The latest Times‑Tribune High School Football Top 10 poll has placed the North Pocono Trojans at the summit, underscoring the team’s dominance after a 13‑1 campaign last year. Retaining key starter Cole West, the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year, the Trojans enter the season with high expectations.
Nine of the ten programs that appeared in last year’s final poll are back, preserving a core of experience and continuity across the league. The return of familiar faces promises familiarity and chemistry early in the schedule.
Teams to Watch
Among the newcomers, Honesdale’s Hornets, in their second year under head coach George Howanitz, have already shown they can compete, finishing the previous season with a 4‑7 record but winning two of their last three games to secure an Eastern Conference playoff spot.
Valley View, coming off a 6‑5 season, will rely on a defense that struggled early but proved potent later, while Dunmore’s Bucks bring a senior‑laden roster with over 20 returning starters, promising speed and athleticism.
Scranton Prep’s Cavaliers, champions of the District 2 Class 3A title last year, overcame early injuries to peak at the right moment, and Abington Heights, despite graduation losses, still boast talent at key positions and will open the season with a game in Florida.
Lakeland’s Chiefs, who posted an 11‑2 record, and Riverside’s Vikings, led by top athlete Brayden Rose who is attracting college recruiters, round out a field that also includes Delaware Valley and Lackawanna Trail, each aiming to leverage tradition and strong defensive units.
The conference slate will feature 15 games, beginning with a high‑profile matchup in Florida for Abington Heights, while the rest of the schedule promises a blend of rivalry and new contests that could reshape the power structure.