From highlight-reel plays to behind-the-scenes stories, Baylee’s Bleacher is giving high school sports the spotlight they deserve. Each week, Baylee Burkhardt takes fans beyond the box scores with athlete features, coach insights, and interactive awards that put the power in the community’s hands. It’s your all-access pass to the heart of local sports — and your front row seat to the game.

Two captains rose to the moment in Dunmore. Brayden Rose, pressed into kick return duty after an injury, stunned the stadium with a 90-yard dash. A couple hours later, Santino D’Amico shook off a late miss to drill the overtime game-winner. Riverside edged Dunmore 17-14, a rivalry opener defined by grit, redemption, and leadership on a big stage.

Coach\'s Health and Fitness Preseason District 4 Rankings: District IV football is loaded with talent and tradition from top to bottom. Whether it’s the returning champs or hungry underdogs, this season promises plenty of fireworks on Friday nights. Buckle up.

The high school football season kicks off in 2 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.

The District 2 preseason coaches’ poll has arrived, and the message is clear: this isn’t one person’s opinion, it’s the collective voice of coaches across the region weighing in on who’s ready to bring the heat. Delaware Valley leads the Big School rankings, while Scranton Prep tops the Small Schools, both programs seen as steady systems built for long runs. Backed by the insight of those who know the game best, these rankings act like a finely tuned HVAC unit balanced, efficient, and powerful. Thanks to sponsor Kleinbauer Mechanical, family owned and operated, for reminding us that whether it’s football or HVAC, reliability and honest work always rise to the top.

The high school football season kicks off in Pennsylvania on Friday, August 22 and District Two schools will take part in 22 total games over the weekend. To commemorate the beginning of a new season, this is the debut of weekly predictions for every District Two game this season. Here are my picks for every game in week one.

You asked for it, now we’re delivering! SportzWire is flipping the switch on our newest feature: Wired Athlete of the Week, powered by Envy Electrical. Each week, we’ll spotlight the athletes who light up the scoreboard, charge up their teams, and bring the kind of energy that sparks success on and off the field. From youth leagues to varsity, no stage is too small for this electrifying honor. Nominations are open now to shine on the areas BIGGEST stage!

The Falcons open their final NJCAA season ranked No. 12 in the nation, with a loaded schedule and a new wave of playmakers ready to carry the torch. The journey begins September 6 at Scranton Memorial Stadium.

Track is Her True Passion Though Sofia is involved in multiple sports, track has captured her heart. “Track is not all about placing and winning medals,” she explains. “It is about dedication, pushing my limits, competing, and most of all having fun and trying to beat my own times.” Her passion for the sport emerged during her 7th-grade year, when she made the difficult choice to step away from soccer — a sport she had played all her life — to focus on running.

One week. That’s all that separates District 2 football fans from the roar of the crowd and the glow of Friday night lights. But before the real battles begin, every program in the region has one last test — a Saturday slate of scrimmages loaded with rivalries, road trips, and state-level challenges. From West Pittston to Montrose, it’s the final tune-up before the 2025 season kicks off, and the energy is already buzzing across Northeast Pennsylvania.

Closing in on 200,000 followers after rebuilding from scratch, Hunter Rhodes is proving that setbacks don’t define you — your response does. Tap in to learn more about his relentless drive toward becoming an NBA skills trainer and how he’s created a dual meaning behind the phrase “Handle Life.”

But for Coach Morrison, it\'s about more than just talent. This year, the Thunder are proudly partnering with the Humaneight Foundation, an organization that designs clothing for neurodivergent individuals while conducting vital research to help create inclusive opportunities. This isn’t just another sponsorship, it’s a personal cause. The GM, her son Lucas, who has Aspergers, is making history as the youngest general manager in TBT history. For him and for Coach Morrison this partnership represents something bigger than basketball. “This is a dream partnership,” she says. “Winning is temporary. Changing the game is forever.”

Each season, Honesdale Football will honor the legacy of Samson Fluck by awarding jersey #20 to a player who exemplifies his unmatched work ethic, selflessness, and love for the game. In an emotional presentation surrounded by family and friends, Samson’s best friend Kobe White (#7) stood alongside Samson’s mother, Bethany Fine, and his younger brother, Cam, as the tradition was officially introduced—ensuring Samson’s spirit will live on through every snap, every season.

He built more than a football program—he built a family. On a warm summer night in West Side, the glow of the Jr. Invaders’ annual bonfire wasn’t just from the flames—it was from the love, laughter, and memories shared for the man who gave his heart to this community. From Pearl Jam sing-alongs to a plaque that will stand for generations, the season kickoff was a moving tribute to Coach Tommy Selemba. Read how West Scranton came together to honor their champion.

The season hasn’t even kicked off, but the action is already heating up at John Henzes Memorial Stadium. As the Valley View Jr Cougars and Dunmore Jr Bucks took the field, all eyes were on a different kind of roster — a new wave of referees learning the ropes. With officiating shortages making headlines across the country, Sunday’s ACCJFL Referee Training delivered something rare: packed stands, live reps, and a buzz of excitement from people stepping up to keep the game alive.