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A look at what we think will happen in 2009
Dallas will be looking to rebound from a 2-8 season last year.
TIMES LEADER FILE PHOTO
The Patriots charge onto the field at Wilkes-Barre Memorial Stadium to take on the Coughlin Crusaders.
TIMES LEADER FILE PHOTO
Think back to the 2008 high school football season.
Who could have predicted:
Dallas would win just two games.
Berwick would score just three points, yet win the District 2 Class 3A championship game.
Coaching legend George Curry would step down, citing health issues.
There were more surprises throughout 2008 that nobody could foresee not only in the Wyoming Valley Conference but in the Lackawanna Conference, the other leg of District 2.
To clear up things, The Times Leader used a Magic Football to get answer to a few questions.
Actually, it was a Magic 8-Ball – that kid’s toy that is shaken to get an answer appear in a liquid window. A Ouija Board was considered, but there were too many spooky stories floating around about it for our taste.
Here’s how some questions about the season shook out.
Will there be new WVC divisional champions?
Magic 8-Ball says: Yes.
We say: Maybe.
First, a reminder. The WVC has four divisions based on PIAA classifications – 4A, 3A, 2A and A. The divisional champ is the team with the most state points after 10 weeks. Don’t believe anything else said or written.
That said, Meyers (2-9 last season) is a lock to repeat as the Division A title since it’s the only team in the division. As for the other three defending champions, the Magic 8-Ball may be on to something.
Defending WVC 4A champ Hazleton Area (10-2) should face a stern challenge from Wyoming Valley West (7-4), which played very well down the stretch last year. Williamsport (2-8) should be better, but end up in third – or last – place.
Berwick (11-3) won the WVC 3A title last year, but Coughlin (7-4) has been mentioned as a team that can dethrone the Dawgs. Pittston Area (6-5) could also make a run.
As for the rest of WVC 3A, it looks like Wyoming Area (4-6), Dallas (2-8), Tunkhannock (4-6) and Crestwood (2-8) in that order.
GAR (10-2) lost many skill players to graduation. However, its line is considered one of the best in the WVC, making a repeat as WVC 2A champion very likely. Hanover Area (7-5) and Lake-Lehman (9-2) will be playing for second place. Holy Redeemer (3-7) and Nanticoke (0-10) will bring up the rear.
Will Dallas and Wyoming Area return to the playoffs?
Magic 8-Ball says: Most likely.
We say: It’s doubtful as far as the District 2 Class 3A playoffs. Only four teams advance and the field is loaded with Abington Heights, Berwick and Coughlin considered the frontrunners.
But don’t discount either Dallas or Wyoming Area squeezing into the Eastern Conference tournament, the bridesmaid of the postseason.
Will George Curry return to coaching?
Magic 8-Ball says: My reply is no.
We say: It wouldn’t be shocking King George returns under the right circumstances.
Curry resigned as Wyoming Valley West’s coach due to health concerns, ending a 41-year run that made him Pennsylvania’s all-time victory leader. A clean bill of health and an attractive football program might be enough to pique Curry.
Are Berwick and Hazleton Area capable of repeating as District 2 champions?
Magic 8-Ball says: Signs point to yes.
We say: Hazleton Area has a better chance than Berwick, which is dealing with a young lineup now and Abington Heights come playoff time.
Abington, which lost 3-0 to Berwick in last year’s title game, is the favorite.
Is Northwest really the favorite to win the District 2 Class A title?
Magic 8-Ball says: Signs point to yes.
We say: Based on all the good things WVC coaches have said about Northwest, the Rangers certainly look like the favorite. Just don’t tell Riverside or Old Forge from the Lackawanna Conference. Those two proud programs have their eyes on the prize as well.
Northwest is truly a success story. Former coach Randy Yaple dug the program out of the doldrums, and current coach Carl Majer has kept the progress going.
Can Nanticoke break a 21-game losing streak?
Magic 8-Ball says: Reply hazy, try again.
We say: Perhaps the Lackawanna Conference’s Western Wayne has made things hazy. After all, the Wildcats snapped their 41-game losing streak in 2008.
Truth is that Nanticoke will be relying heavily on it sophomore class, a group usually reserved for junior varsity duties. So chances of breaking into the win column don’t look promising.
Will the WVC and Lackawanna Conferences ever merge again in football?
Magic 8-Ball says: Concentrate and ask again.
We say: There’s some disdain in the Magic 8-Ball’s answer and for good reason. The question was kind of silly.
The two merged in 2000 and 2001, becoming the Northeast Pennsylvania Football Conference. But the blissful wedding ended in a quickie divorce because of irreconcilable differences.
After years of barely acknowledging each other on the field, the two conferences got together to play 25 games in 2008. They’ll play each other another 25 times this year.
Is the PIAA through with the idea of going to five or six classifications?
Magic 8-Ball says: Cannot predict now.
We say: Stay tuned. An attempt to do so was voted down in August, meaning the current four-class format will be used through the 2011 season. But the notion had some momentum prior to being nix, so it could get rolling again in a year or so with some modifications.