Opening Night

The first week of the High School Football begins this Friday. For most, some are hoping for a championship, others are hoping to make the playoffs. However, in the end, only 6 teams can win a District Title come November. So with all that being said, here are the previews for the first week of the High School Football season.

Week One Previews and Predictions
Abington Heights at Berwick
Fri 7 PM
Abington Heights is looking to redeem themselves after a disappointing 1-9 season. The Comets are led by QB George Tinsley, who is committed to Binghamton University for basketball. Berwick's Owen Shoemaker had a breakout season last year. He rushed for 922 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Prediction: Berwick

Carbondale at Old Forge
Fri 7 PM
The Chargers are coming off an appearance in the District Final last season. Carbondale returns their leading rusher in Nick Vadella. He rushed for over 1,000 yards last season. Old Forge finished the season with a District 2 Single-A title. Sophomore Dante Lucarelli returns for his second season as the starting QB. He threw for 1,497 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Prediction: Old Forge

Crestwood at Coughlin
Fri 7 PM
Both teams made the playoffs last season. Crestwood returns QB Chase Passman who missed most of the season due to a season-ending injury. For Coughlin, they lost several players due to graduation. They return QB Garrett Wardle who threw for 174 yards and a touchdown.
Prediction: Crestwood

Delaware Valley at Pennridge
Fri 7 PM
Delaware Valley lost quite a bit on offense but the defending District 2 6A Champions return several players on defense from last season. Pennridge is a school located in southeastern Pennsylvania and are a 6A program.
Prediction: Pennridge

Hanover Area at Athens
Fri 7 PM
Hanover Area is hoping to snap their 16 game losing streak. Hawkeyes QB Aaron Hummer returns for his senior season. A player to watch for Athens would be 6'4 WR/FS Aric Westbrook.
Prediction: Athens

Lakeland at Honesdale
Fri 7 PM
Lakeland is coming off a year where they made the District Playoffs but fell to Carbondale. The Chiefs return key players to their offense including RB Giovanni Spataro who rushed for 1,221 yards and 12 touchdowns. They also return wideout Thomas Pidgeon who had 60 catches for 864 yards and 10 touchdowns. Honesdale returns QB Ethan Dunn who threw for 725 yards and four touchdowns last year.
Prediction: Lakeland

North Pocono at West Scranton
Fri 7 PM
After winning a District Title in 2016, the Trojans fell short by getting knocked out by Berwick. The Trojans return QB Donny Blaine who threw for 1,472 yards and 13 touchdowns. He has started at QB since he was a freshman. West Scranton's Nick Gioia was lost for the season in Week 1 due to an injury but will return as the QB. He threw for 1,325 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2016.
Prediction: North Pocono

Northwest at Lackawanna Trail
Fri 7 PM
Northwest is coming off an Eastern Conference Championship last season. Rangers QB David Piestrak threw for 1,029 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has also rushed for 484 yards and four touchdowns. Lackawanna Trail returns some good talent this season after making the District title game last season. The Lions are led by four year starting QB Nathan Rolka who threw for 655 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
Prediction: Lackawanna Trail

Pittston Area at Nanticoke
Fri 7 PM
Pittston Area made the postseason last year but will need to replace several players from last season. Patriots wideout Bryan Giambra had 11 catches for 225 yards. Nanticoke is coming off an Eastern Conference championship. The Trojans have moved up in classification to 4A. Trojans QB Colby Butczynski threw for 652 yards and nine touchdowns after starting over the starting job.
Prediction: Nanticoke

Pottsville at Hazleton Area
Fri 7 PM
Hazleton Area comes into the season with high expectations. The Cougars return QB Sparky Wolk who threw for 2,243 yards and 20 touchdowns and RB Damon Horton who rushed for 679 yards and seven touchdowns.
Prediction: Hazleton Area

Scranton at Valley West
Fri 7 PM
Scranton welcomes a new head coach as Steve Shumbres replaces Mike Marichak. RB Rodo Brown rushed for 524 yards. The Spartans are coming off a District Championship and advanced to the 5A State Quarterfinal. Valley West returns QB Jake Shusta who threw for 981 yards and nine touchdowns.
Prediction: Valley West

Scranton Prep at Dunmore
Fri 7 PM
Scranton Prep is coming off another District 2 3A title and a spot in the State Quarterfinals. Cavaliers QB Leo O'Boyle threw for 1,543 yards and 22 touchdowns. Dunmore is coming off a District Title as well and a spot in the State Semifinals. Bucks RB Cristian Buckley rushed for 500 yards and three touchdowns.
Prediction: Scranton Prep

Tunkhannock at Dallas
Fri 7 PM
Tunkhannock welcomes a new head coach in Mike Marabell and inherits starting QB Zach Rogers who threw for 858 yards and five touchdowns. Dallas came into the District tournament last season as the number two seed but was upset by Coughlin in the quarterfinals. Dallas junior QB Michael Starbuck threw for 974 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Prediction: Dallas

Wallenpaupack at Valley View
Fri 7 PM
Wallenpaupack fell in the District Finals last season to Valley West. Buckhorns RB Joe Ingulli rushed for 1,107 yards and nine touchdowns. Valley View is coming off a District Championship. Cougars wideout Chase Combs had 18 catches for 299 yards.
Prediction: Valley View

Western Wayne at Lake-Lehman
Fri 7 PM
This is a rematch of last year's District 2 3A Semifinal where Lake-Lehman took the victory in overtime. Wildcats RB Kobe Sauter ran for 852 yards and eight touchdowns. Black Knights RB Matt Kurtz ran for 731 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Prediction: Western Wayne

Meyers at Riverside
Fri 7 PM
Meyers qualified for the District Playoffs last season. Mohawks RB Kevin Dessoye rushed for 571 yards last season. Harry Armstrong comes back to the Riverside sideline. Vikings QB Johnny Gilchrist threw for 87 yards and three touchdowns in a backup role and will be the starter this season.
Prediction: Meyers

Wyalusing at Montrose
Fri 7 PM
Montrose finished 1-9 last season. The Meteors return QB Ethan Cina who threw for 93 yards. Wylausing finished the season at 5-6. A player to watch out for the Rams would be wide receiver John Morrison.
Prediction: Wyalusing

Wyoming Area at Mid Valley
Fri 7 PM
Wyoming Area is coming off an appearance in the District 2 4A Playoffs. This year, they drop down to 3A. Warriors QB Dominic DeLuca threw for 1,312 yards and 17 touchdowns. Mid Valley qualified for the District 2 2A Playoffs and return a two-headed attack at RB in Colin Hazelton and Joe Chylak, each rushing for over 1,000 yards.
Prediction: Wyoming Area

GAR at Susquehanna
Sat 1 PM
GAR is coming off a 1-9 season. Grenadiers wideout Malachi Williams caught 15 passes for 259 yards. Susquehanna is coming off a 4-6 season. Sabers RB Sam Cosmello rushed for 508 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Prediction: Susquehanna

Holy Cross at Holy Redeemer
Sat 7 PM
Holy Cross is on a 25 game losing streak. However, there is hope as they return QB Jake Wiercinski who threw for 509 yards and two touchdowns. Holy Redeemer is coming off a playoff appearance for the first time in school history. Royals RB Ryan Williams rushed for 279 yards last season.
Prediction: Holy Redeemer