2026 Team Preview: The Hazleton Area Cougars
Tagged under: District 2, pfn, Team Previews
Willie McGonigle | August 18, 2026
The Hazleton Area Cougars
Head Coach: Scott Sacco
PIAA District 2
Class 6A
Conference: Wyoming Valley Conference – Division 1
2025 Season Record: 1-10
| Key Starters lost |
| WR- Logan Gennaro C- Jake Zapotocky DL-Joel Vasquez |
| returning starters |
| 6 Jose Lopez WR/DB 6’1 169 Junior 15 JJ Lantigua QB 5’10 190 Junior 20 Xaiver Heck HB/S 5’9 162 Junior 28 Jaxon Johnson FB/MLB 5’9 196 Senior 50 Scott Mooney OL/DL 6’0 246 Senior 55 Hayden Nenstiel C/OLB/DE 6’0 205 Junior 58 Markus West OL/DL 6’1 240 Senior 60 Mitchell Chicalese OL/DL 5’10 255 Senior 79 George Nenstiel OL/DL 6’5 294 Sophomore 84 Nolan Heller WR/S 6’5 186 Junior |
| Key Newcomers |
| 3 Luis Guzman WR/DB 5’10 170 Senior 5 Jaiden Lopez WR 6’1 160 Junior 99 Agmelth De La Cruz DL 6’0 223 Senior |
Season Outlook “We’re fortunate to have a lot of young players returning who gained valuable experience last season. While last year didn’t meet our expectations, it’s motivated this group. We have a chip on our shoulder, and our players are hungry to prove what they’re capable of.”
Scott Sacco
08-22
|
@ Stroudsburg (0-0) |
– |
08-28
|
vs. West Scranton (0-0) |
– |
09-04
|
@ Williamsport (0-0) |
– |
09-11
|
@ Pocono Mountain West (0-0) |
– |
09-18
|
vs. Crestwood (0-0) |
– |
09-25
|
vs. Pittston Area (0-0) |
– |
10-02
|
@ Dallas (0-0) |
– |
10-09
|
@ Berwick (0-0) |
– |
10-16
|
vs. Wyoming Valley West (0-0) |
– |
10-23
|
vs. Wilkes-Barre (0-0) |
– |
10-30
|
@ Pottsville (0-0) |
– |
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