Here we are midway through the Wyoming Valley Conference football season. The weather has been great. The games … not so much as too many blowouts littered the first five weeks.
Perhaps that will change when the new schedules come out for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Right now, though, there’s nothing that can be done to correct that. So let’s look how the WVC’s 15 teams have fared the first five weeks and what’s in store for them over the next five weeks.
By the way, there are 39 teams — including District 4’s Williamsport and five from District 11 — striving to make district playoffs where District 2 teams are involved. Only 11 won’t make it and those outsiders have a shot at the Eastern Conference playoffs.
BERWICK (5-0)
The first five: The defense has been vicious, allowing just 100 yards per game and 23 points total. On the other hand, the offense, while putting up some big numbers, isn’t quite where it needs to be to make a playoff run. Some tinkering is needed.
The next five: The schedule toughens, starting with a road game with unbeaten Valley View on Friday. The Dawgs also travel to unbeaten Dallas in Week 9. They’ll likely end up with a top-three seed in the D2-4A playoffs regardless of those outcomes.
CRESTWOOD (3-2)
The first five: Crestwood walked the tightrope in the first half of the season, winning two one-point games including an overtime win vs. Wilkes-Barre Area. The Comets, though, were overmatched in losses to Dallas and Pottsville, but most opponents have been.
The next five: The Comets could go on a bit of a run, with the Week 8 game with Berwick the only one where they’ll be decisive underdogs. After missing the D2-4A postseason in 2018, things look rather bright they make it this year. A home playoff game is possible.
DALLAS (5-0)
The first five: Not much to complain about. Dallas is averaging a WVC-high 47.4 points. The running game has been devastating opponents, averaging 10.4 yards per carry. The defense has been equally impressive. However, only one opponent has a winning record midway through the season.
The next five: The Mountaineers will finished anywhere from first to third in the D2-4A playoff seedings. The schedule is much tougher over the final five weeks and includes consecutive games Week 8 and 9 with Valley View and Berwick that will ultimately determine their final seeding.
HANOVER AREA (1-4)
The first five: The rebuild under new coach Rick Hummer got off to a good start with a 31-21 win against Athens. Since then, both the offense and defense have struggled. However, that four-game stretch included unbeaten Old Forge and Western Wayne and a 4-1 Lake-Lehman team.
The next five: Since seven of eight Class 3A teams make the postseason, the Hawkeyes will likely land a playoff spot with another victory. The best chances come Friday vs. Holy Redeemer and Week 10 against rival Nanticoke Area. In between are three road games against very formidable opponents.
HAZLETON AREA (1-4)
The first five: The Cougars’ only victory was 35-34 over Wyoming Valley West. They played Williamsport and Wilkes-Barre Area tough the last two weeks, so that’s a positive. However, the graduation losses were steep and difficult to overcome in five weeks.
The next five: The next two games are brutal – Delaware Valley and then at Berwick. Plus, Scranton and Crestwood are playing better than predicted, so victories will be tough to come by. The Cougars sit fifth in the D2/4-6A standings and might not be able to get a playoff berth.
HOLY REDEEMER (0-4)
The first five: Actually, it’s the first four since the Royals had their season opener nixed when Holy Cross folded its program. They played well last week in a 27-7 loss to Nanticoke Area, but otherwise have been overwhelmed in the other contests.
The next five: Redeemer already posted a victory by swapping undefeated Wyoming Area for winless Shikellamy in Week 8. The Royals’ 15-game losing streak is the second longest in District 2. (Montrose has lost 20 in a row). The best chance at a win is probably Week 10 against Susquehanna.
LAKE-LEHMAN (4-1)
The first five: After opening with a loss to Western Wayne, the Black Knights have won four in a row. The offense has been a nice blend of run and pass. There has been contribution from the defense and special teams as well. They’re third in the D2-3A playoff standings.
The next five: Lehman has undefeated Wyoming Area Friday and undefeated Dallas to finish off the regular season, so it’s going to be difficult to get either of the first two D2-3A seeds without winning at least one of those games. The Black Knights will be heavily favored in the other three games.
NANTICOKE AREA (1-4)
The first five: Graduation and injuries have made for a tough time thus far. The Trojans were outscored 158-29 in their first four games. They struggled last Friday against winless Holy Redeemer before pulling away for a 27-7 victory.
The next five: Nanticoke Area still has to travel to the Back Mountain twice to play Dallas and Lake-Lehman. Plus, the Trojans have an improving Crestwood squad Friday. The postseason appears unlikely this year.
NORTHWEST (2-2)
The first five: Northwest played just four games because Holy Cross folded its program. The Rangers opened with a big win over defending D2-A champion Lackawanna Trail. They hung with Wyoming Area and Lake-Lehman for quite some time in their only losses.
The next five: The schedule isn’t as daunting down the stretch, but the Rangers need to keep winning to snag a D2-A playoff spot. Old Forge, who they play Week 9, looks like a lock for one of the spots. Northwest needs to maintain its tenuous lead over Trail for the other.
PITTSTON AREA (1-4)
The first five: After opening with a victory over Nanticoke Area, the Patriots dropped their next four games. They blew a 25-point, fourth quarter lead against Tunkhannock and were outscored 14-0 in the second half in a 21-14 loss to Wallenpaupack.
The next five: Pittston Area has one of the toughest schedules left. Although Friday’s opponent, West Scranton, is 1-4 the Invaders have played well recently. Then there are road trips to Williamsport, Scranton Prep and Wyoming Area. Crestwood makes it four opponents with winning records.
TUNKHANNOCK (3-2)
The first five: Incredible comebacks against Pittston Area and Honesdale allowed the Tigers to reach last season’s win total. Blowout losses to Dallas and Wyoming Area, though, show the program has plenty of ground to make up to move to the upper tier of the WVC.
The next five: Tunkhannock has the longest postseason drought in the WVC, last making the playoffs in 2007. There’s a good chance that will change as the Tigers are fifth in the D2-4A standings and several of their pursuers are struggling mightily. A .500 record should do the trick and is possible.
WILKES-BARRE AREA (3-2)
The first five: An unknown coming into the season, the Wolfpack has exceeded expectations. Their losses were in overtime to Crestwood and to D2-6A power Delaware Valley. The coaching staff need to be commended for making this work under unusual and sometimes difficult circumstances.
The next five: The Wolfpack will be underdogs in three of their remaining games, but if they can defeat Wyoming Valley West and Wallenpaupack they will likely secure a spot in the D2/4-6A four-team playoff field. They are currently second.
WILLIAMSPORT (3-2)
The first five: The defense has been outstanding. The Millionaires have surrendered 39 points, the third fewest in the WVC. The offense, though, hasn’t been able to get any traction and the results have been a 17-10 loss to Berwick and a 15-14 loss to Crestwood where turnovers proved costly.
The next five: Aside from Delaware Valley in Week 8, Williamsport appears to be favored in the other four games. So there’s an excellent chance the Millionaires will make the D2/4-6A playoffs, but unless the offense picks up the pace it could be a quick exit.
WYOMING AREA (5-0)
The first five: The only question coming into the season was how a refurbished offensive line would perform, but the big guys answered that quickly. The defense has been incredible and has surrendered 33 points, none by the first-team unit. The offense can grind it out or strike quickly.
The next five: A trip to Lake-Lehman on Friday begins a three-game stretch that will test the Warriors. Then comes a rejuvenated Dunmore squad followed by the much-anticipated showdown with nine-time state champion Southern Columbia. Will likely get a bye in the first round of the D2-3A playoffs.
WYOMING VALLEY WEST (1-4)
The first five: Since a 35-34 loss to Hazleton Area in Week 2, the Spartans have scored just one touchdown. The offensive lineup had to be juggled due to injuries. Valley West has allowed 171 points, with Hanover Area and Holy Redeemer the only teams surrendering more.
The next five: Believe it or not, the Spartans have a decent shot at the D2/11-5A playoffs. After a pair of unbeatens, no one else has separated themselves. The schedule is favorable early with Wallenpaupack and Abington Heights in the next three weeks. But if the Spartans lose those games, that’s probably the end of postseason chances.
