CONTINUING: THE WHITE HAVEN JOURNAL ESTABLISHED 1879–146th YEAR, NO. 44
Caucus meetings continue for WASB
by Ruth Isenberg
The proposal to eliminate the monthly Weatherly Area School Board caucus meeting discussed at the September 3 caucus was not approved during the September 10 regular meeting. The board opted to keep two meetings per month for now, making the next session October 1 at 6 p.m.
The board accepted the resignation of superintendent Daniel Malloy at the regular meeting. More than 20 applications were received for the position. The selection process is underway.
CONTINUING: THE WEATHERLY HERALD ESTABLISHED 1880–146th YEAR, NO. 18
GRAND OPENING: BOGOS BEER held a ribbon cutting and open house on Saturday, September 20 in White Haven. Members of the community turned out to welcome this new business to the borough. Joelle Bogansky holds the ceremonial scissors; husband Chad is at left, and manager Erin Ackers is at right, next to Greater White Haven Chamber of Commerce secretary Gladys Roberts, and treasurer (and borough manager) Linda Szoke. At the other end, from left, are Tom Szoke, Holly Potance, John Zugarek, PA Representative Jamie Walsh, and Brian Rose. There were door prize drawings, refreshments, give-aways from suppliers and a look at the updated and refurbished store. JH: Ruth Isenberg
FISHING ON HOLD: Weatherly Borough will not offer fishing at the lake in Eurana Park this year. Borough officials hope to have all equipment, staff, and fish in place to start offering fishing next spring. JH: Ruth Isenberg
White Haven Transportation and traffic are borough council topics
White Haven Borough Council learned about the Walkworks capacity building grant during the September 22 borough council meeting. Manager Linda Szoke explained that the grant is to help the borough develop an active transportation plan. Because Luzerne County has been designated a county of need, the borough is eligible to participate in a year-long program to write a grant. The ultimate goal is constructing a walking trail around Linesville Park that will connect to Main Street. For the official press
release, please turn to page 5. Joan Gower addressed council regarding an accident on Interstate 80 on August 17 that caused traffic to be rerouted through town. She requested a safety plan be developed for next time it happens.
From 9:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., trucks were non-stop past her home, she said. None of them stopped at the Stop sign. Gower See WHITE HAVEN, page 5
THE JOURNAL-HERALD
(USPS 277-440) Published weekly at 211 Main Street, White Haven, PA 18661
Telephone (570) 215-0204
Subscription Price—$40 per year in Luzerne & Carbon Counties, Pennsylvania, payable in advance. $45 per year elsewhere, payable in advance.
Periodicals postage paid at White Haven, PA 18661. POSTMASTER, send address changes to: THE JOURNAL-HERALD 211 Main Street, White Haven, PA 18661
(JAY E. HOLDER, Co-Publisher 1954-1997; CLARA HOLDER, Co-Publisher 1954-2014)
Seth Isenberg, Advertising Sales
Ruth Isenberg, Editor
Steve Stallone, Sports Editor
Member, Greater White Haven Chamber of Commerce Carbon County Chamber of Commerce
At the September White Haven Borugh Council meeting, a resident spoke about a situation that occurred recently as a result of an accident on Interstate 80 that ended up routing traffic lots of traffic through the borough. One spot in particular was a problem, and anyone who regularly drives in White Haven already knows where it is the intersection of Church and Berwick.
The resident (who lives very close by) described an unending stream of trucks passing through the intersection for four or five hours, one after another, not stopping at the Stop sign and swinging out into the left lane to make the turn. Efforts to get help from local or state police were unsuccessful.
Council listened, and didn’t disagree, but they weren’t able to offer much real help. The borough police force isn’t robust enough to provide round-the-clock coverage, and the incident in question happened after the officer on duty had signed off. Fire department personnel were involved at the scene of the accident.
The discussion morphed into frustration with the intersection in general. A representative from PA State Representative Jamie Walsh’s office got an earful of complaints about PennDOT’s role, or really non-role, in attempting to control traffic at the intersection. From shooting down a proposal to light up the Stop signs for better visibility to demanding expensive drainage and curb work in order to make any improvements, the state has been less than helpful over the years.
Council made a good first step by getting a promise from Rep. Walsh’s office to see what, if anything, could be done to change PennDOT’s perspective. It might be a good idea to also involve the borough’s Emergency Management Coordinator in any discussions.
Route 940 is a state road, and that makes it the state’s responsibility. Unfortunately, it is still the borough’s problem. The fastest way to help the borough’s residents and business owners may be to come up with a local plan to deal with any future incidents.
Archives
Editor’s Note: This week we are going back to some older papers, so the Archives will not necessarily be from the end of September—just things that sounded interesting and worth remembering.
From
The Weatherly Herald
June 23, 1955
R.V. Faust, Publisher
Stuart E. Prutzman, [Carbon] County Superintendent of Schools, announced that Banks Township and Beaver Meadows Borough School Districts would not become part of the Weatherly Area School Jointure.
State Senator William Z. Scott, of Lansford, will give the main address when the new bridge recently completed by the state highway department [over Black Creek in Weatherly] is dedicated at exercises on Saturday afternoon, June 25.
That many thousand more people are expected to tour and vacation in this area after the Penna. Turnpike Extension is completed is indicated by the purchase, and options taken, on several hundred acres of land by the Howard Johnson Restaurant Corporation and other interests in the Penn Forest area, for the construction of a huge eating place and a nest of motels within easy access to the turnpike.
From
The Weatherly Herald
June 30, 1955
R.V. Faust, Publisher
Weatherly’s new bridge over the Black Creek at the intersection of Main and Hudsondale streets was dedicated during appropriate ceremonies last Saturday afternoon. The Weatherly Area School Band provided music for the occasion, and after the formal exercises a reception was held at the borough building, the bridge contractor being host at a light luncheon served the guests. During the reception Otto Barbush, Jr. exhibited motion
pictures showing progress of the new bridge construction.
Gilbert W. Hamm of Second Streets, Weatherly, has been named to the Carbon County Board of Public Assistance by Gov. [George] Leader, succeeding E.C. West, of town, whose term expired.
With announcement of the low bid to improve the Pinchot Trail between East Side Borough in Carbon County and Blakeslee in Monroe County, plans were made known to widen the highway to 22 feet and add 8 foot berms, in addition to widening the two bridges the Trail crosses. It will be connected with an interchange of the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. It is rumored that the state engineers are considering a new bridge project south of the present bridge at White Haven over the Lehigh River so the increasing traffic can be routed along the edge of that borough instead of through central part of the town.
From The Journal September 2, 1976
Jay & Clara Holder, Publishers
At a meeting of the Women of St. Patrick’s, it was decided to purchase a stove from Garland Industries, Freeland, for installation in the new parish hall (the former church). A committee was set up to select the stove, and also inspect an oven for sale.
From The Journal
September 16, 1976
Jay & Clara Holder, Publishers
Red Water Day Weather conditions permitting, the third in a series of red dye studies will be made on the Lehigh River this coming Monday. The dye, which is harmless to people, fish and vegetation, will be injected at five spots between the Francis E. Walter Dam and the CoplayNorthampton area. Purpose of the study is to trace the behavior of water-borne contaminants.
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that on September 18, 2025, the Petition of Brian James Ferguson was filed in the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County praying for a Decree to Change their name to Alexander Umber. The court has fixed November 10, 2025 at 1:00 p.m., Luzerne County Courthouse 200 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711, as the time and place the hearing of said Petition, when and where all interested may appear and show cause why the prayer of the said Petitioner should not be granted.
NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that LETTERS TESTAMENTARY have been granted to ELIZABETH J. YELITO of the Estate of Thomas F. Hewitt, Jr., deceased and late of Nesquehoning, Carbon County, Pennsylvania, who died on August 12, 2025. All persons indebted to said Estate, please make payment, and those having claims, present same to:
Susan Sernak-Martinelli, Esquire Law Office of Susan Sernak-Martinelli
199 North Church Street
Hazleton, Pennsylvania 18201 10/9
NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that LETTERS OF TESTAMENTARY have been granted to Sharon J. Stetchak of the Estate of William Stetchak, deceased and late of Hazleton, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, who died on July 27, 2025. All persons indebted to said Estate, please make payment, and those having claims, present same to:
Susan Sernak-Martinelli, Esquire Law Office of Susan Sernak-Martinelli
199 North Church Street
Hazleton, Pennsylvania 18201 10/9
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Letters of Administration have been granted to Sage Gasparrelli, of Hazle Township, Pennsylvania, in the Estate of Jenifer J. Mason, late of Hazle Township, Pennsylvania, who died on August 1, 2025. All persons indebted to said Estate are requested to make payment and those having claims or demands to present the same without delay to the Administrator named or to:
Alexis C. Falvello, Esquire
THE FALVELLO LAW FIRM, P.C. 641 State Route 93 Sugarloaf, PA 18249 9/25
NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION have been granted to DIANE E. WYDA and SARAH ZEHNER of the Estate of Linda Lee Elmes, deceased and late of Nescopeck, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, who died on August 17, 2024. All persons indebted to said Estate, please make payment, and those having claims, present same to:
Susan Sernak-Martinelli, Esquire
Law Office of Susan Sernak-Martinelli
199 North Church Street Hazleton, Pennsylvania 18201 10/9
At their September meeting American Legion Auxiliary Unit 360 presented a Good Deed Award to Ethan Darrough, for his Eagle Scout Project. Ethan repaired and repainted 13 benches at Tweedle Park in Weatherly. His father, John, accepted the award as Ethan is now at college. Shown from left are Theresa D’Andrea, Children & Youth Co-Chairman, John Darrough, Georgeann Herling, Unit 360 President and Children & Youth Chairman.
Atty. Cindy Yurchak
Law Office since 1991
obituAries
RICHARD RITTER SR.
Richard “Dick” Hartley Ritter, Sr., 76, of Vineland, New Jersey, passed away peacefully at his home with his loving family around him on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 after a brief battle with cancer.
Born on February 27, 1949 to, Earl “Brick” Ritter and Lois Hartley Ritter, where he grew up in their hometown of Weatherly. Richard, best known for his nickname, Dick, had a successful basketball career with his high school, Weatherly High. In 2014, Dick was inducted in Weatherly High School’s 23rd Annual Hall of Fame.
After college, Richard moved to New Jersey to pursue a few careers before deciding to be an over-the-road truck driver in which he retired from SJ Transportation Inc., in Woodstown, NJ on October 16, 2019.
His car salesman career at Ford in Elmer, NJ in the late 1980s led him to meet the love of his life, Betty. Rich and Betty were married on October 5, 1991, and built a very loving, and strong foundation for our family. Their wedding song, “I Owe You,” by Lee Greenwood, was one of his favorite songs. Betty was his heart and he made sure he gave her a great life.
Richard was also an avid Philadelphia sports fan, supporting the Philadelphia Phillies and his favorite, the Philadelphia Eagles, where he was able to see them win two Super Bowls. He also loved watching college basketball and NASCAR. Rich also enjoyed his favorite pizza in Hazleton, at Senape’s Tavern Pitza, along with their birch beer.
He is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Betty; his daughters, Jennifer Smith, Annette Coggins, and Kalyn Adams (Rick); his sons, Jack Sawyers and Richard Ritter, Jr. (Mikaela), who was his strength and gave him the strength to keep going; his
sister, Dr. Sandra Ritter Grand; his grandchildren, Casey, Alicia, Kevin (Emily), Megan, Amanda, Hayley (Garrett), Jessica (Dylan), Gracie (Seth), Matt and Alexia Jade; his greatgrandchildren, Kaden, Nathan, Lincoln, Jack and another great-grandson on the way; his nephew, Chris Hawkins; his loving pet companions, Stripes, Medusa and Obi, who all loved laying on his lap getting their hair brushed; and many nieces and cousins. Richard was preceded in death by his father, Earl “Brick” Ritter; his mother, Lois Smith; his stepfather, Harry Smith; and his nephew, Alex Hawkins.
Funeral services were held Saturday, September 20, with interment at Olivet Cemetery in Pittsgrove Township, New Jersey.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to Studio B Dance Center, 87 S. Blue Bell Rd., Vineland, NJ 08360 as he enjoyed watching his granddaughter Alexia dance on stage.
Patricia M. Mercado, 77, of Mountain Top, passed away on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. Born in Bronx, NY, she was the daughter of the late Raymond and Nancy Flynn Mercado. She was employed at the VA hospital as an administrator. Following retirement from the hospital, she worked at JC Penny at the Wyoming Valley Mall. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends and an occasional trip to the casino.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Raymond Mercado. Left to cherish her memory is her companion Kay Klushin; sister, Carole Danastorg and her husband Tony; brother James Mercado; niece and nephew.
Funeral service will be conducted on Monday, September 29, at 11 a.m. from the Desiderio-Lehman Funeral and Cremation, 436 S. Mountain Blvd. Mountain Top. Friends are invited to join the family from 10 a.m. until time of service. A funeral luncheon will follow at Kings Restaurant, Mountain Top.
Shepherd House dates listed
Food distribution for Weatherly Shepherd House at Zions Lutheran Church in Weatherly will be held on October 4, November 1 and December 6 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
If you are having a food emergency, please contact Keri Darraugh, 570-436-4598, or Eva Labanoski, 570-751-6323.
Fall happenings
at Our Lady of Lourdes
Our Lady of Lourdes in Weatherly has scheduled a number of autumn activities.
On Sunday, October 12, a Living Rosary will take place on the outside grounds of the church, starting at 6 p.m. Catholic Social Services
Food Truck can be found at the church on Friday, October 24, from Noon to 1:30 p.m. All are welcome.
Bingo returns on Sunday, November 16. Doors open at Noon, and there will be homemade food.
White Haven Borough taking part in WalkWorks Prep Program
Readies Community for Active Transportation Planning
White Haven is pleased to announce that a local team is working with the Pennsylvania Downtown Center to prepare to do an Active Transportation Plan in coming years. The goal is to be ready early next year to apply to the Pennsylvania Department of Health WalkWorks Program for funding to develop an active transportation plan.
The term “active transportation” refers to walking, biking, using a wheelchair or other mobility aid, and taking transit to get to everyday destinations. The WalkWorks program works to improve public health through environmental design, educating about and promoting active transportation, and funding the development of related municipal plans.
White Haven
Continued from page 1
called both local police and state police to see if an officer could be stationed at the corner to direct traffic, but no one appeared. “It was dreadful,” she concluded.
Council member Bob Lamson said no one was on second shift, and the situation would not warrant calling someone out.
Council president John Klem noted that fire personnel were on the scene of the accident, and if police were available, they likely would be directing traffic where Interstate 80 meets Route 940. Rep. Jamie Walsh’s chief of staff Alex Flynn was present. Council gave him a list of complaints about PennDOT, including their promise that there would be no trucks through White Haven and East Side during bridge construction, and the $25,000 traffic study the borough conducted about putting flashing lights on the Stop sign, only to be turned down in the end. Lamson also asked him to check into the PennDOT rule that boroughs are responsible for storm water
Since 2017, WalkWorks has provided funding through the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for 61 active transportation plans across the Commonwealth, with 11 more now underway.
For many communities, the need to focus on active transportation is well-known, and the interest in applying to develop an active transportation plan is established, but municipal officials need support to get up to speed on the topic and familiarize themselves with the application and planning process. To address these challenges, the Pennsylvania Downtown Center offers the Justin R. Lehman Community Capacity-Building Pre-Planning Assistance Program in select
drainage maintenance and repairs on state highways, while townships are not.
In other business:
Council approved the contract with Frens & Frens for $22,780 for bidding and oversight of the final library construction phase, payable through a grant library received.
Street Commissioner Sean Reynolds presented prices for a line painter. Council approved using liquid fuels funds for the purchase from Sherwin Williams, who gave the lowest price at $53,045.
Council member Charlie Best raised an issue for consideration. East Side Borough has expressed interest in having White Haven supply snow plowing services this year. Reynolds noted that there are only two street employees, and the borough has already purchased its salt for the year; storage could be an issue even if East Side purchased additional salt. No decision was made.
Police Chief Rich Mocafin commended the department officers for their work over the summer, one of the busiest on record. Mayor Tim Janosco suggested making one of the
communities, including White Haven.
Each of the awarded communities is located in a priority area as defined either by the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s State Physical Activity and Nutrition Program or by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Environmental Justice Map. The communities will work with the WalkWorks program manager from the Pennsylvania Downtown Center to complete a series of steps leading towards the submission of an application for active transportation planning funds next year. The steps include virtual education sessions, establishing connections to key state agencies and planning organization representatives in the region, identifying local partners, working to establish the scope and budget for the proposed plan, hosting a Technical Assistance site visit,
part-time officers full-time in order to fulfill the borough’s contract with Foster Township. Council voted to make Patrick Sulewski a full-time officer.
Finance chairman Best and manager Szoke were authorized to look for a higher rate for the First Keystone CD due to roll over for another 18 months.
The Lions Club was granted permission to hold the annual Halloween parade on October 19.
and planning for a public event related to Active Transportation. At the conclusion of this process, the municipality will have the information and knowledge to submit a solid application for planning funds, adapted to local needs and conditions. They will also be well-positioned to start to make the most of the Grant award period if awarded funding.
In addition to the Technical Assistance provided by the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, the Capacity-Building PrePlanning Program also includes the potential to increase a future planning grant award by $3,000 beyond the standard level established by the program guidelines.
For more information about the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, please visit padowntown.org. For more information about WalkWorks, please visit pawalkworks.com.
Council will apply for a $250,000 LSA grant to pave Powerhouse Road. A match of $10,000 will come from the borough.
Council members Best, Klem, Lamson, John Zugarek and Zane Writer attended in person, and Julie Fallon via Zoom. Harvey Morrison was absent.
The next council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, October 27.
Get your Journa l-H erald in the mail each week. Or send it to a friend.
The Journal-Herald costs $45 per year outside of Carbon and Luzerne Counties; $40 in Carbon & Luzerne Counties—less than buying at the store. Send the form below with your check, or call 570-215-0204 xt2 to order and pay with a credit card. Make check payable to: CANWIN
Mail to: 211 Main St., White Haven PA 18661
Send The Journal-Herald to:
NAME
ADDRESS
If a gift, sign the card from:
Price correction for EMS apple dumplings
The White Haven Ambulance is selling Apple Dumplings again this year, for the fifth time. Regular and sugar-free are available, at $6.50 each.
Order by September 25 to pick up at the station October 11 & 12, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Ambulance is also selling Dip Mixes this year.
To order contact a crew/board member, or the link on Facebook at White Haven EMS.
Still time to sign up for CACE classes
Crestwood Area Community Education (CACE) fall classes are in progress, however there are many interesting classes that there is plenty of time to sign up for. The full brochure is available by scanning the QR code or website below or following Crestwood Area Community Education CACE on Facebook.
A sampling of upcoming classes includes Time Saving Tips to Improve Your Health & Fitness, The Magnificent Monarch Butterfly, Colored Pencil Fall-Themed Drawing, Hand-Crafted Christmas Cards, Everyday Journaling, Herbal
Skincare Make & Take, and Macrame Wreath to name a few.
Online registration and payment are now available. Waivers are required for all students. Paper brochures are still available at the White Haven post office, library and market.
https://forms.fillout.com/t/ m91JMTCkhMus
County 250 committee to meet in Weatherly
The America 250PA-Carbon County Steering Committee will meet at the American Legion Post 360 located at 360 Veterans Lane in Weatherly on Thursday, October 9, at 6 p.m.
The community and surrounding communities are welcome to attend and learn more about this important initiative. Light refreshments will be provided.
Tree removal and dam repair at Nescopeck State Park
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has announced tree clearing would begin along the dam structure on September 15. This follows the drawdown of Lake Frances which took place over the summer.
The tree removal spans three sides of the 9-acre lake and is necessary to meet dam safety regulations, as tree roots can compromise the stability of the structure and increase the risk of failure.
The Lake Trail will be closed to the public during the tree removal process. Following the initial clearing, the northwest and southwest sections of Lake Trail will remain closed until all dam repair work is completed.
The project includes the in-kind replacement of the lake’s existing drawdown structure and outlet pipe. Work is expected to take 3 to 6 months, after which the lake will be refilled to prepare for spring trout stocking.
For updates on trail closures and project progress, visit Nescopeck State Park’s Facebook page, the park website, or contact the park office. This project supports the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ mission to enhance recreational opportunities by investing in safe, modern infrastructure across Pennsylvania’s state park system.
seth’s sightiNgs
Leaf-peepers in the midAtlantic states will have more time to enjoy the colors, although peak colors may not be as vibrant according to Accuweather. They say a dry spell in August triggered the trees to start dropping leaves to preserve moisture. This means an early change in colors, but also makes likely a longer leafpeeping season.
I am sighting early fall color on vines around our property. Tips on the leaves of a few trees
are also turning colors, and our burning bushes are getting redder by the day.
We took a drive to Nescopeck State Park to see the nowdrained Lake Francis. Ruth took the dogs on two walks to explore a bit. A highlight was a visit to the butterfly garden there. That was colorful and beautiful, especially compared to the gray and depressing drained lake. The plan is to have dam repairs done for spring fishing season.
by seth iseNberg
NASA has a new class of astronauts 6 women and 4 men who are training to “return to the moon” and to put a manned (womanned?) spacecraft on Mars.
Football:
Crestwood’s football team has a three game winning streak with their win over Greater Nanticoke Area (GNAHS) with a 58-14 win. The GNAHS Trojans were in a tough position after the first half, digging themselves into a 51-7 hole. Offenses scored a touchdown a piece in the second half. Greater Nanticoke Area’s loss dropped their record to 0-5. The win brings Crestwood’s record up to 3-2. On the college fields, Penn State’s Nittany Lions’ BIG10 schedule starts with an evening game versus Oregon on September 27.
The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs 33 to 26 a close one but we’ll take it. Tampa Bay’s Buccaneers are next for a 1 p.m. game on the 28th.
It looks like we’ll enjoy more summer-like days as we head into October. Some much-needed rain showers were falling as I wrote this column on Tuesday, and we even heard a few rumbles of thunder during the afternoon. We’ll need a lot more to banish the threat of wildfires and end the burn bans in those communities that established them.
Be healthy. Seth
October brings Sci-Fi Art and more to HAL
The Hazleton Art League is celebrating October with a full month of creativity at the Hayden Family Center for the Arts. The featured exhibition, Signals Not Lost, showcases local artists exploring science fiction, celestial, and speculative themes across all mediums.
The show opens Friday, October 3, with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m., highlighted by the Hazleton Area Garden Club’s annual Art in Bloom floral display, where members design arrangements inspired by selected artworks. The exhibition continues through Sunday, October 26. Special events include an Artists’ Talk on Sunday, October 5, from 1–3
p.m., and Acoustic Jam with live local musicians on the final day, October 26 from 1–3 p.m.
October also marks the start of the Art League’s membership drive. Members enjoy discounts and benefits through December 31, 2026, with rates starting at $15 for students, $30 for adults, and $60 for families.
Fall classes are underway as well, including stained glass with Bret Huttenstine and pottery wheel classes with Joni Mazzie.
For details, visit hazletonartleague.org or call 570-455-3333. The Hayden Family Center for the Arts, 31 W. Broad St., Hazleton, PA 18201.
Sock Hop for MTHS
By popular request, the Mountain Top Historical Society will hold a Sock Hop on Saturday, November 8, from 6-10 p.m. at the Broadway Tavern, Route 309, Fairview Township, Mountain Top.
The $20 ticket includes wimpies and chips. Cash bar is available.
Wearing your best Sock Hop fashion is optionable. Bring your own snacks. Music will be provided by the much-requested DJ Linda.
Call 570-474-6942 for tickets or purchase at the MTHS booth at the weekly Sunday Rotary Club Farmers Market at Crestwood High School from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Enjoy an Autumn Serenade
All are invited for an enjoyable, relaxing evening of seasonal music entitled Autumn Serenade on Saturday, October 4, from 5-8 pm. The program will feature local musicians, Jack James on vocals and Frank Balon on trumpet.
The performance will be at Woody’s Restaurant, 632 Centre Street, Freeland. The concert is free for dinning guests. Reservations are recommended. Please phone (570) 636-3333.
librAry corNer
WACL auction features
art clocks
Here is the latest news from the Weatherly Area Community Library:
October 3 and 4 - Weatherly Area Community Library Annual Basket Raffle and Silent Auction
The Weatherly Area Community Library is having their annual Basket Raffle on Saturday, October 4, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The silent auction will feature clocks painted by students at Weatherly Area School District.
During the auction there will be food and refreshments.
Preview night will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, October 3. The auction will be held at the Packer Township Municipal Building, 2234 Hudson Drive, Weatherly. Please join us and help our library grow. If you would like to donate a basket to for the auction, please drop it off at the library by September 27.
This year the library has a special way for you to help the library with a creative donation for the auction. The library has 4 wreaths left, 18 inches, that are ready to decorate with whatever creative ideas you have for the Winter season or holidays celebrated during the Winter season. We will give you the
wreath, and all we ask is that you return the wreath, decorated, by September 27 at Noon. The decorated wreaths will be put in our auction. You can pick up a wreath at the library. If you have any questions, please contact the library for more information.
Storytime
Storytime will be held on Friday, October 10, at 4:30 p.m. Please call the library to register your child. Space is limited to 24 children.
Grand Opening of Book Sale Room
Get a bag of books for $3 on October 17, 9 a.m. to Noon, and October 18, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. You pick the books; we provide the bag.
Puzzle Competition
Saturday, November 22, 10 a.m. at the library
Sign up your team of up to four people of family or friends to complete a 500-piece puzzle before any other team and you will win a $20 gift certificate for iHop in Wilkes-Barre. Puzzle is graded for ages 14 and older. Call the library, 570-427-5085, to register your team.
ALL ABOUT THE ANGEL OF THE COAL MINES: Bryan Dunnigan provided a fascinating lecture recently at the Weatherly Area Community Library about Sophia Coxe, and the history of mining in the area.
comiNg eveNts
Friday, September 26—
Through the Decades Radio Show, 2 p.m., Heritage Hills Senior Community, Weatherly Friday & Saturday, October 3 & 4—Weatherly Area Community Library Auction Saturday, October 4— Pancakes & Pumpkins, 9 a.m.-Noon, American Legion Post 360, Weatherly Saturday, October 4— Autumn Serenade, 5-8 p.m., Woody’s Restaurant, Freeland, 570-636-3333
Saturday, October 11— October Fall Festival, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., All Saints Parish, McAdoo & Weatherly, 35 N. Cleveland St., McAdoo
Saturday, October 11—Block Shoot, 10 a.m., White Haven VFW Post 6615
Sunday, October 12—Harvest Market, Main Street, White Haven
Sunday, October 12—Living Rosary, 6 p.m., Outside Grounds, Our Lady of Lourdes, Weatherly
Saturday, October 18—Trunk or Treat, 1-3 p.m., Foster Township Municipal Building
Saturday, October 18—Soup & Chili Cook-Off, 2 p.m., Fireman’s Social Club, White Haven
Sunday, October 19—White Haven Lions Halloween Parade, 2 p.m. (Rain date, October 26)
Friday, October 24—Catholic Social Services Food Truck, 12-1:30 p.m., Our Lady of Lourdes, Weatherly (everyone welcome)
Saturday, October 25— Weatherly Halloween Parade, 2 p.m. (Raindate, October 26)
Wednesday, October 29—Trunk or Treat, 5-7 p.m., White Haven VFW Post 6615 (sign up by October 5, 570-443-3333)
Saturday, November 1—Craft & Vendor Fair, 2-4 p.m., Foster Twp. Mun. Building
Comets steamroll Nanticoke Area for third straight victory
by Steve Stallone Sports Editor
Riding a two-game win streak, and facing a winless opponent on homecoming, Crestwood could have been complacent in its approach to last Friday night’s football game with undermanned Nanticoke Area. With this hungry bunch of Comets? Not a chance.
Crestwood scored twice in the game’s first two minutes and built a 44-point lead in just 10 minutes of clock time on its way to a 58-14 demolition of the Trojans.
The homecoming win was the Comets’ third straight, sending them to the midway point of the season at 3-2.
“It was definitely a huge win, just to break .500 again,” said senior Jaden Shedlock, who had a hand in three of those scores before exiting with most of the other Comet starters by midway
on,” Comets head coach Ryan Arcangeli said afterward. “It’s nice to have a young guy come in, get a play for him, and then have them execute it. That’s exactly what we talked about this week, great execution. So to start out like that, I’m proud of them for sure.”
It was just the tip of the iceberg for the Comets, who got the ball right back when Nate Walsh pounced on a fumbled snap at the Trojans’ 12 yard line.
On the ensuing play, Crestwood’s Jake Jackell shook off a would-be tackler and went in for a 12-yard touchdown run, nine seconds after the Comets’ first. Cooper Laubach second of eight PAT kicks on the night
made it 14-0 at the 10:17 mark.
Two minutes later, when Shedlock crashed in, blocked a punt, scooped it up and returned it 35 yards for yet another score, it was 21-0 and the rout was on.
“A little bit of everything,” Arcangeli said with a smile as his team won the turnover battle 3-0. “It was nice to get some turnovers. We finally got a punt block and got a special teams touchdown, a lot of really good things. So all the little things you practice all week long, it’s good to see them come to fruition tonight.”
The Comets have been closing in on a punt block for weeks noted Shedlock, who confirmed
through the second quarter.
“We worked hard all week, we kept our heads on all week, and we don’t overlook anybody,” Shedlock stressed. “It was a tough week still at practice, we didn’t change anything. If anything, we worked harder.”
It definitely showed, as the Comets were laser-focused from the opening kickoff.
After the defense forced a three-and-out, a short punt left the Comets a short field to work with at the Nanticoke 40-yard line. It took just one play to start the scoring onslaught.
Shedlock pitched the ball to halfback Teddy Taylor - a freshman and the team’s backup quarterback - who threw a perfect strike to Jack Rodgers for a 40-yard touchdown on the Comets’ first offensive play from scrimmage.
“You want to have some fun with the kids, inject some things over the weeks that you work
CHS Football
Continued from page 10
it was his first career block.
“We’ve been after it the last three weeks,” he said, “and Coach (Kyle) Kutney was like ‘You’ve got to get one tonight.’ It was nice to finally get one for sure.”
After another three-and-out by the Trojans, the Comets again got the ball at the Nanticoke 40, and needed five plays to reach paydirt. Nate Walsh did the honors, scoring on an 18-yard run that upped the tally to 28-0.
A bad punt snap on the Trojans’ next possession gave the Comets another golden opportunity at the Nanticoke 38, and they didn’t waste it.
Following an offside penalty on Nanticoke, Shedlock found Rodgers all alone in the end zone for a 33-yard touchdown pass and a 35-0 lead.
Nanticoke’s next series also ended in disaster, as a high snap to the quarterback sailed into the end zone and was recovered for a Crestwood safety.
The Comets got the ball back on the free kick, and Jeckell broke off a 41-yard run to the Nanticoke 3, then punched it in on the following play for his second of the night and a 44-0 spread with 2:05 still left in the opening quarter.
Crestwood got a piece of another Nanticoke punt early in the second quarter and turned that into a first down at the Trojans’ 32. Shedlock ultimately hooked up with Gio Barna on an 8-yard touchdown pass over the middle, and with 8:08 to play in the second, it was already 51-0.
Most of not all Crestwood starters were done at this point, and the reserves got a chance to show their stuff as well.
Crestwood defenders, led by senior linebacker Emmett Seyer (11), chase Nanticoke Area quarterback Ian Walsh (2) during last Friday night’s football game, at Crestwood High School.
Nanticoke ended the shutout bid just before halftime on a 7-yard touchdown run from Jayden Fondeur. Justin Johnson caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Ian Walsh late in the third quarter for the Trojans’ other points.
Crestwood closed out its scoring early in the fourth when Taylor connected with Eli Zeneski on a 41-yard touchdown pass play. Later in the fourth, Comet defender Cayden Bellas had an interception and Zach Zeneski recovered a fumble.
Shedlock, who suffered season-ending injuries in the first half of each of his past two seasons, was glad to see this first half of the season through injury-free.
“It’s good to play a full homecoming game,” he said behind a huge smile. “A lot of hard work in the offseason and it’s good to be able to play, hopefully, a full season.
“It just means a lot for my guys to stick with me, and to trust me throughout the process of going through recoveries twice.”
And that was the good news all the way around on this Friday night, midway through the 2025 season. The Comets are healthy.
“That’s the biggest thing,” Arcangeli said of another injury-free game. “Obviously we felt good coming into the game where our matchups were at some skill positions, so the biggest thing is execute effectively and make sure you get out on the other side clean, and we were able to do that.
“Everybody’s healthy, so we’re ready for the back half of this really tough schedule we have coming up.”
First Quarter
C - Jack Rodgers 40 pass from Teddy Taylor (Cooper Laubach kick), 10:26
C - Jake Jeckell 12 run (Laubach kick), 10:17
C - Jaden Shedlock 35 punt block return (Laubach kick), 8:16
C - Nate Walsh 18 run (Laubach kick), 4:55
C - Rodgers 33 pass from Shedlock (Laubach kick), 3:22
C - Safety (Quarterback tackled in end zone), 2:31
C - Jeckell 3 run (Laubach kick), 2:05
Second Quarter
C - Gio Barna 8 pass from Shedlock (Laubach kick), 8:08
Third Quarter
The second half of the season begins this Friday night at home against Pittston Area, for the annual Salute the Veterans Game at Crestwood. Game Summary
N - Jayden Fondeur 7 run (Juanpablo Pastuizaca kick), 0:45
N - Justin Johnson 20 pass from Ian Walsh (Pastuizaca kick), 3:14
Fourth Quarter
C - Eli Zaneski 41 pass from Taylor (Laubach kick), 11:44
TEAM STATISTICS
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING: Nanticoke - Ian Walsh 5-59, Jonah Guzman 9-46, Jayden Fondeur 9-18, David Jackson 1-4, Elaiph Denson 2-2, Team 3-(minus-25). Crestwood - Kyle Schade 7-87, Jake Jeckell 5-70, Teddy Taylor 7-24, Gio Barna 3-16, Amias Ocasio 1-15, Nate Walsh 2-12, Jaden Shedlock 2-5, Dylan Bellas 1-(minus-3), Team 1-(minus-6).
PASSING: Nanticoke - Ian Walsh 3-9-0-42, Max Leonard 3-9-1-18. Crestwood - Taylor 2-40-81, Shedlock 4-5-0-53.
RECEIVING: Nanticoke - Denson 4-43, Johnson 1-20, Fondeur 1-(minus-3). Crestwood - Rodgers 2-73, G. Barna 2-13, E. Zeneski 1-41, Logan Lawson 1-7.
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THEME: PERIODIC TABLE ELEMENTS
ACROSS
1. “____ of New York,” 2002 movie
6. That guy
9. Extinguish birthday candles
13. Impolite dinner sound
14. Division of time
15. Forgo
16. On the move
17. Lake, in France
18. Alaska native
19. *The heaviest metal
21. *Inert gas of balloon fame
23. “Jersey Shore” network, acr.
24. Move like parasailor
25. Pick up, as in a criminal
28. Z, NATO phonetic alphabet
30. “A ship without ____,” or one without purpose
35. Paella pot
37. Nessie’s turf
39. Sweating room
40. Cyberspace soliloquy
41. *Gold
43. Foul substance
44. Ruled
46. Dish out
47. Belgium’s currency
48. Lands (2 words)
50. Indira Gandhi’s dress
52. ____ Without Hats, band
53. Sheltered nook
55. Gross National Product
57. *Majority of elements on periodic table
60. *Iron
63. Fortune teller’s card
64. Anger
66. Saharan rest stop, e.g.
68. Venerated paintings
69. Acquired
70. Beside, archaic
71. Curious
72. Professional basketball league, acr.
73. Paterfamilias, tenderly
DOWN
1. General Services Administration
2. Additionally
3. Common allergens
4. Tale-spinning brother
5. Prosecco cocktail
6. Position of leadership
7. George Gershwin’s brother
8. Village People’s “____ Man”
9. Island near Java
10. Stead
11. Reproductive cell
12. Kind of nurse
15. The Beatles’ “I Am the ____”
20. Throat lobe
22. “Lend me your ____”
24. Glucose+fructose
25. *Like Ar, Xe and Ne
26. Completely dedicated (2 words)
27. Hair color
29. High in decibels
31. Small European freshwater fish
32. Pasta wheat
33. Accustom
34. *Rn, known for seeping into homes
36. Forever and a day
38. Dance with leis
42. Join companies
45. Old European coins
49. D.C. mover and shaker, for short
51. Encroachment
54. Victory hand gesture
56. Life force, in Sanskrit
57. Type of shark
58. Aphrodite’s son
59. Broadway recognition
60. Greek salad ingredient
61. Not mint
62. This over matter?
63. *Sn, element in bronze
65. “To ____ Peter to pay Paul”
67. Pig pen
Lady Wreckers shut out Fillies for 1-0 soccer win
Weatherly Area’s Maci Kane broke a scoreless tie with a second-half goal, while goalkeeper Kayla Kennelly and the Lady Wrecker defense held Marian without a score for a 1-0 non-league girls soccer victory last week at Weatherly.
Kennelly made 16 saves for the Weatherly shutout as the Lady Wreckers improved to 2-7 on the season.
Marian goalkeeper Katie Knock also had a strong day, making 13 saves for the Fillies (1-9).
Cross Country Boys
The Weatherly Area boys cruised past Tri-Valley (15-50) and Pine Grove (17-49) and fell to North Schuylkill (18-42) to go 2-1 in a multi-team meet that also included Northern Lebanon.
While they did not figure into the team scoring, four Northern Lebanon runners captured the top four overall spots in the boys race. Anthony Frederick won the event in 18:03.
Raymond Montz paced the Wreckers with a ninth-place finish in a time of 20 minutes, 18 seconds. Teammate Alex Best was 11th in 21:12.
North Schuylkill was led by Cameron Jones (19:34) in fifth place, with Spartan runners Preston Lex (20:00) and Owen Metzer (20:15) in sixth and seventh, respectively.
Cameron Waite topped Pine Grove in eighth place (20:16), just ahead of Montz. Girls
North Schuylkill only has two female runners, and Weatherly Area just one, but all three managed to crack the top-five in the girls race.
Genevieve Dando won the race in 21:03 for the Lady Spartans, and Tatiana Salefski was fifth in 25:16.
Weatherly Area’s lone runner was Alexis Kehler, who placed fourth in a time of 24:50.
Boys Soccer
Marian 12, Weatherly Area 1 - The Colts raced out to a 10-1 firsthalf lead en route to their first
win of the season.
Edison Mitchell scored four times for Marian, then went into goal and recorded 11 saves.
Chase Haubner and Isa Gjoca both scored two goals for the Colts (1-8), while Logan Aneskevich, Darren Paulino and Cole Romanchik were also credited with goals. Romanchik and Haubner had assists, while Damien Gall recorded eight saves in goal for the Marian defense.
Corbin Wagner scored a first-half goal for the Wreckers (0-10), and Noah Maynerick made 19 saves in goal.
Williams Valley 5, Weatherly Area 1 - The Vikings scored three times in the second half to inch away from the Wreckers for the Schuylkill League Division II victory.
The Vikings (2-7) held a 2-0 lead at intermission.
The Wreckers’ Jeremiah Donadi scored a second-half goal off an assist from Corbin
Wagner.
Weatherly keeper Noah Mayernick was credited with four saves.
Girls Volleyball
MMI Prep 3, Weatherly Area 0 - In nonleague action, the Lady Preppers posted a 25-20, 25-11, 25-17 victory as Arushi Solgama and Shreeya Parikh combined for 28 service points, seven aces and 25 assists.
For Weatherly, Abby Weston collected 20 digs to go with three digs and two service points. Abigail Binder checked in with 12 digs and four service points, while Kendra Moyer contributed seven points with five digs.
Williams Valley 3, Weatherly Area 1 - After the teams split the opening two games, Williams Valley pulled away to take the final two 25-15 and 25-10 to secure the Schuylkill League win.
Williams Valley won the
opener 25-18 before the Lady Wreckers climbed back into the match with a 26-24 Game 2 win.
Abigail Binder amassed 28 digs and also scored four points for Weatherly. Abby Weston stuffed the stat sheet with 14 assists, nine digs and three service points (two aces). Kelly Reiner posted nine digs, five points and four kills for the Lady Wreckers.
Naomi Carl racked up 13 service aces to power the Williams Valley attack. Emily Miller contributed 31 digs and seven aces, and Emma Reinoehl dished out 25 assists.
Marian 3, Weatherly Area 0 - The Fillies took the Lady Wreckers in three sets, with identical scores of 25-8 in all three.
Kelly Reiner recorded seven digs, two kills and two service points for Weatherly. Mya Binder had four points and six digs, and Abby Weston delivered nine assists with two digs.
Scholastic Schedule
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 24
Cross Country
Crestwood at WVC cluster meet at Hanover Area
Field Hockey
Crestwood at Wyoming Seminary
Girls Soccer
Weatherly Area at Lourdes Regional
Girls Tennis
Lake-Lehman at Crestwood
THURSDAY, SEPT. 25
Girls Soccer
Berwick at Crestwood
Boys Soccer
Tri-Valley at Weatherly Area
Girls Volleyball
Schuylkill Haven at Weatherly Area
FRIDAY, SEPT. 26
Football
Pittston Area at Crestwood
SATURDAY, SEPT. 27
Field Hockey
Warwick at Crestwood, noon
Boys Soccer
Dallas at Crestwood, 3 p.m.
Weatherly Area at Marian, 11 a.m.
Girls Soccer
Weatherly Area at Marian, 1 p.m.
Cross Country
Weatherly Area at Marian (with Gillingham Charter), 8 a.m.
MONDAY, SEPT. 29
Golf
Crestwood at District 2 Individual Championships, Fox Hill CC
Boys Soccer
Weatherly Area at Minersville
Field Hockey
Crestwood at Wyoming Valley West
TUESDAY, SEPT. 30
Girls Volleyball
Weatherly Area at Tri-Valley
Crestwood at Tunkhannock
Girls Soccer
Williams Valley at Weatherly Area
Boys Soccer
Crestwood at Hazleton Area
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 1
Cross Country
Marian, Nativity, Schuylkill Haven at Weatherly Area
Field Hockey
Abington Heights at Crestwood
Girls Soccer
Crestwood at Wilkes-Barre Area
Girls Volleyball
Nanticoke Area at Crestwood
THURSDAY, OCT. 2
Cross Country
Crestwood at Paul Short Invitational
Field Hockey
Crestwood at Northwestern Lehigh
Girls Volleyball
Shenandoah Valley at Weatherly Area
Boys Soccer
Lincoln Leadership at Weatherly Area
Girls Soccer
Weatherly Area at Minersville
Hazleton Area at Crestwood
FRIDAY, OCT. 3
Football
Crestwood at Hazleton Area
Girls Volleyball
Lincoln Leadership Academy at Weatherly Area
SATURDAY, OCT. 4
Cross Country
Weatherly Area at Mrs. T’s Invitational, North Schuylkill H.S., 9 a.m.
Field Hockey
Crestwood at Easton, noon
Boys Soccer
Crestwood at Nanticoke Area, 11 a.m.
Girls Soccer
Weatherly Area at Shenandoah Valley, 10 a.m.
Abington Heights at Crestwood, 3 p.m.
Girls Volleyball
Crestwood at Valley View, 10 a.m.
Unbeaten Lady Comets turn back Wolfpack in field hockey showdown
Ally George, Addison Korpusik and Callie Koons all scored goals Monday, and the Crestwood field hockey team continued its stellar season with a 3-0 victory over Wilkes-Barre Area.
Alex Geiger and Allie Myers assisted on two of those goals for the unbeaten Lady Comets.
George scored first off an Alex Geiger assist to give Crestwood a 1-0 lead at 10:26 of the opening period.
The score remained that way until the third, when Korpusik scored unassisted at the 11:55 mark. Koons finished off the scoring eight minutes later on a Myers helper.
Crestwood won the statistical bat, owning a 12-3 shots-on-goal advantage and an 11-3 edge in penalty corners. Goalkeeper Madi Geiger stopped all three WBA shots for the shutout.
Puzzle Answers
Helen McGinley Mirin had nine saves for the Wolfpack (6-4), who lead District 2 Class 3A.
The Lady Comets (7-0) remained ahead of Wallenpaupack (8-1) and Dallas (8-2) atop the District 2 Class 2A standings, and are the lone unbeaten field hockey team in District 2, regardless of class.
Golf
Three Crestwood golfers were among 16 boys to qualify for the District 2 Class 3A Individual Golf Championship by virtue of their performance at Monday’s Wyoming Valley Conference pre-district qualifier at Fox Hill Country Club.
Luke Joseph (41-43-84) and Brady Johnson (40-44-84) showed the way for the Comets, finishing in a five-way tie for fourth place in the 3A boys standings. Teammate Brady Zoeller (38-47-85) held on to end up in a five-way tie for ninth place, also punching his ticket to the district final.
The District 2 Individual Golf Championship will be held this coming Monday, back at Fox Hill CC.
Ryan Roman of Dallas was the 3A medalist with a 39-37-76 while Wilkes-Barre Area’s Brady Gerrity was second (39-40-79). Patrick Ruane (42-41-83) of
Pittston Area finished alone in third.
Lake-Lehman’s Jackson Norconk (36-39-75) edged out Wyoming Area’s Mitchell Rusinchak (37-39-76) to claim medalist honors in the Class 2A qualifier. MMI Prep’s Joe Mayernik shot 35-46-85 to finish in a tie for fifth and also qualify for districts.
Boys Soccer
Wilkes-Barre Area 8, Crestwood 1 - Johnny Mendola scored four of the eight Wolfpack goals in the WVC victory over Crestwood.
Leandro Espinoza scored twice for Wilkes-Barre Area, Diego Leva had a goal and three assists, and Josh Tapia also had three assists.
Sean Rossi got the Comets’ lone goal on a penalty kick at 60:30 of the second half.
Wilkes-Barre made the most of its 15-11 shots-on-goal advantage, and got a strong game in goal from Dylan Parry (10 saves).
Wyoming Valley West 3, Crestwood 1 - Chase Evanofski scored all three Spartan goals in the WVC win, and Grayson Ader notched nine saves in goal.
Nate Ciocco scored Crestwood’s goal.
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Crestwood field hockey players celebrate a goal during a game last week. The Lady Comets are currently 7-0 and are the only unbeaten field hockey team in District 2.
Photo courtesy of Bob Gaetano
Crestwood reaches midway point of football season 3-2
Comets’ second-half schedule begins Friday with Pittston Area
by Steve Stallone Sports Editor
Over the course of the past five weeks, Ryan Arcangeli and his coaching staff have learned a lot about this year’s Crestwood High School football team.
The players have learned plenty, too.
With the first half of the schedule in the rearview mirror and a difficult path ahead, the Comets are ok with where they are at, excited about the challenges that lie ahead, and are by no means satisfied.
“We’re a confident bunch for sure,” Arcangeli said following the Comets’ third straight runaway victory on Friday night against Nanticoke Area.
“We had two close ones (losses) at the beginning of the year that our kids haven’t forgot about. We were really close to coming out of that first half 5-0, but we’re not.”
The losses Arcangeli refers to are a 24-21 setback at Wyoming Area on opening night, followed by a 24-13 loss to Valley View in the Comets’ home opener. Both games were decided late.
Since then, they have put together successive routs of Tunkhannock (46-17), Western Wayne (49-7) and Nanticoke (58-14) that turned their season back around.
“We found out who we are,” Arcangeli said. “We’re a balanced team offensively, and we run to the football and play with great energy defensively, which is going to put us in games against our tough opponents coming up, for sure.”
Wyoming Area (5-0) and Valley View (3-2) made for tough games early, while their recent three-game streak against Tunkhannock (2-3), Western Wayne (2-3) and Nanticoke (0-5) enabled the Comets to regroup and get ready for what is next.
“We’re 3-2 and still very hungry, and we know we have some really tough opponents on the horizon,” Arcangeli said.
“We obviously started with two tough opponents in Wyoming Area and Valley View in the beginning, but it prepares us for a 5A Pittston, a 6A Hazleton, a 6A Wilkes-Barre, a really tough 4A Dallas team, and then we go to Spartan Stadium (Wyoming Valley West),” he said, going through the secondhalf schedule one game at a time. “We’ve got our work cut out for us.
“The first five (games) it was really nice to develop some depth, because we’re gonna need it to go through that gauntlet, for sure.”
The Comets have developed a nice two-way offensive threat with the versatile Jaden Shedlock running the show at quarterback. After his sophomore and junior seasons were wiped out by serious injuries, he is back at full strength, still a dangerous runner and now a more polished passer as well.
In five games, the 6-foot, 190-pound junior has completed 40-of-65 passes for 671 yards and nine touchdowns with just two picks. Shedlock also has run for 148 yards and five touchdowns, all while heading to the bench early the past three weeks when the score got out of hand.
Junior wideout Jack Rodgers (14 catches, 332 yards, 7 TDs) and senior receiver Gio Barna (13-277, 3 TDs) are looking like the top receiving duo in the area, while Jake Jeckell (38-370, 3 TDs) has been the leader of a solid running attack that also features Shedlock and Nate Walsh (22-98, 2 TDs). Walsh also has eight catches and tight end Logan Lawson six.
“We have threats in the backfield, threats out wide with Barna, Rodgers, Walsh, Jeckell out of the backfield. You never know,” Shedlock offered. “Everyone’s a threat when we have the ball. I think that’s what makes us really hard to prepare for.”
Up next for the Comets is a home game this Friday night with Pittston Area (4-1). The Patriots, also winners of three straight, are coming off an emotional 36-35 overtime win over rival Dallas, and could represent the Comets’ biggest hurdle of their second-half schedule.
Against Dallas, fullback Brody Spindler ran for 196 yards and a pair of touchdowns, including the game-winning touchdown and 2-point conversion in overtime. Meanwhile, star receiver and defensive back Lucas LoPresto scored on a 20-yard reverse and a 57-yard interception return, and also threw a TD pass.
Among the Comets’ other second-half opponents, WilkesBarre is 3-2, but Hazleton Area, Valley West and Dallas are all off to 1-4 starts.
Shedlock said none of that matters. All the Comets need to do is keep working hard and pressing forward.
“I feel like our team chemistry right now definitely is outstanding,” the two-way starter said. “But there’s always room for improvement, there’s always room to get better.”
PASSING - Jaden Shedlock 40-65-2-671, 9 TDs; Teddy Taylor 4-6-0-96, 2 TDs; Jack Rodgers 1-2-1-45.
RECEIVING - Jack Rodgers 14-332, 7 TDs; Gio Barna 13-277, 3 TDs; Nate Walsh 8-59; Logan Lawson 6-77; Eli Zeneski 2-50, 1 TD; Amias Ocasio 1-11; Dylan Bellas 1-6.
INTERCEPTIONS - Jack Rodgers, Teddy
Taylor, Cayden Bellas.
Crestwood quarterback Jaden Shedlock passes during a game earlier this season. Shedlock and the Comets have reached the midway point of the season at 3-2, hungry for more success in the second half as they look to make a playoff push.
