WEEK 1 WVC FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Seeking answers in openers

Every Wyoming Valley Conference football team enters the season with plenty of questions to answer no matter how it fared a year earlier.

As the season kicks off Friday night with 11 games scattered all over the place.

WVC football is down to 12 teams this year. Holy Redeemer elected to play an independent schedule, but still plays WVC members Lake-Lehman and Tunkhannock. Williamsport left the WVC, where it was a football-only member since 1994, for the Heartland Conference. The Millionaires, though, kept four WVC opponents on their schedule.

Here is one question for each team that needs to be addressed this season.

BERWICK

Can a new coach return past success?

CJ Curry, grandson of the late George Curry, knows what Berwick fans expect. However, the Dawgs were 3-8 in 2023 so a quick turnaround can’t be foreseen. There should be some more wins based on the schedule, which has many new opponents on it.

CRESTWOOD

Can the Comets avoid the injury bug?

There have been a couple seasons in the recent past where injuries came in bunches for Crestwood. Last season was derailed in part because of injuries and there is no way to know if that will happen again.

DALLAS

How will a rebuilt offensive line do?

The Mountaineers graduated their entire offensive line plus an excellent blocking tight end. Coach Rich Mannello, though, is a former college O-lineman and takes pride on how his blockers perform. The unit will be tested early.

HANOVER AREA

Can the Hawkeyes start to turn the corner?

Step one has happened as the roster size has increased. Step two will take some time because the team as a whole is extremely young. If Hanover Area is a better team Week 10 than Week 1 — regardless of the win-loss record — that would make the season a success.

HAZLETON AREA

Can the Cougars turn those close losses into wins?

Hazleton Area was in every game but one into the fourth quarter last season, yet finished 2-8. Youth was a culprit, but with a year of seasoning things could change.

HOLY REDEEMER

Will the move to an independent schedule help?

It certainly won’t hurt as Redeemer won’t have to play teams like Berwick and Wyoming Area this year had it stayed in the WVC. A schedule where the Royals, who were winless in 2023, can be more competitive is a move in the right direction.

LAKE-LEHMAN

Are the Black Knights ready to add some wins?

Lake-Lehman finished 2-9 in 2023, its fewest victories since going 2-8 in 2007. However, there is reason for optimism. The Black Knights nearly upset Western Wayne in the D2-3A playoffs and many of those players are back.

NANTICOKE AREA

Can the Trojans match last year’s success?

First and foremost is dealing with the sudden passing of coach Scott Dennis on Tuesday. That is more important than football. All that can be asked of the Trojans, who graduated some top talent, is to play hard and see how things go.

PITTSTON AREA

How will the move from Division 2 to Division 1 affect the Patriots?

Pittston Area won the Division 2 title in 2022 and finished third last year. The move to Division 1 means the Patriots will be playing bigger and some better opponents while retaining Division 2 champ and rival Wyoming Area. It’s going to be much tougher.

TUNKHANNOCK

Can former WVW coach Pat Keating change the Tigers’ fortunes?

Since going 7-5 in 1998, Tunkhannock has been unable to post a winning record. A possible issue is the instability at the head coaching position. Keating, who has a proven track record, is the seventh coach since 1998 and only one of his predecessors stayed longer than four years.

WILKES-BARRE AREA

Can the Wolfpack put everything together?

That’s difficult to answer. There are some seasoned juniors on the roster. There is plenty of speed as well. But the Wolfpack have a lot of guys getting their first extended taste of varsity time. So the answer right now is perhaps.

WYOMING AREA

Will the Warriors be able to run the ball?

Fair question considering the Warriors lost all-state running back Aaron Crossley to graduation. However, there is a strong group of returning linemen and a couple backs who’ve looked good in limited carries last year.

WYOMING VALLEY WEST

Can the Spartans escape the rut they’re in?

Wyoming Valley West finished with a winning record from 2006-2016. Then after a pair of .500 seasons, the Spartans have struggled to get wins. They have nine total in the last five seasons. A strong start is imperative to gain confidence because the October schedule is difficult.

WEEK 1 GAMES AT A GLANCE

Hanover Area at Marian Catholic

7 p.m. Friday

The Coaches: Hanover Area’s Jason Majiros (4-17), 3rd year; Marian’s Billy O’Gurek (0-0), 1st year

Last Meeting: Marian 26-0 in 1993

First Meeting: Hanover Area 12-6 in 1990

All-Time Series: Hanover Area 2-1

Scouting Hanover Area: The Hawkeyes had issues putting points on the board in a 3-8 campaign in 2023. The same problem could be crop up as the offense is very young. WR Deacon Eisenbach is back after a solid freshman season and four linemen return.

Scouting Marian Catholic: The Colts return 1,000-yard rusher Rory Dixon and 6-foot-4 tight end Mike Gelatko, a University of Buffalo recruit. Plus, they are expected to be very strong in the trenches. A big question entering the season was who will take over at quarterback.

Bottom Line: It’s going to be tough for the Hawkeyes against an experienced foe like Marian.

Holy Redeemer at Nativity BVM

7 p.m. Friday

The Coaches: Redeemer’s Tyson Kelley (7-38), 6th year; Nativity’s Pat Mason (98-115), 8th year at Natvity; 21st overall

Last Meeting: Redeemer 46-7 in 2012

First Meeting: Redeemer 46-7 in 2012

All-Time Series: Redeemer 1-0

Scouting Redeemer: The Royals finished winless in 2023, marking the fifth time in the program’s 17-year history that’s happened. QB Thomas Dugan returns, but was often dodging pass rushers rather than looking downfield last year. The running game was once again dormant.

Scouting Nativity: The Green Wave return plenty of veterans, including all-time leading receiver Noah Dolbin. The 6-foot-4 Dolbin’s grandfather, the late Jack Dolbin, was a receiver for the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XII. QB Ben Kreitzer has a pair of 1,000-yard passing seasons. The run game graduated its top back.

Bottom Line: Nativity has too much offense for Redeemer to keep pace.

Jersey Shore at Dallas

7 p.m. Friday

The Coaches: Jersey Shore’s Tom Gravish (170-114-1), 12th year at Jersey Shore, 25th overall; Rich Mannello (77-32), 10th year

Last Meeting: Dallas 56-28 in 2019

First Meeting: Dallas 56-28 in 2019

All-Time Series: Dallas 1-0

Scouting Jersey Shore: The Bulldogs run a no-huddle offense that scored 50 or more points in seven of 12 games last year. However, the quarterback and top receivers have graduated, so whether they can be as potent – at least early on – remains to be seen. Bo and Slate Sechrist return as part of strong defensive unit.

Scouting Dallas: The Class 4A state runner-up has two of the top skill guys in the WVC in QB Brady Zapoticky and RB Dylan Geskey. The biggest question will be in front of them where the O-line had to be rebuilt across the board. Ball control will be the key for the Mountaineers to give the defense a breather tonight.

Bottom Line: The game has the makings of one of the best of the night.

Lackawanna Trail at Tunkhannock

7 p.m. Friday

The Coaches: Trail’s Steve Jervis (136-99), 16th year at Trail, 21st overall; Tunkhannock’s Pat Keating (85-41), 2nd year at Tunkhannock; 11th overall

Last Meeting: never played

First Meeting: never played

All-Time Series: never played

Scouting Trail: There is no secret to what Trail wants to do. The Lions ran the ball 93% of the time during their 13-1 season in 2023. Senior Demeitrius Douglas is primed to be the main ball carrier after finishing second on the team in rushing. The Class A playoffs, though, will be tougher with District 11 replacing District 1.

Scouting Tunkhannock: The Tigers were in a transition year in 2023 under Keating and it showed, especially late in the season. They had issues scoring and stopping opponents once the schedule grew tougher. That’s just part of the process in elevating the program.

Bottom Line: Tough opening opponent for Tunkhannock.

Lake-Lehman at Berwick

7 p.m. Friday

The Coaches: Lake-Lehman’s Jerry Gilsky (87-68) 15th year; Berwick’s CJ Curry (0-0), 1st year

Last Meeting: Lehman 29-20 in 2020

First Meeting: Berwick 42-6 in 2000

All-Time Series: Berwick 4-1

Scouting Lehman: The Black Knights went through plenty of growing pains with a young lineup last season, but nearly knocked off Western Wayne in the D2-3A playoffs. That year of experience could help end a streak of three consecutive losing seasons.

Scouting Berwick: Curry, grandson of the late George Curry, takes over a program that won just three games last year, fewest since 1974 not counting the 2020 shortened COVID-19 season. Plenty of new faces are in the lineup and plenty of new opponents on the schedule with the drop to Class 3A.

Bottom Line: Two teams which will be interesting to monitor as the season goes on.

Nazareth at Hazleton Area

7 p.m. Friday

The Coaches: Nazareth’s Tom Falzone (70-39), 11th year; Hazleton Area’s Dennis Buchman (22-18), 5th year

Last Meeting: never played

First Meeting: never played

All-Time Series: never played

Scouting Nazareth: The Blue Eagles have posted five consecutive winning seasons. They handled Wilkes-Barre Area 42-6 last year in the D2/4/11 Class 6A playoffs. Although there has been some talent lost to graduation, Virginia Tech commit Peyton Falzone is back as the quarterback.

Scouting Hazleton Area: Except for the Dallas loss, Hazleton Area was within striking distance in every other contest into the fourth quarter in a 2-8 season in 2023. The Cougars return most of the guys who experienced those close losses, so they will be looking to reverse fortunes.

Bottom Line: Stopping Falzone will be challenging.

North Pocono at Nanticoke Area

7 p.m. Friday

The Coaches: North Pocono’s Greg Dolhon (59-68), 13th year; Nanticoke Area coaching staff

Last Meeting: North Pocono 37-0 in 1993

First Meeting: North Pocono 37-0 in 1993

All-Time Series: North Pocono 1-0

Scouting North Pocono: North Pocono returns plenty of big guys on the line, but the skill personnel will be new for the most part. Three close losses by the midway point of last season cost the Trojans a shot at a winning record. The second half of this year’s schedule is absolutely brutal.

Scouting Nanticoke Area: Nanticoke Area players and coaches decided to play in honor of head coach Scott Dennis, who died on Tuesday. The Trojans won seven games last year, most since 1999, on the way to the D2-4A semifinals. The success was built mainly on a very talented senior class. A bit of a rebuild looks likely.

Bottom Line: The Trojans from North Pocono have more guys back.

Pittston Area at Mid Valley

7 p.m. Friday

The Coaches: Pittston Area’s Joe DeLucca (0-0), 1st year; Mid Valley’s Stan Yanoski (19-20), 5th year

Last Meeting: never played

First Meeting: never played

All-Time Series: never played

Scouting Pittston Area: DeLucca was an assistant, so the learning curve wasn’t all that bad. The Patriots will have a new quarterback who will be protected by a fairly experienced offensive line and have a very good receiver in Lucas Lopresto. The schedule, though, is tougher.

Scouting Mid Valley: The Spartans have been mentioned as a team which could make a big jump after a 6-5 season. The reason is they are loaded with veteran players. The offense likes to run the ball with 1,000-yard back Jakob Lesher, but can also air it out.

Bottom Line: Edge to Mid Valley because of experience and home-field advantage.

Whitehall at Wilkes-Barre Area

7 p.m. Friday

The Coaches: Whitehall’s Andy Marino (8-5), 1st year; WBA’s Ciro Cinti (97-98) 6th year at WBA, 19th year overall

Last Meeting: never played

First Meeting: never played

All-Time Series: never played

Scouting Whitehall: The Zephyrs lost a lot of talent from their District 11 Class 5A championship team, but also return plenty of talent. The best is arguably RB/LB Carter Troxell, who might remind WBA fans of since-graduated Howie Shiner. The line will have mostly new starters.

Scouting WBA: The Wolfpack might not have a punishing runner like Shiner was – at least not yet – but they have a great amount of speed to utilize. QB Jake Howe will be starting for a third season. RB Davon Underwood will likely be the main runner. Solid team, but there are some questions that need answering.

Bottom Line: Whitehall has an edge on experience and that could be the difference.

Wyoming Area at Crestwood

7 p.m. Friday

The Coaches: Wyoming Area’s Randy Spencer (104-63) 16th year; Crestwood’s Ryan Arcangeli (36-22), 6th year

Last Meeting: Wyoming Area 29-22 in 2023

First Meeting: Wyoming Area 41-27 in 1981

All-Time Series: Wyoming Area 16-6

Scouting Wyoming Area: The Warriors are expected to be in the thick of the race for the District 2 Class 3A championship. The defense will be tested vs. the run as Crestwood’s single-wing attack can be difficult to defend because there are many moving parts.

Scouting Crestwood: Injuries sidetracked Crestwood’s ability to defend its District 2 Class 4A title last year. The biggest missing piece down the stretch was QB Jadon Shedlock, the maestro of the offense. There are a bunch of returning players ready to make amends for a 5-6 record last season.

Bottom Line: Could be the best game of the night.

Wyo. Valley West at Williamsport

7 p.m. Friday

The Coaches: Valley West’s Bob Stelma (1-9) 2nd year; Williamsport’s Mike Pearson (31-42) 3rd year at Williamsport, 8th overall

Last Meeting: Williamsport 42-7 in 2023

First Meeting: Valley West 19-12 in 1972

All-Time Series: Valley West 25-22

Scouting Valley West: The Spartans have won once in their last 25 games and bring a nine-game losing streak into the opener. There is a mixture of vets and new starters who will need time to jell as a team. A long bus ride isn’t an idea way to start the season. Nor are two consecutive road games.

Scouting Williamsport : The Millionaires left the WVC, where they called home since 1994, after last season. They kept a few ties and will play four WVC opponents plus be involved in a subregional playoff with D2-6A teams. Williamsport will need to run the ball better than last season and replace its quarterback.

Bottom Line: Have to go with the home team in this one.