High School Football Beat

THE CITIZENS’ VOICE

Sports Wednesday, august 19, 2020

PENN STATE

Barbour braces for more money trouble

AD’s tenure began with Penn State facing similar financial crisis.

BY DONNIE COLLINS staFF WRIteR

In 2014, Sandy Barbour took over an athletic department staring down financial peril.

On the ledgers, Penn State had taken out a $48

SANDY BARBOUR Penn state athletic director million loan to pay off the fine levied by the NCAA and payable to child sexabuse issues in Pennsylvania as part of its punishment for the Jerry Sandusky scandal. In the

coffers, it had $30 million earmarked to cover a significant slate of operating expenses for a few years. In terms of reserves, there was nothing. Rebuilding the proud athletic department with a football program still reeling from sanctions and a national perception of disgrace didn’t promise to be an easy task.

Today, Penn State is star-

ing down fiscal issues that, potentially, are bigger than the ones Barbour inherited. In her seventh year at the head of the athletic department, the vice president for Intercollegiate Athletics said Penn State could lose more than $100 million if coronavirus concerns prevent football from being played this academic year, and they’ve already been postponed by the Big

Ten this fall. That number would only drop, she said, to the tens of millions of dollars if games are held without paying customers in the seats.

“We have a long history and tradition of comprehensive excellence, across a fairly large number of sports, and certainly one of my goals would be to continue that tradition and continue that as one of our long-held

values,” Barbour said. “But having said that, obviously, this is going to be a very difficult financial situation.”

So as athletic departments like Penn State’s merely cross fingers when it comes to a potential spring football season that could help alleviate some of the burden, they have already begun thinking of ways to mitigate the strain.

Please see PSU, Page B3

SPEAKING OUT

HIGH SCHOOL

Lake-Lehman super to rally for fall sports

BY STEVE BENNETT staFF WRIteR

As superintendent at Lake-Lehman High School, Jim McGovern’s first responsibility is to his district. He listens to the students as well as the community.

On Thursday morning, McGovern will be allowed 10 minutes to state his case as a speaker at a Let Them Play PA Rally at the state Capitol in Harrisburg.

The rally comes one day before the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Board of Directors meet to determine the fate of the fall sports season. Parents and athletes from schools around the state are expected to be in attendance, pleading their case to Gov. Tom Wolf, who made a recommendation that school and youth sports not be played until at least Jan. 1, 2021 as a way to mitigate the coronavirus pandemic.

“As much as I would like to address the governor, we are just spinning our wheels if we think he is going to change his position,” McGovern said. “It is not based on granular data, but data used from other states such as youth camps. It is hard for me to use that with my job to see what is in the best interest of the Lake-Lehman School District.”

At several press briefings since making his recommendation, Wolf has maintained his stance that sports not be held. Ultimately, the decision will be left in the hands of local school districts as well as leagues and conferences. The Lackawanna League has altered its fall schedule, while the Wyoming Valley Conference recently voted to hold an eight-game football season and made adjustments to schedules in other sports. The first day of fall practice is Monday.

PIAA officials met with representatives from the governor’s office last week to discuss Wolf ’s recommendation. The governor’s office stood firm with its stance.

On Tuesday, PIAA executive director Please see McGOVERN, Page B3

CItIZens’ VOICe FILe

Lake-Lehman superintendent Jim McGovern will speak at the Let Them Play PA Rally in Harrisburg on Thursday.

PIAA wants to move forward with fall

BY JOBY FAWCETT staFF WRIteR

Signs are pointing to there being high school sports in Pennsylvania this fall.

Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association executive director Robert Lombardi addressed the state’s Athletic Oversight

Committee on Tuesday and told the panel of six state lawmakers, that based on prescreening data, the PIAA is ready for a safe return to school sports.

“It is worth at least attempting to pursue a fall sports program,” Lombardi said during the

video conference. “We would like to move forward with the start of fall sports. It is important to make this attempt.”

The PIAA Board of Directors is scheduled to meet Friday to determine if it will go against the recommendation of Gov. Tom Wolf, who prefers no school

or youth sports occur until Jan. 1 at the earliest. The first day of official practice is scheduled for Monday.

Meanwhile, in a press conference Tuesday, state Secretary of Health Rachel Levine stated the governor’s office does not intend to turn his “strong Please see PIAA, Page B3

Gover takes over Lehman boys soccer

BY MATT BUFANO staFF WRIteR

The stars aligned for Lake-Lehman boys soccer on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019.

Greg Gover, in his first year as junior varsity head coach and varsity assistant coach, watched as both of his Black Knights teams defeated

Valley West School District, was still getting to know his new players, but that process sped up dramatically from that day forward.

“It was a really neat Dallas in the “Cleary thing. We played them at Cup” rivalry.

Dallas and it was the first Gover, who previously time in a few years that coached in the Wyoming Lehman had won,” Gover GREG GOVER Lake-Lehman head coach

recalled. “Just to see the kids … after that, I was pretty certain that I was in it for the long haul.”

T h e L a ke - L e h m a n School Board on Monday appointed Gover as head coach.

H e re p l a c e s M i ke Kostrobala, who stepped Please see LEHMAN, Page

NHL PLAYOFFS

Hart puts Flyers win away

Makes 29 saves for second straight shutout as Philly takes 3-1 series lead. assOCIated PRess

TORONTO — Carter Hart is making postseason history and has the Flyers on the brink of advancing to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade.

Hart stopped 29 shots for his second straight shutout, Michael Raffl and Phil Myers each scored and the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Montreal Canadiens, 2-0, on Tuesday to take a 3-1 lead in their Eastern Conference playoff series.

The top-seeded Flyers can wrap up the series in Game 5 on Wednesday. The Flyers haven’t advanced to the second round of the playoffs

since 2012, made the Stanley Cup Final since 2010 or won it all since 1975.

Put in Broad Street in a bubble. The Flyers are playing like a serious contender to win the Cup. “Everybody’s just committed to winning right now and battling hard,” Hart said.

It’s the fifth time in NHL history a goalie had back-toback postseason shutouts before age 23 and the first

since Felix Potvin in 1994.

Hart again led the way. He became the youngest goalie in Flyers history to notch a shutout in Game 3 on Sunday at 22 years, 3 days and followed it up with another stellar effort against the Canadiens.

Hart is the second-youngest goaltender in NHL history to record back-to-back shutouts in the playoffs. Harry Lumley was 18 years, 161 Please see FLYERS, Page B2

FRanK gunn / tHe CanadIan PRess

Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart makes a save on Montreal Canadiens defenseman Brett Kulak (77) during the second period Tuesday.

SPORTS

Wednesday, august 19, 2020

tHe CItIZens' VOICe B3

Extra year of eligibility for NCAA fall athletes?

BY RALPH D. RUSSO assOCIated PRess

COLLEGE

Whether college football players play a lot in the fall, a little in the spring or not at all over the next 10 months, some athletic administrators want to give them a mulligan on the 2020-21 season.

The NCAA Division I Council meets today with two important issues on the agenda: ■ What will happen with the eligibility of fall sport athletes heading into an uncertain season already impacted by the pandemic?

■ Should the NCAA stage fall sports championship events in the spring now that

most of Division I has punted on trying to play sports in the first portion of the school year?

The Council’s job is to make a recommendation that the Division I Board of Directors can vote on when it meets Friday.

“I think the most forgiving, flexible plan would be the best,” Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione said of the first question.

The council already made one recommendation last week. A year of eligibility and an additional season of competition would be grant-

ed to fall sport athletes who opt out of this coming season because of COVID-19 concerns or if they participate in 50% or less of the maximum number of competitions allowed by NCAA rules.

For a football player, that would be half or fewer of 12 regular-season games. Most of the Division I teams still hoping to play this fall have fewer than 12 games scheduled.

Meanwhile, four Bowl Subdivision conferences and all of the Championship Subdivision have said they won’t play in the fall and instead try to have a spring football season.

Not a single game is guaranteed because of the pan-

Big Ten football parents to gather Friday outside conference headquarters in ‘peaceful show of force’ CHICagO — First came the open letters, which the Big ten ignored. then Ohio state quarterback Justin Fields launched a #WeWanttoPlay petition, which has garnered more than 270,000 e-signatures. Big ten officials didn’t respond to that either. the next step is a bit more, well, in-your-face.

Randy Wade, the father of Ohio state star cornerback shaun Wade, is organizing a rally outside Big ten headquarters. He is calling the gathering a “peaceful show of force” and hopes for a big turnout at Friday in Rosemont, Illinois. “this is not an Ohio state thing,” Wade said. “this a Big ten thing. Come on out wearing the jersey of your favorite team. Mask up and be respectful.”

He’s hoping Big ten officials will reverse course — and join the Big 12, seC and aCC in attempting to play fall football.

Parents of players at Ohio state, Iowa, Penn state, nebraska are miffed that the Big ten pulled the plug without a concrete explanation from Commissioner Kevin Warren. and they’re frustrated by the league’s lack of transparency — was there even a vote? — and Warren’s continued silence.

If the cage has been rattled, no feathers are showing. Big ten officials continue to decline comment. they also would not say whether league headquarters would be open Friday or if Warren has been working from there or his downtown Chicago apartment.

— CHICAGO TRIBUNE (TNS)

PSU: Facing financial woes FROM Page B1

Some funds will come in naturally. Money that would have been spent this fall for programs to travel to road games won’t be spent at least until spring. Penn State also mandated graduatedscale pay cuts for coaches and others in the athletic department earlier in the summer. Earlier this month, Barbour said she took a 15% pay cut on the $1.269 million base salary she was scheduled to earn in the 2020-21 school year.

Last year, the Big Ten paid each of its member institutions in excess of $55 million, money earned by the conference mainly through media rights agreements. Barbour said the athletic department already has evaluated how much of that money it can expect if games are played and

televised in the spring, as well as if they aren’t played at all.

Barbour also noted that in the years since she has been in charge, the athletic department built more than $25 million in reserves. That money was earmarked for facilities improvements Barbour has planne and touted for years, but she said it will now have to be put toward narrowing any fiscal gap created by sports that can’t be played.

As Penn State did in the wake of the Sandusky scandal, Barbour said the department will rely on several outside possibilities to help blunt financial issues. Things like fundraising efforts will have to be counted on, as will the generosity of donors. She also didn’t rule out the likelihood of having to take out another loan like

the one that covered the NCAA fine — Barbour said Penn State is still working to pay that off — to help make ends meet.

“Everybody in the country is going through this,” she said. “I do think that we as an industry are going to take a step back and look at how we do things financially, but we’re going to work really hard to make sure that this has as little impact on our long-term competitiveness as it possibly can. Whether it’s our opportunities to increase our revenues, enhance our revenues, to have donors step up and tell us they want to help us through this, that’s what we’re going to have to do here over the course of the next nine months.

“Hopefully, ’21-22 is more of a regular year and get us headed back in the right direction.”

demic, and athletes are wondering what should they do.

“For me and my parents, one of the things we’re focusing on is eligibility,” said Stanford defensive back Joshua Drayden, who is part of the players’ rights group We Are United. “We’re just trying to weigh all of our options. Same for a lot of athletes around the Pac-12 and the nation.”

Because of the uncertainty and so many variables, West Virginia athletic director Shane Lyons, who is part of the DI Council, would like to allow athletes in all fall sports to get an extra year of eligibility and competition,

regardless of how much they play and when.

“We talk about the studentathlete experience and definitely the season’s going to be different. With crowd sizes, the number of competitions,” said Lyons, who is also head of the NCAA’s football oversight committee.

“Why charge these studentathletes with a year of eligibility? That’s one thing they don’t have to worry about.”

As Lyons and others in college sports describe it, the problem for athletes is not just weighing whether to opt out or in at the start of the season.

There is concern that a

season filled with disruptions will have players who opted in reversing course before reaching the minimum number of games, which would burn a year of eligibility. It also could tempt coaches to hold back players they normally would have played in order to gain that extra year.

Lyons said protecting eligibility for all fall athletes “seems to be getting momentum” among athletic administrators. Calling 2020 a free year for fall sport athletes would mimic what the NCAA did after the spring sports season was canceled

by COVID-19 in March.

LEHMAN: Gover named coach FROM Page B1

down after accepting a job promotion. Lake-Lehman went 12-7-1 in 2019.

“I wish there was a way that coach Kostrobala could have stuck around because I know how much he loves the game,” Gover said.

After Kostrobala resigned earlier in the summer, Gover continued leading LakeLehman in non-mandatory workouts, even as the team was between head coaches.

“I didn’t want to let the kids down, so even if I wasn’t going to be the coach, I was going to wait it out until

somebody was hired,” Gover said. “Thankfully, I was hired. I’m excited. The kids are stoked. (Monday) morning, I said to the kids that I had a pretty good feeling that I was going to get hired. They were happy and gave me a nice round of applause.”

Gover is a Bishop O’Reilly graduate. He and his wife, Stephanie, who he plans to hire as assistant coach, have several years of experience, mostly within the programs at Valley West and on the club scene.

Gover inherits a good team with a strong crop of upperclassmen, including seniors

Max Paczewski, Matt Ash, Mark Hutsko, Nathaniel Jubis, Jared Barber and Ryan Hunt.

If this season is played, as uncertainty remains because of the coronavirus pandemic, Gover expects those seniors to play a pivotal role.

“I like having the older kids mentor the younger kids. That’s a big thing to me,” Gover said. “I put a lot on my captains as far as responsibilities are concerned, and I think that helps them in the game and in life.”

Contact the writer: mbufano@citizensvoice.com; 570-821-2060; @CVBufano on twitter

MCGOVERN: Will speak at rally FROM Page B1

Robert Lombardi told the state Athletics Oversight Committee that the PIAA is planning to move forward with fall sports.

“I know with the way the PIAA has spoken, it really wants the students to have the opportunity to compete this fall,” McGovern said.

“My message is going to be to the superintendents and the school boards. We need to keep an open mind and listen to our constituents of our school districts. We shouldn’t be making decisions under fear of what we don’t know.

Listening to everyone in my district, we are going to live for today. Once we make that decision, all our efforts are now to make this as safe as possible.”

When the PIAA gave the green light for school districts to begin voluntary workouts over the summer provided a return to safe play protocol was put in place and posted on the school’s website, Lake-Lehman was the first WVC school to get out on the field.

Lake-Lehman has not reported any sort of issues regarding those protocols and coaches, administrators and student-athletes have been doing everything put in place to maintain a safe environment, McGovern said.

“My job at Lake-Lehman is to do everything possible to give our students the best opportunity to compete in the safest way possible,” McGovern said. “We are wasting a lot of time discussing the possibility of playing when we should be focusing on the minute details. We need to figure out what game day is going to look like.”

With school districts navigating their way through figuring out how to open schools, the scenario will now be how to handle a spor ts season as well.

McGovern would rather have a plan in place, rather than have someone tell him what his plan should be.

“There are complex, valid arguments on both sides,” McGovern said. “We made a decision to open (Lake-Lehman). There are a lot of schools who haven’t. We look for oth-

ers to tell us what to do. In this case nobody is telling us what to do. Sometimes we sit down and do nothing when we look for someone to tell us what we should be doing. My key is that we are at the time of the year where these students deserve answers.”

McGovern is just not advocating for student-athletes to get back on the field. He wants cheerleaders at football games and he wants to hear the band playing when the team runs out on the field. And if there is a way, he wants parents in the stands supporting their children.

“We are going to do everything in our power to make this work,” McGovern said.

“I am looking for a commitment from other districts that are like-minded like us. I want them to join us to make this a quality experience for all of our kids. The time for debate is over. I would like to be colleagues with like-minded like me. Not to play or compete with them, but to have an open discussion to talk about what works, what doesn’t work and how we can tweak it.”

PIAA: Organization leaning against governor, playing fall sports FROM Page B1

recommendation” of no sports until Jan. 1 into a mandate.

“The recommendation from the gover nor and myself is that all school sports be postponed until Jan. 1,” Levine said. “So I think the governor has been very clear about this recommendation, and we have been consistent in terms of how we’re describing it and that continues to be our recommendation.”

When asked if Wolf would issue a no-sports mandate if the PIAA moves forward with sports, Levine said, “The governor has been very clear about that. There are no plans to do that.”

In his testimony Tuesday, Lombardi provided data collected from certain areas of the Commonwealth during voluntary workouts that influence the governing body’s belief that scholastic athletics in the state can start.

“We have received prescreening numbers from various areas of the state, which are being compiled from member schools and athletic personnel,” Lombardi said.

“Because this is not a sys-

tematic approach, we do recognize and categorize this information as a random sample of what is happening.

Under the sample, 10,389 student-athletes were prescreened for COVID-19. Fourteen of those students failed the prescreening because of an elevated temperature, and one student tested positive.

One of 10,389 tests.”

In another sampling, Lombardi said, 19,911 student-athletes were prescreened and 41 failed the prescreening because of an elevated temperature. Upon further testing, he said, it turned up three positive COVID-19 tests.

“To sum it up, with two random samples, we had 30,300 prescreenings that resulted in four positive tests,” Lombardi said. “It is our view, that continued prescreening and the implementation of health protocols will help minimize the risk to participants.”

Based on that data, and what he said was a failure by the Wolf administration to provide evidence as to why sports cannot start, Lombardi said the PIAA is ready to move forward with fall sports.

“Because of the important

benefits that can be derived from participation in interscholastic athletics, we believe it is at least, based on infor mation cur rently known to us and the advice we are being provided for many of our schools and medical advisers, it is worth at least attempting fall sports programs,” Lombardi said.

“Since we have provided you with data from actual voluntary workouts for the past eight weeks, we would like to move forward with the starting of fall sports.”

Lombardi gave a description of the lengths school districts, coaches and athletes have gone in preparation to implement and follow strict health and safety guidelines, and cited the added 26-page protocol provided by the PIAA. “Our members desired a return to competition document that we developed using information published by the National Federation of High School Associations, the Department of Education and the Department of Health, and the administration,” Lombardi said. “We also relied on advice from our fall sports steering committees, our officials’ council, our coaches’ association

representatives, our Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, which has met three times and offered a statement supporting a return to competition.

“These guidelines are a framework of conducting athletic activities to be utilized by schools as they return to competition.”

Lombardi said athletic competitions, such as AAU basketball tournaments and recreational baseball and softball events have been held throughout the summer in the state, and in his opinion they do not provide the strict safety measures the PIAA requires.

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“Fall sports will not stop with the seceding of school sports,” Lombardi said.

Lombardi said the PIAA is looking into protection from legal challenges and legal immunity for administrations as they deal with the coronavirus pandemic, but that it would likely be cost prohibitive.

Other points made by Lombardi to the committee include: ■ The PIAA is opposed to the state’s limit on fans at indoor events, and suggests raising the indoor limit to 25% of capacity. He said they would be able to work with allowing at minimum two

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family members.

■ The PIAA is not ruling out flipping the spring and fall sports seasons. However, if a mandate shuts down sports, spring sports athletes would lose two seasons in a row.

■ The PIAA is still looking at the end-of-season date and a truncated playoff system in place because of the varied start times to fall sports seasons and the goal is to end before Thanksgiving.

■ It is the PIAA’s hope that if sports proceed and a mandate comes down from the governor to shut down inschool instruction, it would not end athletics.

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Friday, August 28, 2020

NEWSSTAND 50¢

FBI confirms review of Mackey case Authorities confirmed the review, but say it is complete so federal charges aren’t likely.

BY ERIC MARK STAFF WRITER

The case of Shaheen Mackey’s death following a violent encounter with corrections officers at Luzerne County Correctional Facility in June 2018 was referred to the FBI, federal authorities confirmed Thursday.

However, spokespersons for two federal agencies said the case “is

no longer under federal review.”

That appears to mean there will be no federal charges lodged against the corrections offiMACKEY cers involved in the altercation, during which Mackey was forcibly restrained and tasered. He died two days later.

Mackey’s family claimed in a civil rights suit brought against the county that Mackey had suffered a violent seizure, which led jail personnel to mistakenly think he was on drugs.

County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis determined in November 2018 that no criminal charges were warranted in the case.

After a surveillance video of the jail incident was released three weeks ago, Salavantis stood by her decision to clear the corrections officers. She said she had referred the matter to federal authorities to investigate potential violations of federal law, over which she has no jurisdiction.

Salavantis declined to say which federal agency she had contacted.

However, spokespersons for both the U.S. Department of Jus-

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Our opinion: County Council must approve an unbiased review of the Mackey case.

Page A9 tice and the FBI said Thursday the case had been referred to the FBI. U.S. Attorney David J. Freed issued a brief statement: “We are aware that DA Salavantis requested the FBI to review the matter for any federal violations,” Freed said. “It is our understanding that that referral was made, and the matter is no longer under federal review.”

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An FBI spokesperson sent this message, via email: “This matter was referred to the FBI to determine whether a federal violation occurred. After consultation with appropriate personnel within the FBI and Department of Justice, this matter is no longer under federal review.”

Salavantis said earlier this month that she would cooperate with any state or federal agency that investigated Mackey’s death.

However, it is not clear if any further investigations will be conducted into the matter.

Please see MACKEY, Page A5

Hanover Area cancels all fall sports, activities Hanover Area board votes 5-3 to shutter all fall sports and extra curricular activities

BY STEVE BENNETT STAFF WRITER

Gathered around the computer in his office at the Hanover Area football stadium, Rickey Hummer and the rest of his staff were cautiously optimistic.

The coaches were anxious to hear the school board’s decision on whether or not the 2020 fall sports season would be able to begin. So much so, that while the coaches watched in the office, the football team socially distanced themselves outside hoping for the chance to get out on the field and conduct the

MORE INSIDE

Wyoming Valley West, Pittston Area will play fall sports. Page B1 first official workout of the season.

By 6:30 Thursday night, the gate to the football stadium was shuttered. And it will remain that way for the rest of the year.

The board, by a 5-3 vote, elected to shut down all fall sports and extra curricular activities.

“I’m very happy with the board decision,” said Hanover Area superintendent Nathan Barrett. “I was very fearful of what the outcome would be. I know the culture of the community is surrounded by sports.”

Please see HANOVER, Page A5

ALEX BRANDON / ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Donald Trump speaks from the South Lawn of the White House on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention on Thursday in Washington.

TRUMP LASHES BIDEN

On White House stage, president says voters face clear choice

BY JONATHAN LEMIRE, MICHELLE L. PRICE AND KEVIN FREKING ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — Facing a moment fraught with national crises, President Donald Trump accepted his party’s renomination on a massive White House South Lawn stage Thursday night, breaking with tradition by using the executive mansion as a political backdrop and defying pandemic guidelines to address a tightly packed, largely maskless crowd.

As troubles churned outside the gates, Trump painted an optimistic vision of America’s future, including an eventual triumph over the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 175,000 people, left millions unemployed and rewritten the rules of society. But that brighter horizon can only be secured, Trump asserted, if

he defeats Joe Biden, against whom he unleashed blistering attacks meant to erase the Democrat’s lead in the polls.

“We have spent the last four years reversing the damage Joe Biden inflicted over the last 47 years,” Trump said. “At no time before have voters faced a clearer choice between two parties, two visions, two philosophies or two agendas.”

Presenting himself as the last barrier protecting an American way of life under siege from radical forces, Trump declared the Democratic agenda as “the most extreme set of proposals ever put forward by a major party nominee.”

As his speech brought the scaledback Republican National Convention to a close, Trump risked inflaming a divided nation reeling from a series of calamities, including the pandemic, a major hurricane that slammed into the Gulf Coast and nights of racial unrest and violence after Jacob Blake, a Black man, was

MORE INSIDE

Toomey praises Trump during stop in Luzerne County. Page A5 shot by a white Wisconsin police officer.

He was introduced by his daughter Ivanka, an influential White House adviser, who portrayed the famously bombastic Trump as someone who empathizes with those who have suffered through the pandemic.

“I’ve been with my father and seen the pain in his eyes when he receives updates on the lives that have been stolen by this plague,” she said.

The president spoke from a setting that was both familiar and controversial. Despite tradition and regulation to not use the White House for purely political events,a huge stage was set up outside the executive mansion, dwarfing the trappings for some of the most impor tant moments of past presidencies. The speaker’s stand was flanked by dozens of American flags and two big video screens.

DAVE SCHERBENCO / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Hanover Area football players walk forlornly back to their cars Thursday after they were told that there would be no fall sports for 2020.

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HANOVER: Safety behind decision FrOM PagE a1

MarK MOraN / staFF PHOtOgraPHEr

U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., spoke at the Luzerne County Courthouse in Wilkes-Barre on Thursday urging support of his Blocking Deadly Fentanyl Imports Act.

Toomey touts bill that would crack down on fentanyl imports

BY BOB KALINOWSKI staFF WritEr

WILKES-BARRE — While he visited Luzerne County for a press conference Thursday about cracking down on illegal fentanyl imports, U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey said his message needed to be heard by federal lawmakers around the state and nation to save lives.

To o m e y v i s i t e d t h e Luzerne County Courthouse to tout legislation that would penalize foreign countries that fail to limit the flow of fentanyl into the United States.

“Fentanyl is so, so dangerous,” Toomey said, flanked by area police chiefs and

Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis.

“It made the opioid crisis so lethal.”

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid far more deadly than heroin, is increasingly the drug responsible for fatal overdoses, Toomey said.

Toomey’s legislation, the Blocking Deadly Fentanyl Imports Act, passed the U.S. Senate as part of the National Defense Authorization Act and now he’s hoping the U.S. House includes it as well so it could be passed on to President Donald Trump.

Under the act, the United States would publicly identify countries that are major producers or traffickers of

illicit fentanyl — something the government already does for heroin, marijuana, and cocaine but has not yet done for fentanyl.

Fentanyl-exporting countries would then have to criminalize the illicit production of fentanyl and prosecute violators. If countries fail to take these steps, they risk becoming ineligible for certain American taxpayerfunded foreign aid and development loans.

China is one of the biggest culprits, the senator said.

Toomey said he visited Luzerne County to make the pitch for the legislation because fentanyl overdoses are a big problem here.

Salavantis thanked the senator for continuing to put a spotlight on the problem.

“I am always grateful to Senator Toomey. He always pays close attention to our area and Northeastern Pennsylvania because of what he sees going on in our streets and the devastation from these drugs,” Salavantis said.

“He’s always been a huge advocate for us and law enforcement for helping protect our residents. So to have him here, to have a press conference about this very important act is just amazing for Luzerne County.”

so much havoc, we had the best economy of my lifetime.

We had tremendously low unemployment, record low unemployment for AfricanAmericans, Hispanic-Americans, for young people,” Toomey said. “We had wages growing and they were accelerating. And the wages were growing faster for lower income people. We had more job openings than we had people looking for jobs.”

Former Vice President Joe Biden won’t produce the same results, Toomey insisted.

“Do you want to go back to those days, which were just a few months ago, or do you want to go back to when Joe Biden was in office and he and President Obama presided over the weakest eco-

nomic recovery since the Great Depression? Which do you want? It shouldn’t’ be a close call,” Toomey said.

Toomey’s remarks came just hours before Trump was to deliver his acceptance speech for the Republican nomination from the South Lawn of the White House.

Toomey said he was invited to attend, but “I’m just busy in Pennsylvania so I’m not going to be able to be there in person.”

In addition to the economy, Trump can win Pennsylvania again if he contrasts his vision on the state’s vast natural gas industry with Biden’s, the senator said.

Biden will not be a friend to the industry, which will harm the state’s economy,

Toomey said.

Toomey said the president must also continue to call out elected Democrats for refusing to stop lawlessness and rioting in the streets of American cities.

“Rioting is allowed to run rampant. That’s just crazy.

The president is going to stand up to that,” Toomey said.

Toomey, who did not publicly support Trump prior to the 2016 election, said he’s behind him this time.

“I’m supporting the president and if the president and his campaign team ask me to campaign for them, then I will do so,” Toomey said.

But due to the uncertainties surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, Barrett had his hesitations about sending student-athletes within the district out to compete against other schools.

“We spend all this money every single year to protect our kids,” Barrett said. “We have a security system in our building. We have metal detection. We regularly schedule drills with the thought process of keeping our students safe. Yet the consideration was to voluntarily send kids into dangerous situations. That was never sitting well with me. I hope that folks understand where my mind is when I was making that recommendation.”

The motion on the agenda was to suspend all fall sports and co-curriculars. Once the motion was made and received a second, board members Stacy Bleich, Vic Kopko, Michael Mazur, Joyce Potsko and Matthew Redick voted yes in favor of the shut down. Paul Holmgren, John Mahle and Richard Stevens voted against shutting down fall sports and extracurricular activities. Board member Frank Ciavarella was not present for the meeting, which was held via the Zoom virtual platform.

“If we are not safe enough to be in school, we’re not safe enough to participate in extra curricular activities,” Barrett said.

After hearing the board’s decision, Hummer and his staff exited his office and headed out to the area where the players congregated in

daVE sCHErBENCO / staFF PHOtOgraPHEr

Hanover Area Football Stadium was shuttered Thursday after the announcement there would be no fall sports for 2020. anticipation of getting the chance to prepare for a practice. Instead, just by the look on his face, the Hawkeyes were well aware the news he was going to be delivering was not good.

So rather than settle in for the first workout of the season, those players took the long walk up the hill, backpacks over shoulders and carrying their water bottles, knowing there will not be a 2020 football season.

“I’m deeply saddened by the school board vote,” Hummer said. “They didn’t give the kids a chance. We have done everything correctly, we would have continued to do everything correctly. I feel bad for all the seniors and I feel bad for all the other fall sports and extra-curricular activities. We didn’t get a chance to prove we could do this. It’s unfortunate.”

Contact the writer: sbennett@citizensvoice.com 570 821-2062 @CVsteveBennett

Contact the writer: bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com 570-821-2055; @cvbobkal

MACKEY: Council In local visit, Toomey advocates for Trump divided on review

BY BOB KALINOWSKI staFF WritEr

WILKES-BARRE — U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey thinks President Donald Trump deserves four more years and will campaign for him if asked.

Toomey praised Trump’s record in office when asked by reporters following a news conference Thursday at the Luzer ne County Courthouse about legislation to block illegal fentanyl imports.

The senator said the Trump economy was booming until the COVID-19 pandemic hit and he expects Pennsylvania voters will remember that come November.

“Before COVID-19 came out of nowhere and wreaked

Contact the writer: bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com 570-821-2055; @cvbobkal

FrOM PagE a1

eral’s office said the office cannot investigate without a referral from the district attorney.

The press office of Gov. Tom Wolf has not replied to messages asking if Wolf would consider stepping in to order a state investigation.

An apparent precedent for that happened in June in Colorado.

Gov. Jared Polis designated Colorado’s attorney general as a special prosecutor in the case of Elijah McClain, who died after being stopped by police as he walked home in the city of Aurora last year. County prosecutors had determined no charges should be filed in the case.

County Manager David Pedri has proposed that the county hire national law firm Troutman Pepper to conduct a review of procedures and protocols at the jail, based on the Mackey incident.

County council members are divided over whether to support the proposed review.

Council will likely vote on the proposal on Sept. 8.

Salavantis has declined to refer the case to the state attorney general’s office. She has said repeatedly that her office had sufficient resources to investigate and did not have a conflict, so there are no grounds to refer the case to the state.

Contact the writer: The communications emark@citizensvoice.com, 570director for the attorney gen- 821-2117

RNC: Trump portrays opponent as a tool of the radical left FrOM PagE a1

Trying to run as an insurgent as well as incumbent, Trump rarely includes calls for unity, even in a time of national uncertainty. He has repeatedly, if not always effectively, tried to portray Biden — who is considered a moderate Democrat — as a tool of the radical left, fringe forces he has claimed don’t love their country.

The Republicans claim that the violence that has erupted in Kenosha and some other American cities is to be blamed on Democratic governors and mayors. Vice President Mike Pence on Wednes-

EVaN VuCCi / assOCiatEd PrEss

Ivanka Trump arrives to introduce President Donald Trump from the South Lawn of the White House on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention on Thursday in Washington. day said that Americans from his predecessor in the wouldn’t be safe in “Joe post.

Biden’s America.”

“The problem we have right That drew a stern rebuke now is that we are in Donald

Trump’s America,” said Biden on MSNBC. “He views this as a political benefit to him, he is rooting for more violence not less. He is pouring gasoline on the fire.”

Both parties are watching with uncertainty the developments in Wisconsin and cities across the nation with Republicans leaning hard on support for law and order — with no words offered for Black victims of police violence — while falsely claiming that Biden has not condemned the lawlessness. Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s personal attorney and New York City’s former mayor, declared that Democrats’ “silence was so deafen-

ing that it reveals an acceptance of this violence because they will accept anything they hope will defeat President Donald Trump.”

Though some of the speakers, unlike on previous nights, offered notes of sympathy to the families of Black men killed by police, Giuliani also took aim at the Black Lives Matter movement, suggesting that it, along with ANTIFA, was part of the extremist voices pushing Biden to “execute their pro-criminal, anti-police policies” and had “hijacked the protests into vicious, brutal riots.”

Some demonstrations took to Washington’s streets Thurs-

Local GOP delegates enjoy their time in Washington, D.C.

BY ROBERT TOMKAVAGE staFF WritEr

Lynette Villano had an enjoyable day in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, and that was before the final night of the Republican National Convention even began.

Villano, 74, of West Pittston and Doug Miller, 30, of Avoca, were invited by President Donald Trump to visit the White House and watch him accept the Republican nomination.

The Republican delegates connected with other Trump fans while enjoying an out-

ette Park before making their Miller is also confident called the “China virus.” way to the White House.

President Trump will be able “He built it up once before, Miller was excited to hear to help the county rebound he’ll build it up once again,” President Trump tout his from the effects of what he Miller said. successes and provide a glimpse into his future plans.

VILLANO MILLER “He has done an incredible door breakfast Thursday. job and followed through on “It seems like supporters everything he said he’d do,” attract each other,” Villano Miller said. said. “We met a gentleman from Michigan and a couple ALL JUNK CARS & from North Dakota. We took TRUCKS WANTED pictures and had a nice conHighest Prices Paid In Cash! versation.”

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day night, ahead of a march planned for the next day. New fencing set up along the White House perimeter was to keep the protesters at bay, but some of their shouts and car horns were clearly audible on the South Lawn where more than 1,500 people gathered.

*TUESDAYS ARE BARGAIN DAY! FEATURES ONLY $5.00 ALL DAY!* *Restrictions May Apply

SHOWTIMES FOR FRIDAY, AUGUST 28 THE NEW MUTANTS (PG-13) 1 HR. 34 MINS. 3:45PM, 4:45PM, 5:20PM, 6:30PM, 7:30PM, 8:00PM AD; ALD; CC THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELD (PG) - 1 HR. 59 MINS. 3:00PM, 6:15PM AD; ALD; CC INCEPTION 10TH ANNIVERSARY (PG-13) - 2 HR. 28 MINS. 7:10PM AD; ALD; CC TULSA (PG-13) - 2 HR. 0 MINS. 3:30PM, 6:45PM AD; ALD; CC UNHINGED (R) - 1 HR. 30 MINS. 3:15PM, 4:15PM, 6:00PM, 7:00PM, 8:00PM AD; ALD; CC WORDS ON BATHROOM WALLS (PG-13) - 1 HR. 51 MINS. 4:30PM, 7:40PM AD; ALD; CC Policy Parents and/or Guardians (Age 21 and older) must accompany all children ages 17 and under to ALL R Rated feature.

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gameface face THE CITIZENS’ VOICE

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2020

DRIVEN

Hawkeyes’ Hummer keeps foot on gas SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

INJURED?

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

Orthopedic Injury Center

1120 Oak St., Pittston coordinatedhealth.com/injury

GAMEFACE WEEK 3 B2

THE CITIZENS’ VOICE

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2020

TEAM SCHEDULES

HAZLETON AREA at CRE L, 18-10 at WBA L, 28-21 Tonight TUN, 7 O2 at PA, 7 O9 BER, 7 O16 at DAL, 7 O23 WVW, 7 O30 WIL, 7

WILKES-BARRE AREA WVW W, 9-8 HAZ W, 28-21 Tonight at DAL, 7 O2 at WIL, 7 O9 HAN, 7 O16 at BER, 7 O23 PA, 7 O30 at WVW, 7

WILLIAMSPORT at NAN W, 43-18 at WA W, 35-14 Tonight BER, 7 O2 WBA, 7 O9 at WVW, 7 O16 PA, 7 O23 DAL, 7 O30 at HAZ, 7

VALLEY WEST at WBA L, 9-8 at DAL L, 48-12 Tonight PA, 7 O2 at BER, 7 O9 WIL, 7 O16 NAN, 7 O23 at HAZ, 7 O30 WBA, 7

PITTSTON AREA at HR Canceled BER L, 37-14 Tonight at WVW, 7 O2 HAZ, 7 O9 DAL, 7 O16 at WIL, 7 O23 at WBA, 7 O30 WA, 7

BERWICK at LL at PA Tonight O2 O9 O16 O23 O30

CRESTWOOD HAZ W, 18-10 at TUN W, 33-21 Tonight at NAN, 7 O2 HR, 7 O9 WA, 7 O16 at HAN, 7 O23 at BER, 7 O30 LL, 7

TUNKHANNOCK at DAL Canceled CRE L, 33-21 Tonight at HAZ, 7 O2 WA, 7 O9 at NAN, 7 O16 HR, 7 O23 at LL, 7 O30 HAN, 7

HANOVER AREA Windber L, 42-25 Tonight LL, 7 O2 NAN, 7 O9 at WBA, 7 O16 CRE, 7 O23 SCR, 7 O30 at TUN, 7

WYOMING AREA RIV W, 30-6 WIL L, 35-14 Tonight HR, 7 O2 at TUN, 7 O9 at CRE, 7 O16 LL, 7 O23 at NAN, 7 O30 at PA, 7

NANTICOKE AREA WIL L, 43-18 at LL L, 35-3 Tonight CRE, 7 O2 at HAN, 7 O9 TUN, 7 O16 at WVW, 7 O23 WA, 7 O30 at HR, 7

LAKE-LEHMAN BER W, 29-21 NAN W, 35-3 Tonight at HAN, 7 O2 DAL, 7 O10 at HR, 1 O16 at WA, 7 O23 TUN, 7 O30 at CRE, 7

HOLY REDEEMER PA Canceled Tonight at WA, 7 O2 at CRE, 7 O10 LL, 1 O16 at TUN, 7 O24 HC, 7 O30 NAN, 7

BERWICK (1-1) at WILLIAMSPORT (2-0) When: Tonight, 7 Last meeting: Berwick, 17-10 (2019) Series: Berwick leads, 24-9 Coaches Corner — Berwick: Carm DeFrancesco (24th season, 2nd at Berwick; 162-102 overall, 10-4 at Berwick); Williamsport: Charles Crews Jr. (10th season, 6th at Williamsport; 46-54, 35-25) Scouting report: For the second time in as many weeks Berwick struggled in the first half. Balance on offense has been key with the Millionaires rushing the ball 42 times and throwing it 32.

GAME OF THE WEEK

L, 29-21 W, 37-14 at WIL, 7 WVW, 7 at HAZ, 7 WBA, 7 CRE, 7 DAL, 7

DALLAS TUN WVW Tonight O2 O9 O16 O23 O30

Canceled W, 48-12 WBA, 7 at LL, 7 at PA, 7 HAZ, 7 at WIL, 7 at BER, 7

NORTHWEST at CMVT W, 36-6 at MONT W, 21-10 Tonight at BUCK, 7 O2 S.WIL, 7 O9 at MUN, 7 O16 TROY, 7 O23 CAN, 7

PITTSTON AREA (0-1) at VALLEY WEST (0-2) When: Tonight, 7 Last meeting: Valley West, 62-13 (2015) Series: Valley West leads, 31-11 Coaches Corner — Valley West: Jack Baranski (2nd season, 3-10); Pittston Area: Nick Barbieri (4th season, 14-20) Scouting report: Pittston Area played its first game of the season last week and stayed with Berwick through the first half, trailing by three at halftime. Valley West fell victim to the big play last week. Donte Rhodes continues to be effective running the ball out of the shotgun.

WILKES-BARRE AREA at DALLAS Wolfpack (2-0) at Mountaineers (1-0) Tonight, 7 p.m.

CRESTWOOD (2-0) at NANTICOKE AREA (0-2) When: Tonight, 7 Last meeting: Crestwood, 44-7 (2019) Series: Nanticoke Area leads, 11-10-1 Coaches Corner — Crestwood: Ryan Arcangeli (2nd season, 8-5); Tunkhannock: Mike Marabell (3rd season, 8-13) Scouting report: Crestwood’s run defense is allowing an average of 37.5 yards per game. Defensive back Marcus Vieney has three interceptions. Nanticoke Area is led by Aidan Jaskulski, who averages 10.1 yards per carry and rushed for both the team’s rushing touchdowns this season.

HOLY REDEEMER (0-0) at WYOMING AREA (1-1) When: Tonight, 7 Last meeting: Wyoming Area, 43-7 (2018) Series: Wyoming Area leads, 6-0 Coaches Corner — Holy Redeemer: Tyson Kelley (2nd season, 0-9); Wyoming Area: Randy Spencer (13th season, 78-59) Scouting report: The 35 points Wyoming Area allowed were the most they allowed to a conference opponent in a regular-season loss since 62 to Williamsport in 2016.

Vincenzo Giambra has all three of the team’s rushing TDs. Holy Redeemer will be playing its first game of the year after shutting down due to COVID-19 concerns.

LAKE-LEHMAN (2-0) at HANOVER AREA (0-1) When: Tonight, 7 Last meeting: Lake-Lehman, 36-9 (2019) Series: Lake-Lehman leads, 29-23 Coaches Corner — Lake-Lehman: Jerry Gilsky (11th season, 73-43); Hanover Area: Rickey Hummer (2nd season, 3-9) Scouting report: For the first time since 2015, Lake-Lehman is off to a 2-0 start.

The Black Knights are dominating the first half of games this year, outscoring opponents, 50-0. Hanover Area was able to play its first game last week. The Hawks will look to make corrections, such as getting off the ball quicker.

PIGSKIN

PICKS

Players to watch

BY STEVE BENNETT STAFF WRITER

For the most part, football teams make their biggest improvements between the first and second weeks of the season.

Coaches have the opportunity to digest film from the first game and make adjustments during the week of practice leading up to the second game.

Wilkes-Barre Area had a chance to make its jump last week when it beat Hazleton Area to improve to 2-0. Dallas will have the chance this week after beating Valley West in its season opener last week.

Either way, Wilkes-Barre Area coach Ciro Cinti is hoping the Wolfpack will continue to make strides after winning its second consecutive game late in the fourth quarter. Dallas coach Rich Mannello is looking forward to seeing if the Mountaineers can continue the momentum they gained after falling behind to Valley West, 6-0, and then going on to a 48-12 victory.

“We had better recognition of what the game plan is,” Cinti said of last week’s win over Hazleton Area. “They are buying into it a little bit more. We weren’t having as many silly mistakes as we did in the first game. We still have a long way to go.”

The Mountaineers got off to a strange start in what is an abnormal season. Dallas had its first game of the season against Tunkhannock canceled due to issues with COVID-19. Last week, the team was forced to shut down practice two days, and crammed those two days into Thursday’s practice.

“The kids were focused, especially not having the first game,” Mannello said.

“That was tough. Then we combined two practices together. It didn’t surprise me they were able to stay focused. I was happy, not surprised.”

With a lot of fresh faces getting their first taste of consistent varsity action, the Mountaineers played fast against Valley West. A new offensive line settled in nicely, and quarterback RJ Wren threw five touchdown passes. Running backs Jake DelGaudio and Parker Bolesta ran effectively, opening things up in the passing game.

This week, the Mountaineers will face a team with as much speed as they have.

More importantly, the Wolfpack takes advantage of every second they are presented with.

In its season opener against Valley West, the Wolfpack kicked a field goal with :9.4 left for a 9-8 victory. Last week,

TUNKHANNOCK (0-1) at HAZLETON AREA (0-2)

MALEEK ROBINSON Wilkes-Barre Area, WR Leads the team in receptions with six for 71 yards and one touchdown.

Is averaging 11.8 yards per catch.

When: Tonight, 7 Last meeting: Hazleton Area, 55-14 (2015) Series: Hazleton Area leads, 15-3 Coaches Corner — Tunkhannock: Mike Marabell (3rd season, 8-14); Hazleton Area: Dennis Buchman (1st season, 0-2) Scouting report: Tunkhannock played its first game of the year last week and had trouble taking care of the football.

Too many turnovers cut short drives and took potential points off the board. Quarterback Jack Chilson threw for 245 yards and three touchdowns. Hazleton Area is 0-2 for the first time since 2016.

B

Bucks NORTHWEST (2-0) at BUCKTAIL (0-2)

PARKER BOLESTA Dallas, RB Averaged 9.1 yards per carry in last week’s season opening win. Rushed for one touchdown and caught two passes for 15 yards and a score.

Game notes Last meeting: Dallas 35, Wilkes-Barre Area 7 (2019) Series history: Dallas leads, 1-0 COACHES CORNER Wilkes-Barre Area: Ciro Cinti (15th season, 2nd at Wilkes-Barre Area; 80-78 overall, 9-5 at Wilkes-Barre Area) Dallas: Rich Mannello (6th season, 42-30) quarterback Kam Taylor rushed for a touchdown with 40 seconds left.

“It’s going to be a challenge,” Mannello said. “They are very good... 2-0 for a reason. They came back in the fourth quarter both games. That will tell you all you need to know about that group.”

While he is happy with wins in the first two games, Cinti would not mind less drama going forward.

“The bottom line is the end result,” Cinti said. “The kids don’t quit, that is a positive. It would be nice to start off stronger.

We have had the lead this year for about 40 seconds in two games total. The kids do have confidence in themselves.”

When: Saturday, 2 Last meeting: Northwest, 53-7 (2007) Series: Northwest leads, 4-2 Coaches Corner — Northwest: Lon Hazlet (22nd season, 6th at Northwest; 119-101, 34-21); Bucktail: Jared Hurlbert (2nd season, 2-9) Scouting report: Northwest relies on the running game, averaging 7.7 yards per carry. George May leads the way with 286 yards and three touchdowns. He is averaging 8.4 yards per carry. Bucktail allowed 85 points through its first two games and has scored 39.

Tune in RADIO Tonight ESPN Radio Pittston Area at Valley West, 7 ALT 92.1 Wilkes-Barre Area at Dallas FM 96.3, FM 94.7 and AM 1280 The Coach DeFrancesco Show, 6 -- Berwick at Williamsport, 6:30 FM 104.3, FM 105.5, AM 930 The Friday Football Commute, 6 -- Lewisburg at Danville, 6:30

MATT BUFANO Staff writer

CHRIS IMPERIALE Sports editor

TYLER PICCOTTI Staff writer

JIM REESER City editor

STEVE BENNETT Staff writer

Retired sports editor

Wilkes-Barre Area at Dallas

Dallas

Dallas

Dallas

Dallas

Pittston Area at Valley West

Valley West

Valley West

Valley West

Valley West

2020: 12-2 Last: 7-1

2020: 12-2 Last: 7-1

2020: 12-2 Last: 7-1

2020: 12-2 Last: 7-1

TELEVISION Tonight WYLN Tunkhannock at Hazleton Area, 7 WQMY Crestwood at Nanticoke Area, 7 PCN Belle Vernon at Thomas Jefferson, 7 Saturday PCN Manheim Central at Cocalico, 7

NEIL CORBETT

THE CONSENSUS

2020: 10-4 Last: 5-3

2020: 12-2 Last: 7-1

Dallas

Dallas

Dallas

Valley West

Valley West

Valley West

2020: 10-4 Last: 5-3

Lake-Lehman at Hanover Area

Lake-Lehman

Lake-Lehman

Lake-Lehman

Lake-Lehman

Lake-Lehman

Lake-Lehman

Lake-Lehman

Holy Redeemer at Wyoming Area

Wyoming Area

Wyoming Area

Wyoming Area

Wyoming Area

Wyoming Area

Wyoming Area

Wyoming Area

Crestwood at Nanticoke Area

Crestwood

Crestwood

Crestwood

Crestwood

Crestwood

Crestwood

Crestwood

Northwest at Bucktail

Northwest

Northwest

Northwest

Northwest

Northwest

Northwest

Northwest

Berwick at Williamsport Tunkhannock at Hazleton Area

Williamsport

Williamsport

Williamsport

Williamsport

Williamsport

Williamsport

Williamsport

Hazleton Area

Tunkhannock

Hazleton Area

Hazleton Area

Tunkhannock

Hazleton Area

Hazleton Area

GAMEFACE WEEK 3 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2020

THE CITIZENS’ VOICE B9

SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Hanover Area tight end Connor Hummer had four catches for 57 yards and a touchdown in a 42-25 loss to Windber last week.

ENGINE’S RUNNING

Season’s uncertainty doesn’t deter Hummer’s drive

BY STEVE BENNETT STAFF WRITER

A few weeks off and then it was time to go. At least that is how Connor Hummer saw his original plan coming together.

Hummer, a senior tight end/ linebacker at Hanover Area was going to take some time off following his last game as a junior, start to get ready for baseball season, but in the back of his mind, all the preparation was geared toward his senior year of football.

That is when the conference was going to see a bigger, stronger and faster Hummer. Shedding blocks off the line of scrimmage to run a pass route.

Staying in to block when a running play was called toward his side of the line.

As far as the defensive side of the ball, that is where he expected to make the biggest impact.

Whether it was clogging a lane, blitzing through a gap or pursuing the ball carrier, Hummer’s motor rarely stopped the way it was. But this year, well, it was going to be different.

It was going to be his best one yet. And it almost never happened at all.

Forget the saying to play every play as if it is your last.

Hummer and the rest of the Hawks nearly didn’t have the opportunity for a first play in 2020 let alone a final one.

“I was working out in January and February, I really felt I was getting stronger,” Hummer said. “Then it all went down hill in March. Nobody knew what was going on. I do have weights at my house, but I don’t have enough to keep progressing with my strength program. I mostly did core workouts and did a lot of running. Sometimes I would just do low weight and

“

SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Connor Hummer also is a first baseman and a pitcher for the Hawkeyes baseball team. increase the reps. It was difficult. I really wanted to start to up my max with my bend but I really couldn’t do that. It was frustrating.”

That was just the beginning.

When schools and workouts were shut down in March due to the coronavirus pandemic, Hummer, just like many others, thought everything would be figured out by the time the fall

sports season came around.

While his workout routine was altered, he also missed his junior year of baseball where he is a pitcher and first baseman.

“I had a lot of mixed emotions, I was thinking we were going to have a season,” Hummer said. “I had full confidence that when football hits it was all going to be normal. That wasn’t the case.”

Hanover Area created its retur n-to-play policy. The Hawks were back to voluntary summer workouts. Then, as quickly as it started, it was all shut down again.

The school district had a COVID-19 issue. Voluntary workouts were on hold. The school board voted not to participate in extra curricular activities in the fall.

“Just a lot of anger, that is the best way to describe it,” Hummer said. “The kids couldn’t express their thoughts.

I knew people were going to fight. Deep down inside I was keeping up hope.”

Two days after the board voted not to have sports, it decided to have a re-vote. The second vote went in the favor of the student-athletes. As quickly as Hummer’s senior season was taken away from him, it returned.

“I was so excited when I found out they were going to vote again, I couldn’t explain it in words,” Hummer said.

With lots of time to make up for and not a lot of time to get it all done, Hummer and the Hawks went back to work. His wo rk i n t h e f i l m r o o m increased. There was plenty of conditioning to get caught up on. But the craziness didn’t stop there.

Hanover Area would not have a Week 1 opponent because Holy Redeemer was dealing with a COVID-19 issue.

Then, Twin Valley was supposed to replace Holy Redeemer on the Hawks’ schedule. But Twin Valley had its own COVID-19 issues, so that game was out. A scrimmage with Pittston Area replaced a Week 1 regularseason game and then the Hawks opened the year last

week at home against Windber, a District 5 opponent that was also looking for a game.

A four-year varsity starter, Hummer has grown into one of the top linebacker/tight end combinations in the conference, regardless of classification. His pass-catching ability is what separates him the most.

He also has a nose for the football on defense.

It helps that his father, Rickey, is in his second season as Hanover Area’s head coach.

That gives Connor the opportunity to watch a lot of extra film with the coaching staff, and in a way, is an extension of the coaching staff out on the field.

“I know I can definitely develop more,” Hummer said. “My football IQ can get better, but that is why I watch film with the coaches. I like to know what everyone is doing out on the field. I want to know where everyone else is supposed to be, so that way if they need some help out there, I can help them out.”

Hummer certainly knows what that is all about. As a freshman, he wasn’t sure he was going to be a full-time starter. He spent more time on defense than offense in his freshman season, only because the offensive scheme at the time really didn’t account for much use of the tight end.

“I was a little intimidated,” Hummer recalled of his freshman year. “I was smaller than I am now. It was a blast, there was nothing like it. There were definitely some ups and downs.

I just went out there to have fun.”

Contact the writer: sbennett@citizensvoice.com; 570 821-2062; @CVSteveBennett on Twitter

I know I can definitely develop more. My football IQ can get better, but that is why I watch film with the coaches.

I like to know what everyone is doing out on the field. I want to know where everyone else is supposed to be, so that way if they need some help out there, I can help them out.

-- CONNOR HUMMER Hanover Area senior tight end/linebacker

”

GAMEFACE WEEK 3 B10 THE CITIZENS’ VOICE

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2020

PLAYERS TO WATCH SHAWN SHEPTOCK

GEORGE MAY

Leads the team in receptions with four, averaging 22.8 yards per catch. Has also rushed for 39 yards and one touchdown.

Off to a fast start, the senior has 286 yards rushing while averaging 8.4 yards per carry. Has three rushing touchdowns.

Berwick

MARCUS VIENEY

P.J. PISANO

JOE CURCIO

Threw for 69 yards and one touchdown in the season opener last week against Berwick. Also rushed for one touchdown.

Hanover Area

The quarterback threw for 113 yards and one touchdown. Also rushed for 29 yards and two TDs.

KELLEN WARNER Hazleton Area

Completed 64% of his passes through the first two games. Has thrown for 250 yards and one touchdown. Also has one rushing touchdown.

ALEX HAJKOWSKI Holy Redeemer

The tight end led the Royals in receiving last season. With plenty of experience under his belt, he figures to be a big part of the passing game again this year.

MARSHALL WOODROSKY Lake-Lehman

Is second on the team in receiving with 46 yards, averaging 15.3 yards per catch.

DEVIN LOHMAN Nanticoke Area

Leads the team in rushing attempts with 23. Is averaging 3.8 yards per carry.

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

P.J. PISANO

Northwest

Crestwood

Leads the conference in interceptions with three, two coming last week in a win over Tunkhannock.

TEAM STATS DEFENSE Dallas Tunkhannock Lake-Lehman Northwest Crestwood Berwick Wyoming Area Williamsport Hazleton Area Wilkes-Barre Area Nanticoke Area Pittston Area Hanover Area Valley West

Run Pass Total Avg. 189 79 268 134 83 219 302 151 201 137 338 169 135 281 416 208 75 359 434 217 150 307 457 228.5 130 342 472 236 361 153 514 257 220 294 514 257 304 247 551 275.5 319 320 639 319.5 315 17 332 332 204 135 339 339 416 302 718 359

PLAYER STATS

Pittston Area

NATHAN LORD Tunkhannock

Had a big night in the season opener last week, catching 10 passes for 154 yards.

DEVIN LOHMAN

DONTE RHODES Valley West

Continues to be trouble for opposing defenses.

The quarterback leads the team in rushing with 270 yards and two touchdowns.

NASIR HENNIGAN Williamsport

Emerging as the featured back in the offense. Leads the team with 164 yards and two touchdowns. Is averaging 9.6 yards per carry.

Run Pass Total Avg. 576 122 698 349 322 353 675 337.5 241 355 596 298 418 147 565 282.5 195 366 561 280.5 314 244 558 279 321 187 508 254 213 280 493 246.5 203 262 465 232.5 305 160 465 232.5 365 17 382 191 75 113 188 188 50 245 295 147.5 67 79 146 146

MARSHALL WOODROSKY

ROCCO PIZANO Wyoming Area

Leads the team in receptions with five for 138 yards. Averaging 27.6 yards per catch and has the team’s only receiving touchdown on the season.

ORTHOPEDIC INJURY CENTER

CITIZENS’ VOICE FILE

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 George May, NW 34 Dontae Rhodes, WVW 32 Kam Taylor, WB 27 Aidan Jaskulski, NA 17 Nasir Hennigan, Wil 17 Matthew Buchman, Haz 33 Keith Freeman, Wil 9 Vincenzo Giambra, WA 24 Kaleb Benjamin, Crest 25 Ryan Petrosky, Crest 25 Ryan Eiden, LL 16 Ryan Wassel, NW 11 Aiden Mason, Ber 16 Logan Smith, Ber 15 Devon Lohman, NA 23 Drew Mruk, WA 19 Derek Dietz, NW 3 Carter Hontz, NW 7 Parker Bolesta, Dal 7 Kevin Meluskey, Haz 16 Damier Sams-Glover, Wil 7 Landon Hufford, NW 13 Colby Gashi, WA 9 Benjamin Knorr, Ber 20 RJ Wren, Dal 8 RECEIVING Rec Matthew Cusatis, Haz 14 Ryan Eiden, LL 10 Nathan Lord, Tunk 10 Nassir Jones, Wil 10 Brendan DeMarzo, Crest 8 Nick Kreuzer, Crest 8 Connor Shamany, Haz 7 Maleek Robinson, WB 6 Rocco Pizano, WA 5 Logan Arnold, Crest 5 Shawn Sheptock, Ber 4 Connor Hummer, HA 4 Matthew Buchman, Haz 4 Chase Biller, NW 4 Elijah Jordan, WB 4 Tyler Weidman, WVW 4 Landon Hufford, NW 4 Keith Freeman, Wil 3 Cameron Sims, Wil 3 Jhamal Zacharias, Tunk 3 Braedon Mazzante, Wil 3 Conner Olisewski, WVW 3 Ben Chilson, Tunk 3 Drew Mruk, WA 3 Sincere Shiloh, NA 3 Evan Matyas, Haz 3 Colby Kennedy, LL 3 Marshall Woodrosky, LL 3 Ben Fife, Dal 3 Brayden Boone, Ber 3 Paul Feisel, Crest 2 Ryan Harding, Crest 2 Peyton Williams, Ber 2 Hunter Karpovich, HA 2 Tavon Hines, HA 2 Parker Bolesta, Dal 2 Jacob Monko, LL 2 Jake Trumbower, LL 2 Jacob Baltrusaitis, Tunk 2 Blaise Sokach-Minnick, WA 2 Colby Gashi, WA 2 Jerimiah Williams, WVW 2 Ryan Meyers, WVW 2 Sadiq Burke, WVW 2 Abu Samake, WB 2 David Behm, PA 2 John Symons, PA 2

Yds 286 270 194 172 164 146 98 97 97 93 91 90 88 88 87 81 80 79 64 53 49 48 48 48 46 Yds 165 181 154 155 84 152 63 106 138 51 91 57 21 31 10 96 43 75 69 29 37 45 14 47 15 24 32 46 172 12 36 37 21 14 28 15 38 45 15 33 6 6 18 0 12 39 20

Avg. TD 8.4 3 8.4 2 7.2 3 10.1 2 9.6 2 4.4 1 10.9 2 4 3 3.9 0 3.7 2 5.7 3 8.2 1 5.5 0 5.9 0 3.8 0 4.3 0 26.7 1 11.3 1 9.1 1 3.3 1 7 1 3.7 0 5.3 0 2.4 2 5.8 0 Avg. TD 11.8 1 18.1 1 15.4 0 15.5 2 10.5 1 19 0 9 0 17.7 1 27.6 1 10.2 1 22.8 0 14.3 1 5.3 0 7.8 1 2.5 0 24 1 10.8 1 25 1 23 1 9.7 1 12.3 0 15 0 4.7 0 15.7 0 5 1 8 0 10.7 3 15.3 0 57.3 3 4 0 18 1 18.5 0 10.5 0 7 0 14 0 7.5 1 19 0 22.5 0 7.5 1 16.5 0 3 0 3 0 9 0 0 0 6 0 19.5 1 10 0

PASS (10 att) C-A-I Yds TD Rate Jacob Williams, WA 7-11-0 262 5 413.7 Frankie Morrone, Wil 21-30-2 337 4 195.0 Ryan Wassel, NW 7-11-0 82 2 186.3 Ethan Adams, LL 20-32-0 310 4 185.1 RJ Wren, Dal 27-38-2 366 3 167.5 Joe Curcio, HA 12-26-1 229 1 125.1 Jack Chilson, Tunk 13-29-0 187 1 110.4 Benjamin Knorr, Ber 9-18-1 113 1 110.0 Kam Taylor, WB 21-42-3 245 3 108.3 Ryan Petrosky, Crest 29-50-2 280 1 103.6 Kellan Warner, Haz 15-28-2 160 1 99.1 D. Rhodes, WVW 11-24-0 147 0 97.3 P.J. Pisano, PA 6-17-0 69 1 88.8 Mike Marcella, NA 4-11-1 17 1 61.2 SCORING TD 2Pt XP FG Pts. Ryan Eiden, LL 4 0 0 0 24 Colby Kennedy, LL 3 0 0 0 18 Ben Fife, Dal 3 0 0 0 18 George May, NW 3 0 0 0 18 Nassir Jones, Wil 3 0 0 0 18 Keith Freeman, Wil 3 0 0 0 18 Vincenzo Giambra, WA 3 0 0 0 18 Kam Taylor, WB 3 0 0 0 18 Dontae Rhodes, WVW 2 1 0 0 14 Nasir Hennigan, Wil 2 0 0 0 12 Parker Bolesta, Dal 2 0 0 0 12 Benjamin Knorr, Ber 2 0 0 0 12 Ryan Petrosky, Crest 2 0 0 0 12 Joe Curcio, HA 2 0 0 0 12 Aidan Jaskulski, NA 2 0 0 0 12 KICKING XP FG Pts. Brendan Hinkle, Ber 7 1 10 Elliot Wannop, Wil 10 0 10 Michael Deutsch-Jones, WB 4 1 7 Luke Russo, Haz 4 1 7 Jace Chopyak, Dal 6 0 6 Max Paczewski, LL 5 0 5 Matthew Foley, NW 5 0 5 Max Paczewski, LL 2 1 5 Jayden Rusyn, WA 2 1 5 Gavin Montross, Tunk 3 0 3 Sydney Kruszka, WA 3 0 3 Sophie Lukowski, NA 0 1 3 Ethan Shudak, Crest 3 0 3 Matthew Soy, PA 2 0 2

STANDINGS CLASS 6A/5A Record PF Wilkes-Barre Area 2-0 37 Williamsport 2-0 78 Valley West 0-2 20 Hazleton Area 0-2 31 CLASS 4A Crestwood 2-0 51 Dallas 1-0 48 Berwick 1-1 58 Tunkhannock 0-1 21 Pittston Area 0-1 14 CLASS 3A Lake-Lehman 2-0 64 Wyoming Area 1-1 44 Holy Redeemer 0-0 0 Hanover Area 0-1 25 Nanticoke Area 0-2 21 NORTHERN TIER LEAGUE Northwest 2-0 57

PA 29 32 57 46 31 12 43 33 37 24 41 0 42 78 16

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

s

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

tp

File the citiZens’ VOice

Please see PIAA, Page B3

CHOOL

BY STEVE BEN NETT staFF W

Game on

A

L

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

CH

V

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

FS

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

Please see VIRUS, Page

B5

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

B3

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

w

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

O

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

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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

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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

LL

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

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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

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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.

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HIGH SCHOOL

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

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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.

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BY STE all sports fa schools oo w iter of decision. der of the staFF Wr Aug. 17.

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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

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Orthopedic Injury Center

1120 Oak St., Pittston coordinatedhealth.com/injury

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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

Dallas

Berwick

Berwick

Dallas

Pick ’em

Nanticoke Area at Holy Redeemer

Nanticoke Area

Nanticoke Area

Nanticoke Area

Nanticoke Area

Nanticoke Area

Nanticoke Area

Nanticoke Area

Hazleton Area at Delaware Valley

Delaware Valley

Delaware Valley

Delaware Valley

Delaware Valley

Delaware Valley

Delaware Valley

Delaware Valley

Hanover Area at Tunkhannock

Tunkhannock

Tunkhannock

Tunkhannock

Tunkhannock

Tunkhannock

Tunkhannock

Tunkhannock

Lake-Lehman at Crestwood

Lake-Lehman

Lake-Lehman

Lake-Lehman

Lake-Lehman

Lake-Lehman

Lake-Lehman

Lake-Lehman

Dallas at Berwick

2020: 40-7 Last: 6-0

2020: 40-7 Last: 6-0

2020: 39-8 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

THE CITIZENS’ VOICE

Sports Thursday, November 26, 2020

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER OF THE YEAR

MADELYN KEATING Wyoming Area

n

Sophomore

BY TYLER PICCOTTI sTaFF WrITer

It still seems a little hard for Madelyn Keating to believe.

A sprinter in track & field, she had to learn a new discipline from scratch for her first varsity cross country season. She never expected to be one of the Wyoming Valley Conference’s top runners.

Turns out she’s one of the state’s best.

Keating had a fall season to remember,

culminating in a pair of medals. She traversed the Wyoming County Fairgrounds course in 19 minutes, 48 seconds en route to District 2 Class 2A gold. The sophomore followed that up with a 14th-place finish and more hardware at the PIAA Championships earlier this month.

As a result, Keating is the 2020 Citizens’ Voice Girls Runner of the Year.

Please see KEATING, Page B3

2020 Citizens’ Voice All-Stars: Page B3

dave sCherbeNCo / sTaFF PhoToGraPher

Madelyn Keating won the District 2 Class 2A girls cross country championship at the Wyoming County Fairgrounds course.

NFL

LOCAL COLLEGES

Ravens-Steelers moved to Sunday

Coaches reinvent during pandemic

Multiple Ravens have had positive COVID-19 tests.

Recruiting changes with games halted.

assoCIaTed Press

The Thanksgiving night game between the Ravens and Steelers has been switched to Sunday because of coronavirus issues with Baltimore.

The NFL announced the move Wednesday, but did not specify a time of game nor which network would televise it. Previously, it was scheduled for NBC’s primetime telecast.

Baltimore placed outside linebacker Pernell McPhee on the reserve/COVID-19, joining running backs Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins and defensive tackle Brandon Williams.

The Ravens also have been doing team work virtually.

This isn’t the first time the Steelers have been forced to adjust their schedule because of COVID-19 issues with opponents. Their trip to Nashville on Oct. 4 to face the Titans turned into an unexpected bye week when Tennessee was hit with an outbreak.

The tweak forced the Steelers to play 13 straight weeks to end the regular season.

They had hoped for at least a mini-break by playing on Thanksgiving — the franchise’s first-ever home game in Pittsburgh on the holiday — and then getting the weekend off before starting the home stretch.

Instead, they find themselves adjusting on the fly once again.

Steelers wide receiver Please see VIRUS, Page B5

BY STEVE BENNETT sTaFF WrITer

Thanks to modern technology, and because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wilkes University football head coach Jonathan Drach and his staff were able to watch up to 36 high school football games across the country each weekend from the comforts of home.

Without the opportunity to see live games due to restrictions and crowd limitations, the Wilkes staff got creative when mapping out recruiting plans in a strange and unprecedented football season.

The CITIZeNs’ voICe FILe When the local college King’s head football coach Jeff Knarr goes over some football schedule was wiped drills with his players during a practice. out across conferences

around the country, Wilkes, Keystone College, King’s College and Misericordia University saw their seasons turned upside down as well.

“On a Friday night I could post up in my living room and have a game on my television, one on my laptop and another on my phone,” Drach said. “I could switch back and forth and watch six games. We have nine coaches on staff and we could see 36 games.

“We didn’t practice on Saturday so that gave us an opportunity to watch a recruit and give some feedback. Just to let them know we are still watching and paying attention. I have been able to watch games in Florida. This made everyone evolve and find new ways.”

Please see CHANGE, Page B4

SPORTS

B4 THE CITIZENS' VOICE

THurSday, NOVEmbEr 26, 2020

Saban postive for COVID-19 Alabama coach will miss Iron Bowl.

BY JOHN ZENOR aSSOCIaTEd PrESS

aSSOCIaTEd PrESS FILE

Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders (3) is brought down by Oklahoma defenders.)

Defenses fuel Big 12 teams

BY JOHN RABY aSSOCIaTEd PrESS

Defenses are helping carve a path toward the Big 12 championship game.

The two current frontrunners, No. 15 Iowa State and No. 14 Oklahoma, have stood out recently by what they’ve done to limit opposing offenses.

The first-place Cyclones held Kansas State to nine pass completions and 149 total yards in a 45-0 victory over the Wildcats last week.

Second-place Oklahoma has allowed a total of two touchdowns and registered 13 sacks in its last two games.

And it’s not just them.

While the Big 12 historically is known for its high-scoring offenses, there is evidence that top to bottom the defenses are starting to push back.

Big 12 defenses are holding opposing offenses to 377 yards per game this season, the lowest among the Power 5 conferences, according to the league. And the Big 12’s combined average of 28.3 points allowed is the second lowest.

In Big 12 games only, scoring has dropped from about 32 points on average in 2016 to 29.2 points both in 2019 and

this season, while offensive production has dipped from 473 yards per game in 2016 to about 384 so far in 2020. Oklahoma led the league in each season. The Sooners peaked at 612.8 yards of offense in 2018. That’s down to 498.4 yards in 2020.

“No doubt, it’s been an impressive year for the league defensively,” Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley said. “There’s a lot of really quality defenses, and I wouldn’t disagree if you said maybe more than in some years past.”

TCU coach Gary Patterson said nowadays what works well on defense for one team tends to get copied by others.

“Everybody mimics,” he said. “If something’s being successful, then they clone it, and there’s a lot of people that have gotten where they’re cloning things that are being successful.”

At Iowa State, success starts in the middle. Linebacker Mike Rose is second in the Big 12 in total tackles with 63 and he leads the conference with four interceptions. Greg Eisworth, a twotime all-Big 12 first team selection, anchors the secondary.

Iowa State defensive end Will McDonald is tied with Oklahoma linebacker Nik Bonitto for the league lead w i t h 6 . 5 s a c k s, wh i l e Cyclones defensive end JaQuan Bailey has six sacks and is second in the league with 12 tackles for loss.

Texas coach Tom Herman, who was Iowa State’s offensive coordinator from 200911, said overall this is the best Cyclones team he’s seen “in a long, long time.”

“They’ve got great players up front on defense,” Herman said. “That side of the ball is so talented and very cohesive, well coached.”

Iowa State (6-2, 6-1 Big 12) can clinch a berth in the Big 12 championship game with a win Friday against the 20th-ranked Longhorns (5-2, 4-2). Texas hasn’t lost to the Cyclones at home since 2010.

Oklahoma (6-2, 5-2) takes a five-game winning streak into Saturday night’s matchup at West Virginia (5-3, 4-3).

Despite using a half-dozen different starting combinations on its defensive line this season, Oklahoma is the only Big 12 team allowing fewer than 100 rushing yards per game.

Defensive end Ronnie Perkins had two sacks last week as Oklahoma limited Oklahoma State to a season-low 246 yards and kept the Cowboys off the scoreboard in the second half. Perkins has 12 tackles in three games since returning from suspension.

“I think their front four is imposing,” said West Virginia coach Neal Brown. “They’re as good, if probably the best, front four in our league. Ronnie Perkins on Saturday night played at an elite level. Defensively, the success they’ve had starts there.”

Brown will put up a pretty good defense of his own against the Sooners.

West Virginia has the nation’s fourth-best pass defense at 162 yards per game and has allowed the fewest touchdowns in the league at 17, including three over the last three games.

West Virginia’s defense has thrived despite parting ways with defensive coordinator Vic Koenning in July after a player alleged Koenning made a series of insensitive remarks. Koenning’s duties were then doled out among several defensive assistants.

The Iron Bowl will be without its biggest star.

No. 1 Alabama’s iconic coach Nick Saban tested positive for COVID-19 just before the game with No. 22 Auburn. Since he was experiencing mild symptoms, it appears there won’t be a false positive reprieve for Saban like there was last month before another huge game against Georgia.

Team physician Dr. Jimmy Robinson and head trainer Jeff Allen said in a joint statement that the positive test came Wednesday.

“He has very mild symptoms, so this test will not be categorized as a potential false positive,” the statement said. “He will follow all appropriate guidelines and isolate at home.”

The Crimson Tide is set to face its biggest rival Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium without the 69-yearold, six-time national champion coach. Of fensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, a former head coach at USC and Washington, will oversee preparations within the football building and lead the team on game day.

Saban said he has had a runny nose, but no major symptoms. When he tested positive ahead of the game with Georgia, he didn’t have any symptoms. Saban ended up being cleared to coach in that game after subsequent tests leading up to the game came back negative.

This time appears different.

“It was a PCR test which was different than the false positive that I had before,” Saban said on the Southeastern Conference coaches teleconference. “I don’t really have any cardinal signs of the virus right now. I don’t have a fever, no loss of

NCAA taste or smell, no fatigue, no muscle aches.

“I informed the team this morning at 10 on a zoom call. I’m the only person in the whole organization who tested positive this round.”

Saban will still run meetings and monitor practice via zoom at home like he did ahead of the Georgia game. Sarkisian will still call offensive plays during the game, but other details were still to be ironed out.

“Last time I did this for three days, I absolutely did everything from home that I did in the office,” Saban said. “I just did it on zoom.”

Saban said he has no idea how he got the virus, and it wasn’t immediately clear if anybody else within the program will be affected.

Saban believes that’s unlikely “based on how we manage things internally in the building.”

“I’m around nobody. I mean, I go home and I go to the office,” Saban said. “I have no idea. Now, there are some people in and out of our house on occasion, but I have no idea how this happened. We really practice social tracing, social distancing, all the things that we need to do to be safe.

“We’re always six feet apart in meetings. We have staff meetings in large ro o m s. E ve r yo n e i s required and we all wear masks. Players all wear masks in meetings.”

Auburn coach Gus Malzahn figures facing Alabama without Saban on the opposite sideline will be the latest bizarre aspect to “a really weird year.”

“I hope his symptoms are not severe or anything.

Hope he makes a speedy recovery,” Malzahn said.

“It’s going to be a really weird deal playing the Iron Bowl without Nick being there.”

CHANGE: New tactics necessary for area football coaches, teams FrOm PaGE b1

ferent perspective. The fall was supposed to the first for the Giants as an official NCAA program. Last year, the team played seven games, but more along the lines of a club team.

“Ideally, being able to go out and play would be the best thing,” Higgins said.

“The mentality our guys took is that we are a new program. We could potentially make some strides with the extra offseason. We lost spring ball, so we used the beginning of fall as spring ball.”

If there is anyone out of the local group of college coaches who understands what it is like to have a program but not play any games, it is Misericordia head coach Mark Ross.

Ross was hired in 2011 and had a year to lay the foundation for what he expected the program would be like.

Though the Cougars did not officially play their first game until the 2012 season, Ross hit the local recruiting trail hard.

“We got out to a couple of games this fall,” Ross said.

“As we started to get our own things going we cut the back.

We got to see some high school games early. Honestly, in a lot ways, things this fall were the same sort of situation I had back in 2011 when I started. We didn’t play. We were getting things in place.

The difference this fall is that we did not have the ability to get to an endless number of games. In some ways, this wasn’t a new experience for me. I have kind of been there and done that. I think we made the most of it.”

With King’s, Misericordia and Wilkes all located in close proximity and competing in the Middle Atlantic Conference, they are more often than not trying to reach out to the same seniors throughout District 2. But what all three head coaches couldn’t account for was the gameday visits, particularly when two of the three local teams are playing one another.

“Those games are always huge,” King’s head coach Jeff Knarr said. “We play Wilkes for a trophy and this year we had a year where we had to go without it. Sure, you may have been a part of that for three years, but when it is your senior year, it is your team. It really means a lot.”

The local rivalry games are also big recruiting days for the three teams, particularly when it comes to getting recruits on campus to experience what the atmosphere is like as well as getting to play in front of larger than normal crowds due to the fact the games feature local schools.

“Usually during the season we have gameday visits,” Knarr said. “Obviously, there were no games. We did four Saturday visits and had weekday visits. They were capped at a limit, they were smaller than normal. We have had less people visit than we would at this point in a normal season. We could do more with them. We showed the college and program. It is kind of different.

With capacity and restrictions we did them in much Learning new habits smaller groups.”

Keystone College head With the Eastern Collecoach Justin Higgins saw the giate Football Conference COVID fall season from a dif- being one of the last confer-

DRACH

THE CITIZENS’ VOICE FILE

Misericordia coach Mark Ross leads his team during a practice. ence’s to cancel for the 2020 season, Higgins had several plans in place based on the directives he was getting from the school and the conference.

“We knew when summer came the fall, no matter what we were allowed to do was going to be different,” Higgins said. “Our season wasn’t canceled until the beginning of August. We hung on trying to find games, but the NCAA made it too difficult.

We always planned multiple steps in terms of what could be. We had a plan going in, and knew what our options would have been. As a new program we couldn’t rely on what we have always done. I think we planned well enough.”

Mainly, the plan for all four

local Division III programs was to take all the necessary steps in phases. The football aspect began with individual and skill work with limited numbers. There were weightlifting sessions, basically designed to be position specific. That progressed to onfield work in groups. At Wilkes, any prospective prospect was invited to stick around and watch practice to culminate the on-campus visit. But those who chose to, needed to view practice from their car in the parking lot adjacent to the football stadium. “ I wo u l d n ’ t s ay w e changed our philosophy, I wo u l d s ay, m ay b e, we changed our tactics,” Ross said. “Just in terms of not being able to have some of the things we normally do.

HIGGINS

We usually have gameday visits. That wasn’t going to happen. We changed how we accomplished stuff.”

It is those visits to campus on the day of a game Higgins still needs to figure out.

Though he has visions of what he would like to see on campus when the Giants take the field for a game at home, he has no idea what to actually expect since the Giants have never played a football game at home.

Regardless of the level of college football, it is what happens around the football facility that can leave a lasting impression on a recruit.

It is just an added bonus to what the coaches hope is a welcoming experience for any recruit who steps on campus outside of the tour itself, engaging with the staff and players and seeing the facilities where they potentially will be spending the next four years of their lives.

“Our sales pitch is nothing different,” Higgins said. “We always have been transparent with who we are at Keystone. They have to be the right fit for us and we have to be the right fit for them. Our piece is we explain our expectations here, this is where we are academically and what we expect of the player. It does no program any good if they don’t know what they are getting into. There is too much unknown for next fall.”

What COVID-19 has proven is that no matter what, college coaches needed to adapt

t h e w ay t h e y re c r u i t .

Depending on where recruits reside, some have had the opportunity to play more games than others, depending on directives handed down by state federations.

Taking District 2 as an example, the Wyoming Valley Conference began its season Sept. 11. The Lackawanna League began two weeks later. At Vero Beach High School in Florida, coaches from Florida State and the University of Miami were on the sidelines during playoff games last year. That is not the case this year due to COVID restrictions.

Finding a way to be creative is key. Drach points out that due to social media, it is easier to reach out to a recruit than simply a phone call or an invitation to visit campus.

But the limitations on gatherings made for more formal campus visits, giving the coach a chance for more one-on-one interaction as opposed to have large groups touring campus at the same time.

“I’m not sure if at the end of the day this doesn’t lead to some future changes in how recruiting is done,” Ross said. “It might be a good thing. This pandemic has forced everyone to find new ways to accomplish the same task. It is a little less intrusive on the schools. I know the kids get tired. The first couple of days it’s great with all the attention. After four or five days they get tired of it.

“The long lasting ramifications could be good for the prospect and good for the coaches.”

Contact the writer: sbennett@citizensvoice.com; 570-821-2062; @CVStevebennett on Twitter

THE CITIZENS’ VOICE

Sports Saturday, November 14, 2020

MASTERS PIAA FOOTBALL

SHORE UP

Bulldogs’ defensive stands too much for Comets

matt SLoCum / aSSoCIated PreSS

Justin Thomas catches a ball from his caddie before teeing off on the 17th hole during the first round of the Masters on Friday.

Four share lead at Augusta Johnson, Thomas, Ancer, Smith on top as darkness stops play in 2nd round.

BY DOUG FERGUSON aSSoCIated PreSS

BY STEVE BENNETT StaFF WrIter

WRIGHT TWP. — Down five at the half, Crestwood felt good about where it was. Especially getting the ball to begin the third quarter.

Jersey Shore also felt good. Though the Bulldogs f o u n d t h e m s e l ve s i n strange territory, scoring twice in the first half, they knew it was just a matter of making plays.

For both teams, that was the case.

Two times Crestwood had the ball inside the Jersey Shore 10-yard line in the third quarter. Both times the Comets came up empty.

That was enough of a momentum shift for Jersey Shore and propelled the Bulldogs to a 26-14 victory Friday night at Crestwood in the quarterfinal round of the Class 4A state playoffs.

Please see CRESTWOOD, Page B4

SeaN mCKeaG / StaFF PHotoGraPHer

Crestwood’s Jimmy Hawley (42) tries to run past Jersey Shore defenders during Friday night’s PIAA Class 4A quarterfinal game at Crestwood High School.

Wyoming Valley West forfeits Quarterfinal matchup canceled because of COVID-19 concerns.

BY STEVE BENNETT StaFF WrIter

The Wyoming Valley West football team was forced to forfeit Friday night’s PIAA Class 5A quarterfinal against Erie Cathedral Prep because of COVID-19 concerns within the program.

The decision to cancel the game came Friday morning after a meeting between head coach Jack Baranski and school district administrators.

Baranski said through contact tracing, there are 16 football players and members of the

coaching staff in quarantine.

On Thursday night, school district administrators announced the district will be returning to all virtual learning until further notice, leading to concerns about Friday night’s game.

School district administrators as well as the school board stopped and restarted extracurricular activities within the district four times dating back to the summer.

After the most recent stopand-start decision regarding fall sports, the Spartans returned to practice Nov. 2, and began preparing for Erie Cathedral Prep on Monday, once the coaching staff learned the Ramblers were going to be Friday night’s opponent.

“The team worked very hard and prepared the last two weeks,” Baranski said. “They were as prepared as any Valley West team that I have seen in the last 15 years. We fully expected to go out to Brockway High School and play a tight football game with a very good shot at winning.”

The Spartans had not played a game since Oct. 16 when they beat Nanticoke Area. The team’s other victory this season came over Pittston Area.

Because of Abington Heights opting out of the football season and District 11 deciding to play a self-contained championship tournament, Valley West was Please see WVW, Page B4

AUGUSTA, Ga. — A long day in the small window of daylight that comes with a Masters in November didn’t settle anything except that Dustin Johnson is playing like the No. 1 player and Justin Thomas has finally figured out Augusta National.

They were among four players atop the leaderboard Friday when the second round was halted by darkness, a product of the most unusual Masters ever trying to catch up from a three-hour weather delay at the start.

Among those still on the course was Tiger Woods, stuck in neutral on a day when the greens picked up a little more speed and the autumn leaves shook slightly with some wind. Bryson DeChambeau was struggling to make the cut after a lost ball that led to a triple bogey.

What two days have shown is that Masters experience only goes so far on a soft course with rye grass that isn’t grown in quite the way it usually is in April.

Abraham Ancer, one of 26 newcomers to the Masters, ran off six birdies in his round of 5-under 67 that allowed him to join Johnson (70) and Thomas (69) as part of the clubhouse lead at 9-under 135. Also tied was Cameron Smith of Australia, who played his last four holes with an eagle and three straight birdies for a 68.

Please see MASTERS, Page B6

PAUL HORNUNG | 1935-2020

PENN STATE

Catalyst of Packers dynasty dies at 84 Hall of Famer won Heisman Trophy at Notre Dame in 1956. aSSoCIated PreSS

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Paul Hornung, the dazzling “Golden Boy” of the Green Bay Packers whose singular ability to generate points as a runner, receiver, quarterback and kicker helped turn the team into an NFL dynasty, died Friday. He was 84.

Hornung’s family confirmed his death to the Louisville Sports Commission and to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

In July 2016, Hornung sued equipment manufacturer Riddell Inc., saying football helmets he wore during

his professional career failed to protect him from brain injury. Hornung suffered multiple concussions with the Packers and was diagnosed with dementia, the lawsuit said.

Hornung won the 1956 Heisman Trophy at Notre Dame. He was the NFL MVP in 1961 and played on four championship teams (1961, ’62, ’65 and ’66).

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986.

Hornung and another of the league’s top stars, Detroit’s Alex Karras, were suspended for 1963 by Commissioner Pete Rozelle for betting on NFL games and associating with undesirable Please see HORNUNG, Page B5

NEBRASKA WEEK

Tough talks part of learning curve Lions leaders look to turn year around after miserable start.

BY DONNIE COLLINS StaFF WrIter

aSSoCIated PreSS FILe

Paul Hornung waves to the crowd at Lambeau Field during a game in 2011 in Green Bay, Wis.

Happy Valley was anything but happy at times this week.

Behind closed doors, in Penn State’s football headquarters in the Lasch Building and outside of it, there were difficult conversations.

Honest ones. Needed ones, players say, about responsibilities and leadership and execution and listening and ... well, a lot of the systems that failed on the way to the Nittany Lions’ shocking 0-3 start.

PENN STATE (0-3) at NEBRASKA (0-2) Today, noon, FS1

They were conversations in which tight end Pat Freiermuth and center Michal Menet stressed to quarterback Sean Clifford the importance of being a better decision-maker, in which Clifford and Menet talked with Freiermuth about taking charge, in which Clifford and Freiermuth implored Menet to be a Please see PSU, Page B2

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

B4 THE CITIZENS' VOICE

SaTurday, NOVEmbEr 14, 2020

WVW: Forfeits

Chilson leaves on high note in Tigers’ victory

BY MATT BUFANO STaFF WrITEr

TUNKHANNOCK — Senior quarterback Jack Chilson paused for a moment during his postgame interview Friday night.

“I’m trying to soak it all in right now,” Chilson said.

Chilson reflected on the four years he started for the Tunkhannock Tigers and climbed the program’s record books.

He also reflected on Friday night, the freshest memory of them all and also one of the happiest.

C h i l s o n s t a r re d o n offense and defense, leading Tunkhannock past Honesdale, 41-20, in a season-ending Wyoming Valley Football Conference/ Lackawanna League crossover game.

Chilson threw for 254 yards, ending his Tunkhannock career with 5,430 passing yards. He moved up to sixth in WVC history, surpassing Nanticoke Area’s Gary Phillips, who had 5,311 yards.

Chilson’s 68-yard touchdown pass to Shane Wood, in which Wood accumulated nearly all that yardage after the catch, essentially sealed the victory, putting Tunkhannock ahead, 34-20, with 2:47 left.

However, about 4 minutes earlier, Chilson made a critical play on defense.

Honesdale, trailing, 28-20, was facing 4th down from the 4-yard line and Chilson, who played linebacker and safety, tackled running back Connor Schmitt for a 5-yard loss and turnover on downs.

Chilson hardly played defense as an underclassman at Tunkhannock, but he volunteered to take on a larger role this season.

“He wanted to help the team the best he can and he knew we were pretty light at the DB spot,” said Tunkhannock head coach Mike Marabell. “I’m super proud of him.”

From there, Tunkhannock picked up a couple first downs that led to Wood’s clincher.

Despite the lopsided final score, Honesdale hung tough, especially in the first half.

The first half was filled with big plays and equally

Jack Chilson

Tunkhannock senior

as big mistakes, as the teams combined to score six touchdowns, miss three extra points and throw two interceptions en route to a halftime tie, 20-20.

The most critical turn of events in the first half happened in the final 1:31, in which Tunkhannock scored two consecutive touchdowns to take its first lead of the night. However, the Tigers immediately lost that lead when they allowed Honesdale’ Jacob Orrick to return a kick 75 yards for a touchdown.

“That was a tough one,” Marabell said. “That was a miscommunication with us and our kicker. Our coverage went one way and the ball went the other.”

Prior to Orrick (16 carries, 186 yards, touchdown) zapp i n g T u n k h a n n o c k ’s momentum, the Tigers had a nifty score to go ahead, 20-13.

Chilson threw the ball behind the line of scrimmage to receive Jhamal Zacharias, who tossed the ball over the middle to a streaking Nate Lord for a score.

Tunkhannock had a pair of 100-yard rushers in Ty Konen (21-120, two touchdowns) and Brian Christ (6-113, touchdown) to send Chilson and the Tiger seniors out with a win.

“The seasons weren’t always that great,” Chilson said. “You know, my freshman and sophomore years, we weren’t always the best team. But, this town, this team, the coaches, they always believed in us. I think that’s what I’m going to miss the most: the community feeling and the school pride that I feel is unrivaled from any other place.”

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guaranteed a spot in the Class 5A state playoffs because it was the only team of its classification left participating in the District 2/11 subregion.

Erie Cathedral Prep, a five-time state champion, will advance to next week’s state semifinals to play the winner of tonight’s game between Upper Dublin and WC Rustin.

“I’m extremely proud of the young men on this football team,” Baranski said.

“They went through so much adversity, but they were able to maintain their focus. Their effort and attitude was outstanding and they should be commended.”

“This town, this team, the coaches, they always believed in us.

I think that’s what I’m going to miss the most.”

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PIAA Class 6A

SEaN mCKEaG / STaFF PHOTOGraPHEr

Crestwood’s Noah Schultz breaks free for a gain against Jersey Shore during the PIAA Class 4A quarterfinal game Friday night at Crestwood High School.

CRESTWOOD: Falls in quarters FrOm PaGE b1

Jersey Shore improved to 9-0 and will advance to next week’s state semifinals. District 2 champ Crestwood’s season ends at 8-1.

“You have to finish drives, I give them all the credit, they held us out and made us earn every inch,” Crestwood coach Ryan Arcangeli said. “We are going to take a look at it as a staff and make the corrections. When we get down there again, we will make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Crestwood got a glimpse of Jersey Shore’s high-powered, up-tempo offense on the first possession of the g a m e. T h e B u l l d o g s marched 65 yards in 13 plays with running back Hayden Packer finishing it off with a 2-yard touchdown run.

Playing without starting quarterback Ryan Petrosky who missed the game because of injury, the Comets turned to sophomore Noah Schultz to lead the team. Schultz adjusted well to the surroundings midway through Crestwood’s initial drive of the game and began to look more comfortable on each ensuing series.

“We knew (Petrosky) was going to be out Sunday,” Arcangeli said. “Noah had all week to prepare. That helped him out and made him comfortable. We were able to curtail the game plan to his strengths.”

That strength Friday night was running the football. He scored on a 20-yard run to put the Comets ahead, 7-6, but Jersey Shore’s Owen Anderson took a sweep 39 yards for a touchdown to give the Bulldogs a 12-7 lead at the half.

“We weren’t disappointed someone has this type of score against us,” Jersey

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SEaN mCKEaG / STaFF PHOTOGraPHEr

Jersey Shore’s Cam Allison rushes past Crestwood’s Jimmy Hawley (42) during Friday night’s game.

Shore coach Tom Gravish said. “We told them at the half we will keep pounding the rock and we will make our plays.”

Beginning deep in their own territory to start the second half, Crestwood established its running game. The Comets moved to the Jersey Shore 9-yard line, but a tackle behind the line of scrimmage resulted in a fumble and a missed opportunity.

The Bulldogs capitalized and needed seven plays to go 85 yards with Anderson hauling in a 42-yard touchdown pass to put the Bulldogs ahead, 19-7.

On its next possession, Crestwood got to the Jersey Shore 4-yard line with 1:22 left in the third quarter. On a fourth down play, Schultz threw incomplete in the end zone. A big Crestwood defensive stand forced a three-and-out and Schultz closed the deficit to five when he scored on an 18-yard run.

“I’m proud of our kids, we knew Crestwood was going to make plays,” Gravish said. “Just told them to keep playing and we are

going to make our share.

We’re just happy to get out of here with a win.”

A n o t h e r C re s t wo o d defensive stand gave the Comets some life. But an interception led to the final Jersey Shore touchdown of the night, and with the clock working against them, the Comets gave it one last shot.

This time down by 12 with 3:09 remaining in the game, Crestwood moved the ball to the Jersey Shore 1-yard line, but a tackle for loss and interception in the end zone allowed the Bulldogs to take a knee to end the game. The Comets turned the ball over four times on the night, quickly forcing the defense back on the field.

“It’s always the difference, if you don’t win the turnover battle you don’t win a lot of g ames,” Arcangeli said. “We weren’t able to hold on to the ball when it mattered most. The turnover on downs hurt.

I’m proud of my guys, we have the best in the world.”

Contact the writer: sbennett@citizensvoice.com; 570 821-2062; @CVStevebennett on Twitter

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District 10 champ McDowell advances to next week’s semifinals after District 7 champ Central Catholic was forced to forfeit Friday’s game because of COVID-19 concerns.

McDowell (7-0) awaits the winner of today’s 1 p.m. quarterfinal between Central York and host Delaware Valley.

Central Catholic won the WPIAL 6A title last week.

The school announced Wednesday it was shutting down Thursday because of a third positive COVID-19 case. Head coach Terry Totten told the Pittsburgh PostGazette that at least three more positive tests were discovered Friday and added that none of Central Catholic’s players or staff tested positive.

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North Schuylkill and Notre Dame-Green Pond won’t play for the District 11 Class 3A football championship tonight.

The game was postponed Wednesday after it was learned a Tamaqua football player tested positive for COVID-19 this week. North Schuylkill defeated Tamaqua, 56-21, in last weekend’s Class 3A semifinals.

That potential exposure forced North Schuylkill (7-0) to shut down practices for two weeks. Instead of giving Notre Dame-Green Pond (7-0) a forfeit victory and the district championship, both schools agreed to postpone the game until Friday, Nov. 27, pending District 11 approval.

The PIAA announced earlier this year that football teams have until Nov. 28 to play games.

Also, Friday’s Class 1A championship game between Tri-Valley and Williams Valley was postponed because of COVID-19 issues at Tri-Valley High School, which is closed to in-person learning through Nov. 19.

Tri-Valley has “three positive cases and 30 preventative quarantines, all but one of which are in the high school,” according to school district Superintendent Mark Snyder. Athletic director Robert Felty Jr. said if football practices could resume Nov. 20, the game could be played as early as Nov. 25.

Williams Valley athletic director Ben Ancheff said playing the game either Nov. 27 or Nov. 28 is more realistic.

Similar to the Class 3A championship game between North Schuylkill and Notre Dame-Green Pond, the District 11 Committee has to approve waiving the three-day rule that states the game must be played by Monday should one of the participating teams be suspended by coronavirus cases or exposure.

The District 11 Committee meets Monday at 11 a.m.

Positive tests for COVID-19 have wrecked the District 11 football playoffs this week, with Wilson (Class 4A) and Stroudsburg (Class 6A) having to forfeit semifinal games because of positive tests or exposure to players from opposing teams with positive tests.