SAFR Football Helmet Covers: Safer Through Science
 
PA Football News Scoreboard powered by Circle W Sports
 
Leading Edge Fundraising
 
2026 PIAA District and State Playoff Brackets
2026 PIAA District and State Playoff Brackets
 
 
 

Wyoming Valley West dominates Hazleton, advances in sub-regional

 
Tagged under: District 2, Gameday Hub, News, pfn, Playoffs

| November 6, 2026

Wyoming Valley West lost the regular season matchup at Hazleton Area 21-7, but with the rematch this time happening at Spartan Stadium they hoped their fortunes were reversed.

They were…..and then some.

The Spartan defense made big play after big play and their offense capitalized as Wyoming Valley West (WVW) defeated Hazleton Area 35-7 to advance in the District 2/4 Class 6A subregional.  WVW RB Malique Campbell had himself a night as he scored 3 TD’s and went over the 1,000 yard rushing mark for the season.

Hazleton had some success on the ground early in their first drive but could not get into the red zone as the WVW defense made several big stops to stall the Cougars.  When WVW took possession, they methodically moved downfield and scored when QB Damian Eastman hit RB Malique Campbell for a 23-yard catch-and-run TD that made it 7-0 WVW with 1:24 left in the 1st quarter.

On Hazleton’s next possession, the Cougars drove inside the WVW red zone on the strength of some great runs by QB JJ Lantigua and RB Xavier Heck.  Unfortunately, the drive stalled and the Spartans took over.  Campbell then hit on a 79-yard run that almost got over the goal line, but Eastman took care of that on the very next play with a 1-yard run to make it 14-0 WVW with 9:33 left in the 2nd quarter.

The teams traded a few possessions in the remainder of the 1st half, and then WVW took the 2nd half kickoff and drove quickly downfield into Cougar territory.  Campbell then struck again as he scored on a 10-yard run to make it 21-0 WVW with 10:13 left in the 3rd quarter.

The WVW defense then made another statement and forced a turnover, and the offense took full advantage.  It was Campbell again, this time scoring on a 37-yard run to make it 28-0 WVW with 6:07 left in the 3rd quarter.

The Spartans scored once more as the 4th quarter began when Gadgidas Reisinger hit paydirt with a 3-yard run and the mercy rule was invoked with WVW having a 35-0 lead.

Hazleton did get on the board after a turnover when Lantigua hit WR Dinuel Jimenez for a 37-yard catch-and-run TD that made it 35-7, but unfortunately the mercy rule prevented any further scoring and WVW emerged with the 35-7 win, with the Spartans advancing to play Williamsport next week.

After the game I spoke to Malique Campbell about his team’s performance:

Be sure to check out the photo gallery from the game, courtesy of Sherryl Samuel:  PHOTO GALLERY

2026 PIAA District and State Playoff Brackets
 
 
 
CWTAP TV
 
Showcase by Circle W Sports
 
CoachComm Cobalt Plus All-In-One
 
LSV Sports - Covering high school sports in the Lehigh and Susquehanna Valleys
 
 
 
x