Lakeland Chiefs

Lakeland junior Jackson Pochas has embraced a new role at quarterback and turned it into one of District 2’s hottest starts. After accounting for five touchdowns three different ways and adding 12 tackles and an interception against Lackawanna Trail, Pochas is the Sportzwire Athlete of the Week, powered by HYDRABATHS® Swing Salt.

LEHMAN TWP. — Lake-Lehman stood toe-to-toe with Lakeland for two quarters Friday night, but a decisive second-half surge allowed the Chiefs to leave Edward H. Edwards Stadium with a 42-22 nonconference victory.

With Jackson Pochas making his first start at quarterback and Chase Rosenkrans making program history, Lakeland had plenty to celebrate on opening night. Pochas accounted for two touchdowns, Rosenkrans became the Chiefs’ all-time career receptions leader and Lakeland pulled away from Wellsboro for a 27-6 victory Saturday night.

New classifications. Realigned divisions. Championship rosters undergoing major makeovers. With 33 District 2 teams beginning their road toward Cumberland Valley, Nate Johns breaks down the biggest storylines and makes his picks for who will be standing with district gold when November arrives.

Holy cross and Lakeland

Instant classics between city and county for the 92nd dream game

A Shore Conference All-Star, former Marywood standout, and familiar face within the Lakeland community, Tyler Waters has been named the new head coach of Lakeland Boys Basketball. Waters succeeds Trevor Tellip and brings a vision built on grit, accountability, and creating an atmosphere Chiefs fans will be excited to rally behind.

Down near the tracks edge, the noise from the infield was constant. There was no rail to separate the action, just the boundary line where passionate coaches stood screaming out split times, urging their athletes to find another gear. But the real story of the day unfolded right at the finish line. Frame after frame on my camera screen captured the absolute truth of the afternoon: competitors wearing completely different school colors running stride-for-stride, actively pulling each other along. You could see these athletes completely emptying the tank to cross the tape, some throwing their heads back in pure exhaustion, others letting out bursts of joy, and many collapsing into the arms of teammates or rivals alike. Looking at those frozen expressions, there was no doubt about it: every single competitor left a piece of themselves on that track.

Brayden Rose hat trick led Riverside to a commanding 99-51 track victory over Lakeland. Barnett & Olmos also secured multiple wins in the Vikings dominant performance.

Some nights are bigger than baseball. Under a perfect sky at Mid Valley, the Spartans played for something deeper, something lasting. With Eddie Kaufman’s legacy front and center, this wasn’t just a game. It was a reminder.

Lakeland and Blue Ridge just battled through a nine-inning classic The Raiders took a late lead in extras, but the Chiefs answered with a stunning three-run rally to snatch the victory. It was a legendary performance on both sides—from a 10-strikeout masterpiece to the game-winning hit.

Rocco Spataro just didn’t turn heads as a freshman, he made a scene. Named the #1 freshmen javelin thrower in Pa. Spataro has his sights on bigger goals. Trips in the summer to East Stroudsburg South High School for American JavFest and the Keystone State Games solidified Spataro’s potential and just two weeks ago, Spataro, his family, and other throwers from the Jav Factory took a trip to LSU University for a seminar hosted by past Olympic greats and professional coaches. Sportzwire’s Doug Noldy had the opportunity to talk to Rocco and his mom Julie on what the JavFest and the event at LSU was all about. Spataro is determined to uphold the legacy of Lakeland’s past throwing greats that include names of Prawdzik, Pidgeon, Wormuth, Tuzze, Dippre. He’s not only embracing this legacy but committed to continuing it into the future.

OLD FORGE, PA — Old Forge picked up a hard-fought Division II victory Thursday night, edging Lakeland 54–51 behind a standout all-around performance from senior center Logan Fanning.

Southern Columbia head coach Jim Roth earned Coach of the Year honors, while Lakeland senior David Naniewicz stood out as District 2’s representative as the Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Association released its 2025 Class 2A All-State Team. The selections recognize the Commonwealth’s top high school football performers across offense, defense, and special teams following an impressive 2025 season.

From the coal-region streets of Kulpmont to Hollywood’s biggest spotlight, James Madison head coach Bob Chesney has proven that Northeast Pennsylvania football travels well. With Sun Belt Coach of the Year honors in hand and a College Football Playoff run still unfolding, Chesney is now set to bring his blue-collar edge to UCLA, cementing one of the most remarkable coaching ascents in college football.