If it were possible to be in two places at one time, then tonight would be a great opportunity to do so.
Week 6 of the high school football season has two big games with big postseason implications at 7 p.m.
One is Wyoming Area (5-0) at Lake-Lehman (4-1), which will go a long way to determining seeding in the District 2 Class 3A playoffs as well as the Wyoming Valley Conference Division 3A champion. The other is a D2-4A showdown when Berwick (5-0) travels to two-time defending champion Valley View (5-0).
Lehman appeared to be Wyoming Area’s biggest test over the final five weeks, but that changed a few days ago. Wyoming Area and nine-time state champion Southern Columbia swapped Week 8 opponents, allowing a matchup of two state-ranked teams. The Warriors are fourth in the state in Class 3A; Southern Columbia is atop the Class 2A rankings.
In between, the Warriors face a rejuvenated Dunmore squad. The perennial Lackawanna Conference power lost 30-17 to Mid Valley — a team Wyoming Area walloped 56-13 in its opener — but has since won three in a row.
Wyoming Area leads the D2-3A standings and Western Wayne (5-0) is second. The top two seeds get first-round byes. Lehman is third, but has already lost to Western Wayne.
“We’re feeling pretty good where we’re at right now,” Lehman coach Jerry Gilsky said. “I feel every week we’re getting better and better and a little more confident.”
Neither Wyoming Area nor Lehman are in danger of missing the district playoffs. Same goes for Berwick and Valley View.
The Berwick-Valley View game is part of a triangle that will sort out the top three seeds in the D2-4A playoffs. Dallas (5-0) is also in the mix and plays at Valley View in Week 8 and hosts Berwick in Week 9. A couple other teams have a shot at jumping into the top three, but if things transpire as expected it’s going to be Berwick, Dallas and Valley View. The order is anybody’s guess.
“I think once you get past the first few games and into the meat of your schedule, they really are all playoff games,” Valley View coach George Howanitz said. “It’ll be a nice atmosphere on Friday.”
Valley View defeated Berwick 35-7 last year. Quarterback Janaasah Boone accounted for over 200 yards of offense as he threw a TD pass, caught a TD pass and ran for a score. Although many of the pieces around him are different, Valley View still has a formidable offense that’s averaging 43.4 points.
“This is his second year under center, so he’s a lot more comfortable now,” Howanitz said. “He does a lot with the ball in his hands — good passer, good runner. We’ve come to expect it from him.”
The Cougars, though, will be facing their toughest defense thus far. Berwick is allowing just 14.8 yards rushing per game and 100 total yards per game.
Lehman will run into the same type of defense in Wyoming Area. The Warriors first-team defense hasn’t allowed a point this season. The Warriors led Tunkhannock 42-0 at halftime last Friday before settling for a 49-10 win.
However, Wyoming Area hasn’t matched up yet with an offense as talented as Lehman. Even four-time D2-3A defending champion Scranton Prep, who the Warriors defeated 34-0 in Week 2, didn’t present as many weapons.
“Lehman is always a strong team,” Wyoming Area coach Randy Spencer said. “They’ve had a strong year. They’re strong up front and have done a great job with their skill positions and they are very balanced.”
ELSEWHERE …
• Crestwood is at Nanticoke Area, which picked up its first win last Friday.
• Wilkes-Barre Area tries to knock visiting Dallas from the unbeaten ranks.
• Hazleton Area plays host to a surging Delaware Valley squad.
• Hanover Area tries to snap a four-game losing streak against visiting Holy Redeemer.
• Towanda makes a long drive on Route 6 to play at Tunkhannock.
• A pair of 1-4 teams square off in West Scranton at Pittston Area.
• Williamsport tries to shake off a heartbreaking loss at Scranton.
• Wyoming Valley West is at Wallenpaupack in a game that could decide which goes to the postseason.
• Northwest plays Saturday afternoon at Susquehanna, which broke into the win column last Friday.
