2024 Lackawanna Football Conference Division 3 Preview
Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 2, News, pfn
Jared Samuel | August 15, 2024
LFC Division 3 has a storied past — could this be the year we see that potential fulfilled again? Let’s take a look at the teams!
Carbondale Area Chargers
Head Coach: Jeff Arthur
2023 Record: 3-8
The Chargers head into this season with some inexperience at QB after losing Darryl Bennet to graduation. Freshman Cole Becchetti and Sophomore Caedon Voglino will battle it out for the spot under center, or even possibly split time. Coach Jeff Arthur says “Looking to finish above 500, could win 6 or 7 games if we can overcome inexperience at quarterback”. The good news is there is size and experience on the O-Line that is returning this year along with Senior FB Ethen Brewen. Senior Daniel Gonzalez is returning to the secondary and Brewen is also back at LB, so there are some leaders for the defense.
Key Dates: 10/4 at Lackawanna Trail, 10/11 at Riverside
Outlook: If Carbondale Area can gain experience quickly at QB with an easier early-season schedule, they could have some momentum heading into October and 6 or 7 wins is not out of the question. But if the Chargers do not get out of the gate well early, it could be another long season.
Holy Cross Crusaders
Head Coach: Joe Giorgio
2023 Record: 3-7
Holy Cross may have some momentum on their side this year, as they are returning a good portion of last year’s team. There is some size on both sides of the ball along the Lines, and RB Aiden Wudarski improved a lot last year running the ball. If the experience takes hold, and the team is able to gain some confidence by executing plays, the Crusaders may add some wins this year. Coach Georgio says “We hope to be much more competitive this year as we return a good portion of our team that gained valuable experience last year”.
Key Dates: 8/24 home vs. Montrose, 8/31 home vs. Lakeland
Outlook: Holy Cross needs early wins in some winnable games. If that were to happen, it could mean an improvement is on the horizon for the Crusaders. However, any injuries to key positions could spell disaster.
Lackawanna Trail Lions
Head Coach: Steve Jervis
2023 Record: 13-1
The Lions are a well-developed and well-coached program, and Coach Steve Jervis has been here before and knows what it takes to prepare his team for an extended campaign. Preparation for this season began last season, as many players on this year’s roster gained valuable experience and playing time under the lights for Trail during their PIAA Class 1A playoff run. The Lions have size upfront and speed throughout, and after a strong offseason the expectations are high. Head coach Steve Jervis says “We return a great deal of size and experience upfront on both sides of the ball. We have very good team speed. Overall, kids are working hard and expectations are high”.
Key Dates: 8/30 at Western Wayne, 9/6 home vs. Berwick, 10/25 home vs. Riverside
Outlook: The Lions have a balanced schedule with no real heavy spots. The only possible area of concern would be back-to-back games against a hard-running Western Wayne squad and an improved Berwick team. The Lions would love to enter the PIAA Class 1A playoffs with some momentum and make some noise, hopefully on their way to Cumberland Valley.
Lackawanna Trail 2024 Schedule
Old Forge Blue Devils
Head Coach: Mike Schuback
2023 Record: 5-6
Old Forge struggled some last year, but looks to return to better days in 2024. Senior QB TJ DiMattia and Senior RB Cael Krushnowski both bring a lot of experience back to the offense, along with a mix of experience and size on the O-Line. Krushnowski also is back along with a veteran secondary for the Blue Devil defense.
Key Dates: 8/30 at Dunmore, 9/6 home vs. Mid Valley
Outlook: Old Forge will face some early challenges, so they will need to come out fighting in order to have a chance in the division. Any injuries to the skill positions could be devastating with a number of younger guys being pushed into early service.
Riverside Vikings
Head Coach: Harry Armstrong
2023 Record: 8-4
Even if the Vikings lost superstar Reese Gaughan to graduation, they certainly gained a lot of experience last year — especially in their 2 playoff games against Mid Valley and the rematch against eventual District 2 2A Champion Dunmore. Head coach Harry Armstrong on this years team: “Riverside will be one of the top teams in District 2. Experienced playmakers returning on both sides of the ball, led by 4-year starter, and D1 recruit Richie Kostoff, 3-yr starter QB Chade Taddonio, and Power 4 recruit Tavian Branch, who is rapidly being recognized as one of the premiere OL/DL recruits in the country. Branch already has offers from Rutgers, PITT, Cincinatti, and Temple. The hidden keys will be the level of impact that our returning play-makers on the perimeter an make: WR’s – SR JJ Rogers, SO Jared Jackson, and SO Brayden Rose – a 6’3 acrobatic athlete with D-1 potential can all create big plays on the outside. In the backfield we are counting on RB Ny-jai Scott-Holt to lead the way. The depth of our OL and development of newcomers C Graydon Dupre, G Josh Ramos, David Kieper, Abe Padytel, and Exavier Pelton will be the biggest key to the overall success of the offense. We will be highly competitive and incredibly entertaining to watch. And on Special teams, we have an excellent kick game led by All-League K/P Santino D’Amico and Kick/Punt returner JJ Rogers. In 2023 we blocked 4 punts, and recovered 3 onsides kicks”.
This season bodes well for a big step forward as Riverside has some big-time playmakers returning. Senior QB Chase Taddonio is a 3-year starter, Senior TE Richie Kostoff is a 4-year starter and D-1 recruit and Junior OL/DL Tavian Branch is already becoming one of the more premiere D1 recruits in the country.
Key Dates: 10/25 at Lackawanna Trail
Outlook: The schedule is very favorable for Riverside and it should all come down to the last game of the regular season against the Lions for the LFC Division 3 title. An injury to any one of their top players could be costly, but Riverside also has a number of other playmakers in waiting who should gain valuable experience this season. Riverside could have a ton of momentum entering the playoffs.
Susquehanna Community Sabers
Head Coach: Mose Perry
2023 Record: 5-6
The Sabers have some offensive experience returning, with Senior RB William Marcy there to bolster Sophomore QB/DB Weston Yannone. Susquehanna also returns 3 experienced starters along both Lines in Seniors Caden Williams, Zachary Norton and Rykin Hobart. This is also year 2 under Coach Perry, so experience gained last season could pay off.
Key Dates: 8/24 home vs. Western Wayne, 9/27 at Riverside
Outlook: The Sabers have improved their win total the last 2 seasons and hope to do so again this year. To do that, they will need to remain healthy after a difficult opener against Western Wayne. There are some winnable games on the schedule, and Susquehanna needs to execute and get those wins to improve again this year.
Susquehanna Community 2024 Schedule
Jared’s Prediction:
Lackawanna Trail
Riverside
Old Forge
Susquehanna
Carbondale
Holy Cross
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