Games that impact the leads of each of the five divisions within District 2’s two football leagues are on the Friday night schedule.
Games that impact the leads of each of the five divisions within District 2’s two football leagues are on the Friday night schedule.
For those who follow division title pursuits along with the more prestigious district races, this is the most important night of the season to date.
Of the 14 football games scheduled, 13 are within divisions. Many directly or indirectly impact leadership now and, most likely, ultimately the winners of championships.
The clearest example is in Lackawanna Football Conference Division 1 where the last two divisional unbeatens meet for sole possession of the lead.
Valley View (2-0 division, 5-1 overall) takes a five-game winning streak on the road to challenge unbeaten Scranton (2-0, 6-0).
After being limited to 175 total yards rushing in the first three games, all-state Valley View running back Connor Hilling has run for 195, 169 and 186 in his last three outings.
Scranton’s Billy Maloney has rushed for 600 yards and 6 touchdowns while passing for 558 yards and an 8-2, touchdown-to-interception ratio. He has also picked off five passes and broken-up seven more.
The other LFC Division 1 game is at the opposite end of the standings with North Pocono (0-3, 2-4) at Wallenpaupack (0-3, 1-5). North Pocono won its first two and lost four straight. Wallenpaupack won its opener and has lost five straight.
Two of the three 1-0 teams in LFC Division 2 meet when Lakeland (1-0, 6-0) goes to Dunmore (1-0, 5-1).
Barring an upset, the winner will come out with a share of the lead with Western Wayne (1-0, 5-1), which is at Mid Valley (0-1, 2-4).
Riverside can take a half-game lead in LFC Division 3 when the Vikings (1-0, 3-3) go to Lackawanna Trail (0-1, 3-3). If Riverside gets to 2-0, it will be joined by Saturday’s Old Forge-Susquehanna winner.
Dallas (4-0, 6-0) can be the first team to clinch at least a tie for first place if it can follow up last week’s big win at Hazleton Area with a win at Berwick (2-1, 3-3).
If the Mountaineers slip, the winner of the Crestwood (3-1, 5-1) at Hazleton Area (1-1, 5-1) game will have another shot at a share of the title.
In WVC Division 2, the two unbeaten teams play the two teams tied for third.
Holy Redeemer (2-1, 3-3) is at Wyoming Area (3-0, 3-3) and Pittston Area (2-0, 3-3) is at Lake-Lehman (2-1, 2-4).
The rest of the Friday schedule has West Scranton at Honesdale in LFC Division 2; Holy Cross at Carbondale in LFC Division 3; Wyoming Valley West at Williamsport in WVC Division 1; Nanticoke at Tunkhannock in WVC Division 2; and Montrose at Hanover Area in the lone non-league game.
The District 2 playoffs continue in team girls tennis with two Class 3A quarterfinals.
Hazleton Area (8-6) is at top-seed and defending champion Abington Heights (13-1) and Scranton (9-5) is at Wallenpaupack (13-3).
In boys soccer, the top two Lackawanna League Division 1 teams meet when defending champion North Pocono (8-1, 9-4) goes to current leader Abington Heights (9-0, 11-0).
In girls volleyball, Holy Redeemer (8-2, 9-4) is at Lake-Lehman (7-2, 8-5) in the Wyoming Valley Conference.
The schedule also includes field hockey.
MORE COVERAGE
Friday night football predictions: Tom Robinson’s high school football predictions: Week 7 – NEPA Sports Nation.
