Gameface Week 8 by Dave

PLAY gameface ? L L A B

n ball preseaso Footb FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2020of uncertainty full

THE CITIZENS’ VOICE

to coaches and a mass email k in another will report bac t as the re igh me eti ng ton n amid the cer con s remain demic. coronavirus pan ia Intervan syl nn The Pe CETT letic AssociaBY JOBY FAW scholastic Ath ools were sch staFF Writer ed rov n app n a weeek tio ed to begin heat accliWi th les s tha allow matization is ctice Monday lim before heat acc matization pra st official oot fo ool sch fir t to start high and hold the 17. Sc ho ol e still naviigatg. Au e ac tic o u cer ttain pr rin ten d n un an de nts can als su pe ions for a opt two nt - impleme lva nsy Pen he th delayed start. Football AssoF Th M e teeleconferenc during a Thursday meeting

hes District 2 coac to given chance . share concerns

HIGH SCHOOL

Proper proced dures giv i eh hope for f fall

with s k c i t s PIAA plan; l a n i g i r n o s remai

WVC administrators are optimistic prep leads to competition. BY STEVE BENNETT staFF Writer

HIGH SCHOOL

Wolf talks about fall sports plans

F f

Gov. says schools that open online face challenges.

D g s

Dr. Rachel Levine. “What happens in school should be consistent with what happens on the playing field. In other words, if a school is BY STEVE BENNETT going i completely l virtual, it staFF Writer seems hard to justify having In his first public com- in-person contact sports ments about high school being played in the fall If th sports since the PIAA Board s h of Dire t

css for ts down athleti u sh a re A er v Hano

PIAA DE

UP IN THE AIR CISION

When the PIAA Board of Directors said the 2020 fall sports season can begin on time, there was p plenty ty of hope that it could feasibly happen. The members of the PIAA Board of Directors, the govf high school

can begin the season later if they desired — giving the school districts an opportunity to work though the start of the new school year. As for where the Wyoming Valley Conference stands, all schools seemed in good shape to start the season on time as of Thursday. Football players can begin heat week on Aug. 10, with the remaining sports set to start practice on Aug. 17. But not long after Wednesday’s PIAA meetiing, the th P nnsylvan nia Con

HIGH SCHOOL

Person in athletic itive department pos . for coronavirus

season

lley Con-

HIGH SCHOVaOL

if it’ss ssafe, s, ls it d ffeeels open an administrator fe to

ETT VE BENN BY STE r FF Write

- to the whole purpose s pracctice wa starting e to its con “The esday), VC cam ferences eting (Tu last week otther con g the me been asked la nd s are makin had bo dy sta he state ng we rti sta ere every rd,” Hazleton ons to the ts. The wh wa for g or r vin sp t Fred mo of ffall i Con

sta hool Sch ver Area The Hano ion to beegin decis w th Board’s year wi school t the new truction will no n th e online ins im pa ct on m. have an l sports teams fal m school’s nd ay, Gov.. To c fe con On Mo nt presss j int a joi l n sy lva Wolf, in th Pe nn lth D en ce wi of He al

Eight-game model starts Sept Se t. 11. 11

Ups& & Downs& Highs& Lows.

e sa Mertz, associate executiv director of the Pennsylvania ic Intersc holast ic Athlet Association, said in a radio interview. The PIAA board plans to make a final decision on fall . sports when it meets Friday The PIAA had been making plans to start the season

BY STEVE BENNETT Writer staFF Write

ng firmed Gov Tom Wolf is standi

as scheduled when Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration issued a “strong recommendation” in early August that scholas tic and recreational youth sports be put off until Januthe t preven ary to help spread of the coronavirus. The surprise announceto ment prompted the PIAA

push back the start of mandatory sports practices for two weeks while it decided its next move. “We were shocked by that just because up until that d point we had not receive any pushba ck” from the Wolf admin istrati on on restarting sports, Mertz said

t on uee the off ed at o, re E y

f l i a u H “ s w S

t y e I o e g o w h

Monday on WITF ’s “Smart Talk.” “It’s caused us to tap the brakes.” The Wolf administration ts said that youth spor increase the risk of spreading the virus and should be canceled for now. It noted the

SPEAKING OUT

File the citiZens’ VOice

Please see PIAA, Page B3

CHOOL

BY STEVE BEN NETT staFF W

Game on

HIGH SCHOO

orts to play fall sp d ea h -a go n Schools give

STARTS AND STOPS HIGH SCHOOL

While WVC teams open

URG, d – MECHANICSB n on Monday, sports to begi shou n to permit fall pete in athletics d this afternoo decision to com of Directors vote rd Boa PIAA rd agrees the sports to spo The sions. The Boa eed and which deci proc ol to scho ther l based on loca etics, the Boaard ty to decide whe athl enti ol with scho ard for each in moving forw ty plans locally allowing is paramount ol health and safe ty of students r developed scho health and safe adherence to thei member schools’ inue. through each sports can cont s eline , par guid etes petition ent-athl Return to Com voices of stud thousands of ind those individ s has heard the d us. We rem rd of Director nd s an have contacte th that heal The PIAA Boa ol ers scho lead rence to as community a keep strict adhe th and officials as well that they must a role in the heal d for athletics communities have strongly advocate olastic athletic rsch inte in lved individuals invo pco etes in the up participants. all student-athl for all sports and that baase voted th a season fo of Directors also ed to providing ue allte he PIAA Board PIAA is committ ts and may purs ain flexible. Th spor rem to fall in inue icipation and will cont itor school part PIAA will mon decisions, the FALL SPORTS needed.

PRESS RELEASE

Football teams begin heat

Please see FOOTBALL,

After tie Thursday, another vote set for Valley West board meeting Monday.

Area, there was no vote, per se, on Thursday about athletics; the most newsworthy vote was a 9-0 decision that fall sports may proceed, but with the caveat that parents a or guardians mustt sign BY MATT BUFANO waiver of liability form. staFF Writer The vast majority of letteri t Nation made its were in favor of fall it

PIAA bears ibility nssib on po essp re HIGH SCHOOL ll

Hanover Area to vote again Meeting scheduled ffor 5 p.m. Monday.

can. At a virtual board meeting, where the audio was spotty and the video kept tuning in and out, the tie vote of game a was It truly reverted back to the last offiinches for the fall sports board took acurricular cial vote the teams and extra Since the he Wyoming regarding athletics. participants in th the return to hool District board approved Valley West Sch safe play policy earlier in the orning. mo allowed volunotee on whether summer and , commence to h fall sports tary workouts with teams and extrarricular activi- the athletic programs in the board needed curricular ol b were able to proceed me tto determine district forward. . go to g to g aving a f ha P e B3 TIE Page Please see TIE, h, the district ooth

on fall spor ts

extrac xtracu urricu rricula larr activities i “I’ been approached “I’ve over concerns regardi by a is against a fall ng the lot of parent sports seas,” said board son citin coron avirus pande mic. presid ent J h Board member S

BY STEVE BENNET

season 2 weeks Holy Redeemer suspends

HIGH SCHOOL

the citiZ c

The Hanover Area board voted, 5-3 on Th suspend all e t

Football team loses games. t 1 t two 1st

Practices and games for all fall sports teams at the school til at least h ld until will be on hold y l n d r

to quaran tine, accordi ng coach Nick Barbieri. Having lost its season-opening game, Pittsston Area will now scrimge at Hanover Area on mag y at 10 a.m. urday u Satu hi “Once we get through this just going to get l”

g and basically start plannin for the Week 3 game.” Kelley said none of the team players on the football were affected. “As far as the players, everyfine ” one in the program is fine, Kelley said. “We didn’t have any issues. I found out Sunday d 11 and reached t ly

Crestwood Hazleton Area

2 FOR 1 18 10

THE CITIZENS’ VOICE

Dynamic duo he lps Lake-Lehma n beat Be B rwick

HIGH SCHOOL

for firrs

Currently, outdoor events limited to gathering of 250, indoor eve

man Wolf’ss mand l d the Wolf h t declared Wolf to sign a bill giving that ering limits school districts the final say date nal. Currently, on spectators at sch l ple for indoor in 250 for and 2020 BER 18, because of , SEPTEM FRIDAY pandemic

and footnotably volleyball a ball, considering playeers and essential personnell to the game — including offficials, d scoreclock operators and board operators f lll th

the House and Senate announced a veto override vote will be coming quickly if the bill is indeed vetoed “One of th

ttendance shoul d get boost wit h crowd

ing. “Let’s address those things as best we can and see if we can keep people fr con

itations m i l h g u ork thro w s n a f , Schools

Wolf vetoes school sports attenda nce BY MICHAEL RUBIN NKA assOciated pres ss

tponed West game pos Ber wick-Valley

Gov. Tom Wolf on Mo M vetoed a bill that wou uld

TBALL

FOO HIGH SCHOOL

ctive n their respe es the withi . Berwick becom Wyo- school communities all in the cancel its Berw ick footb third program Dallas had to district for,” k en DeFrancesConference to 3 while the with Tunkhannoc g, coach Carm have been ming Valley Wyoming Oct. Holy COVID-19 game contact tracin by “We goes while ted game between 1, said. under impac co be Berwick at es football in Week canceled its first l district ate, we had no Valley West and the schoo the start of the Berwick paus mer te really fortun is postponed n the excep- since Dallas and Redee at nced on its websi Crispin Field s of the seaso incidents with of inju- season Sept. 11. D-19 annou activities until had to two game reschedule and No also se of COVI Area bunch ay. n a mer becau for use ck Tuesd Holy Redee against Pittsto nced for tion been fortuleast Oct. 3 beca s. issues within the Berwi ll games after date was annou ries. We have and cancel footba by COVID-19 Hanover Area. community. football game. with the health of COVID-19 issue School Districtcur being impacted ricul ar the we have all nate of the kids.” what extra is All “This TT ck will breath safety BY STEVE BENNE activities at Berwi at least been holding our staFF Writer shut down until ’s football be Friday night

grams, g golf, have case.

ases cause shutdown for

MLB PLAYOFFS

Tigers instead will travel to Dunmore. BY STEVE BENNETT staFF Writer

For the third time this season, Holy Redeemer will not play a scheduled football game. On Tuesday, the Royals game against Tunkhannock set for Friday was canceled. The previous Holy Redeemer games canceled this season — Sept. 12 against Pittston Area and Sept 18 against Hanover Area — were

THE SHOE FITS

Lake-Lehman looks the part in dominant win over rival Dallas

R E D A E L N A S M LEH ports

Please see VIRUS, Page

resp team’s to earn rd a h d worke

Senior QB Adams leads attack with 4 touchdowns. BY STEVE BENNETT

Pittston Area s huts down foo tball Please see PA, Page

COU

INJURED?

24/7 virtual care and walk-in visits with an orthopedic specialist

BY MATT BUFAN O staFF Writer

ay, whicch begins Week 3 of Penns sylvania’s hool foo otball season, was preceded by b another wd days o of development s in the saga regard orss at ga r ames. ing ticckets have been issued for Wyom in lC ng Valley Conferrence games this week than wev n last Friver, w with policies varyin g on a case herre remains little unifor mity e-by-case o th frrom one he nex xt. Plea ase see CROWD

line made sure there wasn’t too much traffic around him Friday night. Lake-Lehman’s senior quara e for three touchterback rushed r nd passed for another as downs an k Knights defeated Dalthe Black las, 42-0,, in the annual rivalry game bettween the two schools in k Mountain. the Back ready for this game, “We were w we had itt marked,” said Adams, h wa as named MVP after

Wolf eases spectator restrictions line deli New state gui n nce nu permit attenda ev en at spo r tin g g Fr ing inn beg se rea inc l wo While there stil s, Gov capacity crowd n ced new Wolf announ W at w hat l s th ering-size rule d

rushing for 93 yards and passing for 198. “We all came out ready to play. Everyone was making plays.” Friday night’s victory marked the first time since 2013 the Black Knights claimed the Old Shoe, and Lake-Lehman set the tone early by grabbing momentum and never letting go. The Black Knights (4-0) scored Please see SHOE, Page B3

S, Page B5

HIGH SCHOOL

N NE BY STEVE BEN r staFF Writer

staFF Writer nconference game. O beccause LEHMAN TWP. — Ethan HIGH SCHOOL Adams was not about to let anywitthin i thing get in the way of his last E Effo chance at bringing the “Old h ” back to Lake-Lehman. deem Red J.P. Aq ful Tue Season over for because of COV T The ID-19 con- side,” Patriots; Valley cern s with in Pittston Area supe the ring to West ing halts athletics district community. scho ol tendent Kevin Booth said, Charlie Turco. ley West athletic Also Wednesday adding that nobo ood until wo The announce director Nick , Wyoming Gill dy within Valle ment came the Monday. Meanwhile, Pitts said. y West canceled football program on the heels of ton Areea ake La all sports has had for the the school to will not play “We are just takin quar board rest of this week its final tw antine based on BY STEVE BENN ’s vote Tuesday g all the wo after , nece ssar y con- including ETT night to tact traci prec autio ns to games of the abbreviate cont its football game Fring. inue virtual scho staFF Writer ed make sure our oling eight day T Tu nigh -game Wyoming All until t other at stude Hazleton Area at least Jan. 4. Pittston Area sports programs nt-athValleey , letes, coaching football because of COVI Conf within the schoo erenc “Out of an abun staffs e shift program will shut’sdown sched D-19 concerns ule, includl district will withi dance of conti d population, admi , student ing the for caution we n the nue Valle annu the to nistr y play rema West school and al rivalry gamee ation are shutting (footthe inder of the seaso un fou teachers at the der of the fall sport remain- district. However, the n ball) down again st Wyom high to be on the safe ing Area. hope is scho ol s season, for the thiis rema according to athle “We told (the playe tic director gram school’s athletic pro- said. “Tha in safe, ” Gill rs) alll s to return Mond t ucks (2-0) will host t Bu ay, Val- concern.” is our primary season that it is a day-to-day y gers on Friday at 7 p.m. in a coke Area. Tig

WYOMING VAL LEY CONFERENC E CROSS

ma azed at polng g that they wav ve

limit in ap

TD h winning mble wit comes fu er ov s de est’s Rho Valley W

iess itie accit pa o maximum ca s. Sliding scale of fans into game r re mo ow all will

2 individual championships has tested positive for (coronavirus),” said Charlie Turco, Pittston Area’s athletic director and also the Wyoming Valley Conference golf secretary. In addition to the unique parameters of golf that lends the sport to social distancin g,

g gam an Redeemer cuts Tunkhannock

bill

school districts the sole abili- of 25 people p indoors and 250 number of spectators perty to make pe th t statewide that k decisions d i t gathering lim- before it autom on people outdoors currently matically mitt d t

Hanover A Area

MLB PLAYOF

“We’re in the middle of poned is the Hawkey contact tracing , workin es’ foot- ed today as to “how future g ball game against District 2 official s conwith the Depart ment Wilkes- education will be carried firmed of that a member of the Health and our school Barre Area, originally sched- out,” Barrett wrote. Hanover Hanover uled for 7 p.m. tonight Area golf team testnurse,” said Hanover at Area has an in-servi Area Wilkes-Barre Memori TT BUFANO ce day ed positive, which athleti c directo r al Sta- scheduled for is noteworMike dium. F Writer today and is thy because McCree. “We’re trying they competed in closed Monday in observan to figver Area School ure Hanover Area Superin ce Tuesday’s District 2 individu ten- of Columbus Day out who was exposed . , dent Nathan Barrett hursday paused who al golf champi , in a wasn’t exposed. Curonships at McCree said two of messag e written to events through rently, the Elkview Country the school’s athletic sports are suspended Club in programs Lackawanna school community, said d after two con- until County. the have a positive Monday.” COVID-19 cases are “isolated and of COVID-19. “The schools in both Among the events postnonconrelated.” An update is expect- case, although he declined to ferences were notified that a identify them. golfer who played in District

ION T P M E D RE

like e, much ge the gam during at the scrimma eaders they did tston Area. s, cheerl OTBALL ve Pit ior player ers. HOOL FO didn’t ha e against mb ee. sen SC we Cr me to d ly, Mc GH sed ke HI d ban “Honest ... they (th ector Mi ts, proba- an herwise, it’s clo lk-up anybody letic dir Ot a really r paren blic. Wa to talk to d for a ve done think ou n anybody else, the general pu ected to be felt so goo rents) ha said. ose “I t exp v. that neverArea team wh - bly more tha we had it taknd’s pa d job,” McCree s are no Go eke , ket po we tic ing se goo the I for tem - Hanover s jeopar get it, becau time be it e back. otb all at any of y paid let in seriou . For the mandated lim and it camnt to risk sold ing Va lle y Fo price the tting down ath - season was lf ’s en away wa weeks ago an out, Wyom Tom Wo ivid precau nk they games. duals at law. rrarily shu ron just a few Hanover Area don’tt thin enccee g d acccess onavirrus t ha ferren v dy ju 50 ind ho enter of 250 th h vs the Confe n if for s.” s wh ain g no eve kid n , fan ies i Restricte d asts part ics as a cor rem ore So d lic the l m Sat door venue B5 -ho it for ve po The few d theref under s stadiu t i c ke t LL, Page be restricti ea’ e ll ag ain st TBA Ar m ar wi o FOO S ver see to we fans HIGH SCHOOL d Hano ll have e Please

Override attempt expected from GOP-controlled d General Assem mb

HOT TICKET

w guidance on fan limits ew Wolf expects ne

Tunkhannock at Dallas, Cancele d

country teams were schedHanover Area — which uled to start the season got a late start to the season - Wednesday. The boys soccer after athletics were original field to and girls volleyball and ly suspended, then allowed hockey teams were schedstart back up again — will uled to open their seasons on have an open Week 2 unless socgirls the Sept. 14, while opponent can be found. an opp t am was scheduleed to cer team Two teams at Holy start on Sept. 15. Redeemer have already held the writer: competitions, with the golf Contact citizensvoice.com m; sbennett@ team currently 4-1 and girls 570-821-2062; er 0 ebennett on twitte ross @cVstev

ACE 2020 KICKOFF EDITION

ace IT’S gameffa AG 30 6

p t

b n b

ing cOntribut lauri / FranK c.

ston from Pitt

Due to concerns over COVID-19, the Wyoming Valley West school board and administration elected to suspend all fall sports programs indefinitely. The decision ends the 2020 fall season for the Spartans. The football team was scheduled to play Wilkes-Barre Area at home on Saturday

night and, from there, would have advanced to the Class 5A state quarterfinal and played the representative from either District 6 or 10. Valley West was able to advance to the state playoffs after District 11 declined to participate in the state playoffs and hold a self-contained district playoff tournament. Jack Baranski, the Valley West football coach, learned

of the decision early Monday morning and informed the players via the program’s virtual accounts. Baranski also reached out to each senior on the football team individually with a phone

call. “I’m devastated for the seniors, and I am upset for all the fall sports teams at Valley West,” Baranski said. “I respect the board and the

administration’s position. I understand why they are making this decision. From the football perspective, we did everythin g we were asked to do in regards to the return to safe play policy, and we were diligent in following all the safety protocols that were set forth by our district. I am very proud of that.” The Spartans played their final game on Oct. 16, a 42-0

RUNNING WILD

victory over Nanticoke Area. They were scheduled to play at Hazleton Area last week but had to cancel the game due to COVID-19 issues within the school district. “We are saddened that it has to come to this,” said board member Jim Fender who is also head of the athletic committee. “Nobody on the school board wants to stop or end sports. However,

pher

phOtOgra

game. Friday’s oli during gan Reb Area’s Tea Baranski

Jack d coach win for WVW hea humongousbecause des (15) w was the said. “This is a ston g back dra Donte Rho off to Pitt team that’s quarter ey West hun and hats uar terback qu pping the e-winner as Vall ston us, are a good football er. ley West even dro over Pitt gam self for 4 victory fer- they to keep getting bett four full for a 26-2 ming Valley Con ed in him . g ed on est, at goin up we play .” ay night the pigskin too happy, to be hon - Area in a Wyo y holds u “Tonight, a good teamto be game Frid Jeri s against “I wasn’t a’s e football p play by ng w is enc ton Area a heads-u ium. to quarterdes was n’t goi ier All I kno rrtan Stad s had a cchance but it was des said. “A bu r his earl Rho al. i ts h i lly afte Th se Spa Tho riot ing, ld goal. eld miah,” Rho fumbling again. The Pat seconds remain ied. Especia gs 90 e up den down, that I’m not ple discipline thin win with d field goal cam t (1-2) d Wes sim yar 39 uarterare just a qu Y TOM FOXnt clean up.” lf b t ston Are id den I need to Dav D that respOn nd des ano fou D t Rho

pressure escapes

game leads Stout ground to win Wyoming Area

programs Valley West suspends fall sports BY STEVE BENNETT staFF Writer

looked to Robert’s Rules of Order to determine if the fall sports season could proceed. it In the end, it was decided

BY STEVE BENNETT staFF Writer s

Wyoming Area Riverside

Page B3

Parents, guardians must sign waivers for Pittston Area student-athletes.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBA

43 18

week.

BY STEVE BENNETT staFF Writer

get green light Pittston Area, Valley West

HIGH SCHO OL FOOT BALL WEEK 1 Lake-Lehman

Williamsport Nanticoke Area

puts pause on athletics

The equipment was sanitized, the hands were washed and social distance was clearly being observed as the Wilkes-Bar re Area Wolfpack took a break on the first day of official practice for the fall sports season. Monday was the day teams could officially begin preparing for the season. While all other sports were going through their first day of practice, football players were getting their first day of five-day practice period known as heat acclimatization. It was quite different from previous heat weeks Wilkes-Barre Area senior quarterback Kam Taylor has experienced . Though Taylor had no issues with the protocols put in place, he was jjust happy appy to be on the field doing field, d i football f drills and looking forward to

SEASON KICKOFF EDITION 2020 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Wilkes-Barre Area 9 Valley West 8

fall practice, Valley West

UST 21, 2020 PA – FRIDAY, AUG

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2020

29 21

of the s meet the final week m Dallas and Berwick will the WVC’s schedule. eight-game season under

Lake-Lehman super to rally for fall sports

WVC seniors reflect on season unlike any other

Berwick

ation il at

vania Interscholastic Athlet to ic Association sent a letter for Wolf outlining its case and ed proce to fall sports the seeking a meeting with meetgovernor’s office. That ing will occur today, a spokes conperson for the PIAA p

PIAA prepares for meeting today.

ith fall spor ts PIAA ‘fairly comfortable’ w sports signaled again Monday that it’s seriously considering moving ahead with the fall season despite the governor’s recommendation that all youth athletics be canceled until 2021. BY MICHAEL RUBINKAM “We feel fairly comfortable assOciated press that we can get school sports The governing body for back up and running,” MelisPennsylvania interscholastic

sports. The PIAA annou nnoun nced ced a two-week del f Gov.

W f

HIGH SCHOOL

Official says state’s governing body wants to avoid delaying season.

WVC t ea hopefu ms l start o to n schedu le

e s on timrd’s ETT t r o p s l fal Boa to star tHanover Area Schopoalct sports noferk c a r t rs won’tt im fall WVC on decision WVC ADs approve football schedule

region elected to push back thee start date of its season. to report back to th i Th he WPIAL out in the west- tive h ern n part of the state will in Sept en--g HIGH SCHOOL O On to Heeig Tuesday s voted the l region ck the start of Cou un leyba rt the fal nt to sta e, noth- push rts season for vol ll cheeer tba agreeme son on tim aning fall spo ld hockey, foo ce sea rt rts fie spo . Me socccer soc to sta conferen ll ball, changed s agree cer. The play ing has WVC wi and soc furth her AD on Monday will not w, the as of no rts season football teams until Oct. 2. e ynis h have seas football’s heat begin its fall spo first gam ’s foo tba ll tball pla - their with foo ea With with atization. Wi acclimati Ha zle ton Ar g. 22 scrimMonday at he ng m Au due ers starti and the remain team lost its aree tho accli dsburg ETT week team th Strou VE BENN zation w mage wi BY STE all sports fa schools oo w iter of decision. der of the staFF Wr Aug. 17.

Executive direc tor says there is ‘vi able path’ p h for fall sports. ts

FOOTBALL

SCHO

Other lea sta ate alr gues in makin eady g alter ations ffall

PIAA sends FALL SPORTS letter to Gov. Wolf firm in Wolf, now recommendation must wait He again suggests delay until Jan. 1 as

Wait con tinues fo r athlete s, coach es with d elay

decision McCree said the tary of indi. The parents stop to the volun morning, gram in that specific pro- to put a the best “As of (Monday) als workouts is with all athlet- vidu e.” n t i re we have suspended Aug. 24 gram were made awar con- i n t e re s t o f t h e e l he is unity in ic prog rams unti es manBarrett said ver Area comm Hano for tial when practice becom “Some- cerned with the poten d as mind. said. sprea tested coronavirus to datory,” McCree “The person who in contic depart- the s get set to not come one in our athle test.” individual team ETT n, positive has disive BY STEVE BENN fall sports seaso anyone in the ment had a posit Board begin the so is tact with staFF Writer do PIAA to “After the , ance said. week Last ded clear trict,” McCree has shut d 30-2 to provi . rtment Han over Area Directors vote granted by the PIAA snow- talking with the Depa activities for of in the al start of the was it see offici felt the could we down all athletic th, “You Aug. s after a per- delay ett said. of Heal postpone sports season until the next two week ball effect,” Barr one com- the best interest to department fall activities. you see it in son in the athletic 24. all extracurricular with the g par- “When COVID-19. d you match them have been callin erne and tested positive for “We ity conc are er A mun nHanove ive We e of it,” superinte in a competit School district so they are awar nda for man calling together ett and ath- ents to get VER, Page B3 dent Nathan Barr McCree Barrett said. “We are with- nature, this is starting Please see HANO nts erning.” letic director Mike men t the parents of stude conc very prounce athletic mad e the anno in that specific Monday.

HIGH

it has gotten to a point where the majority of the school directors feel that it is in the best interest in terms of the safety of our students and all our employees in the district to suspend all action. That is what we are most concerned about.” Contact the writer: sbennett@citizensvoice.com; 570 821-2062; @cVstevebennett on twitter

KEY

Orthopedic Injury Center

1120 Oak St., Pittston coordinatedhealth.com/injury

B4 eB e WIN, Pag

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h n

GAMEFACE WEEK 8 B2

THE CITIZENS’ VOICE

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2020

TEAM SCHEDULES

HAZLETON AREA at CRE L, 18-10 at WBA L, 28-21 TUN W, 34-7 at PA W, 21-0 BER W, 30-25 at DAL W, 37-12 VW Canceled Tonight at DV, 7

WILKES-BARRE AREA WVW W, 9-8 HAZ W, 28-21 at DAL L, 34-13 at WIL L, 26-0 LAK L, 27-26 at BER Canceled PA Canceled at WVW Canceled

WILLIAMSPORT at NAN W, 43-18 at WA W, 35-14 BER W, 26-7 WBA W, 26-0 at WVW W, 48-13 HAR L, 41-0 DAL W, 48-0 Tonight vs. ALT, 7

VALLEY WEST at WBA L, 9-8 at DAL L, 48-12 PA W, 26-24 at BER Canceled WIL L, 48-13 NAN W, 42-0 HAZ Canceled WBA Canceled

PITTSTON AREA at HR Canceled BER L, 37-14 at WVW L, 26-24 HAZ L, 21-0 DAL L, 31-28 at WIL Canceled TAM Canceled WA Canceled

BERWICK at L-L at PA at WIL WVW at HAZ WBA CRE Tonight

CRESTWOOD HAZ W, 18-10 at TUN W, 33-21 at NAN W, 49-7 HR W, 42-0 WA W, 14-13 at HAN Canceled at BER W, 35-0 Saturday L-L, 1

TUNKHANNOCK at DAL Canceled CRE L, 33-21 at HAZ L, 34-7 WA L, 35-6 at NAN W, 50-14 at DUN W, 30-17 at L-L L, 42-13 Tonight HAN, 7

HANOVER AREA Windber L, 42-25 L-L L, 42-6 NAN L, 12-7 at WBA Canceled CRE Canceled SCR L, 32-12 Tonight at TUN, 7

WYOMING AREA RIV W, 30-6 WIL L, 35-14 HR W, 55-20 at TUN W, 35-6 at CRE L, 14-13 L-L L, 47-26 at NAN W, 42-7 at PA Canceled

NANTICOKE AREA WIL L, 43-18 at L-L L, 35-3 CRE L, 49-7 at HAN W, 12-7 TUN L, 50-14 at WVW L, 42-0 WA L, 42-7 Tonight at HR, 7

LAKE-LEHMAN BER W, 29-21 NAN W, 35-3 at HAN W, 42-6 DAL W, 42-0 at HR W, 48-14 at WA W, 47-26 TUN W, 42-13 Saturday at CRE, 1

HOLY REDEEMER PA Canceled at WA L, 55-20 at CRE L, 42-0 L-L L, 48-14 at TUN Canceled HC W, 40-7 Tonight NAN, 7

DALLAS (3-3) at BERWICK (1-4) When: Tonight, 7 Last meeting: Dallas, 22-12 (2019) Series: Berwick leads, 16-7 Coaches Corner: Dallas — Rich Mannello (6th season, 44-33); Berwick — Carm DeFrancesco (24th season, 2nd at Berwick; 162-104 overall, 10-7 at Berwick) Scouting report: Dallas (0.611) is currently the No. 2 seed in the Class 4A district playoff race, with North Pocono (0.501) its next closest challenger. Still, the Mountaineers need to clean some things up after getting blown out by Williamsport last week. Rocco Ormando, who leads the team with 389 yards rushing and has four of the team’s six rushing touchdowns. It’s been a tough season for the Bulldogs ﬁlled with injuries and other issues that never really gave the team a chance to get on track. Berwick allowed 91 points over its last three games while scoring 32.

HANOVER AREA (0-4) at TUNKHANNOCK (2-4) When: Tonight, 7 Last meeting: Tunkhannock, 41-6 (2007) Series: Tied, 6-6 Coaches Corner: Hanover Area — Rickey Hummer (2nd season, 3-12); Tunkhannock — Mike Marabell (3rd season, 10-17) Scouting report: After dressing just 17 in last week’s loss to Scranton, Hanover Area is hoping to get back some players in time for tonight. With the offensive options at a minimum last week, tight end Connor Hummer became the featured back and rushed for 135 yards in his first significant time in the backfield this year. That was enough for him to become the team’s top rusher on the season. He is averaging 8.5 yards per carry. This is a short week for Tunkhannock after having played Monday night. Tunkhannock quarterback Jack Chilson needs 268 passing yards to reach 5,000 for his career.

NANTICOKE AREA (1-6) at HOLY REDEEMER (1-3) When: Tonight, 7 Last meeting: Nanticoke Area, 27-7 (2019) Series: Nanticoke Area leads, 10-3 Coaches Corner: Nanticoke Area — Ron Bruza (11th season, 42-68); Holy Redeemer — Tyson Kelley (2nd season, 1-12) Scouting report: Nanticoke Area is trying to end its season with a win for the third time since 2012. Joe Fox (349 yards) and Aidan Jaskulski (7.3 yards per carry) have combined for four touchdowns this season and 102 carries. Holy Redeemer is looking to have its first two-win season since 2017. That year, its first win also came against Holy Cross. The Royals are also trying to win back-to-back games for the first time in the history of the program, which goes back to 2007. Christian Leon with 180 yards rushing, and Matt Schuler with 174 lead the team. The Royals average 4.7 yards per carry.

PIGSKIN

PICKS

Canceled W, 48-12 W, 34-13 L, 42-0 W, 31-28 L, 37-12 L, 48-0 at BER, 7

NORTHWEST at CMVT W, 36-6 at MONT W, 21-10 at BUCK W, 42-6 S.WIL L, 21-14 at MUN L, 21-13 LM L, 47-20 CAN Canceled

HAZLETON AREA (4-2) at DELAWARE VALLEY (3-1) When: Tonight, 7 Last meeting: Delaware Valley, 41-7 (2019) Series: Delaware Valley leads, 12-5 Coaches Corner: Hazleton Area — Dennis Buchman (1st season, 4-2); Delaware Valley — Keith Olsommer (22nd season, 156-88)

LAKE-LEHMAN at CRESTWOOD

Scouting report: This is the District 2 Class 6A championship, with the winner playing either Williamsport or Altoona next week. Delaware Valley is on a 12-game winning streak against the Cougars, and won all four Class 6A district championships since the state expanded to six classes. Hazleton Area is on a four-game winning streak. Quarterback Kellen Warner has 1,074 yards passing and six touchdowns. Running back Matt Buchman is averaging 5.1 yards per carry, and Matt Cusatis leads the team with 28 receptions for 364 yards and three TDs.

Black Knights (7-0) at Comets (6-0) Saturday, 1 p.m.

Players to watch

Lake-Lehman and Crestwood are already WVC division champions; the Black Knights in Division 3 and the Comets in Division 2. Both are undefeated, but only one will have the opportunity to finish the regular season that way after they square off Saturday afternoon at Crestwood. “They are 6-0, we are 7-0; you have two undefeated teams that are going to be playing at Crestwood,” Lake-Lehman coach Jerry Gilsky said. “It is going to be an interesting game.” There is no reason to believe it won’t be. Lake-Lehman leads the Wyoming Valley Conference in total offense, averaging 363.8 yards and 40.7 points per game. Crestwood features the top defense in the WVC, giving up 168.0 yards of total offense. The Comets are No. 1 against the run and third against the pass. LakeLehman has been pretty stout on defense, too. The Black Knights are second against the run, fifth against the pass and allow 182.8 yards per game. Crestwood gives up 8.5 points per game and Lake-Lehman 11.8. “Basically, the way we are looking at it, Crestwood is going to try and go right at us,” Gilsky said. “Identical to what Wyoming Area tried to do. You look at the Wyoming Area against Crestwood game. They were neck and neck the whole game. There were a lot of miscues by Wyoming Area and Crestwood capitalized on them.” Lake-Lehman beat Wyoming Area, 47-26, while Crestwood edged the Warriors, 14-13. But Crestwood was a much different team then. It was one of three games this year the Comets did not have starting quarterback Ryan Petrosky under center — he played wide receiver and caught one pass for a 12-yard touchdown. Noah Schultz and Brendan Dennis, a pair of sophomores, ran the Crestwood offense instead. In his return to quarterback last week at Berwick, Petrosky threw for 190 yards and two touchdowns. “Petrosky is an athlete, we know that,” Gilsky said. “He was banged up a bit. He brings an added offensive threat dimension wise. We have to try and contain him and keep him inside the box.” Petrosky and Lake-Lehman quarterback Ethan Adams can both run and throw. Adams is completing 63.8% of his passes for 1,476 yards and 17 touchdowns. Ryan Eiden is a dual-threat out of the backfield. He has 529 yards rushing and 25 receptions for 402 yards. Jacob Monko emerged as one of the key players on the outside. He has 14

DALLAS TUN WVW WBA at L-L at PA HAZ at WIL Tonight

D V

GAME OF THE WEEK K

BY STEVE BENNETT STAFF WRITER

L, 29-21 W, 37-14 L, 26-7 Canceled L, 30-25 Canceled L, 35-0 DAL, 7

A ETHAN ADAMS Lake-Lehman, QB The senior has completed 74 of 116 passes for 1,476 yards and 17 touchdowns. He is averaging 19.9 yards per completion.

JIMMY HAWLEY Crestwood, RB Averaging 4.4 yards per carry and has rushed for three touchdowns on the season.

Game notes

WILLIAMSPORT (6-1) vs. ALTOONA (3-2) When: Tonight, 7 Last meeting: Williamsport, 31-0 (2019) Series: Williamsport leads, 39-33-3 Coaches corner: Williamsport — Charles Crews Jr. (10th season, 6th at Williamsport; 50-55 overall, 39-26 at Williamsport); Altoona — Vince Nedimyer Jr. (2nd season, 4-11) Scouting report: Williamsport’s only loss came to state-power Harrisburg. Quarterback Frankie Morrone has thrown for 1,086 yards and 14 touchdowns. Tight end Nassir Jones leads the team with 32 catches for 429 yards. He has six touchdown receptions and is averaging 13.4 yards per catch. Altoona advanced with a surprise one-point victory over State College. Altoona’s losses came to Hollidaysburg and Central Dauphin. Tonight’s game will be played Bald Eagle Area High School.

Last meeting: Crestwood, 27-26 (2007) Series: Lake-Lehman leads, 18-7 Coaches Corner: Lake-Lehman — Jerry Gilsky (11th season, 78-43); Crestwood — Ryan Arcangeli (2nd season, 13-5) receptions, half going for touchdowns and is averaging 34.1 yards per catch. Jake Trumbower and Marshall Woodrosky also have big-play capabilities. But Lehman knows the Crestwood defense is going to be aggressive and come after them. Lake-Lehman will be challenged, too. Petrosky has 163 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Kaleb Benjamin and Jimmy Hawley have combined for 491 yards and seven touchdowns, proving the Comets can share the ball in the running game. Nick Kreuzer and Brendan DeMarzo have combined for 22 receptions and three touchdown catches, while tight end Logan Arnold can sneak off the line and catch the ball in traffic, too. He averages 12.1 yards per catch and has three touchdowns. “Just looking at them, they like to go at you,” Gilsky said. “They try to get you in a lull to try and get you inside. Then they get you with the outside perimeter game.”

TODAY FM 96.3, FM 94.7 and AM 1280 The Coach DeFrancesco Show, 6 p.m. Dallas at Berwick, 6:30 p.m. FM 104.3, FM 105.5, AM 930 The Friday Football Commute, 6 p.m. Central Columbia at Bloomsburg, 6:30 SATURDAY ALT 92.1: Lake-Lehman at Crestwood, 1 ESPN Radio Valley View at Scranton Prep, 1:30 p.m.

TUNE IN TELEVISION TODAY Service Electric Channel 9 Nanticoke Area at Holy Redeemer, 7 WQMY: Honesdale at West Scranton, 7 PCN: Emmaus at Parkland, 7 SATURDAY Service Electric Channel 7 Lake-Lehman at Crestwood, 1 p.m. WQMY: Valley View at Scranton Prep, 1:30 PCN: Shamokin at Selinsgrove, 7

MATT BUFANO Staff writer

TYLER PICCOTTI Staff writer

STEVE BENNETT Staff writer

CHRIS IMPERIALE Sports editor

Retired sports editor

JIM REESER City editor

THE CONSENSUS

2020: 37-10 Last: 5-1

2020: 39-6 Last: 6-0

Berwick

Dallas

Berwick

Dallas

Pick ’em

Nanticoke Area at Holy Redeemer

Nanticoke Area

Hazleton Area at Delaware Valley

Delaware Valley

Hanover Area at Tunkhannock

Tunkhannock

Lake-Lehman at Crestwood

Lake-Lehman

Dallas at Berwick

2020: 40-7 Last: 6-0

2020: 39-8 Last: 6-0

NEIL CORBETT

TUNE IN RADIO

2020: 38-9 Last: 6-0

GAMEFACE WEEK 8 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2020

THE CITIZENS’ VOICE B9

THROUGH THEIR EYES

WVC seniors reflect on pandemic-shortened, roller-coaster season BY STEVE BENNETT STAFF WRITER

We’ve never seen a high school football season like this one. All the questions and emotions, there was no way in telling from when the season began Sept. 11 just how far the journey would take us. With COVID-19 a bigger factor than a blitzing linebacker or a new offensive scheme, the 2020 high school football season is filled with a tremendous amount of ups and downs and highs and lows never seen before in the Wyoming Valley Conference. There were games canceled. There were games that were originally canceled, but after negative COVID-19 tests returned, whether it be following contact tracing or other means, some of those games were played. Some teams completed the eight-game schedule, while others were not so fortunate We began the season in Week 1 with no fans in the stands. Just essential game personnel that included players, game officials and workers necessary to carry through with a football game. In some cases, games were pushed back a day or two to accommodate a team that was able to reschedule a game and play it on a Monday or Tuesday, only to come back a few days later and play again. Initially, cheerleaders and band members were not allowed to attend games in their home stadium. That changed where they were permitted in, but only for home games. Spectators were eventually allowed to attend, mostly parents or relatives, and a few schools found a way to get some students through the gates, but only on a limited basis. Fans had to check in at the gate. Temperatures were taken and those fans were asked to practice social distancing. Coaches and game officials wore masks on the field, ball boys wore gloves on the sidelines. Water was distributed through clear plastic bottles in most cases, and players even brought their own water jugs from home. There was no charging out of the locker room onto the field at the start of the game. That tradition was replaced for the most part by hosting pregame and halftime talks in a tent at one end of the field since nearly all stadiums closed the locker rooms. There were games this season we may never have thought possible or ones we haven’t seen for a while. The schedules primarily remained local regardless of classification of the participating teams. Hanover Area replaced one of its canceled games with Windber, located near Johnstown. Williamsport played Harrisburg. Nanticoke Area played Valley West and Lakeland played at Wilkes-Barre Area. Pittston Area and Northwest Area shut down their seasons. So did Valley West, but three days later was able to return. It was certainly a season nobody is going to forget for a long time. F rom summer through the end of October it was what the players and coaches wanted. Administrators were torn, but the Wyoming Valley Conference sent out a full complement of teams for the abbreviated eight-game regular season. Parents, too, they were all for a season, wanting that one last chance to see their senior son step out on the football field. It was stressful for everyone involved, knowing that it was a day-by-day, hour-by-hour situation that could change at anytime. But it was the kids who this was supposed to be all about. So for the purpose of this story, here are the thoughts of some senior players on the 2020 season. Tunkhannock’s Jack Chilson, Dallas quarterback R.J. Wren, Wilkes-Barre Area’s Kam Taylor and Berwick’s Blane Cleaver all shared their insights on what the season was like for them. (Cleaver, a West Point Army commit, missed the season because of an injury suffered in the preseason).

R.J. WREN Dallas

KAM TAYLOR

Wilkes-Barre Area

nnn Was there any apprehension that there would be a season this year, and when did you believe it would actually take place? WREN: We kind of always had the thought there wouldn’t be a season. It was kind of when we were able to start (heat acclimatization), that is when we knew we would be playing. TAYLOR: Just knowing the possibility there wouldn’t be a season even through we were practicing was tough. I think it was when heat acc started that we would actually have a season. CLEAVER: This season was a lot different. There were injuries, we weren’t able to be in the weight room as we normally would be. It was just an uneasy feeling, just a lot of unexplained. It was a territory that we have never been in before. CHILSON: We were going through Zoom meetings in March. The whole time doing them we were all thinking we were doing this for nothing. I didn’t get my hopes up because of how things were going in the summer. Once we started practicing in July and following the guidelines, I figured we would have a season, whether it would be like a regular one or not. nnn You had games canceled or altered because of COVID-19. What are the emotions like when that happens? WREN: It’s a weird feeling. You are sad then kind of mad. Then you can’t really do anything about it. Just a bunch of mixed feelings. We can’t do anything about it, we don’t know much about it. It was just all mixed up. TAYLOR: It was definitely very tough for me and the team. With me getting injured in the second game and not being able to play in the next three games. Then I finally get cleared and the day of the game I was going to be playing in we found out about a COVID situation. It hit hard. I was so eager to get back. CLEAVER: When games were canceled or postponed it was detrimental to the team, especially in our situation. We were looking at wins or losses. If we get this game we have a shot to get in the playoffs. If we lose this game we are done. Just a lot of thinking like that. CHILSON: Week 1, our game got canceled three hours before. I was crushed. Being a senior and knowing this is our last right. I already accepted it wasn’t going to be normal. We were hoping to get eight games in like the schedule said. I feel for the guys at Pittston Area. We are all competitors on the field and trying to beat each other. At the end of the day I want the best for my brothers on other teams. nnn At what point during the Friday of game day did you finally relax and realize you were actually going to play a game that night? WREN: When I would get to the locker room before the game. That is when I knew we were always going to play. TAYLOR: Personally for myself, I always am relaxed and ready to go. As you get closer to the game you get more excited. I just feel that I am usually always locked in. CLEAVER: At one point this year we had a game canceled on a Saturday morning when we were supposed to play that night.

JACK CHILSON Tunkhannock

It was weird waking up to a text seeing we didn’t have a game that night. It could have happened at any point. I always thought in the back of my mind that there may be a point where we arrived for an away game and they could tell us we aren’t playing. It was just a different situation. CHILSON: When we get on the bus. When our Dallas game was canceled I was getting on the bus in 20 minutes. I remember going through my checklist for my equipment. I felt the most mentally prepared for that game. Then for us to get canceled, it was devastating. When I get on the bus then I can take a deep breath and realize I have another game. nnn As leaders on your teams, how were you able to handle the situation and what message did you relay to the players on the team? WREN: We just told them to keep their heads up. Don’t go into the darkness and to stay positive. We knew we would play a couple of games. Just keep grinding. TAYLOR: With everything going on, a couple of the guys felt the season was over. We haven’t been doing anything. We have a group chat. We are always texting and telling them to stay ready and keep football on their minds. Everything happens for a reason. When the time comes for us to be back we have to capitalize. CLEAVER: Our season didn’t go as planned. We have a very tight group, I don’t think I have been on a team that has been as close as this one. No matter what our record says, it doesn’t prove how close we are and what we do for each other. CHILSON: It was tough. Usually as a senior you can say we have seven more games, two more games. Every day I just tell them this could be our last day, our last game. I was told my freshman year it comes to an end quick. I told the younger kids to treat this year like it is your senior season. You are lucky if you get more than 50 games in high school. Just control what you can control. nnn How much attention to detail regarding the safety protocols did you pay attention to what your teammates were doing? WREN: (Coach Rich) Mannello is on us a lot about that. He always makes sure we pay attention to detail. We are always 6 feet apart, wearing masks. We have been doing that since we started in the summer. We are still doing it. TAYLOR: It is something we got used to after having to go through it for a while. When we are together we make sure it is a big focus. We wear masks, we social distance. I feel we did well with it. Even though we had some COVID issues, it didn’t have anything to do with the sports programs. We felt we did the job. We have to continue to follow those guidelines. Not just for sport but in life in general. CLEAVER: We monitored what the underclassmen did. Due to the pandemic when we were able to get in the weight room we had to be there at certain times with certain players. We had to social distance. I think we all adapted to it really well. CHILSON: Being a senior leader there was a lot on my shoulders and the shoulders of

BLANE CLEAVER Berwick

nnn Did you get a sense that there was less bitterness between opponents this year because you all realized everyone was in the same position? WREN: I think really the thing is we are all happy we are playing. We kind of take for granted we are going to play every game. This year we are just happy to be out there playing against each other. TAYLOR: Most definitely. We really had to appreciate our games, not just the seniors. Coaches always say you never know when it will be your last play. The two games I was in there were a lot of emotions. Everyone was just happy to play. There was a lot of respect both ways. CLEAVER: I think so. This year brought the football community together. Players and coaches from the opposite teams. When we scrimmaged Southern Columbia, we were having conversations with them before and after plays. You see more players helping each other up this year. We had each others backs. CHILSON: I do think so. I’ve never been a guy to talk smack on the field. I think the seniors especially kind of felt we are all in it together. The games I played in I felt there was a lot more mutual respect and appreciation for each other. We are all going through this together. I have been talking with guys from Crestwood, Lehman, other schools I normally wouldn’t have talked to in past years. Just the sense that no game is guaranteed. It is something we all have in common. It did bring the league and district together. nnn What is your biggest takeaway from this year? WREN: Don’t take it for granted. It can always be taken away from you. Play every down like it’s your last. TAYLOR: Personally, I just have to know adversity always comes. I faced a lot of it this year. It is my last year, it was a big year for me for getting looked at. It made me appreciate this year. It sucked, but I feel everything happens for a reason. Just have to build off this and make myself a better player. CLEAVER: Just in general, live life in the moment and play every play like it is your last because you never know when it is going to be your last. CHILSON: Whether it is football or family, don’t take anything for granted. Appreciate everything while you have it. Surround yourself with people going through the same thing you are. You will find friends and family for life because of it. nnn Twenty years from now when you look back at the 2020 season, what will you tell everyone? WREN: Probably one of the craziest football seasons that anyone has ever seen. TAYLOR: It was a love-hate relationship. Obviously, some points made you not necessarily hate it, but you hate what happened. Also, I had a lot of good memories. Just take everything in. CLEAVER: It was a different time period. Completely out of the usual. Nothing was normal from coaches wearing masks, from refs not able to touch the ball and the players not able to be together. It was a different atmosphere. It took away from the football aspect because we were all worried about everyone’s safety. CHILSON: Walking through the halls at school, seeing everyone wearing masks. Looking back I will be able to teach my children and those around me the values and lessons learned through this. I can look back at my senior year and it is going to be different than anyone else’s senior year of football. I can think that I lived through that. That was my life for how many ever months.

the other captains. We have been really good with it. Our locker room is all split and we socially distance. We are wearing masks at all times. Our school has taken it seriously, as we should. It really paid off. It sucks when we hear our opponent is not able to play us. I tell the guys to think about how we felt we when have our games postponed or canceled. We want to make sure it is not coming from our end. nnn Did you talk to your teammates about what they should and should not be doing away from the stadium? WREN: When you are home take a lot of vitamins, get enough sleep. We wanted to make sure they were not doing anything stupid around other people when you don’t know where they have been. TAYLOR: Coach (Ciro Cinti) always relays the message at every practice. Make sure we keep our masks on when we are not at practice. We want to make sure we social distance and make the right decision. We are old enough to make our own decision. When I am with the other guys on the team we still follow the rules coach applies and try to do the right thing. CLEAVER: Our coaches stressed outside of football activities to make sure we are safe and not be in an uncomfortable situation. We kept an eye out for ourselves and other teammates. It was about the team, not just ourselves. CHILSON: My girlfriend plays on a travel basketball team. I have stayed away her this entire season. At the end of the day you have to limit your exposure and the people you are around. It only takes one person. You don’t want to look back and regret you went to a party and cost your team two games. nnn Was it difficult to block out rumors and speculation about the possibility of the season getting shut down? WREN: It was kind of hard not to listen. It was like we were hearing it all the time. I was just always thinking that they are only rumors. TAYLOR: Yes. I would say it was at first for the team. Everyone wants to play. Obviously, it was something on our minds. It was a big topic in the media. It was something we couldn’t block out in everyday life. I would say it was at first for the team. Everyone wants to play. Obviously something on our mind. CLEAVER: Definitely. You kind of felt that maybe it was going to happen this day or the next day. Football was approved at the PIAA meeting. It just left like everything was up and down. Nobody knew what the next day was going to entail. C H I L S O N : Definitely. I remember there were nights laying awake and I would be watching film. I remember one play in particular when we made the comeback against Pittston last year. I scored a rushing touchdown and I could see myself looking the stands and I got goosebumps. The fact of having a season without fans or not a season at all made me upset. Obviously, I am just happy to be playing. We are excited this week because it will be the first home game with some students in the stands. The biggest thing that made me nervous was seeing what some other states were doing. Some were cancelling the Contact the writer: season, some were going to the sbennett@citizensvoice.com; spring. @CVSteveBennett on Twitter

GAMEFACE WEEK 8 B10 THE CITIZENS’ VOICE

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2020

PLAYERS TO WATCH SHAWN SHEPTOCK Berwick Has 112 yards rushing and one touchdown this season, and nine receptions for 118 yards. BEN FIFE Dallas The wide receiver leads the team with 23 catches, while averaging 23.0 yards per reception. Also, leads the team with six touchdown catches.

WVC TEAM STATS OFFENSE

SHAWN SHEPTOCK

CONNOR HUMMER Hanover Area Leads the team in rushing with 136 yards on 16 carries. Is also the team’s leading receiver with nine catches for 122 yards and one touchdown.

ETHAN ADAMS Lake-Lehman The senior quarterback is 74 for 116 for 1,476 yards passing and 17 touchdowns. He is averaging 19.9 yards per completion.

CATAL ORMANDO

JOE FOX Nanticoke Area Senior running back is averaging 5.7 yards per carry and has 349 yards rushing this season. He has two of the team’s six rushing touchdowns. BEN CHILSON Tunkhannock The wide receiver is tied for the team lead in receptions with 25. He is averaging 9.8 yards per catch and has one touchdown reception on the year. NASSIR JONES Williamsport The tight end is leading the team in receptions with 32. He has 429 yards receiving and averages 13.4 yards per catch. He has a team-best six touchdown catches.

DEFENSE

Run Pass Total Avg.

Crestwood Pittston Area Holy Redeemer Berwick Lake-Lehman Wilkes-Barre Area Hanover Area Hazleton Area Williamsport Valley West Wyoming Area Tunkhannock Dallas Nanticoke Area

501 507 1008 144 777 255 1032 172 777 311 1088 217.6 485 787 1272 181.7 645 635 1280 182.9 690 718 1408 201.1 867 557 1424 237.3 633 820 1453 207.6 1060 577 1637 204.6 1038 616 1654 236.3 931 940 1871 267.3 771 1112 1883 235.4 1172 929 2101 300.1 1419 866 2285 326.4

WVC LEADERS

MATT BUCHMAN Hazleton Area The running back leads the team with 542 yards. Is averaging 5.1 yards per carry and has three rushing touchdowns. CATAL ORMANDO Holy Redeemer The quarterback has 267 yards passing and four touchdowns this season while averaging 19.1 yards per completion.

Run Pass Total Avg.

Lake-Lehman 982 1566 2548 364 Williamsport 987 1182 2169 271.1 Wyoming Area 1475 577 2052 293.1 Hazleton Area 742 1074 1816 259.4 Tunkhannock 829 938 1767 220.9 Crestwood 962 768 1730 247.1 Dallas 682 831 1513 216.1 Berwick 955 353 1308 186.9 Nanticoke Area 1002 192 1194 170.6 Valley West 713 477 1190 170 Pittston Area 613 531 1144 190.7 Wilkes-Barre Area 786 349 1135 162.1 Holy Redeemer 570 292 862 172.4 Hanover Area 397 399 796 132.7

BEN CHILSON

— STEVE BENNETT

WHAT’S THE SCORE?

Follow @cvgameface on Twitter for updates from the games.

ORTHOPEDIC INJURY CENTER

Be seen immediately by an orthopedic specialist. Now off ffering f 24/7 virtual care and walk-in visits for:

• Back pain • Fractures/breaks • Sprains and strains 1120 Oak St., Pittston coordinatedhealth.com/injury 610-861-8111

RUSHING Att Yds Matthew Buchman, Haz 107 542 Ryan Eiden, LL 58 529 Dontae Rhodes, WVW 69 500 Drew Mruk, WA 46 410 Rocco Ormando, Dal 57 389 Nasir Hennigan, Wil 70 363 Joe Fox, NA 61 349 Vincenzo Giambra, WA 46 321 Keith Freeman, Wil 39 309 Aidan Jaskulski, NA 41 301 Benjamin Knorr, Ber 62 294 Noah Taylor, WB 66 271 Kaleb Benjamin, Crest 45 251 Ethan Adams, LL 44 251 Leo Haros, WA 33 248 Ty Konen, Tunk 64 240 Jimmy Hawley, Crest 54 240 PASS C-A-I Yds Ethan Adams, LL 74-116-4 1476 F. Morrone, Wil 82-130-4 1096 K. Warner, Haz 83-145-7 1074 J. Chilson, Tunk 88-178-9 875 RJ Wren, Dal 42-74-3 758 J. Williams, WA 35-79-4 562 R. Petrosky, Crest 32-45-2 556 P.J. Pisano, PA 36-77-3 480 D. Rhodes, WVW 30-62-4 477 Joe Curcio, HA 20-51-4 357 B. Knorr, Ber 25-54-0 350 C. Ormando, HR 14-39-2 267 M. Marcella, NA 13-52-8 194 Kam Taylor, WB 13-29-0 187 J. McClary, WB 10-25-6 162 RECEIVING Rec Yds Nassir Jones, Wil 32 429 Matthew Cusatis, Haz 28 364 Connor Shamany, Haz 26 339 Ryan Eiden, LL 25 402 Nathan Lord, Tunk 25 304 Ben Chilson, Tunk 25 244 Ben Fife, Dal 23 529 David Behm, PA 17 335 Cameron Sims, Wil 17 247 Keith Freeman, Wil 16 226 Jake Trumbower, LL 15 279 Jacob Monko, LL 14 477 Nick Kreuzer, Crest 12 281 Brendan DeMarzo, Crest 11 186 Parker Bolesta, Dal 11 95 Zach Perta, HR 11 186 Michael Sickler, Tunk 11 105 KICKING XP Elliot Wannop, Wil 21 Max Paczewski, LL 23 Luke Russo, Haz 17 Ethan Shudak, Crest 21 Jace Chopyak, Dal 12 Sydney Kruszka, WA 14 Gavin Montross, Tunk 13 Brendan Hinkle, Ber 9 Jayden Rusyn, WA 8 Michael Deutsch-Jones, WB 7 Matthew Soy, PA 9 Sophia Lukowski, NA 3 Max Paczewski, LL 2 Nick Dunleavy, HR 4 Anthony Thomas, PA 0 Ryan Stevens, WVW 2

Avg. 5.1 9.1 7.2 8.9 6.8 5.2 5.7 7 7.9 7.3 4.7 4.1 5.6 5.7 7.5 3.8 4.4 TD 17 14 8 6 9 5 5 3 6 3 1 4 2 1 1 Avg. 13.4 13 13 16.1 12.2 9.8 23 19.7 14.5 14.1 18.6 34.1 23.4 16.9 8.6 16.9 9.5 FG 4 1 2 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 0

TD 4 10 5 9 4 3 2 8 5 2 5 2 2 6 3 1 3 Rate 212.1 163.3 128 91.7 174.8 114.8 202.7 104.2 132 101.7 106.9 117 38.3 110.4 59.6 TD 6 4 1 2 1 1 5 3 4 4 2 7 1 2 2 3 2 Pts. 33 26 23 21 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 6 5 4 3 2

SCORING TD 2Pt XP FG Pts. Ryan Eiden, LL 13 1 0 0 80 Keith Freeman, Wil 9 1 0 0 56 Drew Mruk, WA 9 0 0 0 54 Vincenzo Giambra, WA 8 1 0 0 50 Jacob Monko, LL 8 0 0 0 48 Nassir Jones, Wil 7 0 0 0 42 Ethan Adams, LL 6 2 0 0 40 Jack Chilson, Tunk 6 0 0 0 36 Elliot Wannop, Wil 0 0 21 4 33 Dontae Rhodes, WVW 5 1 0 0 32 Benjamin Knorr, Ber 5 0 0 0 30 Cameron Sims, Wil 5 0 0 0 30 Ben Fife, Dal 5 0 0 0 30 Kevin Meluskey, Haz 5 0 0 0 30 Matthew Buchman, Haz 4 1 0 0 26 Max Paczewski, LL 0 0 23 1 26 Jake Trumbower, LL 4 0 0 0 24 Matthew Cusatis, Haz 4 0 0 0 24 Rocco Ormando, Dal 4 0 0 0 24 Ryan Petrosky, Crest 4 0 0 0 24 Logan Arnold, Crest 4 0 0 0 24 Tyler Weidman, WVW 4 0 0 0 24 Leo Haros, WA 4 0 0 0 24 Jayden Rusyn, WA 2 0 8 1 23 Luke Russo, Haz 0 0 17 2 23 Ethan Shudak, Crest 0 0 21 0 21 Noah Schultz, Crest 3 0 0 0 18 Jimmy Hawley, Crest 3 0 0 0 18 Elijah Jordan, WB 3 0 0 0 18 Kam Taylor, WB 3 0 0 0 18 Nasir Hennigan, Wil 3 0 0 0 18 Dave Sudo, PA 3 0 0 0 18 David Behm, PA 3 0 0 0 18 Dante Matarella, Haz 3 0 0 0 18 Parker Bolesta, Dal 3 0 0 0 18 Bobby Sabecky, HA 3 0 0 0 18 Jacob Hunter, HR 3 0 0 0 18 Zach Perta, HR 3 0 0 0 18 Colby Kennedy, LL 3 0 0 0 18 Joe Fox, NA 3 0 0 0 18

STANDINGS WYOMING VALLEY CONFERENCE CLASS 6A/5A W L PF Williamsport 6 1 226 Hazleton Area 4 2 153 Wilkes-Barre Area 2 3 76 Valley West 2 3 101 CLASS 4A Crestwood 6 0 191 Dallas 3 3 125 Tunkhannock 2 4 127 Berwick 1 4 90 Pittston Area 0 4 66 CLASS 3A Lake-Lehman 7 0 285 Wyoming Area 4 3 215 Holy Redeemer 1 3 74 Nanticoke Area 1 6 61 Hanover Area 0 4 50

PA 93 90 116 129 51 180 175 134 115 83 135 152 268 128

NORTHERN TIER LEAGUE Northwest 2 3 104 105