From the sidelines with Larry Spegar Vol 209

Here we go with Week No. 2 Football action. In District 2, the big talk all weekend was the stunning victory by MID VALLEY over perennial contender and rival, LAKELAND 13-0 at LAKELAND’S home turf at Chapman Lake. LAKELAND, a regular contender in AA football playoffs from year to year with a physical and hard nose brand of football was dished out some of their of their signature medicine by a determined and methodical Spartan group. MID VALLEY, led by PIAA Legend, Frank Pazzaglia, formerly of VALLEY VIEW, for 38 years of coaching and a PIAA AA State Championship in 1992, put on a tremendous display of power and aggressive football by knocking off the Chiefs in impressive fashion. For Pazzaglia, it was sweet as can be as the 300+ career win legendary Coach showed that his vow to restore MID VALLEY to winning ways is in fact now a reality. In just 3 short seasons, Pazzaglia recorded one of the biggest upsets in District 2 over the past several seasons. Now in his 41^st year of coaching, Pazzaglia registered this impressive mark at the expense of LAKELAND Coach, Jeff Wasilchak, formerly of LACKAWANNA TRAIL, the latter of whom carries on the fine tradition at LAKELAND started by his late Dad, Jerry Wasilchak. Wasilchak himself is a former player of Pazzaglia while at VALLEY VIEW. Congratulations to Coach Frank Pazzaglia for yet another great victory to a man who always seems to have the passion for high school football. He has truly touched and reignited the fire of success at the Spartan program in MID VALLEY.

WESTERN WAYNE Head Coach, Allen “Butch” Keller, recorded another big win for his illustrious career leading the Wildcats to a 34-0 impressive showing against SUSQUEHANNA. Keller has taken over a program at WESTERN WAYNE with a history of limited wins over the past few seasons. In now just 2 seasons, the Wildcats are off to one of their best starts in a long time. Best wishes for continued success for Coach Keller and WESTERN WAYNE.

In other District 2 news, DUNMORE stays unbeaten with a 33-9 win over CARBONDALE. ABINGTON HEIGHTS continues to look impressive with a 26-7 victory over WYOMING VALLEY WEST. The Comets enjoy a No. 6 State Ranking in the State AAA Class. Friday night’s win at VALLEY WEST is very sweet considering that the Spartans have been a perennial spoiler to the Comets for several years past. OLD FORGE continues to roll in the A category with another big win as well.

WALLENPAUPACK remains unbeaten with a 39-19 win over EAST STROUDSBURG NORTH. However, EAST STROUDSBURG SOUTH pulled out a nice win over DELAWARE VALLEY. MONTROSE gets into the win column courtesy of a 22-13 win over LACKAWANNA TRAIL. SCRANTON is also undefeated beating PITTSTON AREA 27-14. WEST SCRANTON also found its first victory beating RIVERSIDE 34-8. Having reached the State Quarterfinals in last year’s A competition, RIVERSIDE now starts off this season 0-2. WYOMING AREA picked up another win by recording a 21-20 win at VALLEY VIEW, where the Cougars fall to 0-2. Finally, NORTH POCONO secured its unbeaten status by downing SCRANTON PREP 31-14.

Good Luck to all teams in the upcoming Week No. 3.

See You On the Sidelines!!!

Larry Spegar