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Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate remains at 3.9 percent

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Our View: Food insecurity unnecessary, unacceptable

Wyoming Area created quite a buzz earlier this week by swapping out winless Holy Redeemer for state power Southern Columbia in Week 8.If the undefeated Warriors want to keep that buzz going, they need to take care of business between now and then starting with a visit tonight from a rather intriguing opponent.Tunkhannock comes into tonight&#8217;s game at 3-1, a record buoyed by two remarkable comebacks the past two weekends. The Tigers need one more victory to reach four wins for the first time since 2008. The program hasn&#8217;t produced a winning record since 1998 and its playoff drought that started after the 2007 season is the longest in the Wyoming Valley Conference.Yet, Wyoming Area isn&#8217;t taking Tunkhannock lightly. Right after discussing the future Southern Columbia game on Tuesday, Wyoming Area coach Randy Spencer began a film session on the Tigers.&#8220;They have athletes,&#8221; Spencer said. &#8220;They&#8217;re on a roll. They&#8217;ve shown great confidence in the way they&#8217;ve competed. The quarterback is maturing. He&#8217;s 6-5 and gets the ball out quickly and they have skill guys who are efficient in high percentage pitch-and-catch. And their running back does a nice job once they open up and create some space.&#8221;Quarterback Jack Chilson has been the catalyst this season. He played a big part as Tunkhannock turned a 32-7 deficit with 10 minutes remaining into a 35-32 victory over Pittston Area. The Tigers didn&#8217;t have as big a hole to dig out of last Friday against Honesdale but outscored the Hornets 21-0 after halftime for a 35-26 victory.Chilson leads all WVC quarterbacks with 703 passing yards and his six TD passes are tied for second most. Wyoming Area hasn&#8217;t been tested much via the pass this season. The Warriors&#8217; first three opponents had first-year starters behind center, while Nanticoke Area was without its starting quarterback last Friday.Chilson is also averaging 9.4 yards per carry, but the guy who has pumped life into the running game has been Gavin D&#8217;Amato. He has rushed for over 150 yards in a game twice. By comparison, Tunkhannock had one 100-yard rushing game all of last season.Still, there&#8217;s a red flag waving over the Tigers &#8212; their inability to get off to quick starts. Falling behind to Pittston Area and Honesdale is one thing. Falling behind to Wyoming Area is another.The Warriors defense is surrendering just 135.5 yards per game, with some of them coming when the reserves were on the field. Defensive lineman Sam Solomon is a Division I recruit and leads the team in tackles, tackles for loss and sacks. The unit suffered a big setback when linebacker Corey Mruk suffered a season-ending knee injury, but there are veterans like linebacker FJ Braccini and Derek Ambrosino to keep things stable.ELSEWHERE &#8230;&#8226; Crestwood takes a long road trip to Williamsport, which has been a pleasant surprise defensively.&#8226; Dallas tries to stay undefeated as it heads to Wyoming Valley West.&#8226; Holy Redeemer is at Nanticoke Area, with each team seeking their first victory of the season.&#8226; Lake-Lehman goes for its fourth consecutive win as it hosts Northwest.&#8226; A couple of old rivals from the now-defunct Susquehanna Valley Conference pair up as Selinsgrove plays at Berwick.&#8226; Wallenpaupack is at Pittston Area as the teams play for the first time in 18 years.&#8226; Western Wayne brings a strong running attack into its game at Hanover Area.&#8226; Wilkes-Barre Area is at Hazleton Area in a game that will impact the final District 2/4 Class 6A standings.WEEK 5 AT A GLANCECrestwood (2-2) at Williamsport (3-1)7 p.m. FridayThe Coaches: Crestwood&#8217;s Ryan Arcangeli (2-2, 1st year); Williamsport&#8217;s Chuck Crews (45-46, 9th year)Last Meeting: Williamsport 49-26 in 2018All-Time Series: Tied 4-4Scouting Crestwood: The Comets found out what other teams have known &#8211; Pottsville can throw the ball. The Crimson Tide threw two TD passes and returned a Crestwood throw for a touchdown in a 42-12 victory. Four turnovers didn&#8217;t help Crestwood&#8217;s cause. Speaking of turnovers, the Crestwood defense hasn&#8217;t recorded one since the season opener.Scouting Williamsport: The defense took center stage once again in a 13-7 victory over Hazleton Area. Berwick has been the only opponent to move the ball effectively against the Millionaires. As for the offense, it&#8217;s doing just enough to win. QB Dallas Griess had two TD runs, while once again Williamsport didn&#8217;t turn over the ball.What To Expect: Williamsport&#8217;s defense to come up big again.Dallas (4-0) at Wyoming Valley West (1-3)7 p.m. FridayThe Coaches: Dallas&#8217; Rich Mannello (30-20, 5th year); WVW&#8217;s Jack Baranski (1-3, 1st year)Last Meeting: Dallas 42-6 in 2018All-Time Series: WVW leads 17-11Scouting Dallas: The Mountaineers eclipsed 300 yards rushing once again as they routed Pittston Area 56-15. The passing game was stout as well, as WRs Luke DelGaudio and Matt Maransky hauled in touchdown passes. The defense has been outstanding all season and held its third opponent to under 100 yards rushing.Scouting WVW: The Spartans&#8217; rivalry game with Berwick didn&#8217;t go well. The offense once again couldn&#8217;t move the ball in the 42-0 loss. After gaining over 300 yards vs. Hazleton Area, the unit has a total of 101 combined in the last two games. On top of that, the Spartans have been bitten by the injury bug.What To Expect: Dallas to run to another victory.Holy Redeemer (0-3) at Nanticoke Area (0-4)7 p.m. FridayThe Coaches: Redeemer&#8217;s Tyson Kelley (0-3, 1st year); Nanticoke Area&#8217;s Ron Bruza (39-58, 10th year)Last Meeting: Nanticoke Area 58-12 in 2017All-Time Series: Nanticoke Area leads 9-3Scouting Redeemer: The Royals received good news this week as it will play winless Shikellamy instead of undefeated Wyoming Area in Week 8. Other than that, it was more of the same last week in a 49-0 loss to Old Forge, which did everything possible to keep the score down. The Royals have been outscored 102-0 in their last two games.Scouting Nanticoke Area: The Trojans scored only their second offensive touchdown of the season in last week&#8217;s 42-7 loss to Wyoming Area, which &#8212; like Old Forge did vs. Redeemer &#8212; threw out the offensive anchor in the second half. Some missing pieces aren&#8217;t helping Nanticoke Area get out of the rut.What To Expect: Nanticoke Area to get the offense going.Northwest (2-1) at Lake-Lehman (3-1)7 p.m. FridayThe Coaches: Northwest&#8217;s Lon Hazlet (112-105, 21st year); Lehman&#8217;s Jerry Gilsky (65-40, 10th year)Last Meeting: Lehman 35-21 in 2018All-Time Series: Lehman leads 27-14-3Scouting Northwest: The Rangers should be well rested after being off last weekend due to Holy Cross folding its program. But that fact could be a double-edged sword. They could have used a game to get their rhythm back after a 34-3 loss to Wyoming Area in Week 3. Expect a heavy dose of RB George May, who has been the bell cow this season.Scouting Lehman: The Black Knights rolled past winless Carbondale 48-14. QB Ethan Adams threw for 143 yards and two touchdowns as the offense has been nicely balanced over the three-game winning streak. Not only is a win needed but a crisp performance as well with a showdown with Wyoming Area up next.What To Expect: Lehman to take control over the final two quarters.Selinsgrove (2-2) at Berwick (4-0)7 p.m. FridayThe Coaches: Selinsgrove&#8217;s Derek Hicks (39-18, 5th year); Berwick&#8217;s Carmen DeFrancesco (156-97, 23rd year)Last Meeting: Berwick 21-7 in 2018All-Time Series: Berwick leads 20-12Scouting Selinsgrove: After a 76-0 loss to Southern Columbia, Selinsgrove rebounded with a 37-6 win over winless Shikellamy. The program puts out solid teams on an annual basis, but the Seals appear a year away this time around. QB Nate Schon, RB Dan Shoch and leading tackler Teague Hoover are all underclassmen.Scouting Berwick: So much for the rivalry with Wyoming Valley West. The Dawgs dominated the Spartans 42-0 for their second shutout of the season. The defense has allowed just two TDs all season and should fare well against a young Selinsgrove team. QB Ryan Laubach threw three touchdown passes against WVW and Teagan Wilk tied the school interception record.What To Expect: Like Berwick&#8217;s rivalry last week, this one will be one sided.Tunkhannock (3-1) at Wyoming Area (4-0)7 p.m. FridayThe Coaches: Tunkhannock&#8217;s Mike Marabell (5-8, 2nd year); Wyoming Area&#8217;s Randy Spencer (64-50, 11th year)Last Meeting: Wyoming Area 49-6 in 2015All-Time Series: Wyoming Area leads 21-4Scouting Tunkhannock: The Tigers did it again, rallying from a 26-14 halftime deficit for a 35-26 victory. QB Jack Chilson and RB Gavin D&#8217;Amato led the comeback, with D&#8217;Amato rushing for over 150 yards for a second time this season. Tunkhannock, though, needs to get out of the gates quicker because Wyoming Area is unlikely to allow a rally.Scouting Wyoming Area: The Warriors made news with their schedule swap to get Southern Columbia in Week 8. But they have some business to take care of before that. First off, the secondary needs to be on its toes because it hasn&#8217;t faced a team that will throw like Tunkhannock. Secondly, they need to get consistency from the running game with standout Corey Mruk gone for the season.What To Expect: Wyoming Area will likely win, but Tunkhannock will make it entertaining.Wallenpaupack (1-3) at Pittston Area (1-3)7 p.m. FridayThe Coaches: Wallenpaupack&#8217;s Mark Watson (66-75, 14th year); Nick Barbieri (11-15, 3rd year)Last Meeting: Pittston Area 40-6 in 2001All-Time Series: Pittston Area leads 3-0Scouting Wallenpaupack: After winning nine games in 2018, one short of the school record, Wallenpaupack is in a rebuild mode. Two weeks ago, the Buckhorns suffered their worst loss in school history, 70-0 to Delaware Valley. The offense is completing just 24 percent of its passes while leading rusher Shadrak Agyei is averaging just 3.8 yards per carry.Scouting Pittston Area: The Patriots ran into another WVC power in Dallas and lost 56-15. The offense managed just 141 yards, a season low. The running game continued to struggle. The defense gave up over 300 yards rushing for the second time in three games. In between, it allowed Tunkhannock to pass for 284 yards.What To Expect: A close game with Pittston Area getting its second victory.Western Wayne (4-0) at Hanover Area (1-3)7 p.m. FridayThe Coaches: Western Wayne&#8217;s Randy Wolff (23-15, 4th year); Hanover Area&#8217;s Rick Hummer (1-3, 1st year)Last Meeting: Hanover Area 36-34 in 2011All-Time Series: Hanover Area leads 4-0Scouting Western Wayne: The Wildcats feasted on winless Montrose 55-13 last week. RB Zane Janiszewski needed just six carries to amass 156 yards. He has 617 yards rushing and four 100-yard games, so it&#8217;s pretty reasonable he&#8217;ll carry the ball a lot. QB Matt Valanda doesn&#8217;t throw often, but his numbers suggest he&#8217;s been effective.Scouting Hanover Area: The Hawkeyes gave up four touchdown passes early in a 39-13 loss to Riverside. They&#8217;ve been exploited through the air at times this season. Same goes with the run defense, which faces its biggest challenge. On the bright side, RB Hunter Karpowich ran for a career-high 218 yards vs. Riverside.What To Expect: Western Wayne&#8217;s running attack will be too much to handle.Wilkes-Barre Area (2-2) at Hazleton Area (1-3)7 p.m. FridayThe Coaches: WBA&#8217;s Ciro Cinti (73-75, 14th year); Hazleton Area&#8217;s Mike Brennan (135-99, 18th year)Last Meeting: never playedAll-Time Series: never playedScouting WBA: The Wolfpack found out what it&#8217;s like to play at the Class 6A level as defending D2-6A champ Delaware Valley defeated them 54-20. WBA kept hanging in against the Warriors, who methodically worn down any comeback hopes. The running game remains spotty; the run defense couldn&#8217;t stop DelVal.Scouting Hazleton Area: RB Kevin Meluskey posted his first career 100-yard rushing game, but there was little else going offensively in a 13-7 loss to Williamsport. The offensive yardage output has hovered in the 200-yard area the past two games, but the Cougars did play two of the WVC&#8217;s best defenses.What To Expect: An entertaining game that could go either way.<style>
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<div class="neCaption">Gavin D'Amato, Tunkhannock. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader</div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/web1_TunkhannockFB-Gavin-DAmato-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Gavin D'Amato, Tunkhannock. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader</caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/web1_TunkhannockFB-Coach-Mike-Marabell.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Head Coach Mike Marabell, Tunkhannock. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader</div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/web1_TunkhannockFB-Coach-Mike-Marabell.jpg</photo1><caption1>Head Coach Mike Marabell, Tunkhannock. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader</caption1><photoCredit1></photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/web1_football-83.jpg">
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta>By John Erzarjerzar@www.timesleader.com</bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><factboxMeta>TIMES LEADER DISTRICT 2 TOP 10Teams are ranked based on performance regardless of classification. District 4&#8217;s Williamsport will be ranked, if applicable, since it plays in the Wyoming Valley Conference. Last week&#8217;s rankings are in parentheses. NR means not ranked last week.1. (1) Valley View (4-0)`Handled Scranton Prep; gets Berwick in two weeks2. (2) Dallas (4-0)`Rolled Pittston Area for fourth lopsided victory3. (3) Wyoming Area (4-0)`Pass defense could be tested vs. Tunkhannock4. (4) Berwick (4-0)`Turned rivalry game with WVW into a blowout5. (5) Old Forge (4-0)`Off this week because Holy Cross folded program6. (6) Western Wayne (4-0)`Travels to Hanover Area to play rebuilding Hawks7. (7) Delaware Valley (3-1)`Very impressive in 54-20 win vs. WBA8. (9) Williamsport (3-1)`Millionaires once again banked on their defense9. (NR) Lake-Lehman (3-1)`Hosts a well-rested Northwest team10. (10) Northwest (2-1)`Back on the field after getting a week offDropped out: Scranton Prep (2-2)Given consideration: Crestwood (2-2); Dunmore (2-2); Lackawanna Trail (2-2); Riverside (3-1); Scranton Prep (2-2); Tunkhannock (3-1); Wilkes-Barre Area (2-2)</factboxMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta>Reach John Erzar at 570-991-6394 or on Twitter @TLJohnErzar</shirttailMeta></div>

WVC football Week 5 preview: Opponents wary of upstart Tunkhannock