District 2: 2010 in Review

When Riverside’s season came to an end at the hands of Clairton, there was a sense of major disappointment. The Vikings led 24-0 in the second quarter over the reigning Class A champion Bears. Clairton had not faced a deficit so large since being blasted by Warren (OH) John F. Kennedy, 44-18, on September 21, 2007. Clairton had only allowed 34-points through their first fifteen games including their blow out win over District 10 power, Farrell Steelers, in the Western Finals, 48-8. Many people outside of the Wilkes Barre-Scranton region were surprised to see the Vikings jump out to such a large lead. The Bears ended their hibernation and would eventually win the contest, 36-30. Harry Armstrong’s Riverside team last played for the state championship thirteen years ago when he was the quarterback. Riverside increased their win total from 4 (4-8) in 2009 to 14 in 2010 (14-2). However, the heart broken Vikings felt that they had the game in hand and let it slip away. New head coach Evan Prall will have to replace their leading rusher (Nick Rossi), quarterback (Corey Talerico) and leading receiver (Skylar Lavage).

 

On the Class AAA level, Abington Heights won the District 2 crown over West Scranton, 28-21. The Comets (12-1) ran into a buzzsaw in the state tourney when they met Allentown Central Catholic, 54-14. Although Abington Heights’ didn’t win the title, Joe Repshis’ club closed out their third consecutive double digit win season. The Comets were the only team in the district to have two players who rushed for over 1,000 yards (Paul Gallagher & James Fruehan). Over the past five years, Abington Heights has won 49 games which ranks them second to Dunmore (54) in all of District 2.