Kotsko’s View: Season Finale

Tagged under: District 2, pfn

John Kotsko | January 15, 2023

With that, the 2022 High School Football has come to an end. The WVC’s run ended on December 2nd when Crestwood lost to eventual 4A State Champion Bishop McDevitt in the PIAA 4A Semifinals. It was quite a fantastic run by Crestwood. It was quite an interesting season to say the least. We had eight players eclipse 1,000 yards rushing and three players hit an impressive 2,000 yards rushing. The league leaders in rushing in District 2 are all WVC players. The WVC also had nine quarterbacks go over 1,000 yards passing and two threw for 2,000 yards. With all this being said, let’s talk about all 14 WVC teams.

Crestwood

Record: 13-2

Overview: The Comets historic season ended at the hands of Bishop McDevitt. In between their first loss in Week 2 and their loss in the State Semifinals, they went on a roll, winning 12 straight games. They won the Wyoming Valley Conference Division 1 Championship and the District 2 4A Championship. Senior RB Noah Schultz had a historic season for the Comets. He rushed for 2,434 yards and 36 touchdowns. Freshman Quarterback Jaden Shedlock rushed for 1,161 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also threw for 472 yards and three touchdowns.

Dallas

Record: 9-3

Overview:  The Mountaineers started off the season 6-0 to finish their regular season 8-2 which got them the number three seed. They lost to Valley View in the District 2 4A Semifinals. Senior Parker Bolesta rushed for 2,421 yards and 33 touchdowns. Sophomore Brady Zapoticky threw for 1,490 yards and 15 touchdowns. Junior wideout Zach Paczewski had 23 catches for 367 yards and four touchdowns.

Berwick 

Record: 5-7

Overview: The Bulldogs were up and down throughout the season. They pulled off a big upset of then undefeated Dallas in Week 7. They made the District 2 4A Playoffs as a number 4 seed. They lost in the District Semifinals to Crestwood. Junior QB Matt Lonczynski threw for 1,532 yards and 19 touchdowns. Sophomore RB Bo Sheptock ran for 487 yards and two touchdowns. Coastal Carolina commit and senior wideout Spencer Kishbaugh had 31 catches for 545 yards and six touchdowns.

Hazleton Area

Record: 8-3

Overview: The Cougars started the season at 5-0 and looked like they could get a home game in the 6A Subregional Playoffs. However, a two straight losses to Dallas and Crestwood derailed their chances. They ended up losing to Bethlehem Freedom in the Subregional Quarterfinals. Senior Quarterback Tyler Wolfe threw for 2,031 yards and 24 touchdowns. Senior RB Matthew Buchman ran for 951 yards and nine touchdowns. Senior receiver Connor Shamany had 40 catches for 762 yards and six touchdowns.

Wilkes-Barre Area

Record: 6-5

Overview: The Wolf Pack came into their final three games with a 3-4 record. They ended up winning three straight games to get to 6-4 and making the 6A Subregional Playoffs. They ended up losing to Emmaus in the Quarterfinals. Junior RB Mekhi Nelson rushed for 1,670 yards and 22 touchdowns. Freshman Quarterback Jake Howe threw for 1,006 yards and eight touchdowns. Junior wideout Naquan Johnson had 26 receptions for 531 yards and five touchdowns.

Valley West

Record: 0-10

Overview: One of two teams in District 2 that ended up 0-10. The bright spot for the Spartans was junior RB Isaiah Cobb who rushed for 455 yards and four touchdowns. Junior QB Lucas Zdancewicz also was a bright spot. He threw for 705 yards and three touchdowns. Junior wideout Maki Wells had 13 catches for 228 yards and one touchdown.

Williamsport

Record: 5-6

Overview: The Millionaires finished their season with an Eastern Conference Championship with a victory over Boyertown. Senior Running Back Nasir Hennigan rushed for 1,057 yards and 19 touchdowns. Senior QB George Whaley threw for 1,010 yards and nine touchdowns. Junior wideout Jamaire Harden had 34 catches for 511 yards and three touchdowns.

Pittston Area

Record: 7-4

Overview: The Patriots had an excellent 2022 season. They won the Wyoming Valley Conference Division 2 Championship. They lost to eventual District Champion Delaware Valley in the District 2 5A Semifinals. Senior RB Harry Pugliese rushed for 1,103 yards and 19 touchdowns. Junior Quarterback Drew DeLucca threw for 1,598 yards and 18 touchdowns. Senior wideout Kevin Lockett recorded 43 catches for 735 yards and nine touchdowns.

Wyoming Area

Record: 5-6

Overview: The Warriors came into the 2022 season looking to replace several starters from a 2021 team that made the 3A District Final. They moved up to 4A in this two year cycle. They qualified for the 4A District Playoffs, losing to Berwick in the District Quarterfinals. Junior running back Aaron Crossley was phenomenal this season. He had 2,115 yards and 24 touchdowns. Sophomore RB Michael Crane rushed for 585 yards and four touchdowns. He also had a receiving touchdown. Sophomore Lidge Kellum rushed for 362 yards and four touchdowns.

Nanticoke

Record: 5-6

Overview: The Trojans qualified for the District 2 4A Playoffs but they lost to top seeded Crestwood in the District Quarterfinals. They were without junior Payton Kepp for a majority of the season. Junior RB Zack Fox rushed for 1,423 yards and 15 touchdowns. Junior RB Mykal Julian had 550 yards rushing and six touchdowns. Senior QB Jaylin Collins rushed for 254 yards and four touchdowns.

Lake-Lehman

Record: 3-8

Overview: The Black Knights qualified for the District 2 3A Playoffs and lost to eventual District Champion Scranton Prep in the District Semifinals. Senior Quarterback Landon Schuckers threw for 519 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 549 yards and six touchdowns which lead the team. Senior wideout Gavin Paraschak had 27 receptions for 445 yards and six touchdowns. He also rushed for 235 yards and four touchdowns. Senior running back Javon Borger had 422 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

Holy Redeemer

Record: 4-7

Overview: The Royals made the District Playoffs for the first time in their history and only the second time in school history they have played past Week 10. They fell to eventual District Champion Lakeland in the 2A District Semifinals. Senior quarterback Jacob Hunter led the offense with 2,237 yards and 29 touchdowns. He also lead the team in rushing with 479 yards and five touchdowns. Wideout Zach Perta had 51 catches for 863 yards and ten touchdowns. Junior RB Luke Kopec rushed for 425 yards and four touchdowns.

Hanover Area

Record: 1-9

Overview: The Hawkeyes got their first win of the 2022 season in Week 1 with a victory at home against Holy Cross. However, they ended their season with nine straight losses. Senior receiver Sean Dooner had 39 catches for 698 yards and seven touchdowns. Senior Quarterback Christian Torres threw for 1,199 yards and ten touchdowns. Senior Running Back Aidan Shamanski rushed for 202 yards and three touchdowns.

Tunkhannock 

Record: 1-9

Overview: The Tigers lone win was against Hanover Area in Week 2. There were bright spots. Senior Quarterback Ben Chilson threw for 1,433 yards and nine touchdowns. Senior Colin Madan recorded 50 catches for 634 yards and seven touchdowns. Junior RB Tenzen Lewis rushed for 402 yards and four touchdowns.

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