2024 Lackawanna Football Conference Division 1 Preview
Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 2, News, pfn
Jared Samuel | August 13, 2024
Division 1 of the Lackawanna Football Conference was quite competitive last year, as all 7 teams made the District 2 playoffs. This year should be very competitive as well, top to bottom. Let’s take a look at the teams!
Abington Heights Comets
Head Coach: Joe Repshis
2023 Record: 7-5
The Comets return QB Nick Bradley, a Junior who threw for over 2,000 yards last season. Senior WR Shawn Theodore and Junior WR Gavin Anders have good experience, as does Junior TE/DL Cayd Sespico.
Key Dates: 9/6 at Dallas, 9/13 at Valley View, 9/28 home vs. Delaware Valley, 10/4 at Scranton Prep
Outlook: A difficult stretch in September and early October could define the season for the Comets, as they look to make a move in the division. If they can stay strong at home, Abington Heights could surprise this year.
Abington Heights 2024 Schedule
Delaware Valley Warriors
Head Coach: Keith Olsommer
2023 Record: 10-4
DelVal had a few skill-players graduate in 2023, including All-State TE Aiden Black. The Warriors always reload though, and big growth last year out of Senior QB Logan Olsommer will be important this year. Senior Luke Brazanskas and Junior Mike Iuzzulino will be must-watch players, and performance in the trenches on both sides of the ball will be especially crucial.
Key Dates: 8/30 at Jersey Shore, 9/6 at home vs. Central York, 9/14 home vs. Scranton Prep
Outlook: The Warriors never shy away from tough early competition outside the district, and this year will be no different. If DelVal continues to use these early games to gain valuable experience, the 9/14 game against the Cavaliers may be the game of the year in LFC division 1.
North Pocono Trojans
Head Coach: Greg Dolhon
2023 Record: 4-7
North Pocono Sophomore QB Chase Zimmerman and Senior RB Brady Lavery will be ones to watch on offense, with Senior LB Bryan Jean Pierre an important cog on defense. The Trojans are hoping that a great offseason in the weight room will be just what they need to make some noise in the division and the district.
Key Dates: 9/20 home vs. Abington Heights, 9/27 at Dallas
Outlook: A more favorable early schedule gives way to a challenging second half of the season, so key games against the Comets and Mountaineers are crucial to keep any momentum going.
Scranton Knights
Head Coach: Steve Shumbres
2023 Record: 5-6
Scranton lost some key skill-player contributors from 2023 in QB Billy Maloney and WR Elijah Ortiz. However, all of the returning linemen have starting experience from last year and the team is fast. Many underclassmen were able to get game experience last year, so that is a huge plus.
Key Dates: 9/20 home vs. Scranton Prep, 9/27 home vs. Valley View
Outlook: The Knights can control some of their destiny by taking care of business early in the season, but the end of September is a serious challenge. If Scranton can rely on the experience gained last year, they may surprise a bit in District 2 Class 6A.
Scranton Prep Cavaliers
Head Coach: Terry Gallagher
2023 Record: 12-2
The Cavaliers look to be one of the favorites for sure in Division 1. Senior QB Louis Paris can do a lot, on the ground and through the air, and Prep will need every bit of his experience if they want to advance further in the PIAA Class 3A playoffs this year. Senior WR Treyvon Dickey will be a big target this year.
Key Dates: 8/31 at Loyola Blakefield (MD), 9/7 home vs Canisius (NY), 9/14 at Delaware Valley
Outlook: The Cavaliers will be tested early and often. They have a challenging early non-district schedule, and a huge game at Delaware Valley…plus a big game late in the season at Jersey Shore. Prep has been putting in the work, and now it is time to see the results.
Valley View Cougars
Head Coach: Scot Wasilchak
2023 Record: 10-3
The Cougars, always a strong football program in the LIAA, bring back Senior RB Nick Kucharski and Senior FB Preston Reed to make up for the loss of RB Camryn Higgins. Valley View is always talented, and this group will not disappoint as the Cougars look to bounce back from a District championship loss at Dallas last season.
Key Dates: 8/23 at Scranton Prep, 8/30 home vs. Crestwood
Outlook: The Cougars always have a tough schedule, so no surprise this year. But coming out healthy from their first 2 games could be a major boon to their chances in LFC Division 1 and for seeding in the District 2 Class 4A playoffs.
Wallenpaupack Buckhorns
Head Coach: Matt Nawrocki
2023 Record: 2-9
The Buckhorns will have ground production to make up from the loss of RB Dylan Podrazil, but Senior QB Drew Kiesendahl can make people miss as well as air it out. With a good mix of upperclassmen and younger guys, Wallenpaupack hopes to learn and grow as the season unfolds.
Key Dates: 9/6 at Honesdale, 9/13 home vs. North Pocono
Outlook: Wallenpaupack will need to gain momentum with some winnable games early on, as their schedule gets much harder in the second half of the year. Key games against the Hornets and Trojans could make or break any chances for the Buckhorns.
Jared’s Prediction:
Scranton Prep
Delaware Valley
Valley View
Abington Heights
Scranton
North Pocono
Wallenpaupack
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