Lackawanna Football Conference teams in the top half of The Times-Tribune High School Football Poll were victorious and anchored in their positions.
Lakeland, however, in its 33-20 triumph over Riverside, lost its dynamic athlete, Jackson Pochas, to a serious leg injury. The Chiefs stayed undefeated, but now share the No. 5 position in the rankings with Honesdale, a 50-7 winner over Western Wayne last week.
That sets up a second straight Division II marquee game Friday at Lakeland Stadium.
Lakeland was already dealing with the loss of starting quarterback Rocco Spataro, who has not played all season, and NCAA college prospect Dylan Loomis, who is battling an injury. Having Pochas down puts the Chiefs in a vulnerable spot when they host the Hornets. In the win over Riverside, coach Dave Piwowarczyk turned to wide receiver Chase Rosenkrans to take snaps.
Honesdale comes into the clash full steam ahead. The Hornets have scored 50 or more points three times this season.
Top-ranked North Pocono also remained undefeated, despite playing without Cornell-commit Cole West. He is nursing an injury as the Trojans prepare to face No. 3 Scranton Prep on Friday. Scranton Prep has won five straig...