The road to Cumberland Valley officially begins for District 2 football champions. Six teams from NEPA are set to represent the district in the opening round of the PIAA State Playoffs, with matchups now finalized and site details confirmed.

Lakeland braved the cold, wind, and rain Friday night in Jermyn to capture the District 2 Class 2A championship with a 27-7 win over Dunmore. Senior quarterback David Naniewicz led the Chiefs with three total touchdowns, while the defense, anchored by Chase Rosenkrans and Noah Dietrich, shut down the Bucks until the final minutes. The win moves Lakeland to 11-1 and into the state playoffs to face the winner of Bristol and Lansdale Catholic.

At Lackawanna Trail, football is more than a game. It is heritage, pride, and a bond built across three generations of the Jervis family. Senior captain and quarterback Tyler Jervis steps onto the field each week knowing he is carrying not just a season, but a legacy shaped by his father, head coach Steve, and his grandfather, Steve Sr., who still works with the Lions kicking unit. From the creation of Tunkhannock’s youth program decades ago to championship runs at Trail, the Jervis legacy continues to grow. And as Tyler leads the Lions through the postseason, he is taking in every moment of a senior season surrounded by family, teammates, and a community that stands behind them with pride.

After a humbling loss just a week ago, the Riverside Vikings entered Friday’s playoff clash with revenge in mind — but it was Dunmore that delivered the knockout. Behind a dazzling performance from quarterback Weston Yannone, the Bucks rolled to a 27-7 win and a spot in the next round. Yannone’s explosive 72-yard touchdown run set the tone early, and Dunmore’s defense clamped down as Jackson Harding and Ryan Mecca added scores to seal it. Riverside’s lone highlight came from Charlie Anstett’s late touchdown, but the Bucks never let up. With momentum on their side, Dunmore advances — while Riverside closes a strong season knowing their foundation for the future is firmly set.

Dallas controlled the ground game and capitalized on Valley View’s key penalties to pull away in the second half, earning a 17-0 shutout in cold and windy conditions Friday night in Archbald.

Lakeland senior captain and quarterback David Naniewicz grew up surrounded by Chiefs history. From his father’s championship season in 1987 to his sister’s Super Bowl wins in youth football, the Naniewicz name has long been tied to Lakeland pride. Now, after overcoming a UCL injury and leading the Chiefs to a 9-1 season and a Division 2 title, David is carving his own path in the family legacy one throw, one run, and one win at a time.

It started quietly. Week one of the 2025 season, as his team charged through the banner and cheerleaders hyping up the crowd, Jonah’s mom captured the moment on her cellphone — like any proud parent would. But she soon noticed something unusual. Jonah had broken away from the pack and sprinted down the field alone. Concerned, she zoomed in, wondering if her son was hurt. Then she saw him kneel in the end zone, helmet off, head bowed.

It’s been 34 years since the North Pocono community has buzzed like this. Yard signs, porch flags, and packed stands celebrate a Trojans team that just completed a flawless 10-0 regular season, capturing the LFC Division 1 crown and the top seed in the District 2 Class 4A playoffs. For players Matt Laboranti, Cole West, and Evan Wolff, this moment is even more meaningful as their fathers once wore the same red and white during the legendary seasons of 1991 and 1993. Those glory days helped shape the men they’ve become, and now, the next generation is carrying that proud tradition forward with FAMILY stitched on their backs and history guiding their steps.

Valley View closed out Senior Night with a 20-7 win over Wallenpaupack behind 285 rushing yards and three touchdowns, setting up a Halloween home playoff showdown with Dallas.

Since midseason, powerhouses have flexed their dominance, underdogs have stolen headlines, and playoff positioning is starting to take shape. Comparing Week 5 to Week 9, some teams have surged with momentum, while others are scrambling to rediscover their early-season spark. Let’s dive into how the rankings look now — and who’s rising, falling, and holding strong as the postseason looms.

Riverside made a statement in one of Northeastern PA’s most storied rivalries, overwhelming Old Forge 49-8 under the lights. Junior Jared Jackson’s punt return touchdown set the tone early, and the Vikings never looked back, dominating on both sides of the ball. With standout performances from Brayden Rose, Ny-jai Scott-holt, and 4-star lineman Tavian Branch, Riverside’s energy carried through even after the starters exited. As the Vikings celebrate this emphatic win, their focus now turns to a high-stakes showdown with Lackawanna Trail—a clash many are calling the regional championship before the regional championship.

Gabe Davis scored twice in a two-minute span, and Valley View leaned on 251 rushing yards to beat Wyoming Valley West 52-21. Davis caught a 35-yard touchdown from Caleb Brown, returned the ensuing kickoff 80 yards, and the Cougars finished it off with five rushing scores and a 34-yard field goal from Braden Loff.

Quiet confidence meets Friday night dominance. Pittston Area’s Lucas LoPresto might speak softly, but his game talks loud. In one record-shattering night, the junior wideout etched his name into school history - three times over - cementing his place among the Patriots’ greats. Whether it’s football, basketball, or track and field, LoPresto’s drive for excellence never lets up. A 3.9 GPA student and community volunteer, he’s proof that true leaders shine just as bright off the field as they do under the lights.

Wilkes-Barre Area quarterback Jake Howe made history in Saturday’s 49–0 Battle of the Bridge win over Valley West, throwing for 192 yards and four scores to become the Wyoming Valley Conference’s all-time passing touchdown leader with 66 career scores. The Wolfpack improved to 5–3 on the season and now set their sights on Crestwood next week.

Delaware Valley’s balanced attack and relentless defense proved too much for Valley View Friday night, as the Warriors rolled to a 41-0 win in front of their home crowd. Quarterback Colin McGarvey threw for 250 yards and four touchdowns, while Valley View struggled to establish rhythm offensively, limited to just 131 total yards.