By: Brad Loff | Sportzwire | October 22, 2024 | Photo courtesy BLSportsPhotography.com
SportzWire District 2 Week 10 Small School Top 10: Powered by Coach Howanitz
Week 9 brought exciting matchups that caused some shuffling in the District 2 Small School rankings. Let’s break down how each team’s position has changed and analyze the key Week 9 games that led to the updates in the Week 10 rankings.
1. Scranton Prep (Previously: 1)
Result: Scranton Prep 27, Jersey Shore 19
Scranton Prep remains the top team in the district after securing a solid win over Jersey Shore. With a 8-1 record, they are proving why they are a powerhouse in the small school division. Their defense and offensive execution have kept them at the top for yet another week.
2. Wyoming Area (Previously: 2)
Result: Wyoming Area 50, Nanticoke Area 0
Wyoming Area stays firmly in the second spot with a dominant 50-0 win over Nanticoke. At 8-1, they continue to make a strong case for a deep playoff run. This week’s performance solidified their status as one of the top small school teams in District 2.
3. Riverside (Previously: 3)
Result: Riverside 28, Old Forge 6
Riverside holds onto the third position after a decisive win over Old Forge. Now 9-0, Riverside’s undefeated record and stout defense have made them a force in the district. Their climb into the top 3 last week was no fluke, and they continue to impress with consistent performances.
4. Western Wayne (Previously: 4)
Result: Western Wayne 10, Mid Valley 22
Western Wayne suffers a tough loss to Mid Valley, but they remain at No. 4. At 8-1,they are still one of the district’s best, but this loss exposed some weaknesses that will need addressing before the playoffs. They were unable to stop Mid Valley’s ground game, which led to their second loss of the season.
5. Lackawanna Trail (Previously: 5)
Result: Lackawanna Trail 56, Holy Cross 13Lackawanna Trail holds their spot at No. 5. With a solid win their record stands at 8-1 which still puts them among the top teams in the small school division. Their next game will be crucial as they look to hold their first seed in 1-A going into the playoffs.
6. Mid Valley (Previously: 6)
Result: Mid Valley 22, Western Wayne 10
Mid Valley stays steady at No. 6, but their impressive win over Western Wayne puts them on the radar as a serious contender. Their defense came up big in this matchup, limiting a high-powered Western Wayne offense. Mid Valley now sits at 6-3 and will look to carry this momentum into Week 10.
7. Lake-Lehman (Previously: 7)
Result: Lake-Lehman 48, Hanover Area 6
Lake-Lehman remains in the 7th spot after an easy win over Hanover Area. At 6-3, they continue to perform consistently and have put themselves in a solid position heading into the final week. Their offense was firing on all cylinders in Week 9, and they’ll need to keep that pace going into the playoffs.
8. Carbondale (Previously: 9)
Result: Carbondale Area 22, Susquehanna 12
Carbondale climbs one spot from No. 9 to No. 8 after their victory over Susquehanna. Their defense held strong in a tightly contested game, and this win pushes them to 5-4. Carbondale has been rising steadily, and this victory solidifies their place in the Top 10.
9. Susquehanna (Previously: 8)
Result: Susquehanna 12, Carbondale Area 22
Susquehanna drops from 8th to 9th after their loss to Carbondale. Now 5-4, this defeat puts their playoff hopes in a precarious position. They will need to bounce back quickly if they want to avoid further slippage in the rankings.
10. Dunmore (Previously: Not Ranked)
Result: Dunmore 20, Honesdale 49
Despite a tough loss to Honesdale, Dunmore enters the rankings at No. 10. Their 4-5 record might not look impressive on the surface, but they have had a strong schedule and have remained competitive in most of their games. Their inclusion in the Top 10 highlights their potential and grit as they close out the regular season.
Key Takeaways:
• Scranton Prep remains dominant, showing no signs of relinquishing their hold on the top spot.
• Wyoming Area and Riverside continue their impressive seasons and hold steady at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively.
• Western Wayne and Mid Valley engaged in a key battle that saw Western Wayne stay put at No. 4 despite the loss, while Mid Valley remains in 6th but gained momentum with the win.
• Carbondale and Susquehanna swapped places following Carbondale’s victory over Susquehanna.
• Dunmore cracks the Top 10 this week, signaling their competitive nature despite recent struggles.
As we approach the final week of the regular season, every game will play a pivotal role in determining the final rankings and playoff seeding for District 2’s small school teams.