Abington Heights Comets

The state’s biggest stage brought out the best in District 2’s top girls cross country teams and runners. Abington Heights senior Anna Pucilowski blazed her way to an 18th-place state medal, while Crestwood’s Katie Kozich and Delaware Valley’s Grace Holderith followed close behind with top-25 finishes. Elk Lake’s young core impressed in “Single A,” finishing just 41 points out of first with standout sophomore Kendyl Weisgold earning a 9th-place medal. Montrose, Wallenpaupack, and Valley View added strong team efforts in a day that showcased the depth, talent, and future promise of girls distance running across Northeast Pennsylvania.

Homecoming night turned historic in Clarks Summit as Abington Heights senior Gavin Anders became the all-time leader in receiving yards. Behind strong efforts from Noah Kayal and Jayden Anglin, the Comets stormed past Scranton 49–13 to improve to 7–2 on the season.

The Mid Valley-based NEPA Storm completed a flawless 5-0 run to claim the 10U Travel Softball Championship at Connell Park in South Scranton. Behind dominant pitching from Nora Piercy and Grace Eboli, and key hits from Arya Ameika and Lilyana Smargiassi, the Storm topped the Abington Wildcats 4-2 in Sunday’s title game to secure the tournament crown.

Abington Heights senior wideout Gavin Anders etched his name into the record books Friday night, becoming the Comets’ all-time receptions leader with 119 career catches. Anders added six grabs for 73 yards and a touchdown in a 31–14 win over Wallenpaupack, pushing Abington Heights to 6–2 on the season.

On a night dedicated to childhood pancreatic cancer awareness, Abington Heights junior Jack Hartshorn drilled a 30-yard game-winning field goal with 11 seconds left to lift the Comets past Scranton Prep, 17–15. The former Cavalier capped a night of redemption and heart, snapping a six-game skid to Prep as teammates celebrated both victory and cause.

WarriorFest delivered a week of spirit and tradition at Delaware Valley, capped off by senior Mike Iuzzolino’s two rushing scores and 98-yard kickoff return, plus a 53-yard burst from Devin Estevez, as the Warriors defended the Black and Blue Jug with a 28–14 win over Abington Heights. DV (2–4) will host Long Island Lutheran next week, while the Comets (4–2) turn their attention to Scranton Prep.

North Pocono continues to hold the top spot in the District 2 Big School Top 10, nearly doubling its point total from last week to 94. Abington Heights and Pittston Area remain close behind, while Valley View jumps into the top five. Delaware Valley also climbs a spot, pushing Crestwood down to eighth, as the middle of the rankings sees plenty of movement.

Abington Heights used a dominant rushing attack and a 21-point second quarter to defeat Valley View 45–7 on Friday night in Clarks Summit. Jayden Anglin rushed for 155 yards and two scores, Nick Bradley accounted for three touchdowns, and kicker Jack Hartshorn went 6-for-6 on extra points and added a 28-yard field goal. Tristan Smith scored the Cougars’ lone touchdown in the third quarter, followed by a Braden Loff extra point. Halftime was delayed after Valley View was locked out of its locker room, leading to a late finish.

Abington Heights used a three-goal second half to surge past Valley View, 3-1, in an LIAA Division 1 showdown, with Joey Pivirotto netting twice to lead the Comets.

Abington Heights and Dallas traded haymakers in a storm-delayed thriller at the Pit, but Jayden Anglin’s 170 rushing yards and Nick Bradley’s 267 total yards with three touchdowns powered the Comets to a 40-28 win.

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.

Legacy Under the Lights: 91st Dream Game Media Day Unites Past and Future of NEPA Football VALLEY VIEW — The scent of summer grass and the echo of cleats on concrete set the stage under the bleachers of Valley View’s football stadium, where dozens of the region’s top high school football players gathered for the 91st Annual Dream Game Media Day. It was more than a press event. It was a reunion, a farewell, a coming-of-age story all in one. Hosted by longtime broadcaster Tony Sibila and Honesdale’s new head coach George Howanitz, Media Day was filled with stories from players on the cusp of adulthood and from coaches whose roots run deep in Northeastern Pennsylvania’s football soil. “It’s like a family reunion,” Howanitz said. “There’s history in every name on the roster.”

Anna Pucilowski has built a career on discipline, resilience, and a love for the process. What started as a shift during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic has now blossomed into one of the most impressive distance running résumés in the state.

Both teams played with heart and hustle, but Carbino’s bats stayed hot through key innings to secure a 15-2 win over Abington in sectional tournament play.

Abington broke open a close game with a six-run sixth inning and rode strong pitching from Evan Ross to defeat Pittston 13-3. Murphy Lyle delivered 3 RBIs, and the Abington announcer brought constant energy to every at-bat, fueling a dominant team effort at home.