High School Football Preview: One must-see game in each week across District Two
By: Nate Johns | Sportzwire | August 13, 2025 | Photo courtesy Sportzwire
The high school football season kicks off in 9 days across Pennsylvania, with many fans having circled some highly-anticipated matchups on their calendars. The ten week season has some exciting matchups on deck, and now is a great time to highlight the best of those games in District Two. Disclaimer, non-district games will not be included.
Week One: Riverside at Dunmore, August 22, 7:00 PM
This was a tough week to choose, especially with Scranton Prep vs Valley View also on the schedule. I gave the edge to the Vikings and Bucks because of the returning production on both sides of the ball and the recent history of this matchup. Both schools met in the PIAA District Two Championship in the last two years, splitting the series, and the winner went on to the PIAA AA State Semifinals before losing to the eventual state champion. Riverside has to replace some offensive production but should be solid in the trenches, led by Rutgers commit Tavian Branch. Dunmore brought in a new quarterback in Weston Yannone from Susquehanna this offseason, who rushed for 1,284 yards and scored 15 touchdowns on the ground and through the air last season. Combined with returning all star Xavier Burke at fullback and the Bucks could get back to the Wing T that played a critical role in their run to the state semifinals in 2023. These two small school powerhouses might meet again in the district championship, adding extra fuel to this already intense rivalry.
Week Two: Wyoming Area at Dallas, August 29, 7:00 PM
Another week with a lot of non-conference games and two great choices for this spot, the other game being Valley View vs Crestwood. A rematch from last year’s 49-41 thriller at Jake Sobeski Stadium, the Warriors return to Mountaineer for the first time since the 2022 District Playoffs. Both teams are perennial contenders in the Wyoming Valley Conference and are the two of the most storied programs in the league. Both squads have high expectations after appearing in the AAA and AAAA district title games last year. A win for either team can go a long way towards returning to that stage.
Week Three: Wilkes-Barre at Valley View, September 5, 7:00 PM
Get used to seeing the Wolfpack and Cougars, with both teams aiming to capture gold in 2025. These two had an instant classic at WBA last year, with Valley View winning 25-20. The rematch heads to Archibald in the last of a tough non-conference stretch for the Wolfpack. Wilkes-Barre has several key returning starters in quarterback Jake Howe, running back Davon Underwood and wide receiver Treyvon Gembitski. Valley View lost several key pieces to graduation, but Niiko Hazleton and Jason Munley give them some experience up front. Coach Scot Wasilchak has made back-to-back district title games in his first two years, and should have the Cougars ready to compete once again.
Week Four: Valley View at Abington Heights, September 12, 7:00 PM
Week four is a loaded slate, with Dallas at Wilkes-Barre, Crestwood at Western Wayne and Delaware Valley at Scranton Prep all being the headliner any other week. The edge goes to a rivalry game between two schools that just plain hate each other. The Comets are coming off their first district title since 2016 and have one of the best quarterbacks in the district in two-sport star Nick Bradley. Bradley had a 26-2 touchdown to interception ratio last season. The Cougars won this game last year 18-13, so expect another rock fight this time around in Clarks Summit.
Week Five: Lackawanna Trail at Mid Valley, September 19, 7:00 PM
Two offenses that love to run the football with experienced offensive lines. This is the equivalent of a Big 10 West smashmouth football game. There is some experience at the skill positions with QB Tyler Jervis and running back Issac Ryon spearheading what should be a potent attack for the Lions. Brett Yanoski returns at quarterback for the Spartans and Mason Vinansky takes over as the full time starter in the backfield and might be a household name by season’s end. If that wasn’t enough, the game also takes place at the beautiful Spartans Stadium in Throop.
Week Six: Abington Heights at Delaware Valley, September 27, 4:00 PM
While every game of this year’s schedule is a rematch, this one may be the most anticipated from a drama standpoint. The Comets and Warriors met twice last season and had two finishes that came down to the wire. The Warriors won the regular season matchup 35-28 thanks to back-to-back fourth quarter touchdowns. The rematch saw the Comets prevail 20-14 thanks to a last second touchdown run from Shawn Theodore to win the district championship. The win broke an eight year district title streak for the Warriors, and I’m sure they have had this game circled on their calendar since the end of last season.
Week Seven: Scranton Prep at Abington Heights, October 3, 7:00 PM
A matchup that will be all about the men under center. The Cavaliers were hit hard by graduation this offseason, but quarterback Will McPartland got some experience under center last season while backing up Louis Paris. McPartland should allow coach Terry Gallagher to keep the offense dynamic, and against Bradley and what should be a salty Comets defense, it will need to be. Two district champions from last year in a game that will have serious LFC Division One championship implications? Sign me up.
Week Eight: Crestwood at Dallas, October 10, 7:00 PM
Two of the last three District Two AAAA champions that went on to the state semifinals, and in the case of the Mountaineers, the state title game. Both squads expect to be competitive and competing again this year. Crestwood should have Jaden Shedlock fully healthy for what will be his senior season under center. They are trying to win in Dallas for the first time in over a decade. The Mountaineers have to replace some key pieces at the skill positions, but return a strong and experienced offensive line. This game could be similar to their 2023 clash in Mountain Top, where the Mountaineers came out on top in a thrilling 42-35 clash. This matchup also has a mentor mentee element to it on the coaching side,as Crestwood head coach Ryan Arcangeli played for Dallas head coach Rich Mannello at King’s College.
Week Nine: Wilkes-Barre at Crestwood, October 17, 7:00 PM
Two schools with two of the best skill position groups in the district meet in a late season clash that could have major WVC Division One title implications. Both squads are led by experienced QBs in Shedlock and Howe, and the talent around them should make for a high flying offensive showdown. This matchup will also be crucial for the Comets to get power rating points in the standings in what is shaping up to be a competitive AAAA bracket, and the Wolfpack might hope for some Mountain Top weather to prepare them for a potential November run.
Week 10: Lackawanna Trail at Riverside, October 24, 7:00 PM
We bookend this list with the Vikings in what might be the LFC Division Three Championship. The Lions took the title last year in a 42-20 victory at Lions Pride Stadium. The Vikings host the rematch this time around in what could be a momentum builder for either team heading into the playoffs. These might be the two best teams in the district when this game rolls around, so get your popcorn, and probably some handwarmers if you are going in person, ready.
