A ‘W’ is X-factor in playoff equations

There are 32,768 possible scenarios this weekend involving the District 2/4 Class 4A playoff race.

The math for Wyoming Valley West and Hazleton Area is simple. Win tonight and qualify.

For their Wyoming Valley Conference brethren Williamsport, it’s a little more complicated. But a victory will probably secure a berth in the D2/4-11 Class 4A playoffs as well.

Of course, the three WVC teams will have to worry about two Lackawanna Conference teams as well – Wallenpaupack and, to a lesser extent, Delaware Valley. Those two play at Delaware Valley tonight, with the loser out and the winner still needing some help.

Two D2/4 teams make the subregional playoffs along with five District 11 teams. The final spot goes to the remaining team with the most state points regardless of district.

The current D2/4 standings are: Valley West (6-3, 830 state points); Williamsport (6-3, 800); Hazleton Area (6-3, 800); Wallenpaupack (6-3, 750); and Delaware Valley (5-4, 640).

Hazleton Area has the hardest task starting at 7 p.m. today, needing a home victory against Class 3A Berwick (7-2).

Valley West has a slightly easier task when it hosts Class 3A Coughlin (5-4) at Spartan Stadium.

Williamsport has the easiest road when it plays at Class 3A Tunkhannock (2-7). The Millionaires, though, will get the fewest state points for a victory – 100 compared to Valley West (130) and Hazleton Area (150).

“The kids are smart. You’re not going to fool kids,” Hazleton Area coach Rocco Petrone said. “They know more about the points than I do. They look at it. They’re interested and want to see where they’re going to end up.

“There’s no sense in lying to them because you’re not going to get away with it.”

Hazleton Area is not only worried about Berwick, which has clinched a D2-3A playoff spot, but the rivalry factor and its play last Friday against D11 power East Stroudsburg South.

South, which has a berth in the 4A subregional, defeated the Cougars 35-3. It was Hazleton Area’s worse loss since ending the 2005 season with a 42-7 setback to D11 power Bethlehem Liberty.

The Cougars received a reprieve of sorts when West Scranton upset Wallenpaupack 34-20 the same night. That result offered little solace at the time.

“To tell you the truth, I was more concerned about us,” Petrone said. “I was disappointed in our play offensively and defensively and how we were dominated on the line of scrimmage. So I really didn’t give anything else much thought.

“Of course, later in the week you start looking at other things and where we could be. You try to encourage your kids to get past that loss and concentrate on the bigger game this week.”

Berwick is all but certain to open the D2-3A playoffs next Saturday at Abington Heights. There is a slight possibility the Dawgs end up at Dallas instead.

Hazleton Area’s destination – provided it makes the playoffs – could be the Lehigh Valley area or the Poconos or somewhere in District 2. Or even a home game.

“We always talk about the game in general,” Petrone said, “because of two things. One, it’s a big game for the whole town. Both towns look forward to a Berwick-Hazleton game. And number two, it’s a big game for us if we want to entertain any possibility of going to the playoffs.”

The entire D2/4-11 Class 4A field won’t be set until the completion of some D11 games Saturday, including an afternoon matchup of Bethlehem Liberty and Bethlehem Freedom.

Clear 28°

High School Sports

Playoff scenarios abound, but some teams can punch their tickets just by winning.

WEEK 10 SCHEDULE

Place Quick Ads

Purchase Photos