It is almost time for high school football in the Poconos, and there are plenty of games to be excited about in 2024. While the rivalries are always attractive and anticipated, there are some other games that carry a lot of implications for the postseason. Below are some of the games that fans on the mountain should watch this coming fall.
Stroudsburg @ East Stroudsburg South
Date: 10/18
Last year's result: ESS 40, Stroudsburg 7
Not only will this be the 80th installment of the battle for the "Little Brown Jug," but it is also South's senior night as it's the last home game of the year inside the newly named Edward H. Christian Jr. Memorial Stadium. The Cavaliers thrashed the Mounties last season with the play of running backs Nathan Gray and Charles Capers, but the method to win will have to be different as Gray transferred in the offseason.
For the Mounties, they'll have to cross the bridge again in hopes of figuring out how to slow down the Cavalier offense on the road. Quarterback Jackson Mitchell was a freshman in last year's game against South, so hopefully that experience will serve him well in 2024. It'll also be key to see how Stroudsburg's overall offense performs after being virtually shut down last year.
East Stroudsburg North @ Honesdale
Date: 8/23
Both schools combined to win four games last year, but the season opener and Week 2 game against Wallenpaupack are big for second-year coach Dave Laughlin and the Timberwolves.
North's football program is in Class 4A, but everyone it played last year was a part of either the 5A or 6A classifications. A big part of that was due to North being in the EPC, where everyone except Bethlehem Catholic and Allentown Central Catholic are in the two largest classes.
Majority of the schedule is still against 5A and 6A schools, but playing against Honesdale, and later Wallenpaupack, gives North a chance to compete against its peers.
Pocono Mountain West @ Stroudsburg
Date: 10/4
Last year's result: Stroudsburg 37, PM West 14
Pocono Mountain West is the only school that changed classifications, moving up from 5A to 6A. That means unlike East Stroudsburg North, the Panthers' EPC opponents may also be their district playoff opponent, and that now includes Stroudsburg.
Last year's contest was a tough finish for the Panthers, and they have to contend with the Mounties without quarterback Ryder Bray, receiver Will Mecca and EPC Defensive Player of the Year Brandon Stiehler. That said, head coach Jim McCarroll was optimistic about some of the pieces they'll have this season.
Stroudsburg is the third 6A school on West's scheduled, the other two being Dieruff and Northampton.
East Stroudsburg South @ Pleasant Valley
Date: 9/20
Last year's result: Pleasant Valley 14, ESS 12
Last year's game between the Bears and Cavaliers was an ugly one — they had to play the last quarter or so on Tuesday after it was rescheduled, and a turnover-filled ending went in Pleasant Valley's favor at home. But South had the last laugh as it won its season finale while Pleasant Valley lost, giving the former the edge to make the 5A District playoffs.
Now the two teams are scheduled to meet in Brodheadsville in the middle of September. With there being only four schools in Class 5A for District 11, both programs will likely make the playoffs regardless of the regular season record, but whoever wins that game could have an upperhand in home field advantage.
Pocono Mountain East @ Pocono Mountain West
Date: 10/25
Last year's result: PM West 33, PM East 14
The game was indicative of how the seasons went for the Panthers and Cardinals, respectively. But East will look completely different this upcoming season, replacing Dan Burns with new head coach Dustin Thomas and opting for a west coast offense instead of the option offense from last year. The Panthers were one of the top offenses on the mountain, so there's a good chance it'll be a shootout.
It'll also be a fun contest between student and teacher as Thomas was on Jim McCarroll's staff last season. Not to mention it's the season finale. There are no playoff implications with West moving up to 6A, but it should still be an entertaining game to end the regular season.
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