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2 Thursday, August 24, 2017 Times LeaderHIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

INSIDEBerwick 4Coughlin 5Crestwood 6Dallas 7GAR 8Hanover Area 9Hazleton Area 10Holy Redeemer 11Lake-Lehman 12Meyers 13Nanticoke 14Northwest 15WVC Schedule 16-17Pittston Area 18Tunkhannock 19Williamsport 20Wyoming Area 21Wyo. Val. West 22LFC Schedule 27Rosters 27-31

Cover design:DJ Eberle

Section editors:DJ Eberle, John

ErzarWriters: John

Erzar, Paul Sokoloski, Tom

Fox, Tom RobinsonPhotographers:

Aimee Dilger, Sean McKeag,

Fred Adams, Tony Callaio, Bill Tarutis

Sean McKeag | Times LeaderTashawn Qualls will be the starting quarterback for GAR.

Thursday, August 24, 2017 3 Times Leader HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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Friday September 1st7:00 pm Emmaus vs. Whitehall - LIVE SE5010:00 pm Catasauqua vs. Northern Lehigh - TV2

Saturday September 2nd 12:30 pm Villanova vs. Lehigh - LIVE TV2

Friday September 8th7:00 pm Bethlehem Catholic vs. Emmaus - LIVE TV27:00 pm Parkland vs. Liberty - LIVE SE50

Saturday September 9th1:00 pm McDaniel College vs. Moravian College - LIVE TV21:30 pm Catasauqua vs. Pen Argyl - LIVE SE50

Friday September 15th7:00 pm Easton vs. Parkland - LIVE TV27:00 pm Hunterdon Central vs. Phillipsburgh - LIVE SE50

Saturday September 16th12:30 pm Yale vs. Lehigh - LIVE TV27:00 pm Nazareth vs. Bethlehem Catholic - LIVE TV2

Friday September 22nd7:00 pm Bethlehem Catholic vs. Liberty - LIVE TV27:00 pm Freedom vs. Parkland - LIVE SE50 10:00 pm Pocono Mt. West vs. Pleasant Valley - TV2

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Thursday September 28th7:00 pm Hillsborough vs. Phillipsburg - LIVE TV2

Friday September 29th7:00 pm Parkland vs. Whitehall - LIVE SE50

Saturday September 30th1:30 pm Catasauqua vs. Wilson - LIVE TV2

Fri. Sept 1 7:00 pm Hazleton @ WVW

Thurs. Sept 7 7:00 pm Nanticoke @ GAR

Fri. Sept. 8 7:00 pm Meyers @ Hanover

Sat. Sept. 9 1:00 pm Mahanoy City @ Holy Redeemer

Fri. Sept 14 7:00 pm Lehman @ GAR

Sat. Sept. 15 7:00 pm Nanticoke @ Meyers

Fri. Sept. 22 7:00 pm Dallas @ WVW

Sat. Sept. 23 1:00 pm Meyers @ Holy Redeemer

Thurs. Sept. 28 7:00 pm Athens @ GAR

Sat. Sept. 30 7:00 pm Nanticoke @ Crestwood

Fri. Oct. 6 7:00 pm Northwest @ Hanover

Sat. Oct 7 7:00 pm Wyoming Area @ GAR

Fri. Oct 13 7:00 pm Tunkhannock @ Meyers

Sat. Oct. 14 7:00 pm Williamsport @ Coughlin

Fri.Oct. 20 7:00 pm WVW @ Crestwood

Fri. Oct. 27 7:00 pm Nanticoke @ Hanover

Sat. Oct. 28 2:00 pm GAR @ Meyers

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4 Thursday, August 24, 2017 Times LeaderBERWICK BULLDOGS

Quarterback is down, but Berwick not outBy Paul Sokoloskipsokoloski@timesleader.com

Their leading scorer and top rusher is gone.

Their expected leader of the huddle is out for awhile.

But the hopes of the Berwick Bulldogs aren’t going anywhere.

“The high expectations remain,” Ber-wick coach Frank Sheptock said. “We want to be a championship program. The biggest thing is, how long does it take for us to mature?”

Good question.Berwick will mix in a lot of youth this

season, especially in an offense that will feature 10 new faces.

The most pressing issue is at quarterback where senior Jared Marshman suffered a broken ankle in the offseason and will be out of action for at least the first month.

“We were working out, and it was one of those

things where you say, ‘How can that hap-pen?’” Sheptock said. “But it did. We expect him to be back at some point.”

At this point, junior Alex Force is the favorite to take most of the snaps, and take the Bulldogs on a run toward another District 2 title game after three straight championship defeats.

Berwick will miss the consistent 100-yard rushing games and 22 touchdowns from graduated Lenny Wyda, but experi-enced big-play back Evan Klinger prom-ises to keep the backfield in good shape.

“I definitely have the same expecta-tions,” Force said. “Berwick football is a brand. It’s been one of the top programs in Pennsylvania. We’re just going to have to step up.”

ON OFFENSEAfter the loss of Marshman, the Bull-

dogs plan to handle the quarterback slot by committee. Force has the most experi-ence and should see the bulk of the action at quarterback, but Ryan Laubach and Klinger may also see some time at the

position.They’ll be throwing to a strong corps of

receivers, including Jared Watts, Denver Knorr, Jake Betz and Justin Robbins.

The running game will revolve around Klinger — “One of the premier football players we have in this program,” Sheptock called him — but will also feature a few change-ups. Sprinter Owen Shoe-maker adds big-play ability, while freshman Mason Laubach is a big-bodied but athletic runner with the capability of running through or around defenders.

Up front, the Bulldogs will lean on their most experienced offensive linemen, seniors Tom Monico and Chase Strothers, who have experience at multiple positions.

ON DEFENSEThe strength for Berwick will be in the

defensive backfield as Alex Parks, Klinger and Damon Beckhorn all return. Add to the mix such promising prospects as Teagan Wilk, Jake Seely, Alex Sharkuski and Jarret Groshek and Berwick not only boasts strength in the defensive backfield, but plenty of depth.

It’s a different story at linebacker.Senior Noah Craig returns to the

middle after starting all but one game last season, but the Bulldogs are trying to find

playmakers to put around him.In the trenches, Berwick has some

potential to make a push, behind nose guard Joey Lynn, defensive end Ben Peck

and sophomore defensive tackle Mike Zalutko.

“We don’t have many big guys,” said Force, another defensive back. “But I’ll tell you what, we’ll kill you with speed. We’re going to fly around the ball, and we’ll be there.”

OUTLOOKAfter three consecutive District

2 title losses, the Bulldogs have bigger things in mind for this season. They’re a little more comfortable with the style of Sheptock, who replaced the team’s late legend George Curry last season, and feature an offense that can be dynamic at times — even with Marshman out.

The big problem for Berwick will be keeping teams from moving the ball, but the Bulldogs plan to move back into the state playoffs.

“We’re still looking for a district cham-pionship,” Klinger said. “Getting second place every year is getting old. I’ve got two silver medals. I just want a gold district championship medal.”

Reach Paul Sokoloski at 570-991-6392 or on Twitter @TLPaulSokoloski

Aimee Dilger | Times LeaderBerwick coach Frank Sheptock, front, enters his second season at the helm.

BERWICK BULLDOGSCoach: Frank Sheptock (8-5) 2nd yearDivision: WVC 4APIAA Class: 4AMale enrollment: 273School phone: 570-759-6400Stadium location: Crispin Field, Mulberry and 11th Sts., BerwickKey players lost: Matt Champ, WR/DB; Anthony Cicini, WR/LB; Mike Force, WR/DB; Stone Force, OL/DL; Harrison Kuchka, WR/DB; Kyle Pierce, OL/DL; Kyle Roberts, OL/DL; Lenny Wyda, RB/DB; Ryan Woodard, OL/DL

2016 regular-season leadersPassing: Jared Marshman 77 of 131, 1,213 yds., 11 TDs, 4 Ints.Rushing: Lenny Wyda 223-1,235, 5.5 avg., 20 TDsReceiving: Matt Champ 23-434, 18.9 avg., 3 TDsScoring: Lenny Wyda 132 pts.Kicking: Ken Marshman 38 XPM, 6 FGs, 56 pts.

ScheduleFri., Aug 25 at Hazleton Area (6A) 7 p.m. Fri., Sept. 1 Dallas (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 8 at Wyoming Area (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept 15 Crestwood (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 22 Selinsgrove (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 29 at Coughlin (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 6 at Pittston Area (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 13 Wyo. Valley West (5A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 20 Lake-Lehman (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 27 at Williamsport (6A) 7 p.m.

2016 Results (8-5)Hazleton Area (3-8) W 44-0at Dallas (2-9) W 42-0Wyoming Area (9-3) L 34-20at Crestwood (3-8) W 15-7at Selinsgrove (8-4) L 17-14Coughlin (5-6) W 17-9Pittston Area (2-8) W 63-26at Wyo. Val. West (8-3) L 48-24at Lake-Lehman (5-6) W 62-14Williamsport (12-2) L 56-23

District 2 Class 4A playoffsWest Scranton (5-6) W 35-7at Wyoming Area (9-3) W 38-6at North Pocono (10-4) L 21-6

Marshman

Beckhorn

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Line will be key to Coughlin’s successBy John Erzarjerzar@timesleader.com

Coughlin has devel-oped a reputation under coach Ciro Cinti of a team that will pound the ball at opposing defenses. The running game has been the team’s bread-and-butter, as it has qualified for the post-season nine consecutive

years.Whether

the Cru-saders can maintain that for-mula will be some-thing to watch this

season. Only one starter returns from an offensive line that featured all-state performer Ryan Solt, who is now playing at the University of Albany.

“That’s our biggest concern right now, the offensive line,” Cinti said. “We’ve been mov-ing some kids around and we’ll try to fill the positions as best as pos-sible. I mean, they’re

good kids, they’re just young.”

ON OFFENSEThe Crusaders certain-

ly have the backfield to move the ball. But again, the onus falls on the line.

Running back Jake Cole returns for his senior sea-son after rushing for 1,050 yards. He would have likely been a 1,000-yard rusher in 2015, but leg and collarbone injuries sidelined him for five games. Fullback Jer-vone Young is a powerful lead blocker.

Vincent Todd took over as quarterback while the 2016 season was in progress and pro-duced six 100-yard rush-ing games and finished with 1,007 yards and a team-leading 12 rush-ing TDs. However, he didn’t throw much as the Crusaders relied on the ground game.

“He’s worked extreme-ly hard this summer,” Cinti said of Todd, who is being scouted by smaller Division I programs. “We went to a couple passing scrim-mages and he’s getting better. In college, he’ll probably be a receiver or D-back. That’s how he’s being recruited.”

Up front, returning starter Alex Gulitus will be the center and be flanked by newcomers Richard Carey and Gavin Baranski at the guard spots and Corey Har-rison and Michael Timek as tackles.

Coughlin threw just 49

passes last season and none of the projected starters made a recep-tion. Tight end Eric Sovan is a returning starter, but is used more like another lineman. Senior Patrick Strouse and sophomore Xayvion Proctor will be the wide receivers with sopho-more Antwan Gray-Dates being the wingback.

ON DEFENSEThe strength of the

unit will be the lineback-ers. Cole, Sovan, Tyler DeCinti and Matthew Zalaffi all return to the

COUGHLIN CRUSADERSCoach: Ciro Cinti (66-56) 12th yearDivision: WVC 4APIAA Class: 4AMale enrollment: 361School phone: 570-826-7201Stadium location: Wilkes-Barre Memorial Stadium, Old River Road, Wilkes-BarreKey players lost: Michael Cinti, K; Malik Diop, LB; Kevin Kozerski, QB/DB; Devon Ortolani, OL/DL; PJ Marinko, OL/DL; Nyheem Kenzakowski, OL/DL; Melvin Robinson, WR/DB; Ryan Solt, OL/DL

2016 regular-season leadersPassing: Kevin Kozerski 16 of 41, 285 yds., 3 TDs, 5 Ints.Rushing: Jake Cole 173-1,050, 6.1 avg., 9 TDsReceiving: Vincent Todd 8-172, 21.5 avg., 3 TDsScoring: Vincent Todd 90 pts.Kicking: Michael Cinti 30 XPM, 1 FG, 33 pts.

ScheduleFri., Aug. 25 at Dallas (4A) 7 p.m.Sat., Sept. 2 at Scranton Prep (3A) 1:30 p.m.Fri., Sept. 8 at Crestwood (4A) 7 p.m.Sat., Sept. 16 Wyoming Area (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 22 Honesdale (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 29 Berwick (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 6 at Meyers (3A) 7 p.m.Sat., Oct. 14 Williamsport (6A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 20 at Pittston Area (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 27 at Wyo. Val. West (5A) 7 p.m.

2016 Results (5-6)at Dallas (2-9) W 20-7Scranton Prep (12-2) L 23-2Crestwood (3-7) W 33-14at Wyoming Area (9-3) L 38-14at Honesdale (0-10) W 49-13at Berwick (8-5) L 17-9Meyers (5-6) W 40-0at Williamsport (12-2) L 49-28Pittston Area (2-8) W 42-21Wyo. Val. West (8-3) L 55-14

District 2 Class 4A quarterfinalat Valley View (7-5) L 20-13

Fred Adams | for Times LeaderCoughlin needs to replace four starters on the offensive line.

See COUGHLIN | 23

Cinti

Cole

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6 Thursday, August 24, 2017 Times LeaderCRESTWOOD COMETS

Comets take to skiesBy Paul Sokoloskipsokoloski@timesleader.com

That Single Wing just may transform into double trouble.

A Crestwood program that built some recent success with a pretty unique ground-and-pound offensive system plans to turn to the air this season.

And it just may put the Comets back into full flight among the area’s elite programs again.

“We’re trying to play to our strengths,” Crest-wood coach Greg Myers said. “And that is the receivers.”

That should help a Comets team that was on the receiving end of a couple of lopsided losses during a 3-8 season last year, when Crestwood was shut out twice, held to a field goal in another game and failed to score more than a touchdown in two others.

The unstoppable

rushing attack that car-ried Crestwood to two straight district title games — ending with the 2014 District 2 Class 3A championship and a state playoff appearance — was staggered by inju-ries and inconsistency during the past two los-ing seasons.

This season, the Com-ets should be much more prolific with a revamped passing game that could very well put Crestwood back on the district play-off map.

“We want to stretch the field,” senior wide receiver Kevin Klusewitz said.

If they can do it consis-tently, the Comets should be able to make a stretch run that raises hopes sky high again.

“We feel like our skill set as as good as those (district title game) years,” Myers said. “We’ve just got to keep them on the field.”

ON OFFENSE

With running back Pat-rick Rother and fullback Jeff Schmude returning for their senior seasons, the Comets aren’t about to abandon the ground game. In fact, they’ll still line up in the Single Wing most of the time.

“The average fan, formation-wise, won’t see a whole lot (of differ-ence),” Myers said.

What happens after the snap, though, will seem

like a complete transfor-mation.

With seniors Klusewitz and Brandon Brozena leading a deep receiving corps, the Comets plan to air things out this year. Other targets will include senior receivers Pat Colo and Michael Macri, juniors Brandon Niemenski and Jesse Zaykowski and junior tight end Sean Foley.

CRESTWOOD COMETSCoach: Greg Myers (75-66) 12th year at Crestwood; 13th overallDivision: WVC 4APIAA Class: 4AMale enrollment: 364School phone: 570-474-6782Stadium location: High school, Route 309, Wright Twp.Key players lost: Lance Blass, QB/DB; Kyle Frisbee, OL/DL; Jeremy Hannen, OL/DL; Ben Kreuzer, DB; Garrett McAfee, DB; Kyle Richards, WR; Troy Simko, OL/DL

2016 regular-season leadersPassing: Chase Passman 11 of 32, 118 yds., 0 TD, 4 Ints.Rushing: Lance Blass 101-653, 6.5 avg., 6 TDsReceiving: Kyle Richards 9-143, 15.9 avg., 0 TDsScoring: Lance Blass and Patrick Rother, 42 pts.Kicking: Alex Despirito 13 XPM, 1 FG, 16 pts.

ScheduleFri., Aug. 25 at Pittston Area (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 1 Wyoming Area (4A) 7 p.m.Sat., Sept. 8 Coughlin (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 15 at Berwick(4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 22 at Pottsville(4A) 7 p.m.Sat., Sept. 30 Nanticoke (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 6 at Tunkhannock (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 13 at Hanover Area (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 20 Wyo. Val.West (5A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 27 Hazleton Area (6A) 7 p.m.

2016 Results (3-8)Pittston Area (2-8) W 35-28at Wyoming Area (9-3) L 27-7at Coughlin (5-6) L 33-14Berwick (8-5) L 15-7Pottsville (9-2) L 33-0at Nanticoke (5-6) L 25-22Tunkhannock (2-8) W 49-6Hanover Area (4-6) W 28-20at Wyo. Val. West (8-3) L 47-0at Hazleton Area (3-8) L 38-3

District 2 Class 4A quarterfinalat North Pocono (10-4) L 48-14See COMETS | 23

Bill Tarutis | For Times LeaderCrestwood wide receiver Kevin Klusewitz, running back Patrick Rother and cornerback Brandon Brozena are expected to be major contributors.

Thursday, August 24, 2017 7 Times Leader DALLAS MOUNTAINEERS

80850206

Experience could pay off for DallasBy Tom RobinsonFor Times Leader

They may have been his youngest players in 2016, but Dallas coach Rich Mannello often did not treat his freshmen as such.

As a result, he has no intentions of treating the most experienced ones in the group like sopho-mores this season.

“Those ninth-graders that played moving into 10th, I told them the expectation is going to be that they logged enough minutes last year that we’re going to expect them to compete like juniors,” Mannello said.

“They had a lot of play-ing time.”

That playing time was often a necessity.

Being so young may have contributed to an uncharacteristic 2-8 sea-son, but it also resulted in a team that was able to improve as the season

wore on.The Mountaineers

endured a six-game los-ing streak and played their best football at the end of the season.

An 18-15 win over Lake-Lehman in the Old Shoe Game to close the regular season allowed Dallas to claim the last of eight playoff berths available in the District 2 Class 4A playoffs.

Once there, the Moun-taineers threatened a major upset before falling to top-seeded Wyoming Area 13-12 on the road.

“They started playing fast toward the end of the year, especially on defense,” Mannello said.

ON OFFENSEMichael Starbuck, who

took over as quarterback during the season, is one of the experienced sophomores.

Starbuck connected on almost 46 percent of his passes.

Tailback Lenny Kel-

ley and fullback Taylor Bolesta are also part of that group.

Kelley, the team’s second-leading rusher, and Bolesta, its second-leading receiver, made starts at tailback and fullback as the season progressed.

Senior fullback David Schuster and Starbuck give the Mountaineers three of last year’s top four rushers back.

Sophomores Danny Meuser and Dylan Schus-ter are two more options

at tailback.Senior Chris Murray

moves from tight end to wide receiver, which could give him a chance to add to his team-lead-ing receiving totals of 21 catches for 305 yards.

That opens the tight end spot for Jack Farrell, another sophomore.

Christian Motley has some experience at the other receiver spot where Matt Maransky, yet another of the sopho

Sean McKeag | Times LeaderDallas will be looking to improve on a 2-9 season.

DALLAS MOUNTAINEERSCoach: Rich Mannello (8-14), 3rd yearDivision: WVC 4APIAA Class: 4AMale enrollment: 347School phone: 570-675-5201Stadium location: School Road, off Route 309, DallasKey players lost: Jason Anderson, OL/DL; Michael Farrell, OL/DL; Charles Giacometti, WR/DB; James Hutchins, RB/DB; Carl Markowski, FB/LB; Stone Mannello QB/WR/DB; Ron Ostrowski, K/LB; Christian Sypniewski, TE

2016 regular-season leadersPassing: Mike Starbuck 37 of 81, 472 yds., 1 TD, 5 Ints.Rushing: Justin Hutchins 129-639, 4.9 avg., 5 TDsReceiving: Chris Murray 21-305, 14.5 avg., 1 TDScoring: Nathan Maransky 32 pts.Kicking: Nathan Maransky 14 XPM, 6 Fgs, 32 pts.

ScheduleFri., Aug. 25 vs. Coughlin (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 1 at Berwick (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 8 Pittston Area (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 15 Scranton Prep (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 22 at Wyo. Val. West (5A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 29 at Meyers (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 6 Wallenpaupack (5A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 13 at Wyoming Area (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 20 Hazleton Area (6A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 27 Lake-Lehman (3A) 7 p.m.

2016 Results (2-9)Coughlin (5-6) L 20-7Berwick (8-5) L 42-0at Pittston Area (2-8) W 24-6at Scranton Prep (12-2) L 48-0Wyo. Val. West (8-3) L 29-0Meyers (5-6) L 36-35at Wallenpaupack (3-8) L 21-0Wyoming Area (9-3) L 42-10at Hazleton Area (3-8) L 41-23at Lake-Lehman (5-6) W 18-15

District 2 Class 4A quarterfinalat Wyoming Area (9-3) L 13-12See DALLAS | 24

8 Thursday, August 24, 2017 Times LeaderGAR GRENADIERS

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GAR wants to dictate the paceBy John Erzarjerzar@timesleader.com

GAR will be dipping into its past in hopes to make the postseason.

“You’ll primarily see our offense relevant to like in 2010 and 2011,” coach Paul Wiedlich Jr. said. “A lot of spread and zone concepts, at times a little West Coast offense with five wide. We’re going to turn to use our speed, like playing bas-ketball on a football field. Just go up and down and set the tempo.”

Recent GAR teams had running backs like Anthony Maurent and Josh Goodwin, who would allow the Grena-diers to control the pace and work the clock. Until someone proves to be capable of filling that role, they’ll rely on speed over power.

ON OFFENSETashawn Qualls took

over the quarterbacking

duties midway through last season and injected some life into the offense — only to be knocked out with a rib injury. He’ll be counted upon even more with his back-field mates moving on.

Wide receiver Mala-chai Williams brings experience to the skill positions as well. Receiv-er Gerson Peralta was having a solid season before suffering a broken leg in Week 5.

However, the rest of the group is young. Run-ning back Anthony Blake had three carries in 2016 while running back Will Johnson had none at the varsity level. Tight end Kadin Taylor had one catch; wideout Tai’Wan Bradley had none.

“We have a ton of skilled kids, kids who’ve been waiting for their turn,” Wiedlich said. “We’re going to see how we progress.”

The Grenadiers do return some starters

on the offensive line — guard Zynear Bradford and tackle Yorlin Peralta. Sophomores Kristian Vasquez (center) and Angel Meza (tackle) and senior Jared Soto (guard) will round out the starters.

“Offensive line-wise, we’re a little thin there right now,” Wiedlich said. “But each day they’re working to get better and better to get more comfortable with our system and scheme.”

ON DEFENSEThe unit created plenty

of turnovers over the sec-ond half of 2016, allow-ing GAR to make a push into the District 2 Class 3A playoff field.

The linebacking corps appears to be the strong part, with Tashawn Qualls and Tyrone Qualls returning inside and Blake back at the perim-eter. Omar Degante will play at the other outside spot.

Sean McKeag | Times LeaderSammy Lyons closes in on Justice Lomas during GAR football practice.

See GAR | 24

GAR GRENADIERSCoach: Paul Wiedlich Jr. (51-29) 8th yearDivision: WVC 3A-APIAA Class: 3AMale enrollment: 238School phone: 570-826-7165Stadium location: Wilkes-Barre Memorial Stadium, Old River Road, Wilkes-BarreKey players lost: Josafat Brito, OL/DL; Mike Drozda, RB/LB; Josh Goodwin, RB/DB; Anthony Hoopingarner, TE/DL; Chris Kolativa, OL/DL; Nate Luckey, WR/DB; Zach Norbert, OL/DL; Muhaideen Tajuddin, K/DB; Austin Yelland, QB/LB

2016 regular-season leadersPassing: Tashawn Qualls 22 of 37, 364 yds., 4 TDs, 1 Int.Rushing: Josh Goodwin 165-899, 5.4 avg., 13 TDsReceiving: Malachai Williams 8-138, 17.3 avg., 2 TDsScoring: Josh Goodwin 88 ptsKicking: Muhaideen Tajuddin 24 XPM, 5 FGs, 39 pts.

ScheduleFri., Aug. 25 at Honesdale (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 1 at Western Wayne (3A) 7 p.m.Thu., Sept. 7 Nanticoke (3A) 7 p.m.Thu., Sept. 14 Lake-Lehman (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 22 at Pittston Area (4A) 7 p.m.Thu., Sept. 28 Athens (4A) 7 p.m.Sat., Oct. 7 Wyoming Area (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 13 at Northwest (A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 20 Hanover Area (3A) 7 p.m.Sat., Oct. 28 at Meyers (3A) 2 p.m.

2016 Results (6-6)Honesdale (0-10) W 49-7Western Wayne (6-5) L 20-11at Nanticoke (5-6) L 16-13at Lake-Lehman (5-6) L 36-33Pittston Area (2-8) W 26-19at Athens (7-4) W 34-14at Wyoming Area (9-3) L 35-14Northwest (7-4) L 20-17at Hanover Area (4-6) W 28-14Meyers (5-6) W 50-7

District 2 Class 3A semifinalLake-Lehman (5-6) W 21-13at Scranton Prep (12-2) L 40-14

Thursday, August 24, 2017 9 Times Leader HANOVER AREA HAWKEYES

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Hanover Area has the potential HANOVER AREA HAWKEYESCoach: Mike McCree (6-14), 3rd yearDivision: WVC 3A-APIAA Class: 3AMale enrollment: 230School phone: 570-831-2300Stadium location: St. Mary’s Road, Hanover Twp.Key players lost: Kyle Baranowski, LB; Brandon Brueckner, WR/DB; Brandon Chafin, QB/DB; Zakee Nettles, WR/DB; Christian Percy, WR/DB; Matt Sebolka, OL/DL; Sterling Wade, LB

2016 regular-season leadersPassing: Brandon Chafin 50 of 119, 671 yds., 4 TDs, 7 Ints.Rushing: Brandon Chafin 139-982, 7.1 avg., 8 TDsReceiving: Brandon Brueckner 19-308, 16.2 avg., 2 TDsScoring: Brandon Chafin 56 pts.Kicking: Taylor Gavlick 4 XPM, 4 pts.

ScheduleFri., Aug. 25 at Old Forge (A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 1 at Blue Mountain (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 8 Meyers (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 15 Mid-Valley (2A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 22 at Lake-Lehman (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 29 at Wyoming Area (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 6 Northwest (A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 13 Crestwood (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 20 GAR (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 27 Nanticoke (3A) 7 p.m.

2016 Results (4-6)Old Forge (4-7) W 10-7Blue Mountain (9-2) L 43-6at Meyers (5-6) W 20-14 OTat Mid Valley (5-6) W 36-35Lake-Lehman (5-6) W 41-14Wyoming Area (9-3) L 28-7at Northwest (7-4) L 28-22at Crestwood (3-7) L 28-20GAR (6-6) L 28-14at Nanticoke (5-6) L 26-14

By Paul Sokoloskipsokoloski@timesleader.com

The Hanover Area Hawkeyes have a prob-lem.

And it’s a dilemma most high school football teams would love to deal with.

A real battle’s been brewing in Hawkeyes camp between junior Aaron Hummer and freshman Joe Curcio for the starting quarterback spot.

Hummer, of course, served as Hanover Area’s backup quarterback last season and hit 12 of his 30 passes. Curcio brings head-turning athletic ability to the position.

So do the Hawkeyes put their fate in the hands of a veteran with limited experience or go with a promising prospect making his high school varsity debut?

Most likely, Hanover Area will find a way to get both behind center.

At least the Hawkeyes seem to be in a better spot than last season, when departed quarter-back Brandon Chafin

suffered a broken hand at midseason and Hanover Area’s season went into a tailspin.

“The biggest question mark right now is at quarterback,” coach Mike McCree said. “That’s been the main question for our staff all summer. Hummer has the experi-ence. Cursio, he’s a freak-ish athlete. Both guys can win the job.

“Maybe we’d have to play both quarterbacks.”

A two-headed mon-ster?

That could only help Hanover Area put fear in the hearts of opponents for a full season this year.

“Our goal is to win every single game,” returning running back and senior captain Josh Jopling said. “We’re going to be great this year.”

ON OFFENSETailback Jopling

returns to the backfield after an increased work-load during the second half of last season and could be the focal point of Hanover Area’s attack,

at least in the early going.

Fellow senior Tyheim Taylor, who was the team’s fullback last sea-

son, shifts out to wide receiver and should be a top target for either

Sean McKeag | Times LeaderHanover Area receiver Tanner Bednarski catches a pass during practice.

See HANOVER AREA | 24

10 Thursday, August 24, 2017 Times LeaderHAZLETON AREA COUGARS

8085

2934

By Paul Sokoloskipsokoloski@timesleader.com

Staying in games with the elite Wyoming Valley Conference teams wasn’t much of a problem for Hazleton Area last sea-son.

Staying on top on the scoreboard through the end of games was.

So the Cougars come into this season with a new rallying cry, some-thing along the lines of finishing what they start.

“This year, we have to be better closers,” Hazleton Area coach Mike Brennan said, “to finish the game in the fourth quarter. We got ourselves in posi-tion to be more competi-tive deeper into games. We need to have enough confidence to know we can be competitive. One game at a time, one day at a time, one foot in

front of the other.”After taking those

baby steps through the past few years, the Cou-gars may be ready to start sprinting.

They return 1,000-yard rusher Adrian Otero, third-year starting quar-terback Sparky Wolk and a hungry group that’s anxious to help Hazleton Area make a push toward the district playoffs.

“We’re trying to win every game,” Otero said.

“We’re trying to win a district title this year and then go to states.”

How far the Cougars go may depend on how quickly they can

clean up some mistakes that cost them a few games last year.

“Our skill positions are certainly better,” Bren-nan said. “Do we have the toughness, the physi-cality? We’ve got to make

less mistakes and more plays.”

ON OFFENSETwo-time 1,000-yard

running back Otero returns to lead the charge, but he has plenty of help in the backfield. Hard-nosed senior Josh Zukoski returns to the backfield after spending a year away with injury, and 6-foot, 205-pound Damon Horton should also see some carries.

Wolk, a junior who’s excited Hazleton Area fans with some electric downfield passing over the last couple seasons, may be one of the confer-ence’s biggest offensive threats despite his 5-11 frame.

“He’s got the respect of all his teammates and coaches,” Brennan said.

His favorite target, 6-2 David Smith, is coming

Confidence key for CougarsHAZLETON AREA COUGARS

Coach: Mike Brennan (121-85) 4th year at Hazleton Area; 16th year overallDivision: WVC 6A-5APIAA Class: 6AMale enrollment: 897School phone: 570-459-3111Stadium location: Harman-Geist Memorial Field, Cedar Street, off East Diamond Avenue, HazletonKey player lost: Dakota Egner, OL/DL; Zach Fuchick, OL/DL; Carson Kinney, RB/LB; Travis Kostyal, OL/DL; John Merola, OL/DL; Hunter Vanblargan, WR/DB

2016 regular-season leadersPassing: Sparky Wolk 74 of 138, 1,013 yds., 8 TDs, 10 Ints.Rushing: Adrian Otero 155-900, 5.8 avg., 7 TDsReceiving: David Smith 25-414, 16.6 avg., 3 TDsScoring: Adrian Otero 74 pts.Kicking: Will Barrientos 17 XPM, 1 FG, 20 pts.

ScheduleFri., Aug. 25 Berwick (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 1 at Wyo. Val. West (5A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 8 Williamsport (6A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 15 Abington Heights (5A) 1 p.m.Fri., Sept. 22 at Wallenpaupack (5A) 7 p.m.Sat., Sept. 30 at Del. Val. (6A) 3:30 p.m.Fri., Oct. 6 Scranton (6A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 13 Donegal (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 20 at Dallas (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 27 at Crestwood (4A) 7 p.m.

2016 Results (3-8)at Berwick (8-5) L 44-0Wyo. Val. West (8-3) L 33-15at Williamsport (12-2) L 42-13at Abington Heights (8-5) L 37-14Wallenpaupack (3-8) L 16-7Delaware Valley (9-3) L 35-0at Scranton (4-7) L 27-20at Donegal (4-5) W 20-14Dallas (2-9) W 41-23Crestwood (3-7) W 38-3

District 2/4 Class 6A semifinalat Williamsport (12-2) L 48-14

See HAZLETON | 24

Bill Tarutis | For Times LeaderHazleton Area’s Damon Horton runs back the ball after an interception during preseason defensive drills.

Otero

Thursday, August 24, 2017 11 Times Leader HOLY REDEEMER ROYALS

80848964

Redeemer continuing to buildBy Tom FoxFor Times Leader

Numbers.For Holy Redeemer

football, it’s always the first question asked. How are the numbers?

Last season, the Roy-als were forced to forfeit against Western Wayne because of the lack of healthy players on the roster.

This season?“Our numbers are get-

ting better. We have a few new kids out this year. Right now, we have about 30 kids, which is way bet-

ter than last year,” senior James Cunningham said. “When you think of Holy Redeemer, you don’t think of football. I think some of the kids kind of drift toward other sports. I think we just need to

have some success and put together some win-ning seasons. I think that will definitely help our numbers.”

With improved num-bers, and returning the entire offensive line, the Royals are looking to improve on last season’s record.

Redeemer was 2-8 in 2016 with wins coming over Holy Cross and Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech.

ON OFFENSEThe Royals got the

season started off on a strong foot with a 34-point, 361-yard offen-sive outing against Holy Cross. But it was tough sledding the remainder of the year.

Redeemer only broke double figures in three other games (losses to Nanticoke, Northwest; win vs. CMVT), and were shut out against Susquehanna.

Yet, there is reason to

be optimistic heading into 2017.

The entire offensive line is back. So are skilled positions like J.D. Turosky at quarterback and Jonathan Winter at running back.

Redeemer does have to replace Tom Engle and Cade Fahey, who both graduated.

“We are pulling on J.D. to be the guy. He can throw the ball, and he runs it well. He’s smarter at the position since he’s got a whole year under

his belt now. He’s able to read the

defense a little better since he played the posi-tion last year,” Redeemer assistant coach Bill Pekarovsky said at WVC Media Day earlier this month.

Winter ran for two scores and caught 27 passes for 500-plus yards and four touchdowns. Turosky did a little bit of everything, rushing for 100 yards, catching four

Aimee Dilger | Times LeaderHoly Redeemer hasn’t had a winning season in the program’s 10-year history.

HOLY REDEEMER ROYALSCoach: Dwayne Downing (25-34) 2nd year at Redeemer; 7th year overallDivision: WVC 3A-APIAA Class: 3AMale enrollment: 203School phone: 570-829-2424Stadium location: Wilkes-Barre Memorial Stadium, Old River Road, Wilkes-BarreKey players lost: D.J. Baird, OL/DL; Tom Engle, RB/LB; Cade Fahey, WR/DB; Rob McClay, WR/DB; Dorian Ryans RB/LB (transferred to Pittston Area)

2016 regular-season leadersPassing: J.D. Turosky 59 of 149, 909 yds., 8 TDs, 15 Ints.Rushing: Dorian Ryans 69-256, 3.7 avg., 2 TDsReceiving: Jonathan Winter 27-527, 19.5 avg., 4 TDsScoring: Jonathan Winter 42 pts.Kicking: Mauricio Rodriguez 5 XPM, 1 FG, 8 pts.

ScheduleSat., Aug. 26 Holy Cross (A) 2 p.m.*Sat., Sept. 2 Susquehanna (2A) 2 p.m.*Sat., Sept. 9 Mahanoy Area (2A) 1 p.m.Fri., Sept. 15 at Western Wayne (3A) 7 p.m.Sat., Sept. 23 Meyers (3A) 1 p.m.Fri., Sept. 29 at Northwest (A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 6 at Athens (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 13 at Lake-Lehman (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 20 at Nanticoke (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 27 Col-Mo. Vo-Tech (4A) 7 p.m.*—at Lake-Lehman HS

2016 Results (2-8)at Holy Cross (0-10) W 34-6at Susquehanna (5-6) L 8-0at Mahanoy Area (5-6) L 40-6Western Wayne (6-5) L 1-0 forfeitat Meyers (5-6) L 50-6Northwest (7-4) L 40-13Athens (7-4) L 52-7Lake-Lehman (5-6) L 38-3Nanticoke (5-6) L 33-19at Col-Mo. Vo-Tech (1-9) W 40-26

See REDEEMER | 25

Cunningham

12 Thursday, August 24, 2017 Times LeaderLAKE-LEHMAN BLACK KNIGHTS

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Black Knights have talent to contendBy Tom RobinsonFor Times Leader

Injuries throughout the 2016 season forced Lake-Lehman coach Jerry Gil-sky to go deep into his roster at times.

The result is that the Black Knights are able to bring back more experienced play-ers than usual as they try to return to the top of Wyoming Valley Conference’s small schools.

“With all those injuries, a lot of young guys played last year, so we’ve got to just keep building on that,” Gilsky said.

At 33 players, the Black Knights will not have the largest ros-ter among potential contenders, but Gilsky thinks he might be able to use a greater percent-age of those players than most teams can.

“There’s a lot of quality

there,” he said. “That’s an asset to have.

“Everybody’s pushing each other.”

ON OFFENSEThe Black Knights can

put experienced players at nearly every position.

“We’re moving around a little bit trying to find the right combination, but we’re pretty solid,” Gilsky said.

Nate O’Donnell is at quarter-back where he started two years ago when Lake-

Lehman won its first nine games. His presence could mean a few new wrinkles along with the Black Knights power attack behind a veteran line.

Trey Borger, who has run for more than 1,000 yards combined in the past two seasons, is back at halfback along with Zack Kojadinovich. When Borger went out

last season, Kojadinovich wound up as the team’s second-leading rusher as a freshman.

Matt Kurtz is also back at fullback.

Josh Durling returns at tight end and Tyler Bil-lotti is the split end.

Ian Evans and Jack Symeon return at the two tackles and Kaleb Koni-gus is the center.

T.J. Meehan, who was in the rotation of offen-sive linemen last season, is at guard with Elmer Souder.

ON DEFENSE

A veteran group of linemen and linebackers could make the Black Knights tough to run against.

Konigus is back at defensive tackle where he is part of a planned rotation with Souder, Heinrich and Evans.

Josh Durling returns at one end spot and Mee-han, who has made some starts, is at the other. Symeon will be in the

LAKE-LEHMAN BLACK KNIGHTSCoach: Jerry Gilsky (50-29) 8th yearDivision: WVC 3A-APIAA Class: 3AMale enrollment: 235School phone: 570-675-7458Stadium location: Edward Edwards Stadium, high school, off Route 118, Lehman Twp.Key players lost: Ian Dawsey, K; Vincenzo Ferrari, QB/DB; Noah Gorski, WR/DB; Mason Rios, OL/DL; Cole Spencer, OL/DL; Jake Tomolonis, RB/DB; Jesse Tomolonis, LB

2016 regular-season leadersPassing: Vincenzo Ferrari 40 of 91, 607 yds., 7 TDs, 9 Ints.Rushing: Charlie Kuschke 95-593, 6.2 avg., 6 TDsReceiving: Noah Gorski 14-281, 20.1 avg., 1 TDScoring: Charlie Kuschke 62 pts.Kicking: Ian Dawsey 14 XPM, 1 FG, 17 pts.

ScheduleFri., Aug. 25 Meyers (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 1 Northwest (A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 8 Scranton Prep (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 14 at GAR (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 22 Hanover Area (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 29 Tunkhannock (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 6 at Nanticoke (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 13 Holy Redeemer (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 20 at Berwick (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 27 at Dallas (4A) 7 p.m.

2016 Results (5-6)Meyers (5-6) W 27-7at Northwest (7-4) L 33-13at Scranton Prep (12-2) L 44-8GAR (6-6) W 36-33at Hanover Area (4-6) L 41-14at Tunkhannock (2-8) W 49-26Nanticoke (5-6) W 35-0at Holy Redeemer (2-8) W 38-3Berwick (8-5) L 62-14Dallas (2-9) L 18-15

District 2 Class 3A semifinalat GAR (6-6) L 21-13

Sean McKeag | Times LeaderKey players for Lake-Lehman, from left: T.J. Meehan, Trey Borger, Tyler Billotti, Nate O’Donnell and Kaleb Konigus.

Gilsky

See LEHMAN | 25

Thursday, August 24, 2017 13 Times Leader MEYERS MOHAWKS

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Meyers turns to track for helpBy Paul Sokoloskipsokoloski@timesleader.com

They’re looking to bolt out of the blocks and sprint to the finish.

So it’s little won-der why the Meyers Mohawks turned to their two-time WVC champion track team in an effort to make a run toward respectability.

Quarterback Janssen Wilborn is back after

assuming control of the position midway through last season, and right behind him in the

backfield is running back Nazir Dunell.

Both were key mem-bers of the Meyers track and field squad in the spring, along with wide receiver Najese Hood. Dunell even snagged a District 2 gold medal and a state bronze in

the Class 2A 110-meter hurdles.

“Carrying track season over to football season is a help,” said Wilborn, a District 2 medalist in the 300 hurdles. “I ran the hurdles, the 4-by-4 relay, and that’s helped with my conditioning. I’m going to be jumping better and getting away from the defense better.”

That should help the Mohawks, who want to turn this season into a mad dash to success.

“Last year, we didn’t finish a lot of games and didn’t start fast,” Meyers coach Jeff Labatch said. “So we’re looking for fast starts and better finishes. Hopefully, we can be competitive.”

ON OFFENSELast year’s develop-

ment of Wilborn gives the Mohawks something to build around.

The senior showed some big-play capability in the passing game and

brings back experience after manning the quar-terback slot for the sec-ond half of last season.

“Things will focus around him,” Labatch said.

Wilborn will have a speedy corps of receiver to look for, led by senior Christian Martinez, Hood and fellow juniors Jose Rivera and Ryan Judge.

Dunell had some big games as an emergency

starter during his young career and should be complemented in the backfield by senior Rajhan Woodson and Kevin Dessoye.

The offensive line brings back experienced center Pedro Hernandez and junior tackle Ryan Maffei.

“I feel completely pre-pared to lead this team,” Wilborn said. “A lot of these guys have been

MEYERS MOHAWKSCoach: Jeff Labatch (13-10), 3rd yearDivision: WVC 3A-APIAA Class: 3AMale enrollment: 238School phone: 570-826-7145Stadium location: Wilkes-Barre Memorial Stadium, Old River Road, Wilkes-BarreKey players lost: Lucas Borum, OL/DL; Alfonso Mondragon, LB; Namir Murphy, RB/DL; Evens Paul, OL/DL; Preston Perkins, OL/DL; Safee Shivers, LB; Willie Wallace, QB/WR/DB; Khabir Williams, WR/DB

2016 regular-season leadersPassing: Janssen Wilborn 18 of 46, 262 yds., 3 TDs, 5 Ints.Rushing: Janssen Wilborn 91-920, 10.1 avg., 10 TDsReceiving: Khabir Williams 7-110, 15.7 avg., 0 TDScoring: Janssen Wilborn 68 pts.Kicking: James Langan 15 XPM, 0 FG, 15 pts.

ScheduleFri., Aug. 25 at Lake-Lehman (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 1 at Montrose (2A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 8 at Hanover Area (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 15 Nanticoke (3A) 7 p.m.Sat., Sept. 23 at Holy Redeemer (3A) 1 p.m,Sat., Sept. 30 Dallas (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 6 Coughlin (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 13 Tunkhannock (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 20 at Northwest (A) 7 p.m.Sat., Oct. 28 GAR (3A) 2 p.m.

2016 Results (5-6)at Lake-Lehman (5-6) L 27-7Montrose (1-9) W 20-10Hanover Area (4-6) L 20-14 OTat Nanticoke (5-6) W 42-28Holy Redeemer (2-8) W 50-6at Dallas (2-9) W 36-35at Coughlin (5-6) L 40-0at Tunkhannock (2-8) W 24-13Northwest (7-4) L 14-13at GAR (6-6) L 50-7

Eastern Conference 3A championshipat Western Wayne (6-5) L 26-21

Bill Tarutis | For Times LeaderJanssen Wilborn took over the quarterback duties midway through last season.

Labatch

See MEYERS | 25

14 Thursday, August 24, 2017 Times LeaderNANTICOKE TROJANS

Nanticoke, Bruza have high expectationsBy Tom FoxFor Times Leader

Ron Bruza looks up and down the Greater Nanticoke Area roster.

It’s one loaded with experience from a play-off run in 2016. It’s one that returns its entire offense, minus one.

And it’s a team with lofty goals.

“Expectations are high at Nanticoke after mak-ing the district playoffs for the first time in 18 years,” Bruza said. “We only lost six guys off that team from last year, but one is all-state selec-tion Justin Casey. For

the first time in a long time at Nanticoke, peo-ple will be keeping an eye on us. There is no radar to fly under now. Our focal point now is just finishing off football games and becoming a better team each week.”

Nanticoke, 5-6 in 2016, was the No. 4 seed in the District 2 Class 3A champion-ships, losing to No. 1 seed Scranton Prep.

ON OFFENSEOffensively, Nanticoke

Area has the potential to be pretty stout – espe-cially in the run game.

The Trojans return both Dawson Hughes and Eric Jeffries. Each were pretty important in 2016, rushing for a com-bined 2,000 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Combine that with the entire offensive line returning, and on paper, it’s quite promising.

“Offensively, we lost just one player and that was Justin Casey. We are hoping for Joe Ammons to step up and fill that role for us,” Bruza said. “Dawson and Eric rushed for a combined 2,000 yards last season, and we have some nice sophomores who we are hoping to rotate in as well. We have that experience now.”

Nanticoke will also have an experienced starting quarterback as Matt Wrubel will be under center. A three-

NANTICOKE TROJANSCoach: Ron Bruza (27-44), 8th yearDivision: WVC 3A-APIAA Class: 3AMale enrollment: 268School phone: 570-735-7781Stadium location: High School, Kosciuszko Street, NanticokeKey players lost: Justin Casey, TE/DE; Ian Novakowski, RB/LB

2016 regular-season leadersPassing: Matt Wrubel 37 of 94, 539 yds., 6 TDs, 2 Ints.Rushing: Dawson Hughes 188-1,125, 6.0 avg., 8 TDsReceiving: Justin Casey 13-176, 13,5 avg., 1 TDScoring: Dawson Hughes 52 pts.Kicking: Rickey Klepadlo 9 XPM, 0 FG, 9 pts.

ScheduleFri., Aug. 25 Tunkhannock (4A) 7 p.m.Fri.. Sept. 2 Col-Mont Vo-Tech (4A) 7 p.m.Thur., Sept. 7 at GAR (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 15 at Meyers (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 22 Northwest (A) 7 p.m.Sat., Sept. 30 at Crestwood (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 6 Lake-Lehman (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 13 at Pittston Area (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 20 Holy Redeemer (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 27 at Hanover Area (3A) 7 p.m.

2016 Results (5-6)at Tunkhannock (2-8) L 30-20at Col-Mo Vo-Tech (1-9) W 46-8GAR (6-6) W 16-13Meyers (5-6) L 42-28at Northwest (7-4) L 35-16Crestwood (3-7) W 25-22at Lake-Lehman (5-6) L 35-0Pittston Area (2-8) L 28-27at Holy Redeemer (2-8) W 33-19Hanover Area (4-6) W 26-14

District 2 Class 3A semifinalat Scranton Prep (12-2) L 48-14

Aimee Dilger | Times LeaderNanticoke coach Ron Bruza talks to his players before practice starts.

See NANTICOKE | 26 80852903

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Thursday, August 24, 2017 15 Times Leader NORTHWEST RANGERS

Experience should pay off for NorthwestBy John Erzarjerzar@timesleader.com

The Northwest Rang-ers were supposed to be in rebuild mode in 2016 and that was evident early. They lost three of their first four games, including a 41-6 thrashing at home at the hands of North Penn.

Then things turned around. Northwest won six in a row — several in dramatic fashion — to win the Wyoming Val-ley Conference Division 3A-A title and play for the District 2 Class A cham-pionship.

Just about every starter returns for 2017, so a faster start and a better

finish are both pos-sible for the WVC’s smallest football school.

“We’re cautiously

optimistic,” coach Lon Hazlet said. “Our guys have worked hard, but at the same time being a small school and play-ing up (in classification) every week is a challenge. We take nothing for granted.”

ON OFFENSERunning back Jake

Anderson burst onto the scene in Week 3 of last season with a 138-yard, three-TDs game against Western Wayne. He went well over 100 yards in the

last six games of the regu-lar season, including 221 vs. Nanticoke and 273 vs. Tunkhannock.

Quarterback David Piestrak won the battle for the position and turned in a solid cam-paign. Fullback Beau Getz will round out the backfield. Getz is one of two players who attend neighbor-ing Benton High School and are grandfathered into playing for North-west despite the two schools dis-solving their co-op agreement prior to the 2016 season.

The ball-catchers — wideouts Connor Hazlet and Brandon Hardiman and tight end Austin Ford — are all experienced and should be able to make up for the gradu-

ation of Ezra Judge, the team’s top receiver the past two years.

“We think Brandon, Connor, my son and Austin Ford give us a tremen-dous receiving crew,” Hazlet said. “We are going to try to throw the

ball more so we don’t have to lean on our run game so heavily.”

Four starters return on the line — tackles Camdon Capece and Ethan Rinehamer, guard

Devon Anusiewicz and center Zach Wolfe. Either Austin Sult or Marty Zugarek will be the other guard. For a tiny school, there are some big boys up front with Anusiewicz and Rinehamer weighing

in at over 300 pounds.

ON DEFENSEAside from two games

with Lackawa-nna Trail and the opener with North Penn, opponents didn’t move the ball that well against the Rang-ers.

There will be two new starters

on defense in cornerbacks Adam Bukavich and Bryce Koser. Hazlet and Hardiman will move from the starting corner spots to the safety positions.

Getz and Tyler Stevens, the team’s top tacklers in 2016, will anchor the line-backers. Colton Babcock is also back.

Up front, Anusiewicz and Sult will man the tackle spots and Wolfe and Ford will be the ends.

The Rangers could use a little more pressure on quarterbacks as they record just five sacks last season.

OUTLOOKNorthwest certainly has

the talent to contend for both the divisional and district championships.

The key will be staying

healthy. Small schools can’t

afford a rash of injuries. Back in 2015, the Rang-ers lost their quarterback for one game and didn’t look like a team that rode a four-game winning streak into the contest.

Reach John Erzar at 570-991-6394 or on Twitter @TLJohnErzar

Fred Adams | for Times LeaderNorthwest football players joke around with each other while waiting for individual photos to be taken during media day.

NORTHWEST RANGERSCoach: Lon Hazlet (98-95), 3rd year at Northwest; 19th year overallDivision: WVC 3A-APIAA Class: AMale enrollment: 120School phone: 570-542-4126Stadium location: High School, Thorne Hill Road, off Route 239, ShickshinnyKey players lost: Ezra Judge, WR/DB; Nick Levandowski, OL/DL; Luke Pavill, OL/DL; Jack Standcavage, FB/LB; Dylan Womelsdorf, TE/LB

2016 regular-season leadersPassing: Dave Piestrak 60 of 117, 704 yds., 7 TDs, 6 Ints.Rushing: Jake Anderson 215-1,438, 6.7 avg., 15 TDsReceiving: Ezra Judge 18-291, 16.2 avg., 4 TDsScoring: Jake Anderson 96 pts.Kicking: Jack Weaver 21 XPM, 2 FGs, 27 pts.

ScheduleFri., Aug. 25 at North Penn (2A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 1 at Lake-Lehman (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 8 Western Wayne (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 15 Lackawanna Trail (A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 22 at Nanticoke (3A) 7 p.m,Fri., Sept. 29 Holy Redeemer (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 6 at Hanover Area (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 13 GAR (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 20 Meyers (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 27 at Tunkhannock (4A) 7 p.m.

2016 Results (7-4)North Penn (8-3) L 41-6Lake-Lehman (5-6) W 33-13at Western Wayne (6-5) L 32-19at Lackawanna Trail (9-4) L 35-19Nanticoke (5-6) W 35-16at Holy Redeemer (2-8) W 40-13Hanover Area (4-6) W 28-22at GAR (6-6) W 20-17at Meyers (5-6) W 14-13Tunkhannock (2-8) W 49-35

District 2 Class A championshipLackawanna Trail (9-4) L 45-14

Hazlet

Sult

Anderson

16 Thursday, August 24, 2017 Times LeaderHIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

2017 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULEHIGH SCHOOL AUG. 25 - 26 SEPT. 1 - 2 SEPT. 7 - 9 SEPT. 14 - 16 SEPT. 22 - 23 SEPT. 28 - 30 OCT. 6 - 7 OCT. 13 - 14 OCT. 20-21 OCT. 27 - 28

BERWICK Fri. at Hazleton Area 7pm Fri. Dallas 7pm Fri. at Wyoming Area 7pm Fri. Crestwood 7pm Fri. Selinsgrove 7pm Fri. at Coughlin 7pm Fri. at Pittston Area 7pm Fri. Wyo. Valley West 7pm Fri. Lake-Lehman 7pm Fri. at Williamsport 7pmCOUGHLIN Fri. at Dallas 7pm Sat. at Scranton Prep 1:30pm Fri. at Crestwood 7pm Sat. Wyoming Area 7pm Fri. Honesdale 7pm Fri. Berwick 7pm Fri. at Meyers 7pm Sat. Williamsport 7pm Fri. at Pittston Area 7pm Fri. at Wyo. Valley West 7pm

CRESTWOOD Fri. at Pittston Area 7pm Fri. Wyoming Area 7pm Fri. Coughlin 7pm Fri. at Berwick 7pm Fri. at Pottsville 7pm Sat. Nanticoke 7pm Fri. at Tunkhannock 7pm Fri. at Hanover Area 7pm Fri. Wyo. Valley West 7pm Fri. Hazleton Area 7pmDALLAS Fri. Coughlin 7pm Fri. at Berwick 7pm Fri. Pittston Area 7pm Fri. Scranton Prep 7pm Fri. at Wyo. Valley West 7pm Sat. at Meyers 7pm Fri. Wallenpaupack 7pm Fri. at Wyoming Area 7pm Fri. Hazleton Area 7pm Fri. Lake-Lehman 7pm

GAR Fri. at Honesdale 7pm Fri. at Western Wayne 7pm Thurs. Nanticoke 7pm Thurs. Lake-Lehman 7pm Fri. at Pittston Area 7pm Thurs. Athens 7pm Sat. Wyoming Area 7pm Fri. at Northwest 7pm Fri. Hanover Area 7pm Sat. at Meyers 2pmHANOVER AREA Fri. at Old Forge 7pm Fri. at Blue Mountain 7pm Fri. Meyers 7pm Fri. Mid Valley 7pm Fri. at Lake-Lehman 7pm Fri. at Wyoming Area 7pm Fri. Northwest 7pm Fri. Crestwood 7pm Fri.at GAR 7pm Fri. Nanticoke 7pmHAZLETON AREA Fri. Berwick 7pm Fri. at Wyo. Valley West 7pm Fri. Williamsport 7pm Fri. Abington Heights 7pm Fri. at Wallenpaupack 7pm Sat. at Delaware Valley 4pm Fri. Scranton 7pm Fri. Donegal 7pm Fri. at Dallas 7pm Fri. at Crestwood 7pmHOLY REDEEMER Sat. Holy Cross 2pm Sat. Susquehanna 2pm Sat. Mahanoy Area 1pm Fri. at Western Wayne 7pm Sat. Meyers 1pm Fri. at Northwest 7pm Fri. at Athens 7pm Fri. at Lake-Lehman 7pm Fri. at Nanticoke 7pm Fri. CMVT 7pmLAKE-LEHMAN Fri. Meyers 7pm Fri. Northwest 7pm Fri. Scranton Prep 7pm Thurs. at GAR 7pm Fri. Hanover Area 7pm Fri. Tunkhannock 7pm Fri. at Nanticoke 7pm Fri. Holy Redeemer 7pm Fri. at Berwick 7pm Fri. at Dallas 7pm

MEYERS Fri. at Lake-Lehman 7pm Fri. at Montrose 7pm Fri. at Hanover Area 7pm Fri. Nanticoke 7pm Sat. at Holy Redeemer 1pm Sat. Dallas 7pm Fri. Coughlin 7pm Fri. Tunkhannock 7pm Fri. at Northwest 7pm Sat. GAR 2pmNANTICOKE Fri. Tunkhannock 7pm Fri. CMVT 7pm Thurs. at GAR 7pm Fri. at Meyers 7pm Fri. Northwest 7pm Sat. at Crestwood 7pm Fri. Lake-Lehman 7pm Fri. at Pittston Area 7pm Fri. Holy Redeemer 7pm Fri. at Hanover Area 7pmNORTHWEST Fri. at North Penn 7pm Fri. at Lake-Lehman 7pm Fri. Western Wayne 7pm Fri. Lackawanna Trail 7pm Fri. at Nanticoke 7pm Fri. Holy Redeemer 7pm Fri. at Hanover Area 7pm Fri. GAR 7pm Fri. Meyers 7pm Fri. at Tunkhannock 7pm

PITTSTON AREA Fri. Crestwood 7pm Fri. at Tunkhannock 7pm Fri. at Dallas 7pm Fri. at Valley View 7pm Fri. GAR 7pm Sat. at Abington Heights 1pm Fri. Berwick 7pm Fri. Nanticoke 7pm Fri. Coughlin 7pm Fri. at Wyoming Area 7pmTUNKHANNOCK Fri. at Nanticoke 7pm Fri. Pittston Area 7pm Fri. Honesdale 7pm Fri. at Wyalusing 7pm Fri. Western Wayne 7pm Fri. at Lake-Lehman 7pm Fri. Crestwood 7pm Fri. at Meyers 7pm Fri. Towanda 7pm Fri. Northwest 7pmWILLIAMSPORT Fri. at Central Mountain 7pm Fri. Mifflin County 7pm Fri. at Hazleton Area 7pm Fri. Wyo. Valley West 7pm Fri. Shikellamy 7pm Fri. at Scranton 7pm Fri. at Delaware Valley 7pm Sat. at Coughlin 7pm Fri. at Wyoming Area 7pm Fri. Berwick 7pmWYOMING AREA Fri. at Wallenpaupack 7pm Fri. at Crestwood 7pm Fri. Berwick 7pm Sat. at Coughlin 7pm Sat. at Scranton Prep 1:30pm Fri. Hanover Area 7pm Sat. at GAR 7pm Fri. Dallas 7pm Fri. Williamsport 7pm Fri. Pittston Area 7pm

WYOMING VALLEY WEST Fri. at Scranton 7pm Fri. Hazleton Area 7pm Fri. Delaware Valley 7pm Fri. at Williamsport 7pm Fri. Dallas 7pm Fri. at Wallenpaupack 7pm Fri. Abington Heights 7pm Fri. at Berwick 7pm Fri. at Crestwood 7pm Fri. Coughlin 7pm

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2017 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULEHIGH SCHOOL AUG. 25 - 26 SEPT. 1 - 2 SEPT. 7 - 9 SEPT. 14 - 16 SEPT. 22 - 23 SEPT. 28 - 30 OCT. 6 - 7 OCT. 13 - 14 OCT. 20-21 OCT. 27 - 28

BERWICK Fri. at Hazleton Area 7pm Fri. Dallas 7pm Fri. at Wyoming Area 7pm Fri. Crestwood 7pm Fri. Selinsgrove 7pm Fri. at Coughlin 7pm Fri. at Pittston Area 7pm Fri. Wyo. Valley West 7pm Fri. Lake-Lehman 7pm Fri. at Williamsport 7pmCOUGHLIN Fri. at Dallas 7pm Sat. at Scranton Prep 1:30pm Fri. at Crestwood 7pm Sat. Wyoming Area 7pm Fri. Honesdale 7pm Fri. Berwick 7pm Fri. at Meyers 7pm Sat. Williamsport 7pm Fri. at Pittston Area 7pm Fri. at Wyo. Valley West 7pm

CRESTWOOD Fri. at Pittston Area 7pm Fri. Wyoming Area 7pm Fri. Coughlin 7pm Fri. at Berwick 7pm Fri. at Pottsville 7pm Sat. Nanticoke 7pm Fri. at Tunkhannock 7pm Fri. at Hanover Area 7pm Fri. Wyo. Valley West 7pm Fri. Hazleton Area 7pmDALLAS Fri. Coughlin 7pm Fri. at Berwick 7pm Fri. Pittston Area 7pm Fri. Scranton Prep 7pm Fri. at Wyo. Valley West 7pm Sat. at Meyers 7pm Fri. Wallenpaupack 7pm Fri. at Wyoming Area 7pm Fri. Hazleton Area 7pm Fri. Lake-Lehman 7pm

GAR Fri. at Honesdale 7pm Fri. at Western Wayne 7pm Thurs. Nanticoke 7pm Thurs. Lake-Lehman 7pm Fri. at Pittston Area 7pm Thurs. Athens 7pm Sat. Wyoming Area 7pm Fri. at Northwest 7pm Fri. Hanover Area 7pm Sat. at Meyers 2pmHANOVER AREA Fri. at Old Forge 7pm Fri. at Blue Mountain 7pm Fri. Meyers 7pm Fri. Mid Valley 7pm Fri. at Lake-Lehman 7pm Fri. at Wyoming Area 7pm Fri. Northwest 7pm Fri. Crestwood 7pm Fri.at GAR 7pm Fri. Nanticoke 7pmHAZLETON AREA Fri. Berwick 7pm Fri. at Wyo. Valley West 7pm Fri. Williamsport 7pm Fri. Abington Heights 7pm Fri. at Wallenpaupack 7pm Sat. at Delaware Valley 4pm Fri. Scranton 7pm Fri. Donegal 7pm Fri. at Dallas 7pm Fri. at Crestwood 7pmHOLY REDEEMER Sat. Holy Cross 2pm Sat. Susquehanna 2pm Sat. Mahanoy Area 1pm Fri. at Western Wayne 7pm Sat. Meyers 1pm Fri. at Northwest 7pm Fri. at Athens 7pm Fri. at Lake-Lehman 7pm Fri. at Nanticoke 7pm Fri. CMVT 7pmLAKE-LEHMAN Fri. Meyers 7pm Fri. Northwest 7pm Fri. Scranton Prep 7pm Thurs. at GAR 7pm Fri. Hanover Area 7pm Fri. Tunkhannock 7pm Fri. at Nanticoke 7pm Fri. Holy Redeemer 7pm Fri. at Berwick 7pm Fri. at Dallas 7pm

MEYERS Fri. at Lake-Lehman 7pm Fri. at Montrose 7pm Fri. at Hanover Area 7pm Fri. Nanticoke 7pm Sat. at Holy Redeemer 1pm Sat. Dallas 7pm Fri. Coughlin 7pm Fri. Tunkhannock 7pm Fri. at Northwest 7pm Sat. GAR 2pmNANTICOKE Fri. Tunkhannock 7pm Fri. CMVT 7pm Thurs. at GAR 7pm Fri. at Meyers 7pm Fri. Northwest 7pm Sat. at Crestwood 7pm Fri. Lake-Lehman 7pm Fri. at Pittston Area 7pm Fri. Holy Redeemer 7pm Fri. at Hanover Area 7pmNORTHWEST Fri. at North Penn 7pm Fri. at Lake-Lehman 7pm Fri. Western Wayne 7pm Fri. Lackawanna Trail 7pm Fri. at Nanticoke 7pm Fri. Holy Redeemer 7pm Fri. at Hanover Area 7pm Fri. GAR 7pm Fri. Meyers 7pm Fri. at Tunkhannock 7pm

PITTSTON AREA Fri. Crestwood 7pm Fri. at Tunkhannock 7pm Fri. at Dallas 7pm Fri. at Valley View 7pm Fri. GAR 7pm Sat. at Abington Heights 1pm Fri. Berwick 7pm Fri. Nanticoke 7pm Fri. Coughlin 7pm Fri. at Wyoming Area 7pmTUNKHANNOCK Fri. at Nanticoke 7pm Fri. Pittston Area 7pm Fri. Honesdale 7pm Fri. at Wyalusing 7pm Fri. Western Wayne 7pm Fri. at Lake-Lehman 7pm Fri. Crestwood 7pm Fri. at Meyers 7pm Fri. Towanda 7pm Fri. Northwest 7pmWILLIAMSPORT Fri. at Central Mountain 7pm Fri. Mifflin County 7pm Fri. at Hazleton Area 7pm Fri. Wyo. Valley West 7pm Fri. Shikellamy 7pm Fri. at Scranton 7pm Fri. at Delaware Valley 7pm Sat. at Coughlin 7pm Fri. at Wyoming Area 7pm Fri. Berwick 7pmWYOMING AREA Fri. at Wallenpaupack 7pm Fri. at Crestwood 7pm Fri. Berwick 7pm Sat. at Coughlin 7pm Sat. at Scranton Prep 1:30pm Fri. Hanover Area 7pm Sat. at GAR 7pm Fri. Dallas 7pm Fri. Williamsport 7pm Fri. Pittston Area 7pm

WYOMING VALLEY WEST Fri. at Scranton 7pm Fri. Hazleton Area 7pm Fri. Delaware Valley 7pm Fri. at Williamsport 7pm Fri. Dallas 7pm Fri. at Wallenpaupack 7pm Fri. Abington Heights 7pm Fri. at Berwick 7pm Fri. at Crestwood 7pm Fri. Coughlin 7pm

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18 Thursday, August 24, 2017 Times LeaderPITTSTON AREA PATRIOTS

640 S. Main St., Inkerman, PA • 570-654-6725PETRO Hardware & Supply Co.

Best of Luck to the

PITTSTON AREA PATRIOTS

for another great season!

80851117

New coach seeking better resultsBy Tom RobinsonFor Times Leader

Nick Barbieri is hop-ing a return to Pittston Area, his alma mater, for his first head coaching assignment is a good fit for both sides.

“If you have to take over a program, a pro-gram with so many seniors is a great pro-gram to take over,” Barb-ieri said.

Barbieri will have sev-eral players in positions they have held before while he handles his par-ticular coaching position for the first time.

In turn, he has some-thing to offer the Patriots after they went 2-8 last season and 0-10 in 2015.

Pittston Area is in des-perate need of improve-ment on defense, which just happened to be Bar-bieri’s responsibility in his most recent coaching assignment. He was the defensive coordinator at Delaware Valley, which has developed into one

of the most consistent large school programs in District 2.

“The challenge is on the defensive side,” Bar-bieri said. “We have to make strides defensively if we want to improve.”

ON OFFENSEThe Patriots are load-

ed with returning players on offense, particularly at the skill positions.

They bring back the top two receivers in the WVC Class 4A Division, a productive passer and their leading rusher.

“We have the nucleus of our offense,” Barbieri said. “We have a few returning linemen up front.

“We’re replacing three. That’s going to tell us how quickly we’ll improve.”

Kevin Krawczyk led the division in receiv-ing with 49 catches for 646 yards and 11 touch-downs. Rich Wallace was second to him during the regular season with 34

catches for 484 yards and eight touchdowns.

Walter Coles led the division in most passing categories. He hit 61 per-cent of his passes while throwing for 1,502 yards and 21 touchdowns with just seven interceptions.

They are all back along with tailback Keemar Woodruff, who led the team with 785 yards rushing and was also the third-leading receiver with 26 catches.

Coles, Trevor Tigue and Dylan Spurlin give the Patriots all four of

the runners who picked up more than 100 yards last season. Added to that combination is 225-pound fullback Dorian Ryans, who has trans-ferred after leading Holy Redeemer in rushing last season.

John Delucca is back at tight end.

Jake Rutkowski and Franco Martinez, who moved into the starting lineup in the second half of the season, are back at tackles.

See PITTSTON | 26

Sean McKeag | Times LeaderThe Pittston Area snapped a 15-game losing streak in Week 2 of last season.

PITTSTON AREA PATRIOTSCoach: Nick Barbieri (0-0), 1st yearDivision: WVC 4APIAA Class: 4AMale enrollment: 365School phone: 570-654-2415Stadium location: Charley Trippi Stadium, high school, Stout Street, YatesvilleKey players lost: Brandon Lucke, OL/DL

2016 regular-season leadersPassing: Walter Coles 114 of 187, 1,502 yds., 21 TDs, 7 Ints.Rushing: Keemar Woodruff 129-785, 6.1 avg., 5 TDsReceiving: Kevin Krawczyk 49-646, 13.2 avg., 11 TDsScoring: Kevin Krawczyk 68 pts.Kicking: Mike Mikitish 15 XPM, 1 FG, 18 pts.

ScheduleFri., Aug. 25 Crestwood (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 1 at Tunkhannock (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 8 at Dallas (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 15 at Valley View (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 22 GAR (3A) 7 p.m.Sat., Sept. 30 at Abington Heights (5A) 1 p.m.Fri., Oct. 6 Berwick (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 13 Nanticoke (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 20 Coughlin (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 27 at Wyoming Area (4A) 7 p.m.

2016 Results (2-8)at Crestwood (3-8) L 35-28Tunkhannock (2-8) W 30-28Dallas (2-9) L 24-6Valley View (7-5) L 49-14at GAR (6-6) L 26-19Abington Heights (8-5) L 49-20at Berwick (8-5) L 63-26at Nanticoke (5-6) W 28-27at Coughlin (5-6) L 42-21Wyoming Area (9-3) L 46-20

Thursday, August 24, 2017 19 Times Leader TUNKHANNOCK TIGERS

80850841

Tunkhannock needs to stay healthyBy Tom FoxFor Times Leader

Jan Cechak knew it would take some time. Now in his third sea-son as head coach at Tunkhannock, he’s hop-ing that 2017 is the one where the Tigers start to turn the corner.

He saw it last year. With the exception of a lopsided loss to Crest-wood, Tunkhannock was right there.

“We were very compet-itive. There was only one game where we weren’t, and we were disappoint-ed in that,” Cechak said. “These seniors, they believe. They understand my expectations and their own expectations. The natural leadership has just bubbled to the top.”

Yet, it could all come down to health as the Tigers will start the sea-son with about 35 kids.

“The kids that we have, they understand

it. They know what we are trying to accomplish here,” Cechak said. “The school culture has been down for a little bit, so we are still trying to change that. If we can start getting those wins, I think people will start to take notice and want to be part of it. In the past, it’s been a tough sell.”

Tunkhannock was 2-8 in 2016, but three of those losses were by 10 points or less – including a two-point setback to Pittston Area and a five-point defeat by Wyalus-ing.

ON OFFENSEMake no mistake, it all

starts with senior Logan Cywinski.

The all-around athlete, who played both tailback and quarterback in 2016, finished with over 1,000 yards rushing and 16 scores. He also threw for nearly 550 yards and three touchdowns.

“Logan has had a nice offseason,” Cechak said. “He’s a strong kid. He just benched 355, and he squats 550. And he’s smart. He scored an 1,100 on his SAT so he’s getting it done in the classroom, too. He’s ready to go, and our inte-rior line should be able to open him some holes.”

Cechak said he’ll start the season with junior Zack Rogers as the signal-caller. As a sopho-more, Rogers passed

for 850 yards and five scores.

“Right now, the plan is for Zack to be our quar-terback and keep Logan at that running back-line-backer spot,” the head coach said. “We are still going to do that zone-read. I think Zack finally figured it out against Northwest last year. It gave them some fits because it finally clicked. We’ve had a nice

Sean McKeag | Times LeaderLogan Cwinski (3), Connor Munley (11), Zach Rogers (18) and Jack Chilson (7) pose for a picture with coach Jan Cechak during media day.

See TIGERS | 26

TUNKHANNOCK TIGERSCoach: Jan Cechak (27-95-2) 3rd year back at Tunkhannock; 13th year overallDivision: WVC 4APIAA Class: 4AMale enrollment: 314School phone: 570-836-8264Stadium location: High School, off Route 6, TunkhannockKey players lost: Hunter Hopkins, WR/DB; Brian Muckin, WR/LB; Bryce Steele, WR/DB; Mike Taylor, WR/LB

2016 regular-season leadersPassing: Zach Rogers 59 of 109, 850 yds., 5 TDs, 7 Ints.Rushing: Logan Cywinski 222-1,082, 4.9 avg., 16 TDsReceiving: Brian Muckin 32-590, 18.4 avg., 3 TDsScoring: Logan Cywinski 96 pts.Kicking: Billy Prebola 26 XPM, 3 FGs, 35 pts.

ScheduleFri., Aug. 25 at Nanticoke (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 1 Pittston Area (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 8 Honesdale (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 15 at Wyalusing Area (A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 22 Western Wayne (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 29 at Lake-Lehman (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 6 Crestwood (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 13 at Meyers (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 20 Towanda (2A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 27 Northwest (A) 7 p.m.

2016 Results (2-8)Nanticoke (5-6) W 30-20at Pittston Area (2-8) L 30-28at Honesdale (0-10) W 24-7Wyalusing Area (5-6) L 32-27at Western Wayne (6-5) L 35-14Lake-Lehman (5-6) L 49-26at Crestwood (3-8) L 49-6Meyers (5-6) L 24-13at Towanda (5-6) L 21-14at Northwest (7-4) L 49-35

20 Thursday, August 24, 2017 Times LeaderWILLIAMSPORT MILLIONAIRES

Williamsport still looking strongBy John Erzarjerzar@timesleader.com

Williamsport expected to have one huge hole to fill coming into the season, not two.

Yet, that’s where the Mil-lionaires stand coming off one of the best seasons in school history.

Gone is quarterback Isaiah Hankins, the Times Leader Player of the Year. He’s now at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. But also missing is run-ning back Treyson Potts, arguably the most dynamic player in the Wyoming Valley Conference. The Division I recruit suffered a partial ACL tear in his right knee at a summer camp at Penn State.

Williamsport coach Chuck Crews Jr. said there is a chance Potts could play later in the season, but he wasn’t very optimis-tic of that happening. Potts most likely won’t be on the field until 2018 for his senior year.

“It’s not looking good,” Crews said, “but the door isn’t closed completely. But that’s the beauty of football being a team sport. There are now other guys who can step up and carry the load. Some guys who might not have had the opportunity with a healthy Trey or if Isaiah had anoth-er year. Now it’s their time to step up and shine.”

ON OFFENSEBesides Hankins and

Potts, Williamsport will also be missing two Times

Leader All-WVC selec-tions, graduated receiver Elliott Walker and tight end Jalen Jackson.

Added up, the Mil-lionaires have lost 5,729 of their 6,903 all-purpose yards from 2016.

Junior Joe Fagnano takes over as quarterback, and Crews believes he can do many of the things Hankins did, only a tick slower. Running backs Latrelle Jackson and Alec Dickey showed promise in limited carries last season. Blaze McClements will also run the ball at times.

The receiving group brings back some tal-ent in speedster Marcus Simmons (6 rec., 100 yds.) and tight end Ethen Stryker (4-31).

“It’s our job as coaches to get them comfortable with what we’re trying to

do and put them in posi-tions where they can be successful,” Crews said. “Then the rest is up to them.”

The strength will be the line with perennial all-star guard Kurt Danneker returning, along with guard Tucker Kreisher and center Chance Bower. No matter who fills the other two spots, the Millionaires will field one of the WVC’s biggest lines.

ON DEFENSEThis unit also took a big

hit with the graduation of Times Leader All-WVC and two-time all-state defensive end Ross Steb-bins. Still, the defense has talent to maintain its strong performance of a year ago.

Outside linebacker Cam Dickey is small, but flies to

the ball and was the team’s co-defensive player of the year after making a team-high 83 tackles in 2016. Inside linebacker Nate Welch returns after finish-ing with 76 tackles — sec-ond most — last season. Alec Dickey will work with him inside.

The Millionaires should be tough up front with Danneker, Jamaire Burget and Ben Garverick bring-ing plenty of game experi-ence.

The question mark is the secondary, which took a significant hit via gradu-ation. Fagnano, Simmons, Jonah Nicklaus, Alex Pick-ering and T.J Robinson all figure in the mix.

OUTLOOKDespite the heavy loss-

es, Williamsport has the talent to record another

successful season. While another 12-win

season could be difficult to achieve, the Millionaires enter the year as favorites to win the WVC Division 6A-5A crown and have a

good chance at defending their District 2/4 Class 6A tournament championship.

Reach John Erzar at 570-991-6394 or on Twitter @TLJohnErzar

Bill Tarutis | For Times LeaderWilliamsport will be counted on, from left, Jonah Niklaus, T.J. Robinson, Dalton Kriner, Ethyan Stryker and Kurt Danneker.

WILLIAMSPORT MILLIONAIRESCoach: Chuck Crews Jr. (29-36), 3rd year at Williamsport; 7th year overallDivision: WVC 6A-5APIAA Class: 6AMale enrollment: 667School phone: 570-323-8411Stadium location: High School, West Fourth Street, WilliamsportKey players lost: Tyler Anderson, OL/DL; Elijah Clarey, OL/DL; Tristan Connor, WR/LB; Isaiah Hankins, QB/DB; Jalen Jackson, TE/LB; Keough Johnson, LB; Ross Stebbins, DL; Elliott Walker, WR/DB; Dante Wright, WR/DB

2016 regular-season leadersPassing: Isaiah Hankins 103 of 147, 1,872 yds., 20 TDs, 4 Ints.Rushing: Treyson Potts 137-1607, 11.7 avg., 27 TDsReceiving: Elliott Walker 34-604, 17.8 avg., 10 TDsScoring: Treyson Potts 178 pts.Kicking: Angelo Girardi 61 XPM, 0 FGs, 61 pts.

ScheduleFri., Aug. 25 at Central Mountain (5A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 1 Mifflin County (6A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 8 at Hazleton Area (6A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 15 Wyo. Val. West (5A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 22 Shikellamy (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 29 at Scranton (6A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 6 Delaware Valley (6A) 7 p.m.Sat., Oct. 14 at Coughlin (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 20 at Wyoming Area (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 27 Berwick (4A) 7 p.m.

2016 Results (12-2)Central Mountain (3-7) W 39-12at Mifflin County (3-7) W 61-24Hazleton Area (3-8) W 42-13at Wyo. Val. West (8-3) W 35-22at Shikellamy (6-5) W 49-19Scranton (4-7) W 62-18at Delaware Valley (9-3) L 49-42Coughlin (5-6) W 49-28Wyoming Area (9-3) W 62-21at Berwick (8-5) W 56-23

District 2/4 Class 6A playoffsHazleton Area (3-8) W 48-14Delaware Valley (9-3) W 55-21

PIAA Class 6A playoffsState College (10-2) W 35-28Pittsburgh Cent. Cath. (14-2) L 62-21

Thursday, August 24, 2017 21 Times Leader WYOMING AREA WARRIORS

GO WARRIORS!

80848953

05-4000 o 2017 The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI (Northwestern Mutual)The Chartered Advisor for Senior Living (CASL®) designation is conferred by The American College of Financial Services

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Warriors need to build up frontBy Tom RobinsonFor Times Leader

Wyoming Area will look to rebuild the line on both sides of the ball in search of the combina-tion that will allow the Warriors to repeat as Wyoming Valley Confer-ence Class 4A Division champions.

“A point of emphasis this year will be our offensive line,” Wyoming Area coach Randy Spen-cer said. “We’ve got tal-ented players there. It’s a matter of developing them.”

The defense goes into the season with a similar look. It is loaded with experience at linebacker and defensive back, but will have new faces bat-tling at the line of scrim-mage.

“Defensively, especially on the back end, second-ary and linebackers, we return some outstanding talent and experience,” Spencer said.

Those players helped the Warriors go 9-3 overall in a season that ended against WVC rival Berwick in the District 2 Class 4A semifinals.

ON OFFENSEP.J. Angeli has had

an increasing piece of a shared quarterback duties over the past three seasons. He took the majority of the snaps there the last two sea-sons and is back for his senior year.

In addition to throwing the ball and engineering the offense, Angeli is the team’s leading return-ing rusher following the graduation of 1,000-yard runner Brian Miles.

Justin Joseph took over at fullback when Wyoming Area lost Dylan Kostak for the remainder of the season early last year. He is working there this year, along with Corey Mruk.

Donovan O’Boyle and Darren Rodney are work-

ing at tailback.Marc Anthony

Minichello, the team’s leading receiver last sea-son, is back for his fourth season as a starting receiver. He also could be a threat to run the ball in some situations.

Robbie Trottini, Stephen Yorday, Brian Williams and Dominic DeLuca are also working at wide receiver. Shane Eslick is the tight end.

Stephen Sokach-Min-nick will be the center

and Damon Barhight will start at guard in the rebuilt line.

They could be joined by Thomas Wycoski, Cameron Carr and Noah Johnson.

Patrick Nelson, Michael Amato and James Gashi are the other options.

“They don’t have a lot of game experience entering the year,” Spen-cer said of the line candi

Sean McKeag | Times LeaderDefensive backs coach Ken Kopetchny instructs Darren Rodney and other Wyoming Area players during practice.

WYOMING AREA WARRIORSCoach: Randy Spencer (49-49) 10th yearDivision: WVC 4APIAA Class: 4AMale enrollment: 288School phone: 570-655-2836Stadium location: Anthony “Jake” Sobeski Stadium, Boston Ave., off Route 11, West PittstonKey players lost: Andrew Bartoli, OL/DL; Dante DeLuca, TE/LB; Steve Homza, WR/QB/DB; Antonio Koshinski, OL/DL; Dylan Kostak, FB/LB; Brian Miles, RB/LB

2016 regular-season leadersPassing: P.J. Angeli 46 of 93, 599 yds., 4 TDs, 7 Ints.Rushing: Brian Miles 180-1,026, 5.7 avg., 17 TDsReceiving: Marc Minichello 16-499, 31.2 avg., 5 TDsScoring: Brian Miles 106 pts.Kicking: Brandon Charney 28 XPM, 1 FG, 31 pts.

ScheduleFri., Aug. 25 at Wallenpaupack (5A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 1 at Crestwood (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 8 Berwick (4A) 7 p.m.Sat., Sept. 16 at Coughlin (4A) 7 p.m.Sat., Sept. 23 at Scran Prep (3A) 1:30 p.m.Fri., Sept. 29 Hanover Area (3A) 7 p.m.Sat., Oct. 7 at GAR (3A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 13 Dallas (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 20 Williamsport (6A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 27 Pittston Area (4A) 7 p.m.

2016 Results (9-3)Wallenpaupack (3-8) W 32-0Crestwood (3-8) W 27-7at Berwick (8-5) W 34-20Coughlin (5-6) W 38-14Scranton Prep (12-2) L 14-7at Hanover Area (4-6) W 28-7GAR (6-6) W 35-14at Dallas (2-9) W 42-10at Williamsport (12-2) L 62-21at Pittston Area (2-8) W 46-20

District 2 Class 4A playoffsDallas (2-9) W 13-12Berwick (8-5) L 38-6

See WA | 26

22 Thursday, August 24, 2017 Times LeaderWYOMING VALLEY WEST SPARTANS

WVW should be tough once againBy John Erzarjerzar@timesleader.com

One thing is certain about Wyoming Valley West this season. The offense is going to look quite different.

No, the Spartans aren’t planning to re-haul their plan of attack. It’s going to be the people conduct-ing it who will change.

Gone is Sean Judge, a do-everything breakaway threat. Also missing will be Aaron Austin, a dual-threat quarterback who ran the show for two years. Even some of the peripheral pieces to suc-cess also received their diplomas in June.

“Our system is our system,” coach Pat Keat-ing said, “but it will be a different kind of team. Where we had Sean and a couple of those smaller running backs the past few years, we’re going to have a bigger and more physical group of running backs this year.

ON OFFENSEJudge scored 68 touch-

downs in his career via rush, reception, returns and on defense. He even threw a TD pass.

“You don’t replace him as a player and all the intangibles he brought to the table,” Keating said of Judge, who is now playing at Shippensburg

University. “At the high school level, you just don’t replace that. Our job as coaches is to be able to put personnel packages together to put our guys in the right spots where they can have success.

“Where Sean could do so many things, we’re going to have two or three guys do different things now.”

While Judge was small and extremely elusive, his replacements will be more power runners. Zach Davies and Sean Mikovitch are bigger guys who found success with limited carries in 2016. Davies averaged 6.6 yards per carry while Mikovitch averaged 5.5. Juniors Carson Canavan

and Quaid Braddy are likely to get some carries as well.

Rob Dwyer had a solid season as a receiver last year, but will now shift to the quarterback spot.

Wideouts Darrian Tyson, Derek Doreskewicz and Jake Blaski were all contributors to the pass-ing offense last season. Receivers Dion Davis and Ricky Leon and tight ends Dylan Jockel and Cortes Adams also figured to make some catches.

The line is led by 6-foot-6, 305-pound Chris Bleich, who decommit-

ted from Penn State and will now play across the country at UCLA. He and fellow senior Dom Alunni form a pair of big bookend tackles. Connor Mikovitch will be the center. Brandon Steiding-er and Dave Wildey will be the guards, although Dylan Brown and Matt St. Omer could see time in those spots.

ON DEFENSEThe Spartans return

their top two tacklers in linebackers Davis (143 tackles) and Sean Miko-vitch (110). Braddy and Canavan will round out the group.

The line brings back plenty of experience. Defensive end Sammy Solomon started as a

freshman and tied for the team lead in sacks in 2016 with four. Jockel, the other D-end, also had four sacks. Bleich can clogged things up in the middle due to his size. Adams was a force at the other tackle spot last sea-son, making 79 stops.

The secondary will need some tweaking after some losses to graduation, but there is plenty of promise there. Tyson had a couple of picks last year, while Blaski, Doreskewicz and Dwyer will round out the unit.

OUTLOOKValley West is already

guaranteed a playoff spot since all three District 2 Class 5A teams make the

postseason. Despite some key

departures, the Spartans should have enough tal-ent to unseat Abington Heights as the district champion.

As for Wyoming Val-

ley Conference Division 6A-5A, the Spartans will likely duke it out with Williamsport for the championship.

Reach John Erzar at 570-991-6394 or on Twitter @TLJohnErzar

Tony Callaio | For Times LeaderSenior Derek Doreskewicz is part of a solid receiving corps.

WYOMING VALLEY WEST SPARTANS

Coach: Pat Keating (69-23) 9th yearDivision: WVC 6A-5APIAA Class: 5AMale enrollment: 446School phone: 570-779-5361Stadium location: Spartan Stadium, Pierce Street and Gates Avenue, KingstonKey players lost: Aaron Austin, QB/DB; Sean Judge, RB/DB; Chris Melovitz, RB/LB; Nick Mooney, LB; Logan Myers, DB; Brydon Rukstalis, OL/DL; Jake Shemo, WR/DB

2016 regular-season leadersPassing: Aaron Austin 84 of 130, 1,110 yds., 10 TDs, 7 Ints.Rushing: Sean Judge 147-870, 5.9 avg., 14 TDsReceiving: Sean Judge 32-437, 13.7 avg., 7 TDsScoring: Sean Judge 150 pts.Kicking: Jake Gurtis 36 XPM, 6 FGs, 54 pts.

ScheduleFri., Aug. 25 at Scranton (6A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 1 Hazleton Area (6A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 8 Delaware Valley (6A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 15 at Williamsport (6A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 22 Dallas (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Sept. 39 at Wallenpaupack (5A) 7 p.m.Fri.., Oct. 6 Abington Heights (5A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 13 at Berwick (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 20 at Crestwood (4A) 7 p.m.Fri., Oct. 27 Coughlin (4A) 7 p.m.

2016 Results (8-3)Scranton (4-7) W 48-41at Hazleton Area (3-8) W 33-15at Delaware Valley (9-3) L 29-13Williamsport (12-2) L 35-22at Dallas (2-9) W 29-0Wallenpaupack (3-8) W 31-6at Abington Heights (8-5) W 23-20Berwick (8-5) W 48-24Crestwood (3-8) W 47-0at Coughlin (5-6) W 55-14

District 2 Class 5A championshipAbington Heights (8-5) L 24-7

Bleich

80852019

Voted#1 Roofer in

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Thursday, August 24, 2017 23 Times Leader HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

starting lineup.“I think Cole is one of

the best defensive players in the league,” Cinti said. “He gets a lot of press as an offensive player and his defense gets overlooked. I think he is one of the best linebackers in the league.”

For the linebackers to do their jobs, the D-line needs to keep blockers from get-ting to them. Gulitus and Young are back up front, with Harrison and sopho-more Rasheed Canada plugging the other voids.

Todd will anchor a sec-ondary that includes new faces in Strouse, Proctor, Rafael McCoy and Jared Kline. Some of the better

passing opponents had success against the deep group last season.

OUTLOOKDistrict

2 qualifies eight of its 11 Class 4A teams in the playoffs. With at least three of them still in rebuild mode, Coughlin looks like it will have no problem securing a post-season berth.

How far the Crusaders take their season could depend on how quickly the young guys in the trenches mature. The team is certainly