Now that Week No. 11 is complete, we have 1 full weekend of playoff action in the books. Many wait with great anticipation for the playoff season and it is now in full swing.
In District 2 A action, RIVERSIDE, which struggled all season en route to a 3-7 record, defied all odds by beating previously unbeaten OLD FORGE, 30-14, in a contest between neighboring rivals. OLD FORGE stunned the Vikings in the opening weekend and continued on and registered a perfect regular season. Undaunted by the Blue Devils’ success in the 2009 campaign, RIVERSIDE pulled out all the stops with the shocker at OLD FORGE. Give credit to RIVERSIDE TB, Corey Talarico, who missed the season opener due to injury, but ran for 157 yards and 3 TDs leading the way for the Vikings attack. RIVERSIDE will now play NORTHWEST, who blanked WILKES-BARRE MEYERS 43-0 in the District 2 A Final.
In AA action, DUNMORE remains undefeated courtesy of a 34-6 win over MID VALLEY. A close game for the first half, the Bucks proved once again to have the firepower necessary to move on. Their opponent this Friday night is a familiar foe in LAKELAND, which bested WILKES-BARRE GAR 26-21. The Chiefs and Bucks will meet for the AA crown as they have for many seasons in the past. The rivalry is a good one. With LAKELAND improving through most of the second half of the season, Friday’s contest will be looked at with much interest and a District Title in the balance.
In the AAA competition, ABINGTON HEIGHTS ran all over BERWICK 53-19. The win is surely sweet revenge from last year’s 3-0 loss in the Title Game to the same Bulldogs. ABINGTON HEIGHTS was simply too much for BERWICK on Saturday afternoon at “The Pit” in Clarks Summit. In the other semifinal game, DALLAS enjoyed home field and a stingy defense to knock off NORTH POCONO 21-14. The Mountaineers have been impressive all season and now set up an interesting Saturday afternoon contest with ABINGTON HEIGHTS at Scranton High School. This should make for a classic AAA matchup for District 2 Honors.
In the District 2-4-11 Subregional, EASTON beat NAZARETH 28-0, while HAZLETON AREA outlasted WILLIAMSPORT 19-14, setting up a Friday night contest between the two winners. Also, EAST STROUDSBURG-SOUTH was a 49-21 winner over defending State Champion, BETHLEHEM LIBERTY. PARKLAND blasted WALLENPAUPACK 49-6, setting up this Friday night’s matchup with PARKLAND traveling to EAST STROUDSBURG- SOUTH.
Finally, Congratulations to HENRY HYNOSKI, starting FB for the 9-1 U of PITTSBURGH PANTHERS on a fine performance this Saturday night on national television – ABC. HYNOSKI, a four year starter for the SOUTHERN COLUMBIA TIGERS (2003-2006), and a large part of the TIGERS success in setting the record at 5 consecutive State Titles, was very instrumental in PITTSBURGH’S home victory over NOTRE DAME on Saturday night. It’s great to see our former Pennsylvania Stars enjoying success at the college level and the national stage. Congratulations as well to TERRELL PRYOR, formerly with State Champion JEANNETTE (2007), on consecutive victories over PENN STATE and IOWA and leading the BUCKEYES of OHIO STATE to a potential Big 10 Title and BCS berth in most likely the Rose Bowl.
Good Luck to all teams in the upcoming Week No. 12 as the playoffs continue.
See You On The Sidelines!
Larry Spegar
