Another tough task awaits Wyoming Area
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Wyoming Area might have the toughest schedule to open the season of any football team in the Wyoming Valley Conference.
Now Class AAA, the Warriors open the 2014 campaign with Wyoming Valley West, Scranton Prep (home) and North Pocono (home). After hosting Tunkhannock, the Warriors hit the road to face Crestwood and Berwick in back-to-back weeks.
It’s something coach Randy Spencer thinks about, but it’s not something that bothers him.
“We’re just looking to improve,” Spencer said. “We are well aware of the high level of competition. That’s the schedule we were assigned. We had success within our schedule in the past, but now things have changed.”
When the Cavaliers come to Sobeski Stadium Friday night, they’ll bring only seven returning players. But they’ll also bring their high-powered offense that led to a perfect regular season in 2013. Prep lost to Abington Heights in the Distict 2 playoffs.
It starts with returning quarterback Nick Solfanelli. One of the best returning quarterbacks in District 2, Solfanelli will be airing it out a lot this season under coach Nick Donato, in his 23rd season.
Prep’s top two receivers also return in Dan Ryan and Kevin Sompel. In the opener – a 26-0 win over Dunmore – Solfanelli threw for 281 yards with Dunmore no answer for Ryan and Dompel.
Last week, the Warriors allowed Wyoming Valley West’s Brady Davision to throw for 183 yards and four first-half touchdowns.
“We have to be able to put some pressure on them,” Spencer said. “He’s outstanding and they work out of the spread. We’re going to have to do a much better job in terms of getting pressure when we can – disrupt the timing.”
Wyoming Area struggled in just about every facet of last Friday’s 42-7 loss to Wyoming Valley West. Surprisingly, the Warriors power back Jeff Skursky didn’t have a carry in the first half as Spencer was trying to move the tail back/full back/tight end all over the field.
Skursky did have 54 yards rushing in the second half. The Warriors rushing attack was led by sophomore Brian Miles, a completely different type of back than Skursky.
“Jeff was in a limited role last week,” Spencer said. “You’ll see more of him this week. Brian is a young kid and he’s got skills that project him to be a pretty effective runner now and in the future.”
It was evident that Miles knew what he was doing on the field Friday. He had nice vision and good footwork. Spencer would like to see his blocking improve with more game experience.
“It will be a nice combination when those guys get going,” Spencer said.
The Cavs, who are without highly-touted defensive lineman Noah Beh, now at Penn State, were impressive last week. A shutout to Dunmore is not an easy task.
Wyoming Area was pressured all game against the Spartans. Valley West was committed to bringing six pass rushers and playing man coverage. Expect much of the same against Prep.
“We just have to shore up our blocking to give us a chance,” Spencer said.
The two teams met last year with Scranton Prep coming out on top of a 35-7 decision. The Cavs returned two interceptions for touchdowns in that game.
Scranton Prep leads the all-time series, 3-2.
