High School Football Week 5 Top 10: A Wild Ride in the Rankings
By: Brad Loff | Sportzwire | September 16, 2024 | Photo courtesy BlSportsPhotography.com
High School Football Week 5 Update Powered By Coach Howanitz: A Wild Ride in the Rankings
The excitement in local high school football reached new heights as teams battled it out in Week 4, with some stunning upsets and thrilling matchups that caused a major shake-up in the rankings. With teams moving up and down the ladder, the region’s top schools are jockeying for position, and it’s anyone’s guess who will dominate as we head into the latter half of the season.
Scranton Holds Steady
Scranton has continued to dominate the competition, holding onto the top spot in the rankings for Weeks 3, 4, and 5. Their Week 4 matchup against West Scranton solidified their position as the team to beat. The Knights cruised to a commanding 21-0 victory, leaving little doubt about their defensive prowess and offensive efficiency. West Scranton, on the other hand, is still searching for its first win of the season, sitting at 0-4. The rivalry matchup showcased the depth of Scranton’s talent and further justified their #1 ranking.
Valley View Keeps Pace
Valley View has proven themselves worthy challengers, staying strong at the #2 spot through Week 5. They narrowly defeated Abington Heights 18-13 in Week 4, cementing their place in the rankings. Abington Heights put up a valiant effort, but they couldn’t overcome Valley View’s defense, which came through in clutch moments. Despite the loss, Abington Heights moved up in Week 5 from #4 to #3. Valley View’s consistency has kept them nipping at Scranton’s heels, and the two teams appear to be on a collision course later in the season.
Delaware Valley Slips, Dallas and Wallenpaupack Rise
One of the biggest surprises has been the slip of Delaware Valley. Once a strong contender at #3 in Week 4, they fell to #5 in Week 5 after a disappointing 28-25 loss to Scranton Prep. It was a hard-fought game, but Delaware Valley couldn’t close it out, which caused them to drop two spots. Meanwhile, Dallas and Wallenpaupack have been on the rise. Dallas delivered a 41-33 victory over Wilkes-Barre Area, a critical win that pushed them up to #4 in Week 5. Wallenpaupack also had a significant win in Week 4, defeating North Pocono 21-14. This victory propelled them from #9 in Week 4 to #6 in Week 5, making them one of the teams to watch.
New Faces and Departures
Week 5 brought new blood into the rankings, with Pittston Area and Hazleton making their first appearance in the top 10. Pittston Area’s 47-7 demolition of Valley West in Week 4 was a statement win that earned them the #9 spot in Week 5. Hazleton also cracked the rankings at #10, benefiting from a strong 27-10 win over Berwick.
Unfortunately, this meant that Crestwood and Honesdale were pushed out of the top 10. Crestwood’s struggles continued in Week 4, as they were shut out 21-0 by Western Wayne, sealing their exit from the rankings. Honesdale, who was #10 in Week 4, couldn’t overcome Mid Valley, losing 27-14, and also found themselves out of the top 10 by Week 5.
What’s Next?
As we look ahead to the coming weeks, Scranton, Valley View, and Abington Heights will look to solidify their positions, but teams like Dallas and Wallenpaupack are right on their heels. Delaware Valley will be eager to regain their footing after a tough loss, while Pittston Area and Hazleton will be fighting to stay in the top 10.
It’s clear that no one is safe, and each week brings the potential for more upsets and changes in the rankings. High school football fans will want to keep a close eye on these teams as they battle it out in the back half of the season, with playoff implications looming large on the horizon.
