District 2 Playoffs

I didn't want to do it until after Week 5, but lo and behold I had no choice. Here's a look at three teams that I find intriguing this week:

Old Forge: I almost want to put an sterisk by the Blue Devils as a team that has clinched a berth in Class A. But that would not be fair. Still, Old Forge is cleraly the best team in this classification and will clinch a spot no later than Week 6. This team is unbelievably talented and in fairness doing it somewhat under the state radar. I know that it isn't fair to compare necessarily because of the opponents, but look at Riverside's numbers from last season at this time: 4-0, averaging 38 points a game and giving up 14.8. Old Forge this season, 42.3 points a game and giving up 8.3 points per game.

Riverside: Has gotten itself back on track with a very important win over Valley View. Despite playing in Class A, Riverside's LFC Division II schedule still features games against Scranton Prep, Lakeland, and Dunmore and much-improved Western Wayne. Right now the Vikings need to keep winning it they are going to defend their District 2 Class A championship and force a possible rematch with Old Forge.

Lakeland: Absolutely has put itself in must-win situation for the remainder of the season. At 2-2 and with games still lingering against a quickly improving Riverside and Scranton Prep, the Chiefs cannot afford any more losses if they hope to make the District 2 Class AA playoffs for the 11th straight season. This week's showdown with rival Valley View is a pivotal game for the five-time District 2 Class AA champion.

Players to watch Week 4

Lackawanna Football Conference Division I

Brett Sweeting, Scranton
Sr. Running back
Found the going tough last week against a tough East Stroudsburg South team, but Sweeting is a quick back with power that could give Honesdale a lot of trouble. In a Week 1 win over Wyoming Valley West, Sweeting, a 5-11, 175-pounder, ran for 51 yards, then followed that up with 166 yards and three touchdowns with 33 yards receiving in a win over Pittston Area.
Honesdale defense: In Week 1, the Hornets gave up 297 yards on the ground against Western Wayne, and yielded 143 against Pleasant Valley and 407 last week against East Stroudsburg North.

Lackawanna Football Conference Division II

Frank Santarsiero, Dunmore
Sr. Fullback
It certainly is tough enough for opponents to have to try and contain Michael Perry, then Santarsiero hits you up the middle. Last week against West Scranton, Dunmore had gained five yards rushing on its first four attempts. Then Satnarsiero broke through the middle for a 50-yard touchdown that shifted the momentum directly in favor of the Bucks in a 31-14 win. He finished with 124 yards in the game.
Lakeland defense: With junior linebacker Al Tuzze still nursing an injured leg, the Chiefs have been hurt against the run. Last week, Carbondale RB Dylan Cerra ran for 215 yards against Lakeland.

Lackawanna Football Conference Division III

Sean Fricke, Lackawanna Trail
Sr. Running back
Yes Lackawanna Trail is 0-3 and has lost 13 of its last 14 games, but Fricke could have a breakout game, and is probably due. A three-year player for the Lions the losing isn;t likely sitting well. Last week against Scranton Prep, he ran for 45 yards and added 39 receiving.
Lake-Lehman defense: Last week against Northwest, the rebuilding Black Knights gave up 282 yards on the ground in a loss to Northwest.