Pittston Area makes History in Victory over Hazleton Area
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John Kotsko | October 11, 2025
Several things were on the line coming into Pittston Area’s game against Hazleton Area. With a victory, the Patriots clinched the Wyoming Valley Conference Division 1 title and the program’s 300th win in school history. Six different players scored touchdowns for Pittston Area enroute to a 49-13 victory over Hazleton Area. “Hard work paying off by our kids and our program. Couldn’t be happier for where we are as a team, community and program.” Said Patriots head coach Paul Russick.
Hazleton Area received the opening kickoff and got a first down off a 17 yard run by JJ Lantigua but were unable to get another first down and were forced to punt. On the Patriots drive, Lucas LoPresto broke several career records. His first catch of the game made him the all-time leader in catches and then he scored on a three yard touchdown run to make him the all-time touchdown leader to make it 7-0 Pittston Area with 3:03 remaining in the first quarter.
After the Cougars fumbled the kickoff and the Patriots recovered, Paulie Ferentino found LoPresto for a 33 yard catch while heavily covered to the five yard line. Brody Spindler scored from five yards out on the next play to make it 14-0 with 2:27 remaining in the first. Hazleton Area went three and out on the next drive. The Patriots went four plays as Ferentino found John Jadus for a six yard touchdown for a 21-0 Pittston Area lead with 10:29 left in the second quarter. The Cougars drove the ball all the way to the Pittston Area six yard line but came up empty after their field goal attempt came up short. After a Patriot three and out, Hazleton Area got the ball just before halftime at the Pittston Area 46 yard line. The Cougars drove to the 19 yard line where they tried throwing to the end zone where Lantigua’s pass was intercepted by Malcolm Blackshear as we got to halftime.
The Patriots got the second half kickoff and went on a lengthy drive where LoPresto scored his second touchdown of the night from seven yards out to make it 28-0 with 5:31 left in the third quarter. Hazleton Area got a good kick return and on the next play, Austin Karlick scored from 15 yards out to cut the lead down to 28-7 with 5:05 remaining in the third quarter.
The Patriots cruised from there, Aidan Brody scored from one yard out to make it 35-7 with 1:40 left in the third quarter. Lantigua scored for the Cougars to make it 35-13 with 6:35 remaining in the fourth quarter. Jaylen Hart scored from five yards out to make it 42-13 with 5:34 left in the game. Kayden Bailey scored from 85 yards out to make it 49-13 with 2:55 remaining in the fourth and that was your final as Pittston Area won their sixth straight game to go to 7-1 on the season and clinch the WVC Division 1 title. Pittston Area travels to Wallenpaupack next week. Hazleton Area falls to 1-6 and hosts Dallas.
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