The Skill Level

Five of the six District 2 teams are entering the first round of states and only the 4A District 2 Champion needs to be decided. State playoffs always fascinates me because of all the different teams you can see and how the skill level changes on a week to week basis. Some teams end up in a situation they weren't in all season and that's being in a close game or being one of the best teams in the area and only to fall in the State playoff game because of how good a team can be. Yes, this happens in every sport but it happens primarily in football and basketball. Baseball and softball it doesn't matter as much unless you have a dominant pitcher or you just go on a hot streak. Well, with that being said, here are the HS Football First Round State Playoff games and the College Football Top 25 games.

High School Football State Playoffs

PIAA State Playoffs Single-A First Round
Old Forge vs Williams Valley
Fri 7 PM at Lehighton HS
Old Forge is the District 2 Champion and knocked off Delco Christian in the District 1/2 Subregional Final to get here. Williams Valley is the District 11 champion and knocked off Tri-Valley to stay undefeated and advance into the State Playoffs. Blue Devils freshman QB Dante Lucarelli has throw for 1,375 yards and 18 touchdowns on the season. RB Brendan Mozeleski has rushed for 1,955 yards and 24 touchdowns. The Vikings look to be very balanced with QB Levi Engle and RB Dylan Rabuck. Engle has thrown for 1,703 yards and 21 touchdowns. Rabuck has rushed for an incredible 2,734 yards and 41 touchdowns on the season. Both teams look almost equal, Old Forge's first loss of the season came to another undefeated opponent in Dunmore. Again the Blue Devils play an undefeated team, will they come out on top or will Williams Valley match on to the second round?

Prediction: Williams Valley

PIAA State Playoffs AA First Round
Dunmore vs Newport
Fri 7 PM at Susquehanna Twp HS
Dunmore is the District 2 Champion and is undefeated at 12-0. They knocked off Carbondale to win the District title. Newport is the District 3 Champion and is 10-1 on the season. They beat York Catholic for the District Championship. The Bucks got here with a very balanced offense. You never know what player can contribute this week. Bucks QB Gavin Darcy runs the show the Dunmore's offense. He has thrown for 1,319 yards and 25 touchdowns to only four interceptions. Newport looks to run the ball for the most part but have proven they can throw the ball. Newport QB Nikolas Grabiec has thrown for 631 yards and nine touchdowns. Sophomore RB Ethan Rode has rushed for 687 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Prediction: Dunmore

PIAA State Playoffs AAA First Round
Scranton Prep vs Loyalsock
Fri 7 PM at Williamsport HS
Scranton Prep is the Champion out of District 2 at 12-0. The Cavaliers knocked off Lake-Lehman for the District Title. Loyalsock is the District 4 Champion with an 8-4 record. The Lancers beat Danville to win the District title. Cavaliers RB Matt Gilmartin has rushed for 1,394 yards and 21 touchdowns. QB Leo O'Boyle has thrown for 1,362 yards and 22 touchdowns to only five interceptions. He has also has five rushing touchdowns. Lancers QB Connor Watkins has been terrific for Loyalsock. Watkins has thrown for 2,331 yards and 29 touchdowns on the year. Watkins has also added 406 yards on the ground with ten touchdowns. RB Cole Cavanaugh has contributed greatly. He has rushed for 1,036 yards and four touchdowns.

Prediction: Scranton Prep

District 2 4A Championship
Valley View at Berwick
Fri 7 PM
Valley View got here by beating Coughlin and is in the District Final for the first time since 2011 when they beat Dallas for the District Title. Berwick got here by beating North Pocono and it's their sixth straight appearance in the District Finals. Cougars RB Seth Vernon has rushed for 1,398 yards and 23 touchdowns on the season. Bulldogs RB Owen Shoemaker has rushed for 799 yards and 12 touchdowns on the year. Both teams look equally matched but who will come out on top? We'll just have to wait and see.

Prediction: Berwick

District 2/11 5A Subregional Final
Valley West at Whitehall
Fri 7 PM
Valley West is the District 2 Champion with a record of 6-6 and have won four in a row. The Spartans knocked off Wallenpaupack for the Championship. Whitehall is the District 11 Champion and are 9-3 on the season. The Spartans Rob Dwyer has been fantastic during the season. He has thrown four touchdown passes, rushed for 732 yards and 10 touchdowns and has caught two touchdown passes. Zach Davies has 12 touchdowns on the year. The Zephyrs knocked off Southern Lehigh for the District 11 title. Zephyrs junior QB Ethan Parvel has thrown for 1,931 yards and 29 touchdowns to four picks. Parvel has also contributed to the running game by going for 947 yards and 13 touchdowns. RB Braxton Marrero has rushed for 1,025 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Prediction: Whitehall

PIAA State Playoffs 6A First Round
Delaware Valley vs State College
Fri 7 PM at Danville HS
Delaware Valley is undefeated at 12-0 and is the District 2 Champion. The Warriors beat Hazleton Area for the title. State College is the District 6 Champion and are 9-2 on the season. They knocked off Erie to get into the State Playoffs. Warriors RB Ryan Obiso has rushed for 1,637 yards and 24 touchdowns on the season. Dylan Kelly has been threat on the defensive side of the ball. Kelly has nine interceptions on the season and has returned two of them for touchdowns. Lions QB Tommy Friberg has thrown for 1,617 yards and 22 touchdowns. RB Tristen Lyons has rushed for 881 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Prediction: Delaware Valley

College Football Playoff Top 25 games
Mercer at (1) Alabama
Sat 12 PM
Mercer is coming off a win over WCU. Alabama is coming off a close win over Mississippi State. Bears QB Kaelin Riley has thrown for 1,986 yards and 13 touchdowns. Tide QB Jalen Hurts has thrown for 1,648 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Prediction: Alabama

(16) Mississippi State at Arkansas
Sat 12 PM
Mississippi State is coming off a tough loss to Alabama. Arkansas is coming off a loss to LSU. Bulldogs QB Nick Fitzgerald is throwing for 1,617 yards and 13 touchdowns. Razorbacks QB Cole Kelley is throwing for 1,038 yards and eight touchdowns.

Prediction: Mississippi State

UL Monroe at (6) Auburn
Sat 12 PM
UL Monroe is coming off a bye but they defeated Appalachian State on Nov 4th. Auburn is coming off a big win over Georgia. Warhawks QB Caleb Evans has thrown for 2,066 yards and 12 touchdowns on the year. Tigers QB Jarrett Stidham has thrown for 2,210 yards and 14 touchdowns on the season.

Prediction: Auburn

(12) TCU at Texas Tech
Sat 12 PM
TCU is coming off a loss to Oklahoma. Texas Tech is coming off a victory over Baylor. Horned Frogs QB Kenny Hill is throwing for 2,279 yards and 16 touchdowns on the year. Red Raiders QB Nic Shimonek is throwing for 3,314 yards and 28 touchdowns this season.

Prediction: TCU

Minnesota at (23) Northwestern
Sat 12 PM
Minnesota is coming off a win over Nebraska. Northwestern is coming off a win over Purdue. Golden Gophers RB Rodney Smith is rushing for 799 yards and three touchdowns. Wildcats RB Justin Jackson has 844 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the year.

Prediction: Minnesota

(24) Michigan at (5) Wisconsin
Sat 12 PM
Michigan is coming off a victory over Maryland. Wisconsin is coming off a victory over Iowa. Wisconsin needs a win here if they want to get into the playoff and also the Big Ten Championship game. Wolverines RB Karan Higdon has rushed for 854 yards and 10 touchdowns. Badgers freshman RB Jonathan Taylor has rushed for 1,525 yards and 12 touchdowns on the season.

Prediction: Wisconsin

Virginia at (3) Miami (FL)
Sat 12 PM
Virginia is coming off a loss to Louisville. Miami is coming off a big win over Notre Dame. The Hurricanes are now in the CFB Playoff discussion. If they win out and take the ACC Championship, they could very well be in contention. Cavaliers QB Kurt Benkert has thrown for 2,492 yards and 21 touchdowns. Hurricanes sophomore RB Travis Homer has rushed for 758 yards and six touchdowns.

Prediction: Miami

(15) UCF at Temple
Sat 12 PM
UCF stayed undefeated at 9-0 with a victory over UConn. Temple is coming off a win over Cincinnati. Knights RB Adrian Killins Jr has rushed for 599 yards and eight touchdowns. Owls QB Logan Marchi has thrown for 1,658 yards and nine touchdowns.

Prediction: UCF

SMU at (21) Memphis
Sat 12 PM
SMU is coming off a loss to Navy and is 6-4 on the season. Memphis is coming off a victory over Tulsa and is 9-1 on the season. Mustangs QB Ben Hicks has thrown for 2,849 yards and 24 touchdowns. Tigers QB Riley Ferguson has thrown for 2,881 yards and 27 touchdowns.

Prediction: Memphis

The Citadel at (2) Clemson
Sat 12:20 PM
The Citadel is coming off a loss to Furman and is 5-5 on the season. Clemson is coming off a loss to Florida State and is 9-1 on the year. Bulldogs RB Dominque Allen has rushed for 571 yards and eight touchdowns on the season. Tigers RB Travis Etienne has rushed for 617 yards and nine touchdowns on the season.

Prediction: Clemson

Kentucky at (7) Georgia
Sat 3:30 PM
Kentucky is coming off a victory over Vanderbilt and is 7-3. Georgia is coming off a tough loss to Auburn and is 9-1 on the year. Wildcats sophomore RB Benny Snell Jr has rushed for 1,013 yards and 15 touchdowns. Bulldogs QB Jake Fromm has thrown for 1,643 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Prediction: Georgia

Kansas State at (13) Oklahoma State
Sat 3:30 PM
Kansas State is coming off a loss to West Virginia and is 5-5 this season. Oklahoma State is coming off a high scoring victory over Iowa State and they are 8-2. Wildcats QB Jesse Ertz is throwing for 930 yards and seven touchdowns. Cowboys wideout James Washington has 53 catches for 1,158 yards and nine touchdowns.

Prediction: Oklahoma State

(4) Oklahoma at Kansas
Sat 3:30 PM
Oklahoma is coming off a big victory over TCU and is 9-1 on the year. Kansas is coming off a loss to Texas and is 1-9 on the season. Sooners RB Rodney Anderson is rushing for 672 yard and seven touchdowns. Jayhawks QB Peyton Bender is throwing for 1,437 yards and eight touchdowns.

Prediction: Oklahoma

Navy at (8) Notre Dame
Sat 3:30 PM
Navy is coming off a win over SMU and is 6-3 on the season. Notre Dame is coming off a disappointing loss to Miami and is 8-2 on the season. Midshipmen QB Zach Abey leads the team in passing and rushing. Abey has thrown for 717 yards and six touchdowns and rushed for 1,202 yards and 13 touchdowns. Irish QB Brandon Wimbush has thrown for 1,406 yards and 12 touchdowns on the season.

Prediction: Notre Dame

Illinois at (9) Ohio State
Sat 3:30 PM
Illinois is coming off a loss to Indiana and is 2-8 this season. Ohio State is coming off a big victory  over Michigan State and is 8-2 on the season. Illini QB Jeff George Jr is throwing for 1,273 yards and seven touchdowns. Buckeyes QB JT Barrett is throwing for 2,557 yards and 30 touchdowns.

Prediction: Ohio State

Maryland at (17) Michigan State
Sat 4 PM
Maryland is coming off a loss to Michigan and is 4-6 on the season. Michigan State is coming off a loss to Ohio State. Terrapins RB Ty Johnson is rushing for 770 yards and five touchdowns. Spartans RB LJ Scott has rushed for 584 yards and five touchdowns.

Prediction: Michigan State

Nebraska at (10) Penn State
Sat 4 PM
Nebraska is coming off a loss to Minnesota. Penn State is coming off a victory over Rutgers. Cornhuskers QB Tanner Lee has thrown for 2,539 yards and 18 touchdowns. Nittany Lions wideout DaeSean Hamilton has 39 catches for 646 yards and seven touchdowns on the year.

Prediction: Penn State

(20) LSU at Tennessee
Sat 7 PM
LSU is coming off a victory over Arkansas and is 7-3 on the season. Tennessee is coming off a loss to Missouri and is 4-6 this season. Tigers QB Danny Etling is throwing for 1,806 yards and 11 touchdowns. Volunteers QB Quinten Dormady threw for 925 yards and six touchdowns this season.

Prediction: LSU

(19) NC State at Wake Forest
Sat 7:30 PM
NC State is coming off a victory over Boston College and is 7-3 on the season. Wake Forest is coming off a victory over Syracuse and is 6-4 on the season. Wolf Pack QB Ryan Finley is throwing for 2,665 yards and 15 touchdowns. Demon Deacons QB John Wolford is throwing for 2,354 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Prediction: NC State

UCLA at (11) USC
Sat 8 PM
UCLA is coming off a win over Arizona State and is 5-5 on the season. USC is coming off a victory over Colorado and is 9-2 on the year. Bruins QB Josh Rosen has thrown for 3,094 yards and 21 touchdowns on the season. Trojans RB Ronald Jones II is rushing for 1,224 yards and 14 touchdowns on the season.

Prediction: UCLA

California at (22) Stanford
Sat 8 PM
California is coming off a victory over Oregon State and is 5-5 on the season. Stanford is coming off a victory over Washington and is 7-3 on the year. Golden Bears QB Ross Bowers is throwing for 2,615 yards and 17 touchdowns. Cardinal QB Keller Chryst is throwing for 962 yards and eight touchdowns.

Prediction: Stanford

Air Force at (25) Boise State
Sat 10:15 PM
Air Force is coming off a loss to Wyoming and is 4-6 on the year. Boise State is coming off an overtime victory over Colorado State. Falcons QB Arion Worthman leads the team in passing and rushing. He's throwing for 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns. He's also rushing for 821 yards and 13 touchdowns. Broncos QB Brett Rypien is throwing for 1,691 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Prediction: Boise State

Utah at (18) Washington
Sat 10:30 PM
Utah is coming off a loss to Washington State. Washington is coming off an upset loss to Stanford. Utes RB Zack Moss rushed for 772 yards and seven touchdowns. Huskies QB Jake Browning threw for 2,097 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Prediction: Washington