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We’re halfway through the Wyoming Valley Conference football season already and there has been some oddities.
Seven of 17 teams lost there starting quarterbacks, some for the season. Teams had to swelter through 80-degree weather last week. And it hasn’t rained on the Friday night.
Things will change over the final five weeks as teams jockey for playoff spots. Contenders will fall. A few teams could make runs to the postseason. And, of course, it’s going to get colder.
Until then, here’s a look at the WVC teams midway through the season and what to expect over the final five weeks.
BERWICK (4-1)
The first five: The defense has been strong as only one opponent – Selinsgrove – has topped 100 yards rushing. The unit has eight turnovers. The offense, though, has been a problem and could be down to its third-string quarterback.
The next five: Barring an unforeseen and complete collapse, the Dawgs will be in the D2-4A playoffs. They need to keep winning to secure the top seed, though, and there are a few speed bumps on the schedule.
COUGHLIN (3-2)
The first five: The first two games were as ugly as possible – losses of 54-7 to Dallas and 42-0 to Scranton Prep. Since then, the Crusaders have put the ball in the hands of running back Jake Cole and it’s paid off with three wins.
The next five: Coughlin will be the underdog in three of the last five starting with Berwick on Friday. Still, five wins should get the Crusaders into the bloated D2-4A playoff field. A home game is 50-50.
CRESTWOOD (2-3)
The first five: After a strong start, the offense has produced just 21 points in the current three-game losing streak. The running game is averaging 1.7 yards per carry in the last two games, and turnovers have been troublesome during the slide.
The next five: The remaining schedule isn’t as taxing as other D2-4A teams, so the Comets could go on a bit of a run down the stretch. But they need to run the ball better. Will probably sneak into the D2-4A playoffs.
DALLAS (3-2)
The first five: The Mountaineers were very young in 2016, but that on-the-job training has paid off. The defense is playing old-fashion Dallas football. Sophomore running backs Lenny Kelley and Danny Meuser are throwback runners.
The next five: The key is the old cliché – taking it one game at a time. The team isn’t veteran enough to take anyone lightly because most of the guys were around for a two-win season in 2016. A D2-4A home game looks promising.
GAR (0-5)
The first five: Nothing has gone right. GAR is down to its third quarterback. No runner has more than 100 rushing yards total this season. The offense fumbled 17 times in the last two losses. The defense is giving up too many yards and points.
The next five: The Grenadiers got a jump on Week 6 by playing Athens on Thursday. If they don’t win Thursday, the best chance at victory is Week 9 against winless Hanover Area. It’s quite possible the program finishes winless for the first time since 1938.
HANOVER AREA (0-5)
The first five: After being outscored 84-0 in the first two games, Hanover Area’s young offense is showing some life. The Hawkeyes were in position to defeat Meyers and Lake-Lehman, but faltered down the stretch.
The next five: Hanover Area gets three teams battling for postseason spots – Wyoming Area, Northwest and Crestwood – over the next three weeks. They head to winless GAR before finishing with rival Nanticoke. The postseason is unlikely.
HAZLETON AREA (3-2)
The first five: The Cougars are playing their best football under fourth-year coach Mike Brennan, who won two state titles at Mt. Carmel. The defense has been solid, although it’s not creating many turnovers. The offense has improved.
The next five: Hazleton Area gets two undefeated teams – Delaware Valley and Scranton – in the next two games. The chances of being home for the D2/4-6A playoffs is doubtful. Will probably head to DelVal for the semifinals.
HOLY REDEEMER (1-4)
The first five: Redeemer has the same problem in its first 10 years of existence. The Royals can’t run the ball and have 80 yards rushing in the last three games. Until the blocking improves, it will be a chronic issue moving forward.
The next five: The second half of the schedule will play out much like last season. The best chance at another win, like in 2016, will come in the season finale with winless Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech.
LAKE-LEHMAN (3-2)
The first five: As expected, the Black Knights are relying heavily on the running game, which has gone well over 300 yards three times. The run defense has been good except for the Scranton Prep game. A game ahead of last year’s pace.
The next five: Lehman will need to sweep the next three for a chance to make the D2-3A playoffs again because the season ends with road games at Berwick and Dallas. The pivotal game could be Week 7 at Nanticoke as both are battling for a postseason spot.
MEYERS (4-1)
The first five: The noticeable factor compared to 2016 is the defense, which has allowed 34 points over the last four games. While quarterback Janssen Wilborn gets plenty of credit, there is a nice group of skill guys including running back Kevin Dessoye and wideouts Reese Patronick and Najee Hood.
The next five: The schedule stiffens with consecutive games against Dallas and Coughlin. The defense will need to create turnovers; it has four so far. Three more wins should get the Mohawks into the D2-3A playoff field.
NANTICOKE (3-2)
The first five: The Trojans won their first three via the running duo of Eric Jeffries and Dawson Hughes. The two, though, haven’t scored in consecutive losses. Plus, quarterback Matt Wrubel has been out with an injury.
The next five: Nanticoke made the D2-3A playoffs in 2016, but will need to win at least three more games to get back there. A key matchup comes Week 7 against Lake-Lehman, which is also trying to make the D2-3A postseason.
NORTHWEST (2-3)
The first five: The offense hasn’t been as consistent as hoped, scoring 10 or fewer points in the three losses. Although the Rangers played well in their wins over Lake-Lehman and Nanticoke, the loss to Lackwanna Trail has hurt their playoff chances.
The next five: The playoffs already started as the Rangers probably need to run the table and have Trail stumble down the stretch to make the D2-A championship game. They can’t expect a rejuvenated Old Forge team to do the same.
PITTSTON AREA (2-3)
The first five: The Patriots have already reach last year’s win total. They’ve been able to move the ball via air, but the running game has been sporadic. The defense is giving up less yardage than last season, but still too many points.
The next five: October looks very tough with games with Berwick, Coughlin and rival Wyoming Area among them. If the Patriots can get to four wins, that could be enough to get a lower seed in the inflated D2-4A playoffs.
TUNKHANNOCK (1-4)
The first five: The Tigers have been competitive in every game. The offense relied a little too heavily on running back Logan Cywinski early, although that’s changed the last couple of games. The defense, though, is giving up too many points.
The next five: There doesn’t appear a game left where Tunkhannock will be a huge underdog. So if the Tigers can grab a couple wins, they may be able to get to the postseason for the first time since 2007.
WILLIAMSPORT (4-1)
The first five: Despite losing running back Treyson Potts, the WVC’s best player, for the season due to a knee injury, the Millionaires are still scoring at a high rate. New starting quarterback Joe Fagnano has been outstanding. The defense, though, has shown some cracks.
The next five: Williamsport gets two undefeated teams – Scranton and Delaware Valley – the next two games and will likely play one of them in the D2/4-6A playoffs. The rest of the schedule is tough as well.
WYOMING AREA (1-4)
The first five: The defense has been strong and kept the Warriors in every game except for the 24-0 loss to Scranton Prep. Even then, the unit played OK. The offense has been a sore spot and perhaps the reason for three three-point losses.
The next five: The schedule eases up with a pair of winless teams – Hanover Area and GAR – up next. But then Dallas and Williamsport pay a visit. A D2-4A playoff spot could come down to the season finale with rival Pittston Area.
WYOMING VALLEY WEST (1-4)
The first five: The Spartans’ inability to finish games has led to the worst start in coach Pat Keating’s nine years. The loss of couple key playmakers to graduation has changed the complexion of the offense. The defense has forced one turnover over the last four games.
The next five: The Spartans are locked into the D2-5A playoffs, but defeating D2-5A foes Wallenpaupack and Abington Heights on consecutive weekends could get them the top seed. Despite their record, they could win the D2-5A title.
