North Pocono Rolls Past Wilkes-Barre Area, 44-7
By: Steven Abbatiello | SportzWire | October 3, 2026
North Pocono continued its strong 2026 football season Friday night, dominating Wilkes-Barre Area from start to finish in a 44-7 victory.
Wilkes-Barre Area received the opening kickoff and started at its own 20-yard line. After an early first down, the North Pocono defense settled in and forced the Wolfpack to punt, giving the Trojans possession at their own 31-yard line.
North Pocono moved the ball on the ground, with runs from Ethan Baulo and Chase Zimmerman helping set up a fourth-down situation. After the Trojans attempt to draw Wilkes-Barre Area offsides was unsuccessful, North Pocono punted and pinned the Wolfpack deep.
The Wolfpack drive stalled inside its own 10, and North Pocono took over at the Wilkes-Barre Area 39.
The Trojans quickly capitalized. Baulo picked up seven yards, Henry Wolff added a couple more, and on fourth-and-two, North Pocono connected with Jayden Taylor to move the chains. Henry Wolff then took the ball down to the 4-yard line before punching it in for the game’s opening touchdown. Shane Youngblood’s extra point kick made it 7-0.
Wilkes-Barre Area struggled to generate offense on its next possession, and North Pocono again took over with excellent field position. The Trojans drove deep into Wolfpack territory, but Wilkes-Barre Area’s defense came up with a goal-line stand, stopping North Pocono on fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line.
The Wolfpack couldn’t take advantage, however, as the North Pocono defense forced another punt and with 2:55 remaining in the first half, Youngblood connected on a field goal to extend the Trojans’ lead to 10-0.
With time clicking in the second quarter, Henry Wolff helped move the ball down to the 15-yard line, followed by a pass to Max Lafave that brought North Pocono to the 5-yard line. Zimmerman then finished the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run with just eight seconds remaining in the half. Youngblood’s extra point made it 17-0 heading into halftime.
North Pocono received the second-half kickoff and immediately went back to work. A combination of runs and passes moved the Trojans into Wilkes-Barre Area territory, and Jayden Taylor broke free for 16-yards, then ran it in for 4-yards for the touchdown. Youngblood’s kick was good, pushing the North Pocono advantage to 24-0.
The Trojans’ defense continued to create opportunities. A Wilkes-Barre Area pass was tipped and intercepted by North Pocono’s Michael Bell, giving the Trojans possession at the Wolfpack 25-yard line.
Wolff followed with a strong run down to the 10-yard line. On fourth-and-goal from the 1, Wolff finished the drive with another North Pocono touchdown, extending the lead to 31-0.
Wilkes-Barre Area was unable to mount a response, and the Wolfpack punted from its own 6-yard line. North Pocono took over at the 38 as the third quarter came to an end.
Early in the fourth, North Pocono added another explosive play when a pass to Max Lafave resulted in a spectacular one-handed touchdown catch in the corner of the end-zone, making the score 38-0.
The Trojans added another touchdown later in the quarter, after a Wilkes-Barre Area fumble was recovered by Gavin Swartz, North Pocono continued to run the ball and eventually reached the Wolfpack 13-yard line. Noah Burns then broke loose for a 10-yard touchdown run.
North Pocono elected not to attempt the extra point, making the score 44-0.
Wilkes-Barre Area finally got on the scoreboard with 2:13 remaining in the fourth quarter, driving all the way down to the North Pocono 4-yard line before punching in a short touchdown run by Anthony Daniel to make it 44-7.
That would be the final score as North Pocono closed out a convincing 44-7 victory over Wilkes-Barre Area.
The Trojans controlled all three phases of the game, combining a powerful rushing attack, timely passing and another strong defensive performance to put the game away early.
Final: North Pocono 44, Wilkes-Barre Area 7.
North Pocono will face its biggest test of the season when the undefeated Trojans host Scranton Prep on Friday, October 9, at 7 p.m. This matchup will feature two teams that have been productive on both sides of the ball. North Pocono has been led by its physical rushing attack and a defense that has allowed just 47 points through six games. The Trojans will look to carry that momentum into what should be one of their most anticipated games of the regular season.
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