Two Pennsylvania boys made good. Two captains who climbed, fought, and gave back every step of the way. When Penn State storms into Yankee Stadium on December 27th for the Pinstripe Bowl, Dominic DeLuca and Nick Dawkins won’t just be representing the Nittany Lions. They’ll be representing home.

After 18 months of setbacks, evaluations, and unanswered pain, Boston College freshman Mia Galella is finally getting clarity and a path back to the game she loves. The Holy Cross standout is scheduled for New Year’s Eve surgery and says she’s ready to attack recovery and return stronger than ever.

In a rematch loaded with respect, history, and high stakes, the Avonworth Antelopes finally claimed the title that slipped away a year ago, defeating Northwestern Lehigh 31–7 at Chapman Field to secure their first-ever PIAA 3A football state championship. Entering the afternoon as the only two undefeated teams left in Pennsylvania, both programs walked in with perfect records—only one walked out with perfection preserved.

From the coal-region streets of Kulpmont to Hollywood’s biggest spotlight, James Madison head coach Bob Chesney has proven that Northeast Pennsylvania football travels well. With Sun Belt Coach of the Year honors in hand and a College Football Playoff run still unfolding, Chesney is now set to bring his blue-collar edge to UCLA, cementing one of the most remarkable coaching ascents in college football.

It’s shaping up to be one of the most anticipated early-season games in District 2 as the Dallas Mountaineers host the Abington Heights Comets on Tuesday night. Dallas brings a perfect 3–0 record into the matchup and the confidence that comes with defending its home floor, while Abington Heights is unbeaten as well after opening the season with emphatic wins over Wyoming Valley West (79–47) and Shamokin Area (74–55).

Southern Lehigh delivered a championship masterpiece! A punishing run game, clutch strikes through the air, and a defense forcing mistake after mistake. The Spartans are officially state champions for the first time in program history.

Southern Columbia found a second quarter spark and never looked back against Selinsgrove. After the Seals jumped out to a 6-0 lead, Olivia Jones and the Tigers put 10 straight points together and took a 16-8 lead into half. Jones continued her solid works in the second half, granting Southern Columbia victory.

On December 4th Delaware Valley High School hosts its 3rd annual law enforcement versus staff basketball game with all proceeds going to help local children in need. Admission is a toy or a five dollar donation. Lucas and his team will be calling the game live so whether you plan to tune in or stop by in person this is a great chance to support a meaningful community event.

One of District 2’s most dominant defenders is now off the board. After a whirlwind recruitment filled with national attention and major program pushes, Riverside standout Tavian Branch has planted his flag in the SEC. The Vikings senior has committed to Auburn, where the Tigers see him as a future force on their defensive front.

Selinsgrove brought the energy, the dunks, and the student-section chaos to tip off the season the right way. After Holy Redeemer’s quick punch, the Seals answered with a Mac DeFazio spark and not one but two slams from Xaivier Jackson sending the gym into orbit. Behind Jackson’s 21 and a whole squad chipping in, Selinsgrove strutted out with a 61-45 home-opener win and a whole lot of energy to build on.

The Lady Rangers exploded out of the gate, scoring the first 10 points of the game and sending the home crowd into a frenzy. Fans rose to their feet as the scoreboard flashed a stunning 10–0 Northwest lead, while Wyoming Sem stood visibly stunned.

Two teams. Two communities. One early-season matchup that already feels bigger than December basketball. Riverside and Wilkes-Barre Area, both ranked inside the top five of the District 2 preseason Coaches Poll, have come out of the gate sharp and confident.

Southern Lehigh’s Sean Steckert isn’t just putting up numbers, he’s rewriting what it means to be a three-sport powerhouse in the Lehigh Valley. The senior star has bulldozed his way past 2,900 total yards, captained on the wrestling mat, sprinted his way to states on the track, and still finds time to serve communities from Pennsylvania to Jamaica. With a 3.9 GPA, a humble heart, and a motor that doesn’t quit, Steckert has become the pulse of the Spartans’ historic rise. Now, with the school’s first-ever State Championship game on deck, one of the Valley’s toughest athletes is writing a legacy in real time and everyone is watching.

A tie game at halftime turned into a statement finish. Southern Columbia used a smothering defense, a burst of back-to-back momentum swings, and a clock-draining ground attack to power past Lansdale Catholic, 24–7, and punch its ticket to a remarkable 23rd PIAA championship appearance.

On a holiday built on gratitude, the West Scranton Youth Center has shown our region what giving truly looks like. Over the past couple of weeks, youth wrestlers, artists, families, alumni, neighbors, and volunteers came together for two powerful food distribution nights, ensuring cupboards were full and spirits were lifted heading into Thanksgiving. What began as a simple idea to help a few families has grown into a community-wide movement of generosity and compassion, fueled by young athletes and supported by dozens of local partners. Today, as tables fill across NEPA, so does the pride in a neighborhood that refuses to let anyone go without.