Division II Sports Beat High School Football Steve Bennett The Citizens’ Voice Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Veteran beat writer Steve Bennett blankets the high school football beat, covering games, explaining trends, developing features and writing the bulk of our weekly football magazine, Gameface.
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THE BEST FOR LAST Wyoming Area quarterback DeLuca keeps getting better since stepping into the role his sophomore season
FRANK C. LAURI / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
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STORY BY STEVE BENNETT STAFF WRITER
Ready or not, there Dom DeLuca went. It was the first game of his sophomore season. At that time, DeLuca was penciled in as the backup quarterback, getting an opportunity to sit back and watch veteran P.J. Angeli do his thing and lead the Warriors to what was projected to be a promising season. But, as with all things, not everything goes as planned. It certainly did not for Angeli that year. On opening night during the second series of the game, Wyoming Area’s first on defense, Angeli went down with an injury. So in Wyoming Area’s second possession of the game and for the remainder of the season, DeLuca got his chance. Much earlier than the Wyoming Area coaching staff expected. And certainly well before DeLuca anticipated. “I always knew I was an ankle roll away from a drive or a knee injury from a full season,” DeLuca said. “I didn’t take too many reps that offseason. But I felt I was prepared.” That night at Wallenpaupack, DeLuca did enough to lead the Warriors to a 7-3 victory. And just like that, his high school quarterback career was off and running. “That was definitely being thrown into the fire, for sure,” Wyoming Area coach Randy Spencer recalled. “As we all know, he did a great job regardless of how he felt. I’m sure it was overwhelming at first.” The Warriors finished that season 4-7, but DeLuca was getting a feel of running the offense. He rushed for 284 yards and threw for 1,312 and 18 touchdowns. “That season, my mindset was to just do my job, go through my reads and get a big play here or there,” DeLuca said. “It helped a lot that when I scrambled, I knew the receivers would come back to the ball. If I
messed something up, they would keep my confidence up.” Determined to come back stronger and better, DeLuca worked hard during the offseason between his sophomore and junior years. But there was a certain level of expectations that came along with his junior season. The Warriors were experienced, they had the majority of their skill position players back and the defensive line was bolstered by the addition of Sammy Solomon, a Division I recruit who had transferred in from Valley West. Once again, though, injuries hit the Warriors hard. Solomon went down with an ankle injury in the season opener and did not return until the postseason. There were other key contributors who were lost for the season or multi-game stretches. But even with all that, the Warriors managed to fight through the adversity. They rolled to a 10-0 regular season. They won their first-round district playoff game, but with a cost. Leading rusher Corey Mruk suffered an ankle injury that cost him the rest of the year. And they ran into a hot Lakeland team that used a pair of flea-flickers for big-play touchdowns that knocked the Warriors out of the postseason and cut short the chances for the much anticipated matchup with Scranton Prep for the district title. “We wanted that game with Prep,” DeLuca admitted. “Injuries killed us last year. It was the next man up mentality and that next guy had to step up. We did a heck of a job with the people who we had coming in. They really stepped it up for us.” And DeLuca stepped up his game, as well. He rushed for 528 yards and 11 touchdowns. He threw for 871 yards and 16 touchdowns. The numbers are impressive alone, but consider that there were a number of games where he was forced to sit out because the Warriors were so far ahead.
“I think what helped being thrown into the fire my sophomore year is that we were playing all the big schools,” DeLuca said. “Last year we dropped down to 3A. The kids at 3A are still really good, but with the experience of playing the big schools, it helped a lot with scrambling that I knew had to take a hit and knew what to do with the ball if I got in trouble or had to run with it.” What has helped DeLuca’s athleticism is that he is not just a onesport standout. He also excels in lacrosse, a sport he has been playing since the second grade when he started with the Back Mountain Bandits. He then moved to the Valley Laxers all the way through to Wyoming Area. He plays in the offseason with the Zombies, comprised of players from the WilkesBarre/Scranton area. The Zombies participated in a national tournament during the offseason in Florida and finished in second place. While he has been hearing from colleges about the possibility of playing lacrosse at the next level, DeLuca is hoping to continue his football career. He projects as a safety or outside linebacker in college. He has already received preferred walk-on offers from Pitt and Penn State. DeLuca has nine career interceptions, including one in last week’s convincing 34-0 victory over Scranton Prep, a victory that he hopes is a catalyst for the remainder of the season. “That was a huge win, it was a statement game for us,” DeLuca said. “We knew that if we won that game, it would put us on the map. We played physical and I felt like we dominated the game up front. I think it showed that we are here to play and not give up on is. I think we showed not to take us lightly.” Contact the writer: sbennett@citizensvoice.com; 570 821-2062; @CVSteveBennett on Twitter
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Wh cadan there from As Fire D of th the h Frida On adren to flow call, w to a c call i able, h No also fo turne teer f hopes “Gr depar Tom, almos grow Just s peopl Th 16-ye restri DAVE SCHERBENCO / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
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STORY
Answering the call
Hanover Area junior Jacob Mercadante works as volunteer firefighter
BY STEVE BENNETT STAFF WRITER
hen Hanover Area junior Jacob Mernte gets a notification on his phone, e’s a chance it’s not a typical message one of his friends. a junior firefighter for the Sugar Notch Department, his phone can buzz any time e day or night — with the exception of hours he spends in school and, obviously, ay nights in the fall. nce that phone goes off, Mercadante’s naline begins to rush and his blood starts w. He hops in his vehicle and heads to a which could range anywhere from a fire car accident or something in between. No s too small, and if Mercadante is availhe is obligated to go. ot only is he out helping people, but he is ollowing his passion that began before he ed 14 and was eligible to become a volunfirefighter, all the way through to what he s he can turn into a career down the road. rowing up, I was always around the fire rtment,” Mercadante said. “My father, , he is a fireman for Sugar Notch for st 10 years or more now. I have been there ing up as a kid. I just got into it with him. seeing them dress up and take off to help le. I have always wanted to help people.” hough he is on call 24 hours a day, the ear-old Mercadante does have some ictions when called to a fire. For instance,
he is not certified to enter a burning building, but does have responsibilities on the perimeter to help the firefighters. “Usually I have to hit the hydrants and make sure all the tags of the firemen are on and that the air packs are good,” Mercadante said. By checking the tags, Mercadante is referring to the photos of the firemen that are on the backs of their helmets, so they know who is in the burning building and who isn’t. He said if someone were to be lost inside the building, they would be able to identify who it is. When he hits the hydrants, he takes the cap off the fire hydrant and flushes the water to the engine for the water to hit the structure. “I have been called out multiple times during the night,” Mercadante said. “It’s kind of hard, but your blood just starts rushing that you don’t hesitate. If you are around, you go. There was a garage fire one time that I had to hit the hydrants. We were there for about five hours.” While it is required to be 18 years of age to enter a burning building, Mercadante is taking classes to reach that point. He is able to throw the ladders and hit the fire hydrants. When he is called to a car accident, one of his duties is to check under the car for any leaking fluids. “When you get the call, you just think what can be the worse-case scenario,” Mercadante
said. “It can be the smallest thing, but the blood is rushing. There have been some hectic calls. I can’t leave school because they say school is more important, and they are right. There will be other guys who will go.” As a junior on the football team, Mercadante has been a member of the varsity team for all three seasons. He plays offensive tackle and defensive end and played quite a bit as a freshman before rarely coming off the field last year as a sophomore. “It was nerve-wracking,” Mercadante said of getting on the field as a freshman. “More than being out on a call. Usually when you are on the scene, there are a lot of people taking photos, just like at football games you have to be aware of the situation. I was more nervous on the football field. There is a lot more people coming, and that could be a life-altering thing with a potential scholarship for football. With a fire call, you have in the back of your mind what could be happening at the scene.” Mercadante had an interview with the Hanover Twp. Fire Department on Wednesday to become a member of that department. He said Hanover has a much larger jurisdiction, and that he will still be able to work with Sugar Notch, as well. While he hopes to possibly play football at the collegiate level someday, at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, he knows with continued work in the weight room, he can only get bigger and stronger.
But he also has a plan. He could either enroll in the fire academy or join the military to be a firefighter. If he takes the military route, he hopes to join either the Army or Marines. “I think this can take me pretty far,” Mercadante said. “I learned so much being this young. I am going to finish up my classes and continue to follow my passion. I am going to keep going and learn as much as I can. When I get to a scene, I try and help as much as I could and do what they tell me. This has been a passion for me. I’m the kind of person that likes to help people.” With the Hawks off to a 1-3 start, Mercadante believes the program is heading in the right direction. The team is still adjusting to the new schemes put in place by first-year head coach Rickey Hummer and the coaching staff. “With the experience some of us have, we are able to hand down a lot to the younger players,” Mercadante said. “We got the new coaches and we love them. We learned a lot from our past coaches and the new coaches. They have been teaching us so much. We got the new 4-4 defense that I think works well. We have had some mishaps early on but that is part of football, all part of the game.”
Contact the writer: sbennett@citizensvoice.com; 570 821-2062; @CVSteveBennett on Twitter
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Midseason Repo
Measuring up WVC t at halfway point of
T
he halfway point of the season has arrived. There’s been some been some bad. But for the most part, the Wyoming Valley shaped up the way it was expected to. Dallas, Berwick and Wyoming Area are once again the teams to b did not get off to the start they hoped for and are still looking to get o But no matter how you look at it, there are still five games left in son and plenty of football left to be played. The following is a look at the first half of the WVC.
CLASS 6A HAZLETON AREA (1-4) The top priority for the Cougars this season was making an improvement on defense. Last year, the Cougars allowed over 30 points per game. This year they are hovering around the same mark. That will be an area that needs to be looked at as they head to the second half. The team made a quick quarterback change, moving Matt Fisher back to wide receiver and giving the starting job to Kellen Warner. The run game has shown flashes, but not enough for a defense to overly commit to it. The playoffs are still a possibility, but there needs to be a marked improvement on defense for the Cougars to have a chance.
WILKES-BARRE AREA (3-2) The Wolfpack are actually a few inches away from being 4-1 if not for Crestwood stuffing a 2-point conversion run in the season opener. But all things considered, Wilkes-Barre Area has played well. The twoquarterback system between Kam Taylor and Talee Swinney has worked. Rafael McCoy is a threat to score whenever he touches the ball. The only ques-
CLASS 5A
tion mark up to this point has been the play of the offensive and defensive lines. There have been times the group has been overmatched and others when it’s played well and held its own. It is all part of a development process. But for anyone who thought there would be bitterness between the players, they have to be disappointed. The Wolfpack have a shot at the postseason, but they need to continue to win games and control their own destiny.
WILLIAMSPORT (3-2) For a team that really nobody knew what to expect from, the Millionaires have been a bit of a surprise. With a young and inexperienced roster to begin the year, the defense did not allow a point in the first two weeks of the season. The offense has been effective, led by Dallas Griess and running back Keith Freeman. Getting the opportunity to play six games at home has certainly been a boost for the young team. There are still some tough games to play in the second half, but if the defense can continue to play at this level and the offense can continue to improve, the team has a shot to be a factor in the postseason.
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VALLEY WEST (1-4) First-year head coach Jack Baranski took over the program in June. The transition was smooth because Baranski had been with the team for the past 10 years. The Spartans got off to a good start, beating Scranton in the season opener. But things took a turn for the worse. The Spartans started to get hit hard with injuries, and the depth chart was challenged. The Spartans are in the midst of a four-game losing streak and have been held off the scoreboard the last two weeks. Baranski is starting fresh as the season turns to Week 6. Valley West is going to need to get healthy and in a hurry to stay in the mix for a playoff spot. With the return of quarterback Dontae Rhodes on the horizon, the offense should start to run more efficiently. Getting the injured linemen back on the field will be a step in the right direction.
BERWICK
With the Bulldogs, it all sta year’s group is one of, if not ence. Teams have had little the ball against the defensiv and third levels are fast and ball. The group plays with a m level of confidence. Offensiv fectively run the ball. Over th passing game has started to be a complete team, Berwick football. If the offense can g zone, the defense will give it win the game.
CRESTWOO
Under first-year head coach ets came into the season hop So far, this is a team that has The Comets have wins over W ley West and Williamsport. Ry the offense with a level of effi
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teams year
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CLASS 3A HANOVER AREA (1-4)
So far he has indicated it is not about the wins and losses, but more The Hawkeyes really weren’t handed about developing a program. For the any schedule favors in the first half of most part, the Royals have been outthe season. With an entirely new coach- matched in their first four games of ing staff on board, there figured to be the year. some growing pains. The Hawks went A lack of running game really hurts back to the traditional Hanover Area the offense, as the Royals have to rely style of establishing the run and worktoo much on the pass. Stopping the ing off some play-action. The defense is run continues to be an issue. But give back to the 4-4, and that too, has been Kelley a full offseason to institute his a learning process. The Hawks need to plan and this team will look quite difrun the football with some efficiency. ferent next year. That is eventually going to take some pressure off and open up more things the unit can do. Until that happens, LAKE-LEHMAN (4-1) it is going to be a struggle. It is going Jerry Gilsky saw an opportunity to to take coach Rickey Hummer a while expand the offense and he took adto get the program turned around, but vantage of it. With several quality skill if they stick to the plan, it may come position players returning on the outquicker than expected. side, the Black Knights opened things up this year and have committed more to the pass than ever during the duHOLY REDEEMER (0-4) ration of Gilsky’s tenure with the proJust before practice was set to begram. Qauterback Ethan Adams can gin, the Royals went through a coachrun and throw, and the Black Knights ing change with Dwayne Downing stepstill want to control the clock and run ping away due to time constraints with the ball. But defenses have been una new job, and Tyson Kelley stepped in. able to load the box and strictly play While there were no complete wholesale the run. After dropping the season changes to the offensive and defensive opener, the Black Knights started to schemes, Kelley was a little bit behind play faster and more physical, and the and did not have a lot of time to recover. result turned into a four-game winning
CLASS A streak. The secondary is experienced and not only can cover but also help play run support. With the second halfschedule not getting any easier, the Black Knights are playing for a seed in the Class 3A playoffs.
WYOMING AREA (5-0) Another year with another significant injury for the Warriors. Running back/ linebacker Corey Mruk was lost for the season to a knee injury. While the Warriors have multiple skill position players, Mruk’s loss will be felt more on defense than offense. Darren Rodney and Leo Haros have stepped in as the running backs. Quarterback Dom DeLuca is a threat running and throwing the ball, while Brian Williams on the outside is a legit deep ball threat. The offensive and defensive lines have been playing well. But more importantly, they are a physical group. The win on the road over Scranton Prep brought the level of expectations a bit higher. The Warriors are in a position to grab the top seed for the Class 3A playoffs. A huge showdown with Southern Columbia is on the horizon in Week 8. But the Warriors can’t get caught looking ahead with Lake-Lehman and Dunmore standing in the way.
NORTHWEST (2-2) Nobody knew what to expect from Northwest this year. Head coach Lon Hazlet was reluctant to let a group of freshmen and sophomores take the field while working out over the summer. But the more the team got together, the more Hazlet changed his mind. The Rangers opened the season with a huge win over Lackawanna Trail, certainly a confidence builder for this group. But after losses to Wyoming Area and Lake-Lehman, the Rangers find themselves at .500. There have been mistakes, but they have not been monumental ones that could easily be corrected. As the Rangers play their final season in the Wyoming Valley Conference, they are in a position to qualify for the district playoffs. George May has led the running game, while Ryan Wassel has taken the reigns at quarterback. Hazlet adjusts his scheme to his personnel, and so far the Rangers have adjusted well to what has been thrown their way.
CLASS 4A
K (5-0)
arts on defense. This the best, in the conferto no success running ve front. The second d physical and fly to the mean streak and a high vely the Dawgs have efhe last two weeks, the o show signs of life. To k will need to throw the get the ball in the end t a legitimate shot to
OD (3-2)
Ryan Arcangeli, the Comping to be competitive. s exceeded expectations. Wilkes-Barre Area, Valyan Petrosky is running ficiency. The defense has
been able to withstand some injuries, giving other players a chance to step in and play. Brandon Niemenski continues to be a red-zone threat and helps take a little pressure off the other receivers on the field. The Comets’ running game looks like it is starting to find that second gear. Rather than hoping to have a shot at a postseason berth, this team is playing to hang on to one.
NANTICOKE AREA (1-4) Missed opportunities have been the story for the Trojans. They controlled time of possession in the opener against Pittston Area and failed to cash in. On a team with talent at the skill positions on the perimeter, the Trojans looked poised to throw the ball more. But starting quarterback Colby Butczynski went down with an injury, leaving Ron Bruza with no choice but to run the ball. While the line is experienced, the backs aren’t. Turnovers have been a problem, as well. Giving up big plays on defense has been an issue. The Trojans have no other choice but to continue to make adjustments and see how well they work out.
hope. The running game is still a work in progress. But the Patriots need to tighten things up on defense. Learning to win is what will get the program heading in the right direction. The Patriots just need to do more of it, and the confidence will grow.
TUNKHANNOCK (3-2)
Optimism was high at Tunkhannock this season, but not many outside the program were buying it. In his DALLAS (5-0) second season as the head coach, Mike Marabell went Everything has fallen into place nicely for the Mounto a quick paced, no-huddle spread offense. The results taineers. The offense has been able to run the ball efhave been favorable. Though the Tigers can improve fectively. The offensive line has produced and played on defense, the offense has been holding up its end of up to its expectations. The defense is playing fast and the deal. Jack Chilson is keeping everyone involved in is all over the field. The concerns about managing the the offense and distributing the ball to multiple pass PITTSTON AREA (1-4) expectations from the beginning of the year have been catchers. Gavin D’Amato has kept teams on their toes One of the goals the Patriots had coming into the sea- when he runs the ball. But the defense has been giving handled flawlessly. The schedule certainly gets tougher son was finishing. Too many times last season the Pain the second half with games against Valley View and up some big plays, something Marabell wants to see Berwick on the horizon. Those two games will ultimately triots would fall behind and hang their heads. This year, change. The Tigers staged a pair of second-half comedetermine the top three seeds in the Class 4A playoffs. they had a pair of leads at the half only to see the lead backs this season, but will need to get out of the gate and the game slip away. The pass-catch combination of a little quicker in the second half of the year. They can’t The team’s commitment to the weight room is on disquarterback Mike Nocito and receiver Andrew Krawczyk, keep relying on late -ame heroics from the offense. play every week. The experience of this senior class is as well as tight end Alex Anastasi, gives the offense paying off. Sooner or later that will catch up with them. THE CITIZENS' VOICE SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 G9
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STORY
Lake-Lehman opens up passing game under quarterback Ethan Adams BY STEVE BENNETT STAFF WRITER
GHTS
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A few years ago, the freshman quarterback was running around and making plays. His left arm was showing tremendous potential, and his grasp of the Lake-Lehman offense was getting better with each and every practice. But Lake-Lehman coach Jerry Gilsky decided to wait. With a few veterans ahead of Ethan Adams on the team’s depth chart, Adams stayed where he was while the varsity team went about its own business. “Everyone needs to realize that when we kept him down, we already had a senior quarterback,” Gilsky said. “He should have been up. But at the same time, you want him to build relationships with the receivers at his level. He progressed last year as a sophomore. This year he is a completely different kid. He has grown to understand the system.” And the system Adams is guiding is one completely different than what the Black Knights are used to running. Gilsky saw the potential in Adams. He saw the speed and athleticism in his wide receiver group. And he has a coaching staff that was willing to change with the times. So the Black Knights — and more importantly, Adams — went to work. “When I was playing with the freshman team, they always told me they were going to throw more when I went up for my sophomore year,” Adams said. “I knew coming in I had to win the position, just keep improving.” But even Adams was skeptical about whether the Black Knights were going to “air” it out. Traditionally a run-oriented team, the Black Knights like to take advantage of a physical offensive line along with a strong run game to control the clock and wear the other team down. But with Adams, a left-handed thrower, Gilsky knew it was time to change things up. “I don’t think I really believed them at first,” Adams said of the potential to throw the ball more. “I knew most of the other quarterbacks above me always handed the ball off. This year,
during the summer, we opened up the offense a little more and went with the spread.” As a sophomore, Adams proved he could handle the job. He threw for 929 yards and 14 touchdowns. However, there were 11 interceptions: mistakes that can be attributed to a young, first-time starter. It was all part of the learning process. “We worked our system around the skill set we had coming back,” Gilsky said. “It was just a combination of everything. I have to give a lot of credit to my assistant coaches. They were able to find a system to work with our skill set. Obviously, Ethan is at the center of it as the quarterback. It is more of an advantage when you can have multiple guys touching the ball.” With the Black Knights off to a 5-2 start, there have been plenty of players involved in the offense. So far, seven Lake-Lehman players have caught at least one pass this season. Ryan Eiden leads the way with 30 receptions. Luke Spencer has 17, while Zack Kojadinovich and Casey Kaminski each have 12. Spencer leads the team with a 19.5 yards per catch average, with Kaminski leading the team in touchdown catches with five. What has helped the development of Adams in this, his junior season, is that he doesn’t necessarily feel the need to go for the deep ball each time he drops back. There are crossing patterns, passes to the flat and curl routes. Once he completes the pass, he can watch the skill players do their thing and pick up the extra yards. In a way, the short passing game that Adams has taken advantage of is just like running the ball. “We will throw deep to keeps teams honest,” Gilsky said. “Our skill players have legs, they will create the yardage. With our philosophy, the short pass is good with clock management. A lot of his passes are run passes.” Like most high school football players these days, Adams did the camp circuit over the summer prior to the state of this season. He attended camps at Delaware, Penn State, Colgate, Rutgers, UConn and IUP.
The work he put in during the offseason has helped his numbers go up. Through seven games, Adams has thrown for 1,277 yards and 14 touchdowns. But the number that sticks out the most is the interceptions. In 129 attempts, he has been picked off just three times. Adams has learned that it’s all right to take a sack when necessary. There is no need to force a pass through a tight window or throw into double coverage just to avoid losing yards. “The longer you are out there the more adjusted you get to what is going on,” Adams said. “I knew that I had to cut down on the interceptions. I had to learn to throw the ball away if something isn’t there.” Adams had his best game of the season last week against Holy Redeemer. He threw for 326 yards and six touchdowns in the first half. The six touchdown passes was one short of tying the area record for most touchdowns thrown in a game. Former Hanover Area coach Al Kopacz set the record in 1966. Though tying the record would have been nice, Adams is focused on the big picture. That is finishing the regular season on a positive note and making a run in the upcoming district playoffs. The Black Knights have already clinched a berth in the tournament. Even when he is not at the stadium during an official practice or an offseason workout, Adams can still work on his passing game. He has a tire to set up in his backyard that he can throw to. He takes advantage of it on a regular basis and is out there just about every day working on his craft. “He doesn’t compound his mistakes,” Gilsky said. “He won’t dwell on it if something goes wrong. His arm strength is good and his accuracy is excellent. He knows what we try to do with each receiver. Some are good at 15 yards. He knows what we try to look for in certain plays with his reads.” Contact the writer: sbennett@citizensvoice.com; 570 821-2062; @CVSteveBennett on Twitter
E SCHERBENCO / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
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Sports FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2019
PIAA CLASS 4A CHAMPIONSHIP: Thomas Jefferson 46, Dallas 7
One short of perfect Mountaineers fall in state final to cap 15-1 season
SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Dallas running back Dan Meuser, left, fends off Thomas Jefferson’s Shane Stump to score Dallas’ first and only touchdown of the state championship Thursday.
Thomas Jefferson too much for Dallas BY STEVE BENNETT STAFF WRITER
HERSHEY — And one. The Dallas Mountaineers saw their bid for a perfect season and the Class 4A state championship fall short on Thursday night at Hersheypark Stadium, losing 46-7 to Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson wrapped up a perfect season, finishing 16-0 and winning the fourth state championship in program history. Dallas ends the year 15-1 after playing in the pro-
lished the run early. Behind a big and physical offensive line, running back Dylan Mallozzi rushed for 215 yards and one touchFor photos, box score and more down, while quarterback Shane Stump from Thursday’s state final, see rushed for four touchdowns to lead the JagPages B4 and B5. uars’ ground game. “They were good. That is a good football team,” Dallas coach Rich Mannello said of gram’s second state championship game and Thomas Jefferson. “From top to bottom they first since 1993. The 15 wins this season is the are stout. You could see that as soon as you most in Dallas history. turn on the film. They deserve it. They beat Thomas Jefferson came out and estab- us, they beat us good.”
INSIDE
The Dallas running game didn’t have nearly as much success, especially in the first half when the Mountaineers were held to 18 yards on the ground. They finished the game with 60 yards rushing, averaging 2.4 yards per carry. “This isn’t the result we wanted,” said Dallas running back Lenny Kelley who finished the night with 34 yards rushing. Please see FINAL, Page B4
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GAME DAY SIGHTS
Dallas fans cheer before the Class 4A state championship game against Thomas Jefferson at Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey.
Dallas quarterback Michael Starbuck looks for an open receiver as Dan Meuser blocks a Thomas Jefferson pass rusher.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2019
FINAL: Meuser gets Dallas on the board FROM PAGE B1
“I’m at a loss for words. They were a good team, they were physical. The won the weight room tonight.” Field position played a key role in all three of Thomas Jefferson’s first half touchdowns. After taking over on the Dallas 29 following a punt, Thomas Jefferson needed one play for quarterback Shane Stump to connect with Daniel Deabner on a 28-yard touchdown pass. An interception set up Thomas Jefferson’s second score which came on Stump’s 14-yard run up the middle on a designed quarterback keeper. Another Dallas punt paved the way for a 54-yard, sevenplay drive capped by a 2-yard run by Mallozzi. The drive was pushed along with a defensive pass interference call on the Mountaineers, and another play when Stump carried the ball down to the 2-yard line and fumbled the ball straight up in the air. After a mad scramble for the loose ball, Thomas Jefferson was able to fall on top of it to set up the touchdown that gave the Jaguars a 20-0 lead at the half. While the Mountaineers were struggling to get the ground game going, quarterback Michael Starbuck had a difficult time dealing with the windy conditions. Several passes sailed on him, out of the grasp of the targeted receiver. He threw three interceptions, one of them returned by Ian Hansen on the third play of the third quarter to put the Jaguars ahead 26-0. The next three Dallas second-half possessions ended in punts with Thomas Jefferson scoring touchdowns on each ensuing drive as the lead increased to 46-0 with 11:18 left in the game. Dallas was able to get on the board late in the fourth quarter when fullback Dan Meuser scored on a 26-yard run. Thomas Jefferson finished with 293 yards rushing and 397 yards of total offense. The Jaguars averaged 8.2 yards per play compared to 2.7 yards per play for the Mountaineers. The Thomas Jefferson offensive and defensive fronts were as good as advertised. The Jaguars were big and physical and were quick to the point of attack. They were also effective in stretching out the defense making it tough for any of the Dallas backs to get to the edge. And when the Mountaineers tried
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to run the ball up the middle, the run support from the second level was right there to stop it. “They were a great team up front all around,” said Dallas lineman Taylor Bolesta. “I can’t say it was one defining difference. They did a lot of things right that we didn’t do. They are a good football team, one of the more physical groups we played all year. They are definitely the best team in the state.” After the game, Mannello say goodbye to a senior class that helped shape the program’s fortune. As many as nine of them saw significant varsity time as freshmen. That year they finished 2-9 and progressively improved to the point where they reached Thursday night’s state championship game. “This doesn’t take away all these guys accomplished and this senior class,” Mannello said. “We are proud of them. They brought a community together and elevated a program. They did it without ever coming off the rails and stayed true to the process. T h e y h e l d e a ch o t h e r accountable.” Contact the writer: sbennett@citizensvoice.com; 570-821-2062; @CVSteveBennett on Twitter
Thomas Jefferson Dallas Thomas Jefferson 0 20 19 Dallas 0 0 0
46 7 7 — 46 7— 7
Second quarter TJ - Deabner 28 pass from Stump (Sullivan kick), 8:53 TJ- Stump 14 run (kick blocked), 6:12
TJ- Mallozzi 2 run (Sullivan kick), :33
Third quarter TJ - Hansen 39 interception return (kick
failed), 10:23 TJ- Stump 6 run (Sullivan kick), 7:41 TJ- Stump 1 run (kick failed), 3:29
Fourth quarter TJ - Stump 1 run (Sullivan kick), 11:18 Dal- Meuser 26 run (Fisher kick), 4:21
Team statistics
TJ Dal First Downs ...................................... 19 7 Rushing-Att-Yards....................40-293 22-60 Comp-Att-Int ............................... 7-8-0 7-18-3 Passing Yards ................................ 104 59 Total Yards...................................... 397 119 Punts-Average.............................0-0.0 0-0.0 Fumbles-Lost ..................................2-1 0-0 Penalties-Yards ............................3-25 3-30 Individual statistics Rushing: – D.Mallozzi 24-215, 1 TD; S.Stump 11-51, 4 TDs; N.Wederber 3-31; J.Lekse 2-(-4). Dal – D.Meuser 6-43, 1 TD; L.Kelley 14-34; M.Maransky 1-(-8); M.Starbuck 1-(-9); Team - 0-0. Passing: – S.Stump 7-8-0, 104, 1 TD. Dal – M.Starbuck 7-18-3, 59. Receiving: – I.Hansen 4-50; D.Deabner 2-49, 1 TD; P.Zandier 1-5. Dal – L.DelGaudio 3-32; L.Kelley 2-13; M.Maransky 2-14.
Dallas’ Michael Lukasavage listens to the national anthem before the game.
MARK MORAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Dallas’ Lenny Kelley rushes for a gain.
Dallas free safety R.J. Wren (2) waves to the crowd before boarding a bus.
Dallas head coach Rich Mannello talks to the press after the game.
Luke DelGaudio returns a kickoff.
MARK MORAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Dallas quarterback Michael Starbuck (7) and running back Lenny Kelley (42) lead the team from a pep rally at — PHOTOS BY SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER the school Thursday before boarding a bus for the team’s trip to the state championship game in Hershey.
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tHE CItIzEns’ VOICE
Sports
LEGENDARY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019
PIAA CLASS 3A FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Wyoming Area 21, Central Valley 14
DeLuca, Warriors pull off comeback to win state title
INSIDE S Big second half sends Warriors to WVC’s first state title since 1997. PAGE B3
Defense makes crucial stops to hold off Central Valley. PAGE B3
Community comes out to welcome home the state champions. PAGE B4
Photos from Saturday’s game and celebration. PAGE B5
SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Wyoming Area quarterback Dom DeLuca throws a pass during the Class 3A state championship game at Hersheypark Stadium on Saturday. DeLuca and the Warriors scored 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to win the state title, the WVC’s first in football since Berwick in 1997 and Wyoming Area’s first in program history.
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PIAA CLASS 3A CHAMPIONSHIP: WYOMING AREA 21, CENTRAL VALLEY 1 4 THE CITIZENS’ VOICE B3
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019
HEART OF A CHAMPION
Warriors give new meaning to ‘second-half team’ BY STEVE BENNETT STAFF WRITER
the game-winning touchdown with 41 seconds left as Wyoming Area HERSHEY — Wyoming Area defeated Central Valley, 21-14, to win took being a second-half team to the Class 3A state championship. another level on Saturday afterIt is the first state championship in noon at Hersheypark Stadium. It also took the football program to a program history, and marks the first time a team from the Wyoming Valplace it has never been before. ley Conference has won a state title Wyoming Area scored 21 unansince Berwick won it all in 1997. swered fourth-quarter points to “Coming out at the half, we knew erase a two-touchdown deficit, with quarterback Dom DeLuca scoring we faced adversity during the
year,” Wyoming Area coach Randy Spencer said. “And we told them that this is our last 24 minutes of football, so let’s make this our best 24 minutes of the season. To show that heart and desire to compete at the highest level was incredible.” Please see TITLE, Page B4
SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Wyoming Area’s Darren Rodney (1) hugs teammate Leo Haros after the Warriors defeated Central Valley to win the Class 3A state football championship on Saturday.
WA defense delivers in biggest moments BY ERIC SHULTZ STAFF WRITER
HERSHEY — Clinging to a late lead in a state championship game, Central Valley decided to gamble. The District 7 champions had just seen their 14-point lead cut in half. They got the ball back with 11:31 remaining — plenty of time to either double their lead again, or let Wyoming Area complete its rally in Saturday’s PIAA Class 3A football championship at Hersheypark Stadium. So, facing fourth-and-2 from Wyoming Area’s 48-yard line, Central Valley risked prime field possession for a chance to keep the ball moving downfield. “It’s a chance to continue a drive and not give a team another chance,” Wyoming Area coach Randy Spencer conceded. “So, even though situation-
ally that may not be the percentage call, it’s a state championship game. You only get one shot.” Except, Central Valley had plenty of late-down shots before that play. It even got another in the final minute of the game. Almost each and every time, though, Wyoming Area’s defense had three-tosix feet to defend and hardly allowed an inch. Clutch stop after clutch stop kept Central Valley off the scoreboard and gave quarterback Dominic DeLuca the time and distance he needed to rally Wyoming Area to a 21-14 title win. Wyoming Area allowed only three conversions on 12 total third-down tries. Central Valley doubled down and went for it on four different fourth downs — none were successful (except a fifth instance wiped away by an encroachment penalty).
DeLuca led the unit with 13 tackles (10 solo), while Drew Mruk had eight and Derek Ambrosino made six stops. Ambrosino, Leo Haros and F.J. Braccini also had solo sacks; Ambrosino and Caleb Graham ganged up for another. Braccini kept the fourth-down shutout alive on Central Valley’s pivotal fourth-and-2. The senior middle linebacker saw a pulling guard and raced to meet running back Jaylen Guy at the line of scrimmage. He tackled Guy a yard short. “I just had to stick him,” Braccini said. “I knew he was coming with his head down, so I had to put my head even lower.” It wasn’t long after Wyoming Area celebrated the big stop that it tied the game at 14 on the ensuing drive. Please see DEFENSE, Page B4
SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Wyoming Area’s F.J. Braccini had a critical stop on a Central Valley fourth-and-2.
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PIAA CLASS 3A CHAMPIONSHIP: WYOMING AREA 21, CENTRAL VALLEY 1 4 B4
THE CITIZENS’ VOICE
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019
Hometown crowd greets Warriors By BoB KalinowsKi STAFF WRITER
BOB KALINOWSKI / STAFF PHOTO
Crowds gather at Anthony ‘Jake’ Sobeski Stadium in West Pittston to welcome home the Wyoming Area Warriors.
WEST PITTSTON — Tears streamed down Dom DeLuca’s face as he doled out hug after hug to adoring fans Saturday evening upon his team’s triumphant return home. Hundreds were at Anthony “Jake” Sobeski Stadium to cheer on the senior quarterback and his teammates one last time, hours after they engineered a fourth-quarter comeback for the ages to capture the school’s first state title. “I was speechless,” DeLuca said about the rock star-like treatment the Warriors received for the home field victory celebration. “We got the job done for this town.” Fire engines and police cars from the Wyoming and Pittston areas greet-
ed the team’s buses at the Midway Shopping Center in Wyoming and escorted the victory parade to the front gates of the stadium on Boston Avenue. Players and cheerleaders soon trekked to the far end of the stadium to ring the victory bell as the hundreds of fans crowded around. “This is like the whole town basically,” said Thomas Collins, a junior wide receiver and defensive back. Collins basked in the limelight and adoration, knowing it was a special life moment. “This is history,” Collins said. “Our team left a mark today.” Eventually, the stadium’s public address system was turned on and coach Randy Spencer grabbed a microphone standing on the field near the 50-yard line.
“Thank you to all of our ‘Warrior Nation.’Youtrulywererepresentedin Hershey today,” Spencer said. “Thank you on behalf of our 2019 state champion Wyoming Area Warriors.” Spencer said the team hung tough in the game for three quarters, limiting the deficit to 14-0. Then, the team pulled off “a fourth quarter that people are going to be talking about in Wyoming Area football history for a long time,” Spencer said. It became a day the team will — and should — remember for the rest of their lives, he said. “This was a magical season,” Spencer said. “I’m proud. I’m honored.” Contact the writer: bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com; 570-821-2055; @cvbobkal on Twitter
DEFEnsE: Holds off Cent. Valley FROM PAGE B1
SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Wyoming Area’s Jacob Williams hugs head coach Randy Spencer after the Warriors beat Central Valley for the Class 3A state title.
TiTlE: Wyoming Area rallies for state championship FROM PAGE B1
Defense carried the day in the first half. Each team had their opportunities, but both defenses continuously rose to the challenge, making yards difficult to come by. Central Valley, the District 7 champion, struck first. Taking over in Wyoming Area territory after a punt, Central Valley put together an eight-play, 48-yard drive capped by Jaylen Guy’s 1-yard touchdown run with 1:25 left in the second quarter. The drive took 2:41 off the clock, but more importantly, Central Valley was getting the ball to start the second half, and had the opportunity to put back-to-back scores on the board. That is exactly what Central Valley did. Central Valley picked up the pace in the third quarter, going to a more hurry-up offense. It caught Wyoming Area off guard, as Wyoming Area was penalized twice during the possession for jumping offsides. The free 10 yards helped set up a Stephon Hall 2-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter to put Central Valley up 14-0. Just when it seemed Wyoming Area was gaining some momentum, disaster nearly struck. DeLuca ran for 3 yards to the Central Valley 29. A holding penalty brought the ball back, but more significantly, DeLuca did not get up after the run. C l u t c h i n g h i s k n e e, t h e senior was helped off the field. On the next play, Central Valley picked off a pass. But DeLuca returned for the ensuing defensive series, allowing Wyoming
Area fans to breathe a little easier. “I just had to fight for my team and deal with the pain,” DeLuca said. “Dr. Gibbons held me back a little bit before I could get out and run. I just pushed him off nicely. I have been working my whole life for this.” The interception did not prove costly as Central Valley was forced to punt, but it was a good punt, pinning Wyoming Area down at its own 4-yard line. With DeLuca back under center, Wyoming Area moved the ball out to its 20 for the start of the fourth quarter. At that time, Wyoming Area had just 79 yards of total offense. So instead of just being a second-half team, Wyoming Area needed to be a fourth-quarter team. “You’re always playing that next play,” Spencer said. “I didn’t doubt we would compete. I always felt this was a team of purpose and that there is something big g er involved with everything.” Facing a third-and-eight, DeLuca dropped back to pass, avoided pressure from the right side of the Central Valley defensive front and lofted a pass in the direction of tight end Derek Ambrosino. Or, it could have been to Riley Rusyn. Regardless, Rusyn caught the pass and took it 80 yards for a touchdown. In the time it took Rusyn to reach the end zone, momentum was clearly shifting. “It was not for (Rusyn),” DeLuca admitted. “I threw a 50-50 ball hoping someone catches it. Rusyn took it.” “I was running a streak and saw Dom was getting pressured, so I cut across the field. I know
he wanted to throw it to Derek. I jumped it and caught it and nobody was there.” And from there, Central Valley had no chance. Not with the way energy level was rising for Wyoming Area on the defensive side of the ball, as well as the sidelines. It was clear this team knew it was coming back. On Central Valley’s ensuing possession, Wyoming Area took over on downs on its own 47. Wyoming Area methodically moved the ball down the field, but faced a fourth-and-goal from the 4-yard line. Wyoming Area burned its last timeout and came out in a tight set. Tight end Ambrosino broke free off the line and caught a touchdown pass to tie the game, 14-14 with 4:02 left. “That was the game right there,” Ambrosino said. “If we didn’t get that, the season is over. I faked like I was blocking t h e m i dd l e l i n e ba cke r a n d skipped off and caught it in the corner of the end zone.” Wyoming Area’s defense held Central Valley to 3 of 12 on third down conversions and 0 for 4 on fourth down. After another stop on third down, Central Valley was forced to punt. A penalty helped moved the ball to the CV 42 with 1:43 to play. DeLuca ran for two yards before Wyoming Area got the big play it needed. Brian Williams beat his man and caught a 39-yard pass to set up a first-andgoal at the 1-yard line. On the next play, DeLuca bulled his way into the end zone, for not only the game-winning score, but the touchdown that crowned this Wyoming Area team as state
champions and the best in program history. “Last year we came up short in the district semifinal, and I think I am to blame for that,” Brian Williams said. “This year we came back and win the state title, that means everything to me. This team, we believe in each other. We just keep going. We have had games where we came out sloppy and were not getting things done. The second half today, we came out and showed what we are about and that we mean business.” wyoming area Central Valley Central Valley Wyoming Area
0 0
21 14 7 0
7 0 — 14 0 21 — 21
Second quarter CV - Guy 1 run (Ott kick), 1:25 Third quarter CV - S.Hall 2 run (Ott kick), 9:40 Fourth quarter WA - Rusyn 80 pass from DeLuca (Moserski
kick), 11:13 WA- Ambrosino 4 pass from DeLuca (Cumbo kick), 4:02 WA- DeLuca 1 run (Moderski kick), :41 Team statistics CV WA First Downs ...................................... 13 11 Rushing-Att-Yards....................40-157 31-51 Comp-Att-Int ............................. 8-16-1 10-16-1 Passing Yards .................................. 94 202 Total Yards...................................... 251 253 Punts-Average...........................4-23.0 4-25.0 Fumbles-Lost ..................................3-0 2-0 Penalties-Yards ............................7-60 8-48 Individual statistics
Rushing: CV – J.Guy 30-166, 1 TD; M.Walker 2-10; S.Hall 2-10, 1 TD; A.Dudley 6-(-29). WA – D.Rodney 12-34; D.DeLuca 17-15, 1 TD; L.Haros 2-2; Team - 0-0. Passing: CV – A.Dudley 8-16-1, 94. WA – D.DeLuca 10-15-0, 202, 2 TDs; J.Williams 0-1-1, 0. Receiving: CV – J.Hall 4-36; M.Walker 2-35; J. Guy 1-24; A.Saunders 1-(-1). WA – B.Williams 3-70; R.Rusyn 3-106, 1 TD; D.Ambrosino 3-26, 1 TD; L.Haros 1-0. Interceptions: CV — M. Barbuto 1. WA — D. DeLuca 1.
Contact the writer: sbennett@citizensvoice.com; 570-821-2062; @CVSteveBennett
The defense dug in again as time ran low in regulation. Graham defended a Central Valley pass on third-and-7, forcing a punt with less than two minutes to go. DeLuca needed only 62 seconds to drive his Warriors downfield for the go-ahead score. All that was left was one more defensive stand. Graham defended another pass as Central Valley’s season came down to a final fourthdown try, from one yard out. Mruk raced to Jawon Hall as Hall grabbed a pass in the flat, and Mruk and Haros pushed the receiver out of bounds short of the first-down marker with 12 seconds to go. Game over. “I saw him come and run a stop,” Mruk, a freshman, said, “so I had to come up and make the tackle and get him out of bounds.” It took DeLuca’s three touchdowns to finish off a comeback for the ages. But Wyoming Area also proved cliches can be true: defense wins championships, too. The unit had previously flexed its muscles with shutouts in the state semifinals and District 2 final, plus a six-point second half in a come-from-behind state quarterfinal win. “We’re like a family,” Mruk said. “Everything we do is for each other.” “We get in short-yardage situations, we bring pressure and we try to tighten up that coverage. Hopefully the pressure will help us make a play,” coach Spencer said. “That’s kind of been what we’ve done all year, and so we were fortunate enough for it to hold up in those situations.” That play held up from the start of Saturday’s final, when Central Valley recovered a high and angled opening kickoff. Instead of making an opening statement, quarterback Ameer Dudley was off the field in four plays. Central Valley tried converting a fourth-and-9 from the 30, but a QB hurry from Dillon Williams made Dudley bury a swing pass into the turf. Central Valley found itself in four-down territory again on its next drive, though a false start pushed it back to a fourth-and-6 on Wyoming Area’s 21-yard line. Dudley took a shot to the left corner of the end zone; DeLuca carved out plenty of inside position to intercept the pass. Haros didn’t even let Central Valley think of a fourth-down attempt the next time his defense was on the field. The sophomore sacked Dudley for a 15-yard loss on third-and-6, bringing out the punt team. From start to finish, tough defense kept Wyoming Area’s deficit low enough for the Warriors to surge back and win the program’s first-ever state football title. “Last ride. If it wasn’t going to happen this year, it wasn’t going to happen ever,” Braccini said. This was our year.” Contact the writer: eshultz@citizensvoice.com; 570-821-2054; @CVEricShultz on Twitter