Now Is The Time To Get Real, And Forecast Who Will Make The District Tourneys
JOHN ERZAR
Monday, October 29, 2001 Page: 3C
The Northeast Pennsylvania Football Conference heads into the final week of
the season with teams still jockeying for positions and seedings in District
The jockeying can be as simple or complex as you want it to be.
Because there are some unique situations involving ludicrous upsets that
would muddy the playoff outlook beyond comprehension, I’ll deal with reality
and plausibility. It’s the happy medium between simple and complex.
The official points for Districts 1, 2, 4 and 11 are released today, but
here is what’s known to this point.
As for the Eastern Conference playoffs, you’re on your own. The formula is
too complicated to know where anyone stands until the standings are released
tomorrow.
Class 4A
District 2/4 gets one automatic spot and District 1 gets two. The remaining
teams match state points for five other berths. Here’s how D-2/4’s automatic
position is shaping up.
Williamsport (7-2, 910 points) is in if it defeats Wyoming Valley West.
Abington Heights (7-2, 880) needs a victory against Delaware Valley and a
Williamsport loss to Valley West to earn the spot.
Wyoming Valley West (6-3, 820) must defeat Williamsport and have DelVal top
Abington Heights to gain the berth.
Hazleton Area (6-3, 770) can’t get the automatic berth, and its loss to
Valley West during the weekend probably eliminates the Cougars from one of the
five at-large berths. That won’t be certain until the District 1 points are
eyeballed.
What’s likely: Williamsport or Abington gets the automatic berth. The
odd-team out and Valley West match points with District 1, with Valley West
falling short and the other teetering.
Who’s the champ: No one from the NEPFC.
Class 3A
The way things look, District 11 teams Lehighton (8-1, 1,070 points) and
Blue Mountain (7-2, 1,030) will unseat the fourth-place teams in District 2
and District 4.
Berwick (7-2, 990) is at Dallas (7-2, 960) Saturday, but the game appears
more for seeding purposes. Dallas would need a lot of bad things to happen to
be eliminated.
West Scranton (6-3, 840) must defeat Wallenpaupack (2-6) Friday, otherwise
Pittston Area is in position to pass the Invaders. Pittston Area (6-3, 820)
will end up with between 820 and 1,010 points. The latter requires some
unlikely upsets, so look for about 970 points, which still may not be enough.
Wyoming Area (5-4, 730) wants West Scranton to lose and Lake-Lehman to
defeat Pittston Area. Then, about eight other games need to break the
Warriors’ way for any hope.
What’s likely: Berwick, Dallas and West Scranton are joined by either Blue
Mountain or Lehighton in the four-team bracket.
Who’s the champ: Berwick or Dallas.
Class 2 A
Too close to determine whether District 1’s St. Pius X will bump the
fourth-place team in either District 2, 4 or 11. All three fourth-place teams
look wobbly.
Lakeland (9-0, 1,240 points) is in and will host a semifinal game. Valley
View (8-1, 1,100) will likely finish with 1,250 points and probably host a
semifinal game.
Scranton Prep (7-2, 970) has secured the third or fourth spot pending the
outcome of this week’s games.
Meyers (6-3, 770) is projected to have 940 points at best. That’s probably
not enough to stave off Pius X.
Dunmore (6-3, 760) must defeat Lakeland or it has no chance. Even if the
Bucks do, they will need a few improbable upsets.
Hanover Area (6-3, 720) can top out with 880 points and it’s highly
doubtful that will be enough.
Likely scenario: Lakeland, Valley View, Prep and TBA because the final spot
involves too many factors and too many teams.
Who’s the champ: Lakeland, but don’t dimiss Valley View.
Class A
District 4’s Canton will get bumped by District 1’s Bristol, giving
District 2 four teams in its tournament.
Lackawanna Trail (8-1, 1,060 points) will host a semifinal game and likely
get home field through the playoffs. Riverside (7-2, 960) will host a
semifinal game by defeating Susquehanna (3-6) or with a loss by Carbondale.
Carbondale (7-2, 900) could move up to the second seed, but seems locked in
third. The Chargers could miss the districts all together, but remember –
reality and plausibility.
Old Forge (6-3, 820) needs to defeat Northwest (0-9) or have Hafey lose to
Trail. The Blue Devils could be ousted all together, but that won’t happen.
So why won’t Carbondale or Old Forge get bumped? Well, Bishop Hafey (6-3,
O’Hara (4-5) would have to defeat Carbondale and Susquehanna would need to
down Riverside.
One of those happening is considered improbable. All four would be a
conspiracy.
Likely scenario: Old Forge at Trail and Carbondale at Riverside in the
semifinals.
Who’s the champ: Logic says Trail. Hunch says Riverside.
John Erzar, a Times Leader sports writer, covers high school football. He
can be reached at [email protected] or 829-7183.
