Breaking Down The 2022 Wyoming Valley Conference Division 2
Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 2, News
John Kotsko | August 23, 2022
Opening Day is only a few short days away. Division 2 is looking to be one of the more interesting divisions to say the least. The Division has a 5A school, three 4A schools, two 3A schools and a 2A school in their division but that is what Division 2 emcompasses. With all that being said, let’s break down the schools that are in this division.
Pittston Area
Classification: 5A
2021 Record: 3-8
Coach’s Preseason Outlook: “We return the majority of our skilled players on both sides of the ball. Our offensive and defensive line will be improved from last season. If we can stay healthy through the difficult first half of our schedule, we will have a chance to be a playoff contender in 5A.”
Key Players
QB Drew DeLucca 988 yards 4 touchdowns 1 rushing touchdown
RB/DB Harry Pugliese 618 yards 9 touchdowns 23 catches 196 yards 2 Interceptions on defense
WR Kevin Lockett 20 catches 387 yards 4 touchdowns
WR/DB Rob Barbieri 18 catches 200 yards 1 interception on defense
OL/DL Jake Mills
Returning:
Drew DeLucca QB 5-9 155 11
Harry Pugliese TB 5-11 185 12
Kevin Lockett WR 6-0 170 12
Drew Menendez LB/FB 5-10 210 12
Rob Barbieri WR/ DB 5-10 170 12
Jake Mills OL 6-2 270 12
Nick Sciandra OL 5-8 250 12
Ryan Hintze OL 6-1 210 12
David Sudo 6-0 240 TE/DL 12
John Barchi-Crich DL 5-11 190 12
Charles Sciandra DL 5-11 245 12
Jaidin Morgans DL 5-10 205 12
Newcomers: Anthony Ranieli WR Josh Pierre WR/DB CJ Pietrzak RB/LB Gunnar Zaladonis OL/DL Brody Spindler OL/LB Ciran Bilbow WR/DB AJ Grieco WR/ LB AJ Scialpi FB/ LB
Wyoming Area
Classification: 4A
2021 Record: 10-2
Coach’s Preseason Outlook: “The 2022 Wyoming Area Warriors enter the season as Wyoming Valley Division 2 Champions and PIAA District 2 AAA Finalists. This year’s team will be a combination of some outstanding returning veteran players and talented underclassmen. The quality of the leadership and development of some young players will be keys to a successful season.”
Key Players
OLDL Ethan Speece
TE/LB Joe Marranca 1 Interception on defense
RB/LB Aaron Crossley 539 yards 6 TDs 3 catches 28 yards 1 TD
Returning: Ethan Speece OL/DL 6’0” 277lbs 2023 Joe Marranca TE(H)FB 6’2” 220lbs 2023 Aaron Crossley RB/LB 5’11” 205lbs. 2024
Newcomers: Damian Lefkoski QB/DB Michael Crane RB/DB Lidge Kellum RB/DB Keegan Rusyn FB/LB Nick Scalzo FB/NG Matt Rutkoski FB/DL Josh Mruk FB/LB Garret Pocceschi WR/DB Taden Jendrzejewski WR/DB Gage Speece WR/DB/K/P Kevin Wiedl WR/DB Dominic Colovito WR/DB Skyler Pierce WR/LB(Edge) Ryan Jones WR/DB Jacob Morgan WR/DB Justin Francis TE/DE/P Riley Knaub TE/DE James Hizynski TE/DE Russell VanAuken OL/DL Luke Barhight OL/DL/LS Jacob Krulick OL/NG Anthony VanAuken OL/DL Sam Rau OL/DL Jacob Gustitus OL/DL Jaden Jones OL/DL Chase DeSanto OL/DL Cody Meade OL/DL Liam Burke K John Turner P/K
Lake-Lehman
Classification: 3A
2021 Record: 4-6
Coach’s Preseason Outlook: “With a good core of players returning this year, it will be very competitive and exciting with our schedule.”
Key Players
QB/LB Landon Schuckers 182 yards 1 TD 98 rushing yards 1 TD
RB Gavin Wallace 232 yards 1 TD
RB/LB Javon Borger 226 yards 2 TDs
OL/DL Chad Honeywell
TE/DL Mason Lee
Returning:
70 Chad Honeywell 12 OL/DL 6’1″ 240
77 Aidan Gaus 12 OL/DL 5’10” 215
61 Mason Lee 12 TE/DL 6’2″ 215
52 Damian Napierkowski 12 OL/DL 5’9″ 220
19 Gavin Paraschak 12 RB/LB 5’10” 165
29 Brandon Ritinski 12 WR/DB 5’9″ 150
18 Javon Borger 12 RB/LB 5’9″ 160
7 Landon Schuckers 12 QB/LB 5’10” 175
4 Gavin Wallace 12 WR/DB 6’0 155
Newcomers: 16 Jake Gizenski 12 RB/DB 6′ 150 51 Jacob McHenry 11 OL/DL 6’3″ 255 69 Vladimer Lee 10 OL/DL 6’3 290 34 Benjamin Dowling 10 WR/DB 6’2″ 180 22 Christpher Sholtis 10 WR/DB 6′ 165 66 Brayden Savage 11 OL/DL 5’8″ 210 57 Travis Pisano 11 OL/DL 6′ 175 40 Justin Pudimott 11 RB/LB 5’9″ 155
Hanover Area
Classification: 3A
2021 Final Record: 2-7
Coach’s Preseason Outlook: “Although on paper we have a lot of upperclassmen, we are still very young at most spots. We are just trying to get the kids better each day at everything they do. Looking to be a competitive team, improving week to week, playing physical, fast, aggressive football.”
WR/DB Sean Dooner 6 catches 127 yards 2 TDs
WR/DB Joe Cronan 1 catch 24 yards
QB/LB Christian Torres 713 yards 6 TDs 4 rushing touchdowns
Aidan Shamanski 209 yards 2 TDs 3 catches 55 yards 1 Interception on defense
OL/DL Chase Whitman
Returning:
70 Chad Honeywell 12 OL/DL 6’1″ 240
77 Aidan Gaus 12 OL/DL 5’10” 215
61 Mason Lee 12 TE/DL 6’2″ 215
52 Damian Napierkowski 12 OL/DL 5’9″ 220
19 Gavin Paraschak 12 RB/LB 5’10” 165
29 Brandon Ritinski 12 WR/DB 5’9″ 150
18 Javon Borger 12 RB/LB 5’9″ 160
7 Landon Schuckers 12 QB/LB 5’10” 175
4 Gavin Wallace 12 WR/DB 6’0 155
Newcomers: 16 Jake Gizenski 12 RB/DB 6′ 150 51 Jacob McHenry 11 OL/DL 6’3″ 255 69 Vladimer Lee 10 OL/DL 6’3 290 34 Benjamin Dowling 10 WR/DB 6’2″ 180 22 Christpher Sholtis 10 WR/DB 6′ 165 66 Brayden Savage 11 OL/DL 5’8″ 210 57 Travis Pisano 11 OL/DL 6′ 175 40 Justin Pudimott 11 RB/LB 5’9″ 155
Holy Redeemer
Classification: 2A
2021 Final Record 2-8
Coach’s Preseason Outlook: “We are very excited about our upcoming season. We return the leading passer in the WVC regular season, Jacob Hunter. Josh Wesneski, RB/S, is returning as the top RB and one of the best pure athletes around. WR/DB Louis Lussi possesses great height and hands and is a tough matchup for any team. WR DJ McDermott is a great slot receiver. WR/DB Zach Perta returns as a 4 year starter on both sides of the ball and was among the top receivers in the conference last season in both catches and yards. Zach is also a dangerous kick returner. The offensive line will be anchored by another 4 year starter on both sides of the ball, Jeff Kozerski. Jeff possesses a rare combination of size, speed, and physicality and will line up at MLB on defense.”
Key Players
QB/S Jacob Hunter 1,910 yards 19 TDs 164 rushing yards 3 touchdowns 1 interception on defense
WR/DB Zach Perta 36 catches 605 yards 4 touchdowns 122 rushing yards 3 touchdowns
WR/DB Louis Lussi 9 catches 112 yards 2 touchdowns 1 interception on defense
RB/S Josh Wesneski 204 yards 4 touchdowns 13 catches 118 yards
OT/MLB Jeffrey Kozerski
Returning:
Jacob Hunter, QB/S, 6’ , 175, SR
Zach Perta, WR/DB, 6’ 185, SR
Louis Lussi, WR/DB, 6’3”, 170, SR
Jeffrey Kozerski, OT/MLB, 6’4”, 235, SR
Josh Wesneski, RB/S, 6’, 185, SR
Ryan Garvin, C/LB, 5’8”, 175, JR
Owen Boshek, DL, 5’10”, 155, JR
Newcomers: DJ McDermott, WR/LB, 5’8”, 165, JR Jake Griffin, HB/LB, 6’, 180, SR Luke Kopec, RB/LB, 6’1”, 180, JR Alex Hanson, G/DT, 6’, 300, JR Chris Marriott, OL/DT, 6’, 230, SR Darryl Wright, RB/DB, 5’5”, 150, SR
Nanticoke
Classification: 4A
2021 Record: 5-6
Coach’s Preseason Outlook: “With a lot of experience returning this season, expectations are high but staying healthy is key.”
Key Players
RB Zach Fox 1233 yards 13 touchdowns
QB/DB Payton Kepp 95 passing yards 1 TD 450 yards 5 TDs
OL/DL Ryan Wiaterowski
TE/DL Jaiden Johnson 1 catch 40 yards
RB/DB Alex Fine 218 yards 2 TDs 2 catches 12 yards 1 Interception on defense
Tunkhannock
Classification: 4A
2021 Record: 3-7
Coach’s Preseason Outlook: “Looking to improve on last year’s record. Have lots of skill kids back. Looking to be more competitive wit our new schedule.”
Key Players
QB Ben Chilson 1,064 yards 8 touchdowns 197 rushing yards 4 touchdowns
WR/DB Garrett Yuhas 20 catches 285 yards
OL/DL Connor Chesner
RB Bobby Schultz 197 yards 1 touchdo
OL/DL Logan Ross
Returning: Ben Chilson , Garrett Yuhas , Colin Madan , Jeb Stephens , Conner Chesner , Bobby Schultz , Logan Ross
Newcomers: “So. OL/ DL Josh Williams 6’4, 280
So. LB Kellen Gardner 6’1, 180
Jr. OL Adon Gross 6’3, 240”
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