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Five Wyoming Valley Conference football teams have clinched district playoff berths.
Three others remain in the running for spots this weekend. But only one – Lake-Lehman – controls its own destiny.
It’s a fate, though, that runs headlong into one of the area’s best teams as the Black Knights (5-4) host rival Dallas (8-1) at 7 p.m. today in the Old Shoe Game.
“You look at the scenario, and if we win this game we get the Shoe and we get to go to the playoffs,” Lehman coach Jerry Gilsky said.
Dallas, along with Crestwood, has already a clinched District 2 Class 3A playoff spot. Wyoming Valley West has locked up a position in the District 2/4-11 Class 4A subregional tournament. GAR and Wyoming Area are in the D2-2A field.
Berwick and Coughlin are in the running for the final D2-3A spot, but need for Scranton Prep to lose Saturday afternoon.
All Lehman needs to make the D2-2A playoffs is a victory over Dallas. The math is simple; the problem is difficult.
Dallas has a pair of talented receivers – arguably the best duo in the WVC – in 6-foot-3 Shane Dunn and 6-4 Jason Simonovich. Dunn leads the entire WVC in catches with 37 and TD receptions with eight. Simonovich isn’t far behind with 23 receptions.
Versatile standout Paul Brace has worked his way back onto the field after missing four games with a foot injury. He is coming off a season-high five receptions in last week’s 42-14 victory over winless Tunkhannock.
Quarterback Ryan Zapoticky has been outstanding in his first year as the starter. He leads the WVC with 1,271 passing yards and 18 touchdowns. Running back Jim Roccograndi has added over 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground. Fullback Garrett Artsma is better known for blocking and his defensive play, but he can also run the ball.
And then there’s the defense that has allowed two touchdowns or less in six games.
“They’re loaded. They are a good all-around team,” Gilsky said. “Defensively, this is probably the best tackling team, although Teddy (Dallas coach Ted Jackson) probably says they’re not. They do what they do well.”
Lehman wasn’t doing much well when the season started. The Black Knights started out with three losses to teams that have already sewn up district spots – Old Forge, Lackawanna Trail and Wyoming Area. Since then, they’ve won five of six, with the only loss a 37-23 setback to GAR.
Gilsky said the reason for the turnaround is twofold. First, the team is healthy.
Secondly, the offense was tweaked to free up senior Nick Shelley, who is the Black Knights’ version of Brace in that he does a lot of things very well.
The tinkering also allowed 235-pound sophomore fullback Dustin Jones, running back Cole Barbacci and quarterback Jared Novitski to become more effective running the ball. So effective that Lehman didn’t attempt a pass in last week’s 42-7 rout of Hanover Area.
Of course, against Dallas the battle up front is of the utmost importance. That means Lehman must get outstanding blocking from center Job Stepanski, guards Jamie Aldrich and Brian Derhammer, tackles Pete Borum and Ryan Hoyt and tight end Curt Barbacci.
Dallas has won nine of the last 10 meetings and a Mountaineers victory won’t end Lehman’s district hopes. However, the Black Knights would need plenty of help to gain a berth there.
“Even if we lose, we’re in the hunt when you figure the numbers out,” Gilsky said. “We did the math. But if we win, we could possibly be the third seed.”
WEEK 10
Today’s Games (7 p.m.)
Berwick at Hazleton Area
Dallas at Lake-Lehman
GAR at Meyers
Nanticoke at Hanover Area
Pittston Area at Wyoming Area
Wyoming Valley West at Williamsport
Saturday’s Games
Tunkhannock at Holy Redeemer, 2 p.m.
Crestwood at Coughlin, 7 p.m.