Tonight is the biggest night of the year in the D11/2/4 subregional. Freedom and Parkland meet in a possible EPC South championship game. Liberty and Easton renew their rivalry in another showcase game for the Hurricanes. Delaware Valley and Scranton meet in a likely elimination game for the second D2 spot in the subregional playoff. And Stroudsburg and Bethlehem Catholic match up in the EPC North championship game for the second straight year.
1. Wyoming Valley West (7-0)
This Week: A ho-hum 33-0 shutout by the Spartans against Crestwood. Sean Judge had another massive night, rushing for 100 yards on 9 carries, returning a punt for a touchdown, and throwing a touchdown pass to quarterback Aaron Austin on a trick play. WVW led only 7-0 at halftime, but the third quarter punt return really opened things up.
What’s Their Ceiling: I think I’m the high man on WVW this year, but this is a team that could challenge the D12 rep if they make it out of the subregional because of their size and physicality on the offensive and defensive lines.. Nobody in this region is as big as SJP, but the Spartans come close, and they’re not just slugs. Bleich, Wesneski, and Reese are all Division I football players. And on offense, they’re a multidimensional attack with an accurate quarterback behind that big o-line. Judge and Devon Weidman aren’t the same kind of skill players that SJP or LaSalle would present (Wesneski at tight end on the other hand, is a as good as anybody in Pennsylvania), but they’re very good high school football players who can make a difference at running back and receiver. Their big challenge to overcome will be the lack of challenges they see before the subregional tournament. They’ll be underdogs if they advance, no doubt, but they’d belong in the game.
Next Week: The Spartans take on the Hazleton Cougars led by workhorse running back Adrien Otero. Nobody has been able to run on WVW all year, and while the 215 pound sophomore is a load to bring down, WVW can hit him in waves. Offensively, Hazleton has struggled with the top opponents on their schedule, and the Spartans should get into the 30s yet again.
2. Freedom (7-0)
Last Week: Freedom boatraced Whitehall, slowly pulling away throughout the course of the game in a 29-6 win. The big news though is that quarterback Joe Young suffered a lower leg injury and is questionable for this week’s match up with Parkland. In his place, Johan Gundrum rushed for 82 yards in the second half and two touchdowns. Defensively, Freedom was excellent again, forcing two turnovers and holding the Zephyrs to 41 rushing yards on 27 carries.
What’s Their Ceiling: Hard to tell. If everything is clicking and everybody is healthy, this is the best team in the subregional. But they’ve already lost their star running back for the year and now their quarterback is banged up. I’m still waiting for Joe Young to have that breakout game, he’s been solid, but I think there is even more in there if he’s healthy. f they had one more elite skill player, particularly at receiver, I’d say this is a team that could go far. The defense has been that good, giving up more than one offensive TD one time this season (a 31-27 win over Nazareth). They allow 2.3 yards per carry and are plus 11 in turnover margin. The defensive line is excellent, highlighted by 6’4 270 pound d-end Cordell Cotto, and being solid up front always gives you a punchers chance.
Next Week: Freedom hosts Parkland in our EPC Game of the Week
3. Liberty (6-1)
Last Week: Liberty trudged through a 28-18 win over Northampton. The scored was tied at halftime and the Hurricanes needed a pair of Gunner Anglovich touchdowns to stretch their lead heading into the fourth. Northampton actually outgained the Hurricanes, 226-215 and had a shot thanks to three Liberty turnovers. Although they’re 1-6, the Konkrete Kids have been a tough out, and despite their flaws they can really stop the run (they’ve now held Easton, Freedom, and Liberty under 100 yards rushing this year).
What’s Their Ceiling: Liberty’s best is better than anybody else’s best in the area. If they could put it together for six straight weeks, this is a team that could accidentally win a state title. They have a four year starter at quarterback with the deepest stable of receivers in the Valley, including a Power 5 conference recruit in Darian Street, a three pronged rushing attack, an offensive line that averages 250 across, and an a talented, fast defense. But for as good as they can look on any given night (or in any given quarter) it is consistency that will be their downfall. In the first two and a half quarters against Becahi and Parkland, they outscored two of the better teams in the state 77-20. They somehow managed to almost lose both of those games, but held on at the end for one score wins. They can’t fall asleep at the switch like that in playoff games, and something like that is going to bite them along the way. Only Nazareth has taken advantage of those prolonged periods of bad football so far, but you can’t play deep into the postseason like that.
This Week: Liberty takes on Easton at BASD Stadium. Like Parkland, Liberty should be able to physically overmatch Easton at the point of attack. Defensive linemen Jaohne Duggans (250), Devon Linderman (270), and Livan Diaz (255) overwhelmed Parkland’s offensive line for much of their meeting two weeks ago and should be able to be even more dominant against the smaller Easton front. Their defense has been susceptible to receivers who can stretch the field, but Easton doesn’t really have that element to their offense. On the other side of the ball, their offense versus the Easton defense should be a great chess match. If they take care of the ball, they should prevail in this one.
4. Parkland (6-1)
Last Week: Parkland is simply better than Easton. The Trojans flexed their muscle early with an 18 play, 98 yard touchdown drive that stretched across the first and second quarter. They converted a pair of first downs, and it became obvious that they could get five yards running Devante Cross over the left side any time they wanted. That TD was Parkland’s only score until seven minutes left in the game. Easton had their second long drive of the second half and kicked a field goal to cut the margin to 7-3. On the ensuing drive, Cross hit Nick Suriel on a crossing route and he turned it upfield for a 26 yard gain. Then on the next play, Cross had one-on-one coverage with Yeboah, and threw an absolute rainbow for a 33 yard touchdown. Easton’s corner actually had pretty good position to box out Yeboah, but he just went right over the poor kid and put him on a poster. Parkland added the final score with 1:36 left, when after an Easton interception, Eric DiGiralomo ripped off a 60 yard run against the demoralized Easton defense down to the 6. Then on 4th and goal, Parkland hit Yeboah on another jump ball to account for the final margin. Defensively, the Trojans forced six turnovers and held Easton to just three points on three trips in the red zone.
What’s Their Ceiling: Parkland is the favorite to win the subregional tournament, but I think that is as far as they go. Despite their talent advantage against Easton, they led by just four points with seven minutes remaining. Sixty of their 175 rushing yards came on one carry after the game had been decided. They have a bunch of big receivers who Cross can hit in the short passing game, but they don’t really have a way to stretch the defense other than throw a jump ball to Yeboah when there isn’t safety help. Against a team like SJP, who has a big, fast, and talented secondary, only being able to throw the ball 5 or 10 yards downfield isn’t going to cut it, particularly when you don’t have a threat in the run game other than the quarterback. And while the defense shut down Easton’s running game, when facing a Liberty offensive line that could match their physicality, they were gashed for 320 yards on the ground. They have a difference maker at quarterback, and that can carry them, but I don’t think there’s enough around Cross to beat the Philly Catholic rep.
This Week: Parkland plays Freedom in our EPC Game of the Week.
5. Nazareth (5-2)
This Week: Nazareth took care of East Stroudsburg North, 41-6 in an cross division match up. A pair of early fumbles converted into touchdowns gave the quick strike Blue Eagles an almost insurmountable lead against the triple-option ESN team. Travis Stefanik was excellent again, completing 11 of 14 passes for 136 yards and 3 TDs (all three to Jahan Dotson) and rushing for another 119 yards a 2 TDs.
What’s Their Ceiling: Nazareth certainly can win a playoff game, but I think that’s as far as they get. They’re a tough first round match up because of their extreme speed at receiver and the excellent play of their quarterback. But there are enough weaknesses (rush defense chiefly) that as the competition gets tougher I don’t think they can string together a bunch of wins in a row.
This Week: The Blue Eagles host Whitehall, who is reeling after consecutive losses to Liberty, Parkland, Easton, and Freedom. Because of their talent at quarterback, the Zephyrs are dangerous (and sophomore receiver Desmond Boykin is a budding star), but Nazareth is just a little more complete than Whitehall and have the athletes in the secondary to keep Boykin in check.
1. Wyoming Valley West (7-0)
This Week: A ho-hum 33-0 shutout by the Spartans against Crestwood. Sean Judge had another massive night, rushing for 100 yards on 9 carries, returning a punt for a touchdown, and throwing a touchdown pass to quarterback Aaron Austin on a trick play. WVW led only 7-0 at halftime, but the third quarter punt return really opened things up.
What’s Their Ceiling: I think I’m the high man on WVW this year, but this is a team that could challenge the D12 rep if they make it out of the subregional because of their size and physicality on the offensive and defensive lines.. Nobody in this region is as big as SJP, but the Spartans come close, and they’re not just slugs. Bleich, Wesneski, and Reese are all Division I football players. And on offense, they’re a multidimensional attack with an accurate quarterback behind that big o-line. Judge and Devon Weidman aren’t the same kind of skill players that SJP or LaSalle would present (Wesneski at tight end on the other hand, is a as good as anybody in Pennsylvania), but they’re very good high school football players who can make a difference at running back and receiver. Their big challenge to overcome will be the lack of challenges they see before the subregional tournament. They’ll be underdogs if they advance, no doubt, but they’d belong in the game.
Next Week: The Spartans take on the Hazleton Cougars led by workhorse running back Adrien Otero. Nobody has been able to run on WVW all year, and while the 215 pound sophomore is a load to bring down, WVW can hit him in waves. Offensively, Hazleton has struggled with the top opponents on their schedule, and the Spartans should get into the 30s yet again.
2. Freedom (7-0)
Last Week: Freedom boatraced Whitehall, slowly pulling away throughout the course of the game in a 29-6 win. The big news though is that quarterback Joe Young suffered a lower leg injury and is questionable for this week’s match up with Parkland. In his place, Johan Gundrum rushed for 82 yards in the second half and two touchdowns. Defensively, Freedom was excellent again, forcing two turnovers and holding the Zephyrs to 41 rushing yards on 27 carries.
What’s Their Ceiling: Hard to tell. If everything is clicking and everybody is healthy, this is the best team in the subregional. But they’ve already lost their star running back for the year and now their quarterback is banged up. I’m still waiting for Joe Young to have that breakout game, he’s been solid, but I think there is even more in there if he’s healthy. f they had one more elite skill player, particularly at receiver, I’d say this is a team that could go far. The defense has been that good, giving up more than one offensive TD one time this season (a 31-27 win over Nazareth). They allow 2.3 yards per carry and are plus 11 in turnover margin. The defensive line is excellent, highlighted by 6’4 270 pound d-end Cordell Cotto, and being solid up front always gives you a punchers chance.
Next Week: Freedom hosts Parkland in our EPC Game of the Week
3. Liberty (6-1)
Last Week: Liberty trudged through a 28-18 win over Northampton. The scored was tied at halftime and the Hurricanes needed a pair of Gunner Anglovich touchdowns to stretch their lead heading into the fourth. Northampton actually outgained the Hurricanes, 226-215 and had a shot thanks to three Liberty turnovers. Although they’re 1-6, the Konkrete Kids have been a tough out, and despite their flaws they can really stop the run (they’ve now held Easton, Freedom, and Liberty under 100 yards rushing this year).
What’s Their Ceiling: Liberty’s best is better than anybody else’s best in the area. If they could put it together for six straight weeks, this is a team that could accidentally win a state title. They have a four year starter at quarterback with the deepest stable of receivers in the Valley, including a Power 5 conference recruit in Darian Street, a three pronged rushing attack, an offensive line that averages 250 across, and an a talented, fast defense. But for as good as they can look on any given night (or in any given quarter) it is consistency that will be their downfall. In the first two and a half quarters against Becahi and Parkland, they outscored two of the better teams in the state 77-20. They somehow managed to almost lose both of those games, but held on at the end for one score wins. They can’t fall asleep at the switch like that in playoff games, and something like that is going to bite them along the way. Only Nazareth has taken advantage of those prolonged periods of bad football so far, but you can’t play deep into the postseason like that.
This Week: Liberty takes on Easton at BASD Stadium. Like Parkland, Liberty should be able to physically overmatch Easton at the point of attack. Defensive linemen Jaohne Duggans (250), Devon Linderman (270), and Livan Diaz (255) overwhelmed Parkland’s offensive line for much of their meeting two weeks ago and should be able to be even more dominant against the smaller Easton front. Their defense has been susceptible to receivers who can stretch the field, but Easton doesn’t really have that element to their offense. On the other side of the ball, their offense versus the Easton defense should be a great chess match. If they take care of the ball, they should prevail in this one.
4. Parkland (6-1)
Last Week: Parkland is simply better than Easton. The Trojans flexed their muscle early with an 18 play, 98 yard touchdown drive that stretched across the first and second quarter. They converted a pair of first downs, and it became obvious that they could get five yards running Devante Cross over the left side any time they wanted. That TD was Parkland’s only score until seven minutes left in the game. Easton had their second long drive of the second half and kicked a field goal to cut the margin to 7-3. On the ensuing drive, Cross hit Nick Suriel on a crossing route and he turned it upfield for a 26 yard gain. Then on the next play, Cross had one-on-one coverage with Yeboah, and threw an absolute rainbow for a 33 yard touchdown. Easton’s corner actually had pretty good position to box out Yeboah, but he just went right over the poor kid and put him on a poster. Parkland added the final score with 1:36 left, when after an Easton interception, Eric DiGiralomo ripped off a 60 yard run against the demoralized Easton defense down to the 6. Then on 4th and goal, Parkland hit Yeboah on another jump ball to account for the final margin. Defensively, the Trojans forced six turnovers and held Easton to just three points on three trips in the red zone.
What’s Their Ceiling: Parkland is the favorite to win the subregional tournament, but I think that is as far as they go. Despite their talent advantage against Easton, they led by just four points with seven minutes remaining. Sixty of their 175 rushing yards came on one carry after the game had been decided. They have a bunch of big receivers who Cross can hit in the short passing game, but they don’t really have a way to stretch the defense other than throw a jump ball to Yeboah when there isn’t safety help. Against a team like SJP, who has a big, fast, and talented secondary, only being able to throw the ball 5 or 10 yards downfield isn’t going to cut it, particularly when you don’t have a threat in the run game other than the quarterback. And while the defense shut down Easton’s running game, when facing a Liberty offensive line that could match their physicality, they were gashed for 320 yards on the ground. They have a difference maker at quarterback, and that can carry them, but I don’t think there’s enough around Cross to beat the Philly Catholic rep.
This Week: Parkland plays Freedom in our EPC Game of the Week.
5. Nazareth (5-2)
This Week: Nazareth took care of East Stroudsburg North, 41-6 in an cross division match up. A pair of early fumbles converted into touchdowns gave the quick strike Blue Eagles an almost insurmountable lead against the triple-option ESN team. Travis Stefanik was excellent again, completing 11 of 14 passes for 136 yards and 3 TDs (all three to Jahan Dotson) and rushing for another 119 yards a 2 TDs.
What’s Their Ceiling: Nazareth certainly can win a playoff game, but I think that’s as far as they get. They’re a tough first round match up because of their extreme speed at receiver and the excellent play of their quarterback. But there are enough weaknesses (rush defense chiefly) that as the competition gets tougher I don’t think they can string together a bunch of wins in a row.
This Week: The Blue Eagles host Whitehall, who is reeling after consecutive losses to Liberty, Parkland, Easton, and Freedom. Because of their talent at quarterback, the Zephyrs are dangerous (and sophomore receiver Desmond Boykin is a budding star), but Nazareth is just a little more complete than Whitehall and have the athletes in the secondary to keep Boykin in check.