Hazleton Cougars

The game marked a statement performance for White, who has quickly emerged as one of the region’s most explosive offensive threats. In just two games, the senior has racked up six touchdowns, showcasing a rare blend of speed, vision, and power.

Lehigh’s 21-14 victory over Richmond wasn’t just a top-25 win to open the season, it was a showcase of grit, playmakers, and local talent making waves on the Division I stage. With Hayden Johnson (Manheim) delivering through the air, Jaden Green finding the end zone twice, and a defense that bent but didn’t break, the Mountain Hawks proved they’re built for the spotlight. For fans across Northeastern and Central PA, the connection runs even deeper. Familiar faces like Connor Hilling (Valley View), Aaron Crossley and Joseph Marranca (Wyoming Area), Jacob Albaugh (Delaware Valley), Matt McGowan (Hazleton Area), and Williamsport standouts Jamaire Harden and Connor Poole are now suiting up in brown and white. As SportzWire expands its footprint into the Lehigh Valley and Division I college football, expect even more coverage of the athletes you once cheered for on Friday nights, now making their mark on Saturdays.

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 Hazleton Area Lady Cougars delivered a defensive masterclass on Tuesday, overpowering Scranton Prep with a 31-22 victory. The Lady Cougars’ relentless pressure and interior dominance ensured they controlled the game from start to finish.

A dominant fifth inning and lights-out pitching by Dom Marino sent Hazleton Area past Wilkes-Barre 10-0 in postseason play. Hazleton racked up 7 hits and 8 RBIs while holding Wilkes-Barre scoreless in a five-inning run-rule victory.

Abington Heights claimed the team title and East Stroudsburg North secured the final qualifying spot as both schools advanced to the Unified Champion Schools (UCS) State Track and Field Championships after strong showings at the Northeast/Pocono Regional, held Wednesday at Lakeland High School.

Claire Helring delivered a standout performance at the plate, driving in four runs on three hits to power Holy Cross past Hazleton Area, 16-7, on Thursday, May 1. Helring launched a two-run homer to left in the seventh, tripled in the third to score one, and singled in the first to drive in another, capping off a dominant offensive showing.

Dallas stayed hot on Monday afternoon, taking down Hazleton 8-3 behind a huge game from Sydney Haydu.

What started as a cloudy evening quickly turned into a damp showdown as the Dallas Varsity Mountaineers held off a late charge from Hazleton Area to secure a gritty 4-3 victory on Friday.

Hazleton Area made the most of their opportunities late, capitalizing on a key groundout by Shea Higgins and a lights-out bullpen to edge Crestwood 3-2 in a back-and-forth battle on Friday night.

“Limits exist only in the mind.” For Matt Marcinek, these aren’t just words—they’re a way of life. Born with cerebral palsy, Matt could’ve let the world define him by his condition. Instead, he forged a path no one saw coming. Through sweat, science, and sheer will, he became a respected grappling coach, a mental performance expert, and the founder of No Limits Grappling Academy—Scranton’s powerhouse of No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu. His journey isn’t just about martial arts. It’s about refusing to be boxed in. About transforming pain into purpose. About proving that greatness isn’t reserved for the lucky or the able-bodied—it’s earned by those who keep showing up, even when it’s hard. In every class he teaches, every student he guides, and every story of struggle he helps rewrite, Matt’s message rings loud and clear: You are not your limitations. You are your mindset.

Dominic Marino was the standout player for Hazleton, finishing the game with an impressive 3 hits, 3 RBIs, and 2 runs scored. Marino also added a triple to his stat line, further cementing his impact in the game. Bryant Diaz also played a pivotal role, contributing 1 hit, 2 RBIs, and scoring 2 runs. His solid offensive performance helped extend Hazleton’s lead throughout the game.

Cameron Montigney’s late-game heroics and a steady relief outing from B. Widdick helped Pittston Area hold off Hazleton Area 6-4 in a back-and-forth battle.

In a high-energy showdown, Hazleton Area (HAHS) overwhelmed Berwick (BHS) with an explosive offensive display, securing a dominant 16–6 victory in just five innings.

Bethlehem, PA – March 14, 2025 – The Hazleton Area Lady Cougars saw their PIAA championship hopes come to an end Friday night after a tough 63-50 loss to Perkiomen Valley in the quarterfinals. Despite a strong fourth-quarter push, Hazleton could not recover from a difficult second quarter that allowed Perkiomen Valley to take control of the game.