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Hurry, class. Take your seats. Didn’t you hear the bell? The start of the Wyoming Valley Conference football season is just a few hours away.
That means you’ll have to learn your WVC ABCs ASAP.
A is for Abington Heights. With a schedule that includes games against Hazleton Area and Wyoming Valley West, the Comets could play a key role in the playoff hopes of several WVC teams.
B is for big. Very big. Williamsport has 19 players listed at 230 or more pounds, including 14 who weigh at least 250. The Millionaires have 30 players who tip the scales at 200 pounds or more.
C is for Campbell. Berwick head coach Gary Campbell won a state championship in Massachusetts. It might not happen this year, but he could some day win one in the Keystone State.
D is for Dallas. The Mountaineers look to rebound from their worst season in 25 years.
E is for Einstein. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out Meyers will win the WVC Class A title. The Mohawks are the only team in the division.
F is for fans. When it comes to student body sections, none are better than the one at Wyoming Area.
G is for GAR. The Grenadiers have their sights on repeating as WVC Class 2A division champions.
H is for haluski. What’s a Friday night game without it?
I is for indigestion. I get that from eating the haluski.
J is for Jackson. Dallas head coach Ted Jackson enters his 25th season – the most of any coach in the WVC. His 201 career wins are also a conference-best.
K is for Kern. Lake-Lehman needs to have patience with head coach Carl Kern. A nice guy. And a heck of a coach.
L is for losing streak. Nanticoke would love to end its streak of 21 consecutive losses.
M is for milestones. Last season, four running backs ran for more than 1,000 yards and six quarterbacks threw for more than 1,000 yards. Look for more players to accomplish those feats in 2009.
N is for next generation. Don’t look now, but the WVC has a Shimshock, a McGovern and a Skrepenak playing again.
O is for Old Shoe. Dallas and Lake-Lehman have been playing for the coveted trophy for more than half a century.
P is for Petrone. This could be the final season for Hazleton Area head coach – and principal – Rocco Petrone. Another example of how good guys don’t have to finish last.
Q is for quickness. There’s plenty of speed in the backfields and receiving corps in the WVC. Don’t blink or you’ll miss something.
R is for rivalry. Pittston Area vs. Wyoming Area. Meyers vs. GAR. Dallas vs. Lake-Lehman. The last week of the regular season is always the best.
S is for state championship. No WVC team has captured a state title since Berwick in 1997.
T is for transfers. Student-athletes are switching schools with the regularity of a senior citizen on Metamucil. And no one seems to care.
U is for under the radar. Look for Pittston Area to sneak up on teams this season. And don’t be shocked when Tunkhannock pulls an upset or two along the way.
V is for Villa Capri. Located across from Crispin Field in Berwick, it’s the place to be before the Dawgs take the field.
W is for welcome. Valley West head coach Pat Keating is the only first-year coach in the WVC, taking over the reins at his alma mater.
X is for Xs and Os. Forget the days of three yards and a cloud of dust. Many WVC teams are utilizing a spread offense.
Y is for youth. The WVC is loaded with talented underclassmen. Give it a few weeks and you’ll know what I’m talking about.
Z is for zero. That’s the number of times the Pennsylvania Cable Network will feature WVC teams on its statewide Game of the Week. Turn the channel.