Berwick’s Strength, Variety Top Concerns To Dallas Coach The Teams Have Identical Records, But Only The Bulldogs Have A Playoff Spot Locked Up.
By JOHN ERZAR [email protected]
Friday, November 02, 2001 Page: 3B
At the very least, the Dallas Mountaineers should be prepared emotionally
when they host Berwick at 2 p.m. tomorrow.
They’ve had a lot of experience in that department.
Dallas started the season with a 14-0 victory against Wyoming Valley West
that was forfeited because of an ineligible player. Berwick was the school
that alerted Dallas to the possible infraction. District 2 later declared the
player eligible and rescinded the forfeit. Two weeks later, the Mountaineers
played their worst game of the season in a 25-9 loss to Pittston Area.
Later came a tough 27-21 victory against Wyoming Area, a heartbreaking
archrival Lake-Lehman last Saturday.
“Our seniors have done a great job. They’ve come a very long way,” said
Dallas coach Ted Jackson. “To be 7-2 in a league like ours is a big
accomplishment. And I really think we should be 8-1. Our kids have played very
well all season.”
Berwick (7-2) has had a similar season, losing to North Pocono 21-15 in
week two and 15-13 to Wyoming Area last Friday night on a Warrior goal-line
stand inside the 1-yard line with less than one second left.
But it’s the physical aspect of football that has Jackson concerned.
“I hope we’re ready. Berwick is bigger, stronger and faster than we are,”
Jackson said. “They line up in formations with more tight ends on the field
than we have on our roster. (Coach George Curry) uses a zillion different
formations and he tries to get a mismatch anywhere he can find it.”
The winner shares the Northeast Pennsylvania Football Conference Division 2
South championship with Wyoming Area, provided the Warriors defeat winless
Coughlin tonight. The title leads to a bigger prize, the possibility of a home
game in next weekend’s District 2 Class 3A playoffs and perhaps home field
throughout.
Berwick, 7-2 and atop the district points standings, has a playoffs spot
locked up regardless of tomorrow’s outcome. Dallas, though, is second in the
points standings and could be eliminated.
The Mountaineers were bumped out last year because of a late-season swoon
that ended with a 41-0 loss at Berwick. The Mountaineers appeared to move
within 14-7 in the second quarter of that game, but after one official
signaled a touchdown on a pass in the end zone another came over and
overturned the call.
“The last two times we’ve played them, the kids have played hard from the
time they got off the bus until the time they got back on the bus,” Jackson
said. “Berwick made a couple of big plays.”
After the no-touchdown call, Berwick scored 27 consecutive points. But
that’s been Curry’s modus operandi throughout his 34-year career. The Dawgs
are more catlike in their approach. They’ll patiently wait until getting the
proper mismatch, then spring on an opponent. And then keep doing so until the
game is in hand.
The division’s top-two quarterbacks will be matched up. Berwick junior
Frank Jankowski has completed 84 of 147 passes for 1,398 yards and 15
touchdowns. Dallas senior Chuck Suppon had connected on 65 of 140 passes for
Dallas has an edge in the running game; it can go with either Harris
brother – tailback Jeremy, who has 767 yards, or fullback A.J., who has been
extremely impressive the last few games. Berwick will use mainly fullback
Jason Warner, who has 6.1 yards per carry in the last two games.
Tonight’s games
(All games)
Williamsport (7-2) at Wyoming Valley West (6-3): Someone leaves very, very
disappointed.
Lake-Lehman (3-6) at Pittston Area (6-3): Lehman has been playing well, but
it’s hard to fathom the Patriots letting this one slip away.
Old Forge (6-3) at Northwest (0-9): Has about as much suspense as an Adam
Sandler movie.
Coughlin (0-9) at Wyoming Area (5-4): The Warriors might be the best 5-4
team in the state. After tonight, they might be the best 6-4 team.
North Pocono (5-4) at Tunkhannock (2-7): The second-week upset of Berwick
seems worlds away for North Pocono.
Meyers (6-3) at GAR (5-4): Both teams’ seasons have been dotted with
“what-ifs.”
East Stroudsburg North (2-7) at Montrose (3-6): It might seem odd to
applaud a two-win season, but North deserves credit for the progress made in
year two.
Susquehanna (3-6) at Riverside (7-2): Vikings aren’t about to give up a
home district game.
Hazleton Area (6-3) at Scranton (5-4): Hazleton Area needs to win, then
hope, hope and hope some more.
Dunmore (6-3) at Lakeland (9-0): Lakeland’s Evan Kraky gets the state
passing yardage record, and Dunmore gets booted from the district playoff
picture.
Crestwood (3-6) at Honesdale (1-8): Crestwood made Honesdale quarterback
Ted Wallingford look like Kurt Warner last year. Won’t happen again.
Bishop Hafey (6-3) at Lackawanna Trail (8-1): Hafey still has district
playoff hopes, but there’s a better chance for a “Bonanza” reunion movie.
Bishop O’Hara (4-5) at Carbondale (7-2): Not a bad season for young O’Hara,
but five victories is out of the question.
Valley View (8-1) at Mid Valley (1-8): Valley View is shaping up nicely
just in time for districts.
West Scranton (6-3) at Wallenpaupack (2-7): Another loss and West
Scranton’s only view of the district’s Class 3A playoffs may be from the
bleachers.
Western Wayne (2-7) at Scranton Prep (7-2): Prep preps for playoffs. Say
that 10 times fast.
Saturday’s games
(1 p.m. unless noted)
Delaware Valley (3-6) at Abington Heights (7-2): No matter what happens in
Kingston tonight, the Comets still need this one.
Nanticoke (1-8) at Hanover Area (6-3): Playing for bragging rights of the
Sans Souci Parkway.
Bishop O’Reilly (1-8) at Bishop Hoban (1-8), 7 p.m.: Have been on a
collision course like a pair of Yugos.
