District 2/11 Class A preview: Dawgs battle Lack Trail for subregional crown
Tri-Valley quarterback Blake Schwartz hands off to Cole Gemberling during Friday's 28-14 victory over Mahanoy Area (Photo by Michelle Schwartz).
Schuylkill League chairman Dr. Stephen Toth will present Tri-Valley with the District 11 Class A championship trophy tonight when the Dawgs take the field against Lackawanna Trail in Factoryville.
The Dawgs are hoping to come off the field with more hardware — a subregional title and a trip to the PIAA Tournament.
Tri-Valley was crowned the District 11 Class A champion last Friday when the Dawgs blanked Marian 27-0 and Nativity fell to Lackawanna Trail 47-20 in the District 2/11 Class A subregional semifinals.
District 11 officials said they’ll present the Dawgs with their championship trophy after tonight’s game. It’s Tri-Valley’s first District 11 crown since sharing the honor with Williams Valley in 2020 and the Dawgs’ first outright title since 2018. It’s Tri-Valley’s seventh district crown overall, with the others coming in 1991, ’99, 2000 and 2009.
The Dawgs and Lions clash tonight at 7 p.m. The game can be heard live on WPPA 1360 AM and A-106 FM. Tickets cost $7 are only available online at www.districtxi.hometownticketing.com.
The subregional champion faces the District 4 champion, either Muncy or Line Mountain, in the PIAA playoffs next weekend.
“I think it was awesome for the kids and our staff to win districts,” Tri-Valley coach Jeff Sampson said. “They all worked hard all season and offseason and to bring another championship to the valley was great.”
To claim a subregional title, Tri-Valley (7-4) will have to slow down a Lackawanna Trail squad that rushed 32 times for 375 yards in its semifinal victory over Nativity.
The Lions (10-1) enter tonight’s contest having won nine in a row since a Week 2 loss at Western Wayne. The Lions average 38.1 points per game in their wing-T attack and give up only 12.7 per game, scoring 39 or more points in their last six games.
Junior Isaac Ryon rushed for 176 yards on just 11 carries against the Green Wave, scoring three touchdowns on runs of 40, 18 and 75 yards. Demitrius Douglas added 108 yards on six carries, scoring on runs of 2 and 74 yards.
For the season, the Lions average 278.3 yards rushing per game, with Ryon running for 1,329 yards and 21 TDs and Douglas gaining 723 yards and 13 touchdowns. Lackawanna Trail doesn’t throw it much, attempting only 40 passes all season. Lions’ QB Tyler Jervis threw it only one time against Nativity.
Max Kimmel (11-291, 4 TDs) is Jervis’ top target. He’s also a standout defensive back, swiping two passes against Nativity and returning one for a 51-yard touchdown in the second quarter that gave Lackawanna Trail a 21-0 lead.
The Dawgs’ defense did the job in the semifinals, holding Marian to 30 yards rushing and 74 total yards. They’ll need a similar effort tonight.
“Our defense was awesome last week,” Sampson said. “They held Marian in check even considering how many athletes they had all over the field.
“Our defensive coaches are the best and have the kids totally prepared. They will need to be disciplined this week against their wing-T.”
The Dawgs will also need to move the football on offense to be successful.
Junior Cole Gemberling (130-679, 16 TDs) and freshman Parker Hatter (94-617, 5 TDs) provide a strong 1-2 punch in the backfield, while senior quarterback Blake Schwartz has completed 69-of-127 passes for 1,018 yards and nine touchdowns. Sophomores Trey Porter (20-218, 2 TDs) and Lucas Schwartz (16-212, 2 TDs) and Gemberling (14-252) are his top targets.
Blake Schwartz threw for two touchdowns and Gemberling rushed for another score in the win over Marian.
Lackawanna Trail is no stranger to Tri-Valley. It will be the fourth meeting all-time between the clubs, with Trail holding a 2-1 advantage:
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The Lions ousted the Dawgs from the 2018 PIAA Class A playoffs with a 41-6, opening-round win at Scranton.
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The Lions beat Tri-Valley 42-26 in a first-round game in 2000 at Lackawanna County Stadium in Moosic.
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Tri-Valley downed Lackawanna Trail 42-14 in the PIAA Class A playoffs in 1999 at Shenandoah Valley High School.
