2 sacks
Secondary:
Ben Evans # 7 Junior
2 int 45 tackles
Tristan Smith # 24 Junior
3 int, 43 tackles 1 fumble rec.
Marco Ruby #11 Soph
1 int 25 tackles
Punter:
Brayden Loff #19 Soph
2026 Outlook: We have a lot of returning starters. If we can limit our mistakes and improve our culture this can be a great season.