ELMHURST – The format did not matter to the Abington Heights boys golf team.
Match play with a six-man lineup for nine holes, as they play throughout the regular season; the same match-play format, but extended over 18 holes; or an unfamiliar medal play event with five players against another unbeaten division championship team.
The Comets conquered three more opponents, using the three formats in the process, to claim the District 2 Class 3A boys team championship.
Abington Heights 316
Dallas 323
James Flickinger saw an opening and he took it.
After sending his drive on the 10th hole into the edge of the woods, Flickinger spotted a route for the 6-iron that he sent from 200 yards to within 10 feet of the hole.
The birdie was the first of two straight holes in which Flickinger lipped out eagle attempts on the consecutive par-5s to begin the back nine.
“I got a lot of momentum from that hole,” said Flickinger, who went under par on the back nine while shooting a 74 to lead Abington Heights through the district final Friday at Elmhurst Country Club against Dallas. “ … After those two holes, I said ‘it’s going to be a good back nine.
“Then, I kept the momentum going through the entire back nine.”
The Mountaineers were defending champions and unbeaten champions of Wyoming Valley Conference Division 1. They returned four of the five players from last year’s team that finished sixth in the state, just two strokes out of third place.
“We heard a lot of people say Dallas is the best team in the state,” said Flickinger, who closed out his 35 on the back nine with a birdie from 10 feet at 18. “ … We’re super happy to win this.”
The Comets proved to be the best in District 2 with Flickinger matching district individual champion, and fellow sophomore, Logan Paczewski for the day’s best round.
“They’re one heckuva team,” Comets coach Frank Summa said. “We knew that coming in here.
“ … I’m proud of my boys. They all stepped their game up, under these conditions.”
Cold and wind made scoring difficult, but Abington Heights prepared by practicing the day before in the rain.
The Comets got all five players in at 83 or better while Paczewski and Freddie Lombardo were the only two to do so for Mountaineers.
Dan Flickinger and Mike Marion shot 80s and Will Brown had an 82 to complete the four-player Abington Heights team score. Bryce Florey had an 83.
Lombardo had an 81. Dolan, Brett Ostroski and Cooper Kelley each shot 84 for Dallas.
After the WVC swept all four individual district championships, the Lackawanna won three of four team titles, including both boys championships decided at Elmhurst Friday.
Abington Heights 8
Wallenpaupack 1
The Lackawanna League Division 1 playoff championship was decided in an 18-hole match at Elmhurst Country Club Oct. 2, but it could have been 13 holes.
By the time the three groups made it through 13, Abington Heights had already secured the five points necessary for a team victory, its third straight perfect Lackawanna season and a berth in the district final.
Will Brown shot 1-over-par, 73 while winning, 6 and 5, as part of a three-point sweep in the first foursome.
Mike Marion had three birdies in a round of 75 while winning his singles match, 6 and 5, in the final foursome.
In the middle foursome, Dan Flickinger and Grant Hamilton locked up their better-ball point, 7 and 6, while each winning, 6 and 5, in singles.
“When we go out to practice, we practice hard,” coach Frank Summa said. “Being committed to 18 holes walking, we’re stronger the longer we play.”
Bryce Florey joined Will Brown for the sweep in the leadoff spot.
James Flickinger helped Marion to the better-ball point.
Being on the wrong end of the only losing match in the league final helped get James Flickinger ready for the district final.
“I think that was the best thing that could have happened to me,” he said after making a late-season swing path adjustment to move back from a fade to a draw that he controls better. “It propelled me to go to the driving range for five hours and hit balls, keep working and not give up on it.”
Abington Heights 6 ½
Honesdale 2 ½
Bryce Florey and Will Brown swept the three points in the final foursome to turn back Honesdale Sept. 26 in the league semifinal.
Florey and Dan Flickinger each had two birdies while shooting 1-over-par, 37s at Glen Oak Country Club for the Comets.
James Flickinger joined Florey and Brown in winning in both singles and better ball. Mike Marion halved his singles match and joined James Flickinger for the better-ball win.
Scranton Prep 326
Wyoming Seminary 335
M.J. Stivala shot a 77 as Scranton Prep captured the District 2 Class 2A title Friday at Elmhurst.
Clarks Summit resident Andrew Maddock led Wyoming Seminary with an 82.