High School Football Playbook 2012

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SPECIAL SECTION, SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2012

P L AY B O O K 2 012

Go Lackawanna is ready for another season Go Lackawanna has its own three-year starter going into the high school football season.

Playbook, this high school football preview special section, gives an advance look at the Lackawanna Football Conference for the third straight season.

Like the teams that it covers, Go Lackawanna also has adjustments as the new season approaches.

Playbook 2012 and the coverage that will follow throughout the season will have an increased concentration on the downvalley portion of Lackawanna County. There will be intense coverage of the Old Forge, Riverside and West Scranton High Schools in the upcoming season.

The emphasis on those three schools, along with a look at some players from Scranton Prep and Holy Cross who reside in those districts, is evident in this section.

INDEX Riverside ………................Pages 4, 5, 6 Scranton Prep………...................Page 7 Holy Cross……….........................Page 7 West Scranton………............Pages 10, 11 Old Forge………................Page 12, 13, 14

PAGE 2

OUR TEAM Go Lackawanna www.golackawanna.com 109 New Street Pittston, PA 18640 Don McGlynn Go Lackawanna Editor 602.1697 Tom Robinson Project Coordinator RobbyTR@aol.com twitter@tomjrobinson Contributing Photographers Jason Riedmiller Bradley Lanphear On the Cover Photo - Jason Riedmiller Design - Lindsey Jones Shown are, from left, Old Forge’s Brian Tomasetti, West Scranton’s Demitris Garcia and Riverside’s Nick Dranchak Retail Advertising Account Executive Aubree Armezzani aarmezzani@golackawanna.com

Coverage of the rest of Lackawanna County and the entire Lackawanna Football Conference remains. The pages that follow will take a look at each of those teams – the opponents that occupy most of the spots on the Old Forge, Riverside and West Scranton schedules.

Expectations of each team and a schedule of all games involving LFC teams are part of the package.

As promised, there is even more information about the Blue Devils, Vikings and Invaders.

Each of the local schools has its own season preview story with an emphasis on returning veterans and top newcomers most likely to fill the remaining spots in the lineup. Coverage of each of those teams includes a fact box, featuring last year’s performance, enrollment figures and the division and state classification in which the team competes.

Complete rosters and season schedules are also included on the team pages, as well as pictures of those who add

to the scene at games on Friday nights – and occasionally Saturday afternoons.

Photos of band members and cheerleaders are part of each team package.

Following the favorite team or teams of each reader involves an awareness of the entire league and the issues it faces.

The league overview helps explain why Dunmore and Scranton should remain strong; what questions Valley View has to face as a defending champion; why Delaware Valley, Scranton Prep, Western Wayne and Carbondale could be teams on the rise; and even why Wallenpaupack, North Pocono, Holy Cross and Montrose could face some tough times.

The biggest impact on the state level should again come from the small schools.

Dunmore has won a state championship. The Bucks and Riverside have each been to two finals. Old Forge represented District 2 last year and while the Blue Devils are still looking for

their first state tournament victory, they are coming off their best showing yet on that level.

The survivor of a District 2 Class A battle between Dunmore, Riverside and Old Forge figures to be Lackawanna County’s best hope of threatening for a state title. First, they will all face each other in the regular season.

The preseason discussion, though exciting, is just the beginning.

Go Lackawanna will continue to cover the LFC in general and the Blue Devils, Vikings and Invaders in particular.

That coverage can be found both in weekly print editions and in online updates heading into and throughout each weekend at www.golackawanna.com/sports.

Enjoy the season ahead by keeping Playbook available for reminders on schedules and what to expect from the opponents your favorite team meets along the way.

-TOM ROBINSON Playbook 2012 Coordinator

LACKAWANNA FOOTBALL CONFERENCE SCHEDULE Aug. 31 West Scranton at Riverside Old Forge at Lake-Lehman Parkland at Delaware Valley Hazleton Area at Scranton Wallenpaupack at Valley View North Pocono at Dunmore Scranton Prep at Wyoming Area Honesdale at East Stroudsburg North Mid Valley at Hanover Area Lakeland at GAR Montrose at Carbondale Nanticoke at Lackawanna Trail Sept. 1 Pittston Area at Abington Heights Western Wayne at Susquehanna Meyers at Holy Cross Sept. 7 West Scranton at Tunkhannock Carbondale at Riverside Old Forge at Meyers Wyoming Valley West at Delaware Valley Pittston Area at Scranton Honesdale at Wallenpaupack North Pocono at Crestwood Valley View at Lakeland Scranton Prep at Western Wayne Wyoming Area at Mid Valley GAR at Dunmore Susquehanna at Northwest Montrose at Lake-Lehman Hanover Area at Lackawanna Trail Sept. 8 Holy Cross at Holy Redeemer Abington Heights at Dallas

Sept. 14 Dunmore at West Scranton Riverside at North Pocono Holy Redeemer at Old Forge Delaware Valley at Hazleton Area Scranton at Wyoming Valley West Wallenpaupack at Allentown Dieruff Valley View at Honesdale Coughlin at Western Wayne Lakeland at Hanover Area Susquehanna at Nanticoke GAR at Carbondale Tunkhannock at Montrose Lackawanna Trail at Meyers Sept. 15 Williamsport at Abington Heights Mid Valley at Scranton Prep Northwest at Holy Cross Sept. 21 Dunmore at Old Forge West Scranton at North Pocono Abington Heights at Delaware Valley Scranton Prep at Scranton Wallenpaupack at Crestwood East Stroudsburg North at Valley View Lackawanna Trail at Western Wayne Montrose at Honesdale Holy Cross at Mid Valley Lakeland at Carbondale Sept. 22 Riverside at Susquehanna Sept. 28 Old Forge at Riverside Delaware Valley at West Scranton

Scranton at Valley View Abington Heights at Wallenpaupack Western Wayne at Montrose Carbondale at Honesdale Lackawanna Trail at Mid Valley Susquehanna at Lakeland Sept. 29 North Pocono at Scranton Prep Dunmore at Holy Cross Oct. 5 Scranton at West Scranton Riverside at Western Wayne Montrose at Old Forge North Pocono at Delaware Valley Abington Heights at Valley View Honesdale at Dunmore Lakeland at Mid Valley Carbondale at Lackawanna Trail Oct. 6 Wallenpaupack at Scranton Prep Holy Cross at Susquehanna Oct. 12 West Scranton at Wallenpaupack Riverside at Honesdale Old Forge at Lackawanna Trail Valley View at Delaware Valley North Pocono at Scranton Mid Valley at Western Wayne Dunmore at Lakeland Holy Cross at Carbondale Susquehanna at Montrose Oct. 13 Scranton Prep at Abington Heights Oct. 19 Abington Heights at West

Scranton Mid Valley at Riverside Carbondale at Old Forge Scranton at Delaware Valley Wallenpaupack at North Pocono Western Wayne at Dunmore Honesdale at Lakeland Oct. 20 Valley View at Scranton Prep Lackawanna Trail at Susquehanna Montrose at Holy Cross Oct. 26 Lakeland at Riverside Holy Cross at Old Forge West Scranton at Valley View Wallenpaupack at Scranton Honesdale at Western Wayne Dunmore at Mid Valley Susquehanna at Carbondale Lackawanna Trail at Montrose Oct. 27 Delaware Valley at Scranton Prep North Pocono at Abington Heights Nov. 2 Scranton Prep at West Scranton Riverside at Dunmore Delaware Valley at Wallenpaupack Valley View at North Pocono Western Wayne at Lakeland Mid Valley at Honesdale Tunkhannock at Carbondale Northwest at Montrose Nov. 3 Old Forge at Susquehanna Scranton at Abington Heights Lackawanna Trail at Holy Cross

Knights, Bucks, Blue Devils favored for division titles

SPECIAL SECTION, SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2012

LFC OVERVIEW

GO LACKAWANNA/JASON RIEDMILLER

Veterans Brian Tomasetti of Old Forge, Demitris Garcia of West Scranton and Nick Dranchak of Riverside are ready to lead their teams into the 2012 season.

TOM ROBINSON For Go Lackawanna

the conference by Go Lackawanna, with input from LFC coaches.

Dunmore, the only LFC team to complete an unbeaten regular season,isfavoredtodefendinDivision 2 but Riverside has an impressive group of returning players to help it

mount a threat.

Old Forge, another defending champion, is the clear favorite in Division 3 where division newcomerCarbondalelooksforaquick turnaround while Lackawanna Trail tries to remain strong.

A look at each division: DIVISION1 Scranton ran off seven straight wins following its1-3 start last year.

See OVERVIEW , Page 8

PAGE 3

S

cranton,DunmoreandOld Forge enter the season as LackawannaFootballConference division favorites, in varying degrees.

After sharing the Division 1 championship with Valley View a year ago, another tie at the top would not be surprising for Scranton. This time, Delaware Valley is regarded as nearly equal to the Knights in a preseason analysis of

SPECIAL SECTION, SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2012

RIVERSIDE

Riverside Vikings are blessed with experience TOM ROBINSON For Go Lackawanna

The Riverside Vikings made progress in Evan Prall’s first year as coach.

After losing the opener and slipping back to the .500 mark two other times in the first six weeks, the Vikings came on strong.

Riverside won three straight games late in the regular season and produced one of the top performances of the postseason when it knocked off Dunmore, the Lackawanna Football Conference’s only unbeaten team from the regular season, in the District 2 Class A semifinals.

“If you look at our game against West Scranton last year (in the opener), then you look at the end of the season, you could see the team improve,” Prall said. “The kids got better at every spot.

“It’s a credit to them and a credit to their coachability.”

The coach expects to continue that process.

“In the second year now so the kids are familiar with what we want,” Prall said. “Terminology-wise, they know we’re speaking about. In football there’s Xs and Ox, but terminology always changes depending on what system you’re in.

“Having a year behind us makes it easier for us as a coaching staff to be a little more diverse with what we want to do.”

Prall enters 2012 as a more experienced coach with the benefit of a team loaded with experience.

Riverside is blessed with established two-way players. Nick Dranchak, Dave Sweetman, Michael Loftus, Tyler Armillay and Mark Donaghey all gained LFC Division 2 all-star honors on both sides of the ball from www.northeastpafootball.com.

“That’s a nice thing,” Prall said.

“You can’t teach experience.”

The Vikings, who finished 7-5 overall, will work with at least eight returning starters on each side of the ball.

Dranchak is back after earning firstteam honors as a quarterback and punter as well as second-team division recognition for his play in the defensive backfield.

Sweetman, a wide receiver/defensive back, two-way lineman Armillay and Loftus, a tight end/defensive lineman, were all first-team, all-stars on both sides of the ball.

Donaghey was a first-team, all-star linebacker and second-team choice in the offensive line.

Ed Martz is another lineman with starting experience on both sides of the ball.

Tackle Jim Hoban and wide receiver Jim Tucker are others with starting experience on offense.

See VIKINGS , Page 5

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SPECIAL SECTION, SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2012

RIVERSIDE

GO LACKAWANNA/ JASON RIEDMILLER

Senior members of Riverside High School’s football team, first row, from left, Nick Killino, Jaron Vishnesky, Chris Reed, Sam DeStefano, Dave Sweetman, Jim Tucker, Alec Parchinski, James Colondres second row, Jason Ford, Nick Dranchak, John Bannon, Glen Burge, Matt Donahue, Ed Martz, Michael Loftus, Mark Donaghey and Mike Piasecki.

VIKINGS Continued from Page 4

Linebackers Alec Parchinski and Tom Lavelle and defensive back Nick Killino are returning starters on defense.

Armillay is in his third season at center. Martz and Hoban are tackles while Donaghey moves from tackle to guard.

Sophomore Brian Roche is a promising two-way lineman.

Dranchak produced more than 2,000 yards total offense last season at quarterback. He is in his fourth year as an offensive starter, including his third as the quarterback.

Sweetman and Loftus were the top two receivers.

The Vikings could have more weapons for Dranchak to throw to this year with the addition of basketball players Nico Munley and Jaron Vishnesky for their senior years.

“They’re great athletes who are going to make contributions,”

FA C T S A N D F I G U R E S Nickname: Vikings Home field: Taylor Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Division: LFC Division 2 Enrollment: 173 Classification: A 2011 Recap: 3-2 tied for second in Division 2; 7-5 overall; 6-4 in regular season; defeated Dunmore, 14-13, in District 2 Class A playoffs, then lost to Old Forge, 47-6, in final.

Prall said. “They will help us win some football game.

“They may see some playing time as receivers or at running back. On defense, they’ll be in the secondary.”

Dranchak, Sweetman and Killino already give the Vikings an experienced defensive backfield.

Parchinski and Lavelle are among the linebackers.

Donaghey is expected to be up front on defense with Loftus, Armillay and Martz.

Sophomore Thomas Navich could be a factor at running back or linebacker.

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SPECIAL SECTION, SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2012

RIVERSIDE

GO LACKAWANNA/JASON RIEDMILLER

PAGE 6

Members of Riverside High School’s 2012 cheerleading squad.

Riverside High School’s marching band includes, first row, from left, Morgan Gable, Kayla Reagan, Aubrey Edstrom, Laura Murphy, Dana Robbins, Kerilyn Pon, second row, Noah Jennings, Eric O’Malley, Val Kazysta, Kayla Creedon, third row, Brittany Fox, Evan Harbert, Ryan O’Malley Sarah Murphy, Aggie Miles, fourth row, Joe Kester, Jacob Rentrope, Sazia Nowshin and Trinity Gable.

Kelsey Janesko was named Miss Viking for the 2012-13 school year.

Scranton Prep confident in passing game TOM ROBINSON For Go Lackawanna

Scranton Prep is likely to be back in contention after finishing third in the Lackawanna Football Conference Division 1 race and advancing to the District 2 Class AAA playoffs last season.

A passing combination from the West Side of Scranton is a big reason why.

Griff DiBileo, who shared the quarterback spot last season, likely will be throwing often to Rock Magnotta, the team’s third-leading receiver a year ago.

“We’re expecting big things from Griff,” Scranton Prep coach Nick Donato said. “He

shared duties with Tommy Timlin last year.

“Through the last part of the season, he stepped up and became a starter until he broke his hand in the first half of the Delaware Valley game.”

DiBileo was effective during his time as a starter. He finished with a 56 percent completion rate while throwing for 638 yards and six touchdowns.

Donato expects him to be improved this season.

“He’s worked hard in the offseason,” Donato said. “He’s been to a lot of camps. He’s created a lot of interest from the Ivy and Division III schools.

See SCRANTON PREP , Page 9

Holy Cross ready to start over TOM ROBINSON For Go Lackawanna

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Griff DiBileo, who shared the quarterback spot last season, is ready to lead Scranton Prep this season.

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OLYPHANT – The Holy Cross lineup will be nearly completely rebuilt this season.

“We lost many senior starters,” Jared Nicholoff said.

“We had nine and some of them started both ways.

“It’s going to be hard to fill those positions.”

Nicholoff, an Old Forge resident, is both one of the few veteran starters and one of the players who will try to fill the many openings left by graduation.

After two years as a starting offensive tackle, Nicholoff should be ready to move into the starting lineup at defensive tackle where he has some experience.

SPECIAL SECTION, SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2012

S C R A N T O N P R E P / H O LY C R O S S

SPECIAL SECTION, SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2012 PAGE 8

LFC OVERVIEW years at Dunmore, where he handled the offense in recent seasons.

“It’sgoingtoabeastruggle,”said Dolhon, a former Wyoming Area and Dickinson College quarterback, “but we have a big junior and big senior class and they’re working hard.

“They’reeagertolearnandeager to win. We’re excited about the season.”

Dolhon’s staff includes two former head coaches – Tony Cantafio from Scranton Prep and Frank Berardelli from Tunkhannock.

OVERVIEW Continued from Page 3

The Knights used the streak to share the division title and claim the District 2 Class AAAA title as the last team from the district standing in the District 2-4-11 tournament after they mauled Wyoming Valley West, 36-7.

Karlon Quiller and Kyle Czarkowski lead a strong group of returnees.

Quiller was a first-team division all-staratwidereceiverandsecondteam choice at defensive back, according to www.northeastpafootball.com. Czarkowski was a firstteam choice in the defensive line and a second-team pick at fullback.

Quarterback Marlinn Waiters, offensive lineman Mike Condrad and defensive lineman Brandon Novaczynski were second-team, all-stars. Linebacker Matt Gorton received honorable mention.

Jake McCarthy had a big freshman year serving primarily as a back-up running back and kick returner.

McCarthy and Paul Brady, a 6foot-5, 275-pound lineman who is gaining Division I recruiting attention, are ready to step into more prominent roles.

Scranton posted two shutouts and held two others teams scoreless until the fourth quarter when games were decided.

“We had a good group of sophomores and juniors playing last year,” Scranton coach Mike Marichak said. “A lot are back as threeyear starters.”

Marichak is working with an experienced line that was a big part of thein-seasonimprovementof2011.

“We’renotlikeatypicalScranton team where we always had tremendous skill but were light up front,” he said. “We have tremendous depth up front. Our skill is still very good, but not quite as deep.

“I’m very happy. Everyone on our starting line has experience.”

Quarterback Bryan Schor leads Delaware Valley’s title hopes.

Schor, the Division 1 first-team, all-star last season, has completed better than 50 percent of his attempts each of the last two seasons and has more than 3,000 passing yards in his career.

“He’s done an awful lot to really make himself a tremendous quarterback,” Delaware Valley coach KeithOlsommersaidofSchor,who enters the season with a scholarship offer from Miami (Ohio) and interest from other Division I pro-

FILE PHOTO

Riverside’s two-way, all-star Nick Dranchak, a member of the team that that handed Dunmore its only loss in the district semifinals, returns to the Vikings this season.

grams. “You look at him as a freshman. You look at him now. He’s looks different.

“He’s stronger and faster.”

Schor is one of seven offensive starters for the Warriors, who also bring four defensive starters back from a team that reached the District 2-4-11Class AAAA Regional.

Jack Fagan was a two-way, second-team, all-star in the line. Tom Everson was a second-team choice in the offensive line and Joe Santiago earned honorable mention as a running back.

Valley View shared the division title and won the District 2 Class AAA championship last season.

“Ihopethereisanencore,”Valley View coach George Howanitz said.

“I think we have a good core of kids coming back, but we have a lot of holes from the seniors we had last year.”

Tyler Phillips, who averaged 9.7 yards per carry while running for 1,553 yards, was a first-team, allstar running back.

Cody McAndrew earned second-team honors as a defensive back. Defensive lineman Raekwon Patrick and defensive back Garrett Rupe received honorable mention.

Liam Callejas is also back after hitting nearly 55 percent of his passes while throwing for 931 yards and11touchdowns.

“I think we’re OK, but defense is the big question,” Howanitz said.

“We lost some key players. Losing

Nyeem (Wartman, a Penn State recruit) was huge.

“We lost three linebackers and a couple of big defensive linemen.”

Scranton Prep handed Valley View its only regular-season loss on the way to a third-place finish in the division and a District 2 Class AAA playoff appearance.

TheCavaliersreturnsixfull-time starters on each side of the ball and can put an experienced player at just about every position.

“We have a solid nucleus returning on both sides of the ball with more size and experience up front than we have had the past few years,” Scranton Prep coach Nick Donato said.

MarshallKupinskimade75tackles while earning second-team, allstar honors at linebacker and also rushed for 717 yards.

Clem Rinaldi, Jake Stafursky, NoahBehandJoeHolmesallmade at least 45 tackles.

The Cavaliers also return the passing combination of Griff DiBileo-to-RockMagnottaandtwo-way tackle Mike Burke, who gained honorable mention on offense.

Abington Heights will be trying to bounce back into contention after a rare off year.

J.C. Show, a second-team, allstar defensive back returns.

Show also received honorable mention as a wide receiver along with quarterback Dante Pasqualichio, offensive lineman Dan Ste-

vens and linebacker Jerry Langan.

West Scranton has just three seniors with experience.

LinemanRussellBenkeistheonly returning two-way starter.

Wallenpaupack’s 2011 lineup was about as heavily senior-dominatedasahighschoolteamcanbe.

The Buckhorns lost 28 seniors and return just one full-time and one part-time starter.

“This year unfortunately looks like it could be a tough ride, but you never know,” Wallenpaupack coach Mark Watson said.

Quarterback Will Hendel returns along with part-time fullback starter Cameron Wolfson.

The defense is without a single player who even played often in reserve.

Thecombinationwillmakeitdifficult for the Buckhorns to produce seven or more wins for the fourth time in five seasons.

“We had five other underclassmen who played on special teams,” Watson said. “We come into the season with very, very little experience on Friday nights.

“The sooner kids can figure out howtoplayvarsityfootball,thebetter we will be.”

North Pocono was winless and still suffered heavy graduation losses.

The Trojans have the division’s only new coach, Greg Dolhon, who takeshisfirstheadcoachingassignment after spending the last 11

DIVISION 2 Dunmorereturnsseveralplayers who made major contributions to its unbeaten, championship regular season, including Austin Seamon and Daiquon Buckley, who combined to rush for more than 2,000 yards.

John Rinaldi, the top receiver from last year, is also back, but could be on the other end of passes after catching more than twice as many as any teammate last year.

“We’re working with John at quarterback right now,” Dunmore coach Jack Henzes said. “With us, he’s always been a wide receiver, but he’s a very good athlete – he’s a very good basketball player.

“Our dilemma right now is that when we put him at quarterback, we’re not as effective at wideout, but when we put him at receiver, we’re not as effective at quarterback.”

The Bucks figure to be effective at many positions.

Offensive lineman Mike Boland is the conference’s only returning player from northeastpafootball.com’s District 2 all-star squad.

Boland, Seamon and defensive back Mike Kolcharno were all firstteam division all-stars.

Seamon averaged 9.4 yards per carrywhilerunningfor1,342yards.

Buckley added a 7.9 average and 841 rushing yards while earning second-team honors for his play at linebacker.

Rinaldi was a two-way choice on the second team at wide receiver and defensive back.

Offensive lineman Dan Drewes was another second-teamer.

“We’re very fortunate to have quite a few players back that have played two years and are going into their third year,” Henzes said.

Riverside returns five two-way, all-stars – Nick Dranchak, Dave Sweetman, Michael Loftus, Tyler Armillay and Mark Donaghey – from the team that handed Dunmore its only loss in the district See OVERVIEW , Page 9

OVERVIEW Continued from Page 8

DIVISION 3 Old Forge’s Brian Tomasetti, Matt Mancuso, Tony DeSando, Paul Papi, Mike Vieira, Ryan Paulish, Jordan Sekol and Jake Manetti all received all-star recognition last season when the Blue Devils won both the division and District 2 Class A championships.

Carbondale is almost certain to be able to improve after going1-9 in 2010 and 2-8 in 2011. The Chargers drop from Division 2 to Division 3 and return 21of 22 starters.

“We lost an offensive lineman,” coach Larry Gabriel III said. “The majority of the players we have

SCRANTON PREP Continued from Page 7

“He’s very astute at reading defenses. He knows where the ball has to go.”

When it goes to Magnotta, the Cavaliers have a chance for a big play.

“He’ll be our top receiver,” Donato said of Magnotta, who also started at cornerback last season.

Magnotta is the top returning receiver on the team after catching 17 passes for 314 yards and a touchdown.

“He has a great deal of speed,” Donato said. “We like to get him the ball in as many oneon-one situations as we can.”

DiBileo and Magnotta are among the 11 returning starters, including seven seniors, from a team that went 7-4 last season.

FILE PHOTO/BILL TARUTIS

Old Forge’s Brian Tomasetti runs the ball after a reception against Lackawanna Trail last season.

back are three-year starters.

“We’re anxious to get going.”

Remington Hedden, a first-team Division 2 all-star linebacker, is back along with two second-team choices – wide receiver Lukas Durkin and defensive lineman Sam Demianovich.

Joe Gigliotti is back at quarterback and defensive back.

“Two years ago we got our brains beatinandwononegame,”Gabriel said. “Last year, we went 2-8 and were in position to win three other footballgames.Wejustdidn’tmake any plays.

“We’re hoping with the experience under our belt now that we’re the veteran guys that in key situations, we can get things to swing our way.”

Carbondale is working with Forest City on a cooperative sponsorship for the first time, but had just twoplayersfromForestCitysigned up for football prior to the beginning of practice.

Lackawanna Trail lost a strong senior class, but returns three fouryear starters.

Justin Barber, a 260-pounder, was a first-team, all-star both ways as a lineman last year.

Pete Murazzi was a second-team pick as a kicker. He returns at linebacker and will move to fullback on offense to replace graduated 1,000-

yard rusher Eric Laytos.

“He was in the tailback rotation last year,” Lackawanna Trail coach Steve Jervis said. “He ran for some tough yards.”

Jeremy Greenley, the other tailback, returns there and at free safety.

John Salinkas takes over as head coach at Susquehanna where Dick Bagnall retired after winning 169 games in 28 seasons.

The Sabers get back Cole Mallery, who was a two-way, first-team, all-star as a sophomore before spending last season at Seton Catholic Central in Binghamton, N.Y. Mallery, a running back and receiver two years ago, may spend time running the option offense.

Holy Cross headed into the start ofpracticewithjustfiveseniorsand 22 players total on the roster.

The Crusaders did have six players with experience on offense and five on defense.

“We’re young,” second-year coach Jeff Stevens said.

Montrose adds players from Elk Lake in a cooperative sponsorship in an attempt to break their 28game losing streak in the second year under coach Russell Canevari.

The Meteors picked up nine players for their junior high program, but only two Elk Lake players joined on the varsity level.

HOLY CROSS Continued from Page 7

“I feel like a couple of guys on the team are going to take charge,” Jared Nicholoff said in an interview at the Lackawanna Football Conference Media Day. “We’re not going to let this overcome us.

“We need to work hard and push forward to be a better team.”

Nicholoff helped open holes for an offense that scored 49 or more points three times and 29 or more five times in a 4-6 season.

Nicholoff ’s brother Jordan, a member of the City squad in this summer’s Dream Game, is one of the players lost to graduation. Another of the losses is Rob Heyen, a standout quarterback from Old Forge.

Heyen’s younger brother, John, is a sophomore tight end for the Crusaders.

Jordan Nicholoff is a powerful force up front for the Crusaders, but he has joined his teammates in trying to get quicker as well as stronger with the season approaching.

“We did a lot of tire flipping and agility stuff like ladders and sprints,” Nicholoff said.

PAGE 9

semifinals.

Mid Valley brings a talented group in its jump from Division 3 to Division 2, led by Ron Tomasetti, oneoftheLFC’smostdangerousreceivers.

Tomasetti was a first-team Division 3 all-star at wide receiver after catching41passesfor714yardsand fourtouchdownsandwasasecondteam pick at linebacker.

Lineman Joe Palickar was a firstteamer on offense and secondteamer on defense.

Chris Rebar was a first-team defensivebackandalsocaught20passes.

The Spartans also return Matt Tanner, who was expected to start at quarterback before suffering a preseasonkneeinjurylastyear,and Martin Walsh, who took over on short notice and threw for 1,124 yards.

Guard/nose tackle Mike Reid is another key player back after knee surgery.

“We have some kids who are goingtoplaymultiplepositions,”Mid Valley coach Frank Pazzaglia said.

“Our biggest challenge will be keeping up with the level of competition on the schedule we’re facing.”

In addition to moving up a division, the Spartans will face 2011 District 2 playoff teams in three of five non-league games.

ThereisnoquestionwhereAllen “Butch” Keller’s attention will be in preseason. The coach with more than 200 career wins will be trying to make sure Western Wayne is not a one-sided team this year.

“Last year, we had one of the better offenses,” Keller said, “and we had one of the worst defenses.”

Keller will also be hoping to keep his team healthy.

The Wildcats opened the season with a dramatic win over Wyoming Area, one eventual district finalist, and opened division play by beatingRiverside,anotherdistrictfinalist. Western Wayne, however, managed just one other victory.

“I had really high hopes last season, then we lost three kids against Hanover Area in the second game,” Keller said. “That cost us six positions and we couldn’t recover.”

One of the players lost was Rob Siclari, who rushed for 290 yards and scored five touchdowns on Opening Night when Western Wayne outscored Wyoming Area, 28-0, in the second half of a 40-34

victory.

A week later, Siclari’s season was over with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee.

Siclari returns to a lineup that also features five players who earned all-star honors last year.

JamesBergerwasafirst-teamallstar as an athlete on offense and a back on defense and a second-team all-star as a kicker.

Connor Rosensweet, who may move from fullback to tight end on offense,wasafirst-teamchoiceatlinebacker.

Quarterback Johnny Rhodes, fullback Nikolai Pritchyk and running back Jayson Figueroa were all second-team all-stars last season.

Lakeland could remain strong up front.

Cody Delfino, a first-team, allstar defensive lineman who also plays tight end, returns.

The Chiefs also have seven players who started in the offensive line at one time.

They will be protecting quarterback Kyle Kiehart, who hit 60 percent of his passes while throwing for 995 yards and12 touchdowns.

When division play began last year, Honesdale had won just twice in 2 ½ seasons, both as part of Montrose’s 28-game losing streak.

The Hornets then went 3-2 over the second half of the season to tie for second in the division.

“I think it was a morale booster for our kids and gave them some confidence heading into this season,” third-year coach Jim Ludwig said.

Honesdale returns seven starters on offense and six on defense.

Kyle Carney was a second-team, all-starathletewhilespendingtime at running back and wide receiver last season. He also has some experience at safety.

Nicholas Maritato was a secondteam defensive lineman.

John Gillow is back as a two-way endandJoeQuinnreturnsasatwoway lineman.

SPECIAL SECTION, SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2012

LFC OVERVIEW

SPECIAL SECTION, SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2012

WEST SCRANTON

ROSTER

GO LACKAWANNA/JASON RIEDMILLER

Returning West Scranton senior starters Russell Banke, Joe Devine and Demitris Garcia.

Vintage West Scranton style

PAGE 10

TOM ROBINSON For Go Lackawanna

SCRANTON – West Scranton’s football team will be looking to step back in time this season.

“We’re going back to traditionally what West Scranton has been known for, sort of smash-mouth football, two backs, play-action passing, occasionally throw one to keep them honest,” Invaders coach Joe Gerek said. “We’re going to try to grind out some yards.”

The change in offense, from a spread attack, may relieve some pressure from the defense.

“Along with that traditional style – what coach (Jack) Henzes does (at Dunmore) and what coach (Joe) DeAntona has done (at West) – is ball control, field position, move the sticks, run the clock,” Gerek said. “All that stuff helps your defense, if you can get first downs.”

Personnel changes helped drive Gerek’s change away from one of the Lackawanna Football Conference’s most wide-open attack.

The Invaders have just one

full-time and three part-timers back on offense and four fulltimers and one part-timer on defense.

They do have good size and strength, which is personified by a new player Gerek is anxious to get on the field for the Invaders for the first time.

Marquis Brownlee, a 6-1, 235pound senior tailback/linebacker, was ineligible in 2011 in his first year at the school.

“We have a couple of outstanding running backs,” Gerek said. “Marquis Brownlee is 245 pounds, runs a 4.5, benches over 400 and squats over 500.

“He’s going to be our workhorse. Hopefully, he’ll carry the ball 25 times a game.”

Brownlee kept active last season, giving the West Scranton defense a workout while running opponents’ plays in practice with the scout team offense.

“He’s not a kid who’s never played before,” Gerek said. “He just hasn’t been under the lights on a Friday night.”

Demitris Garcia has some experience at fullback after finish-

FA C T S A N D F I G U R E S Nickname: Invaders Home field: Scranton Memorial Stadium Division: LFC Division 1 Enrollment: 419 Classification: AAA 2011 Recap: 2-5 sixth in Division 1; 3-6 overall; missed playoffs.

ing third on the Invaders in rushing last season.

“We have a couple of backs that will hopefully complement Marquis,” Gerek said. “There are a couple of backs who are slasher-type runners who we can use as a change-up.”

The Invaders had three players fighting for the quarterback job in the preseason. Juniors Cory Jackson-Bey and Jordan McCloe and freshman Leo Cuillo were working at the position.

Joe Devine, a part-timer last year, will be one of the wide receivers. Tyler Merrigan, Brandon Oleski and Cullen Fanning could also see time at one of those two spots.

Lou DiBileo has some experience at tight end where Gerek thinks the 6-3, 225-pound junior

is ready to develop into a college prospect.

Russell Benke, who is also back on defense, is the only returning full-time starter on the offense. He is at one tackle position.

Gary DiBileo will probably handle the other tackle spot.

Cullen Lipowitch and Paul Stefani are the guards while Jeremy Seabridge and Brian Fallon are working at center.

Benke is one of the defensive ends in the 4-4 while Lou DiBileo also has some experience there. Tyaire Quiller could also figure into the mix.

Stefani and Lipowitch could be at tackle where 300-pounder Jaleel Howard is another possibility.

Garcia returns on the inside and Fanning on the outside to occupy two of the linebacker spots.

Brownlee is also on the inside while Eric Thomas and Oleski are working on the outside.

Devine returns at safety.

Pat Gerrity, Merrigan and Angel Ortiz will handle the two cornerback positions.

No. Player, Ht., Wt., Yr., Pos. 1 Mike Messina, 6-0, 175, Jr., WR/DB 2 Tyler Merrigan, 6-0, 165, Sr., WR/DB 3 Brandon Oleski, 5-11, 175, Sr., WR/DB 4 Eric Thomas, 5-11, 168, Sr., WR/DB 5 Tyaire Quiller, 5-11, 200, Jr., RB/DE 6 Marquis Brownlee, 6-1, 235, Sr., RB/LB 7 Angel Ortiz, 5-6, 150, Jr., WR/DB 8 Joe Devine, 5-11, 175, Sr., WR/DB 9 Kyle Kropovitch, 5-7, 150, So., WR/DB 10 Jordan McCloe, 5-8, 150, Jr., QB/DB 11 Andrew Hudak, 6-0, 150, So., QB/DB 12 Leo Cuillo, 6-0, 160, Fr., QB/DB 14 Jorge Guevara, 5-7, 170, Sr., K/P 15 Frazon Isaac, 5-9, 175, Jr., WR/DB 16 Joe Cawley, 6-0, 186, So., RB/LB 18 Cory Jackson-Bey, 5-10, 200, Jr., QB/LB 19 Joe McBride, 5-10, 155, So, QB/DB 20 Pat Gerrity, 6-0, 165, Sr., WR/DB 21 Jason Palauskas, 6-0, 155, So., WR/DB 23 Cullen Fanning, 6-2, 175, Jr., WR/DB 30 Cameron Rawling, 6-2, 250, So, RB/DL 31 Cody Mazzocchi, 5-11, 135, Jr., WR/DB 34 Tyler Johnson, 5-8, 155, So., RB/LB 35 Javon Berrauet, 5-11, 230, Jr., RB/LB 37 Amir Frasier, 5-7, 190, Fr., RB/LB 43 Demitris Garcia, 5-10, 185, Sr., RB/LB 51 Brian Fallon, 6-0, 220, Jr., OL/DL 52 Zachary Seabridge, 6-0, 175, Jr., OL/LB 53 Morgan James, 5-8, 180, So., OL/DL 54 Jeff O’Hora, 5-10, 210, So., OL/DB 55 Randy Kasorek, 5-11, 220, Sr., OL/DL 58 Carl Zenker, 5-10, 200, Jr., OL/DL 59 Harry Wildrick, 5-11, 216, Jr., OL/DL 60 Russell Benke, 6-2, 240, Sr., OL/DL 65 Scott Fletcher, 5-6, 220, Sr., OL/DL 68 Mike Trager, 5-9, 295, So., OL/DL 69 Jerry Coyne, 5-10, 210, So., OL/DL 70 Jeremy Seabridge, 6-1, 195, Jr., OL/DE 71 Collin Lipowitch, 6-0, 240, Jr., OL/DL 72 Kamron Van Wert, 5-11, 220, So., OL/DL 74 Jaleel Howard, 6-6, 300, Jr., OL/DL 75 Gary DiBileo, 6-0, 250, Jr., OL/DL 76 Christopher Simon, 6-0, 280, So., OL/DL 77 Paul Stefani, 6-0, 260, Jr., OL/DL 78 Brad Killian, 6-0, 185, So., OL/DL 79 Mark Kashuba, 6-7, 265, So., OL/DL 81 Dillon Hart, 6-4, 180, Fr., TE/DE 85 Lou DiBileo, 6-3, 225, Jr., TE/DE 89 Jesse Cocozello, 6-0, 150, So., TE/DE

West Scranton Game Schedule 8/31 – at Riverside 9/7 – at Tunkhannock 9/14 – DUNMORE 9/21 – at North Pocono 9/28 – DELAWARE VALLEY 10/5 – SCRANTON 10/12 – at Wallenpaupack 10/19 – ABINGTON HEIGHTS 10/26 – at Valley View 11/2 – SCRANTON PREP 11/22 – at Scranton

SPECIAL SECTION, SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2012

WEST SCRANTON

Filled with Invader pride

GO LACKAWANNA/JASON RIEDMILLER

ABOVE: Senior members of the cheerleading squad include, first row, from left Cassandra Novack, Brittany Christiano, Abigail Mancus, Markie McAndrew, Kelsey Maconeghy, Taylor Conforti, second row, Kaylyn Schmidt, Kara Fahey, Tyree Mrykalo and Meghan Gaughan.

LEFT: Senior members of West Scranton’s marching band, first row, from left, Anna Torres, Megan Coletti, Erika Davis, Ed Roach, second row, Aaron Bates, Chris Bednarek, Matt George, Chris Wood, Kaitlyn Gildea and Michelle Lyles.

!' !+

).-$ %( /!(.! +),, "+)' !++%-1 , !0 +%/! * %( !&&!+ (!

PAGE 11

!(-+ & + (-)( %(#-)( 1' +- )(!, &!

SPECIAL SECTION, SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2012

OLD FORGE

Teams to watch TOM ROBINSON For Go Lackawanna

Old Forge opens the season ranked ninth in the state among Class A teams, according to pafootballnews.com.

The Blue Devils return more than half the starters from a team that went10-3 last season and reached the first round of the state tournament. Old Forge led before falling, 45-34, in the toughest of eventual finalist Southern Columbia’s three games in the eastern half of the bracket.

Dunmore opens the season ranked third in the state in Class A. Riverside is one of 17 teams listed among “Others to Watch.”

Wyoming Valley Conference members Berwick, which is ninth in Class AAA, and GAR, which is eighth in Class AA, are the other ranked teams from District 2.

There will be at least one new state champion in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association this year.

Defending champions Central Dauphin (AAAA), Archbishop Wood (AAA) and Clairton (A)

opentheseasonrankedfirstintheir classifications.

Lancaster Catholic is one of the “Others to Watch” in Class AAA after it moved up an enrollment class following its state Class AA title in 2011.

Lackawanna Football Conference members Scranton and Delaware Valley are listed as teams to watch in Class AAAA. Scranton Prep and Valley View received the same recognition in Class AAA, meaning six of the county’s14 football teams received preseason recognition.

Wyoming Area is a team to watch in Class AA. Clairton is the two-time defending champion in Class A. Former champions Southern Columbia, Dunmore, Rochester and Sharpsville occupy the next four spots.

Brentwood, Penns Manor and Bellwood-Antis are sixth through eighth. Port Allegany ranks behind Old Forge in the 10th spot.

ArchbishopWoodiscomingoffa playoff run in which it outscored four state tournament opponents by a total margin of 212-36.

GO LACKAWANNA/BRADLEY LANPHEAR

Members of the Old Forge cheerleading squad include Mareena Marten, Victoria Eremo, Taylor Marsico, Tiffany Dukauskas, Alexis DiGregorio, Jamie Bennett, Janelle Jones, Gabby Monteforte, Jewel Talarico, Mary Cosentini, Tatiana Zippittelli, Vienna Piazza, Sabrina Talarico, Cassidy Califano, Jennava Macavage, Arianna Argust, Shauna Nunes, Carla Bellenzeni and Mattia Krappa.

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PAGE 12

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Adjusting to playoff changes

GO LACKAWANNA/BRADLEY LANPHEAR

Old Forge’s flag team is made up of, first row, from left, Matthew Tisdel, Ryan Cadwalder, Robert Wormuth, second row, Gabby Margheriti, Julianna Merced, Alyssa Hobbs, Kacie Tofaro, Mollie Boyd, Kai Coolbaugh, Ashlyn Mazzocchi, Reilly Boyd, Meghan Stalica, Ally Brown and Brittany Cadwalder.

Good Luck Invaders!!

District 2 and 4 will be limited to a total of just two spots in the combined District 2-4-11 Class AAAA football regional the next two seasons.

The PIAA alters its playoff brackets every two years based on enrollment changes of member schools.

Wallenpaupack dropped from Class AAAA to AAA this season, leaving only Delaware Valley, Hazleton Area, Scranton and Wyoming Valley West in Class AAAA among District 2 teams. They join District 4 member Williamsport, which plays in the Wyoming Valley Conference, in a points race for the two spots in the regional bracket. District 11 is guaranteed the other six spots.

The District 2 tournaments in Class AAA, AA and A remain the same. There will be four-team playoffs, with the higher seeds serving as host, in all three classifications.

Montrose, which has to count the enrollment of Elk Lake as part of its new cooperative sponsorship, and Western Wayne have moved up from AA to AAA.

SPECIAL SECTION, SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2012

OLD FORGE

GO BLUE DEVILS!!

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PAGE 13

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SPECIAL SECTION, SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2012

OLD FORGE

ROSTER No. Player, Ht., Wt., Yr., Pos. 1 Matthew Mancuso, 5-7, 155, Sr., WR/DB/K 3 Anthony Piccolini, 5-7, 160, Sr., WR/LB 4 Shane Schuback, 6-0, 200, Jr., TE/LB 5 Phil Vahey, 5-10, 165, Sr., TE/LB 7 Brenden Wahl, 5-10, 180, Sr., QB/DB 8 Ryan Levan, 5-11, 160, So., WR/LB 10 Michael Vieira, 5-7, 156, Sr., WR/DB 11 Warren Welsh, 5-9, 175, Sr., WR/LB 12 Jake Manetti, 6-0, 170, Jr., WR/DB 21 Brian Tomasetti, 6-1, 175, Sr., RB/DB 22 Matthew Trotta, 5-7, 165, Jr., RB/LB 24 Tyler Salerno, 5-7, 140, Sr., WR/DB 30 Kyree Toomey, 6-0, 185, Sr., WR/RB/DE 32 Jorden Sekol, 6-2, 215, Jr., FB/LB 33 Brandon Vahey, 5-9, 150, So., RB/DB 42 Brandon Yescavage, 6-0, 175, Jr., RB/DB GO LACKAWANNA/BRADLEY LANPHEAR

Returning division all-stars, first row, Matt Mancuso, Michael Vieira, Jake Manetti, second row, Tony DeSando, Jorden Sekol, Ryan Paulish, Brian Tomasetti and Paul Papi.

Excitement builds in Old Forge

PAGE 14

TOM ROBINSON For Go Lackawanna

OLD FORGE – There is no way to hide the excitement building in Old Forge as the beginning of high school football season approaches.

The Blue Devils are the defending Lackawanna Football Conference Division 3 and District 2 Class A champions.

They return seven starters on each side of the ball. Their veteran group includes eight players who received Division 3 allstar recognition from www.northeastpafootball.com last season.

“We’re really excited about this season,” Old Forge coach Mike Schuback said. “Obviously, we’re optimistic with the kids we have returning.

“When you return seven on each side of the ball, most of the kids know what they’re doing.”

The Blue Devils will have to turn to a new quarterback, but the same was true a year ago when Colin Carey emerged as

one of the division’s top offensive weapons in his first year as a starter.

“Brenden Wahl has been in our system for two years,” Schuback said of the new quarterback. “He’s not Colin Carey, but very few kids are.

“A lot of people are not going to know exactly what he can do.”

Brian Tomasetti is back after being part of the tailback rotation last season. Jorden Sekol is the fullback.

Michael Vieira is ready for his fourth season as a starting wide receiver. He was a second-team division all-star as an offensive athlete last season.

Anthony Piccolini, Warren Welsh, Jake Manetti and Kyree Toomey give the Blue Devils many options at the receiver position.

Shane Schuback, a returning starter at tight end, will also play wide receiver in some formations.

Tony DeSando, a second-

team, all-star at tight end, may wind up at guard. DeSando and Corey Souyavong are working at the one open spot in the offensive line.

Paul Papi, a second-team, allstar, is back at the other guard spot.

Ryan Paulish and Joey Bruno are back at tackle while Tyler Clark returns at center.

Adding to the weapons is the return of first-team, all-star kicker Matt Mancuso.

The secondary is loaded with veterans. Tomasetti was a firstteam, all-star and Manetti was a second-team choice. They are joined by Vieira.

Returning starters also fill three of four linebacker spots.

Schuback moves from outside to inside linebacker to fill the spot held by leading tackler Anthony Trotta, who has graduated.

Sekol, a second-team pick, and Welsh also return. Piccolini will be the new face in the group.

FA C T S A N D F I G U R E S Nickname: Blue Devils Home field: Old Forge Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Division: LFC Division 3 Enrollment: 96 Classification: A 2011 Recap: 5-0 first in Division 3; 10-3 overall; 8-2 in regular season; defeated Lackawanna Trail, 10-7, and Riverside, 47-6, to win District 2 Class A championship; lost to Southern Columbia, 45-34, in state Class A playoffs.

Paulish, another secondteamer, is back at one tackle.

Tony DeSando moves from tackle to end.

Papi appears ready at tackle to become a two-way starter.

Tyler Clark is likely to be the other end while several players could see time at the remaining end position.

The biggest concern for Schuback is a long-term issue rather than an immediate problem for this season. The Blue Devils have just six sophomores on their 30-player roster.

44 Bobby Rinaldi, 5-10, 160, So., RB/LB 51 Ryan Paulish, 6-3, 275, Jr., OL/DL 52 Paul Piemontese, 5-10, 160, Jr., OL/DL 54 Tyler Clark, 5-10, 230, Sr., OL/DL 55 Zach Chludzinski, 5-9, 155, So., OL/LB 56 Tony DeSando, 6-0, 205, Sr., OL/DL 58 Corey Souryavong, 5-11, 190, So., OL/LB 64 Paul Papi, 6-0, 225, Jr., OL/DL 66 Joey Bruno, 6-2, 245, Jr., OL/DL 71 Mason Wheeler, 6-0, 170, Jr., OL/DL 74 David Rudalavage, 5-9, 215, Sr., OL/DL 78 Michael Wasko, 6-2, 225, So., OL/DL 81 Elijah Wilson, 6-4, 185, Sr., WR/DB

OLD FORGE GAME SCHEDULE 8/31 – at Lake-Lehman 9/7 – at Meyers 9/14 – HOLY REDEEMER 9/21 – DUNMORE 9/28 – at Riverside 10/5 – MONTROSE 10/12 – at Lackawanna Trail 10/19 – CARBONDALE 10/26 – HOLY CROSS

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SPECIAL SECTION, SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2012

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SPECIAL SECTION, SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2012

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