Times Leader Wyoming Area scored on the final play of the first half, then held Western Wayne scoreless in the second half for a 35-13 victory in a Friday night, non-league football game.
The Wildcats had scored consecutive touchdowns in the second quarter to close to within 14-13.
David Favata caught a 32-yard pass from Luke Kopetchny as time expired in the first half. It was the second touchdown connection between the two and Kopetchny went on to add a third scoring pass.
Dominic Bartell gave the Warriors a 7-0 lead after one quarter with a 1-yard run.
Wyoming Area missed a chance to add to its lead early in the second quarter when a field goal attempt was off the mark. The Warriors came back to score on the next possession when Favata went up high in the back of the end zone to pull in a 24-yard pass from Kopetchny. “That gave us a nice momentum boost going into the half,” coach Randy Spencer said.
The Warriors made the most of it, adding a 37-yard Nicholas Kondrosky touchdown run on a third-and-one play in the third quarter.
Kopetchny rolled right on third-and-goal and found Drew Keating for an 8-yard touchdown.
Wyoming Area improved to 3-2 with its first road victory of the season.
Western Wayne slipped to 3-2.
Pottsville 39, Berwick 14
The Dawgs’ first game against Pottsville in more than a decade resulted in a non-conference loss on the road.
With standout quarterback Brady Cleaver suffering an injury late in last week’s loss to Wilkes-Barre Area, Berwick had Shiloh Escobar under center. The senior accounted for both of the Dawgs’ touchdowns, with the first coming on a 1-yard plunge in the first quarter that tied the game at 7-7.
But from there, the Crimson Tide — led by former Hazleton Area coach Mike Brennan — scored the next 32 points to take control of the game.
Escobar added a 4-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter that made it 39-14.
Berwick fell to 2-3 on the season and will make another road trip next Friday to take on Hanover Area.
nepafootball.com Luke Kopetchny threw for three touchdowns, including a pair in which David Favata made tough catches in the end zone during the second quarter, Friday night to lead Wyoming Area to the non-league win at Western Wayne.
Favata went high in the back of the end zone to pull down a 24-yard touchdown pass for a 14-0 lead.
After Western Wayne closed to within 14-13 with 1:27 left in the second quarter, Kopetchny moved the Warriors down the field.
Kopetchny hit Favata on a third-and-nine square out for just enough yards for the first down and to move Wyoming Area into Western Wayne territory. Kopetchny then scrambled for 14 yards and was tripped up after a yard on another scramble, leading to a timeout with 5.7 seconds remaining.
Favata ran a deep fade pattern down the left side and again reached high over a defender in the end zone, this time to come down with a 32-yard touchdown as time expired in the half.
“That gave us a nice momentum boost going into the half,” Warriors coach Randy Spencer said.
The Wyoming Area defense turned away Western Wayne’s only second-half threat and the Warriors added two more scores.
Nicholas Kondrosky, who rushed for 146 yards on 19 carries, broke a 37-yard touchdown run on third-and-one midway through the third quarter.
Kopetchny found Drew Keating with an 8-yard touchdown pass on third-and-goal in the fourth.
Kopetchny finished 7-for-13 for 116 yards. He also rushed for 39 yards on five carries and returned two punts for 44 yards.
Favata had five catches for 97 yards.
Wyoming Area scored the only points of the first quarter on a 1-yard Dominic Bartell run and the first of five Ava Musinski extra points.
Following Favata’s first touchdown, Western Wayne scored twice in 3:12 late in the half.
Jason Sparks took a jet sweep 76 yards around right end for the first score.
Hunter Rodger added a 5-yard run, then Sparks kicked the extra point to cut the lead to one.
Both teams are 3-2.
Wyoming Area hosts Crestwood (1-4).
Western Wayne moves into its stretch of five straight Lackawanna Football Conference Division 2 games, beginning with a trip to face rival Honesdale (4-1).
On the final Friday night of the summer, the hometown Wyoming Area Warriors won decisively against the Mid Valley Spartans, 38-20, to even up their record at 2-2 on the young season.
Long-time Warriors coach Randy Spencer was proud of how his Wyoming Area team bounced back after a tough road loss to Berwick the week before.
“It’s exciting. It’s certainly a step back in the right direction,” Spencer said. “We got a lot of more experienced players who are knicked up and banged up, we had to go without them tonight but guys stepped up and did a great job, made plays in their place. Hopefully we are working towards getting a little healthier going forward starting next week.
“I’m just excited for our kids. They came together, played all 48-minutes, made some explosive plays and played I thought really physically defensively.”
While Wyoming Area came into the night off of a shutout loss at Berwick, Mid Valley was riding a two-game winning streak after fighting back from a nail-biting 14-13 home loss to Lake-Lehman in the season opener, as they topped Tunkhannock on the road 28-13 and pulled off a 14-0 shutout win over Old Forge.
The Warriors wasted no time displaying their scoring prowess, as just 55 seconds into the game standout senior tailback Nicholas Kondrosky barreled his way into the end zone from 6-yards out for the early 7-0 advantage.
For the Warriors’ next score, a big fumble recovery set their offense up in great position at Mid Valley’s 8-yard line, and senior quarterback Luke Kopetchny would cash it in on a crucial fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line, bashing his way in to enhance his team’s lead to 14-0 headed into halftime.
To kick off their second-half scoring, sophomore defensive back Lavell Brock picked off a Spartans pass and took it all the way to the house on an 85-yard return to bring the Warriors’ lead up to 21-0 with 7:39 left in the third.
Wyoming Area increased the advantage to 24-0 about three minutes later when junior kicker Ava Musinski connected on a 35-yard field goal with 4:28 to go in the third.
Mid Valley then got on the board as sophomore back-up quarterback Paxton Grebb scrambled into end zone from 8 yards out to cut the deficit to 24-6 with 11:52 remaining in the fourth quarter.
That momentum would be short lived, as the Warriors bounced right back with sophomore running back Dominic Bartell sprinting to a 25-yard rushing touchdown just 48 seconds later to make it 31-6 with 11:08 left in regulation.
Wyoming Area would score its final points of the night when junior tailback Semaj Morris found a wide-open hole courtesy of his offensive line’s dominant effort and would flash the wheels for an 89-yard touchdown run to give his team a 38-6 advantage with 8:38 remaining.
Mid Valley added two scores from there as sophomore running back Justin Winters ran it in from 12-yards out to cut the deficit to 38-12 with 4:32 left. For the Spartans final score of the night, Grebb would record his second rushing touchdown, this time a 9-yard scamper to cut the lead to 38-20 with 2:34 left.
Now the 2-2 Warriors will look to build on this winning momentum when they go on the road next week for a road matchup against Western Wayne.
Meanwhile, coach Stan Yanoski and his 2-2 Spartans will look to bounce back next Friday night when they travel on the road to square off against Lackawanna Trail.
Wyoming Area clicked on all three phases of the game in a 38-20 victory over Mid Valley in a nonconference high school football game Friday night at Jake Sobieski Stadium
Samajie Morris led the Warriors attack, rushing for 109 yards and a score. Nick Kondrasky aided the cause with 91 yeards while Luke Kopetchny intercepted two passes while Lavell Brock’s 89 yard interception return helped the Warriors defense.
Michael McKernan returned the game’s opening kickoff 82 yards to give Wyoming Area (2-2) the ball at the Spartans 12. From there, Kondrasky followed with a pair of 6-yard runs with the latter resulting in a Warriors touchdown and a 7-0 lead.
Wyoming Area’s Jeremiah Stillman recovered a fumble midway through the second quarter, giving the Warriors the ball on the Spartans 8. Faced with a 3rd-and-1, Kopetchny sprinted off his left tackle to extend the Warriors lead to 14-0.
Mid Valley (2-2) opened the third quarter with a sustained drive only to have Wyoming Area’s Lavell Brock intercept a pass and outrace everyone 89 yards for the score and a 21-0 lead.
Following a Mid Valley punt, a Warriors stalled at the Spartans 17. However, Ava Musinski connected on a 35-yard field goal and a 24-0 lead.
Mid Valley called on Kayden Barnauskas, who rushed eight consecutive times to advance the ball deep inside Wyoming Area territory. Paxton Grebb did the rest as he strolled the final 8 yards as the Spartans scored to cut the deficit to 24-6 with 11:52 left in the game.
Wyoming Area recovered a Mid Valley onside kick at the 50-yard line. It needed just two 25-yard runs, the latter by Dominic Bartell as he rambled up the middle to increase the Warriors lead to 31-6.
Kopetchny thwarted the next Spartans drive as he intercepted a pass on the 11-yard line. Morris then added an 89-yard run for the score and a 38-6 lead.
Mid Valley went on a 9-play, 76-yard drive. Justin Winters did the heavy lifting as he scored from 12 yards out to make it 38-12.
Mid Valley forced a Warriors fumble, and Winters 64-yard burst gave the Spartans the ball deep inside Wyoming Area territory. Grebb did the rest as he scored from 9 yards out. A two-point conversion made it 38-20.
Wyoming Area 38, Mid Valley 20
Mid Valley`0`0`0`20 — 20
Wyoming Area`7`7`10`14 — 38
First Quarter
WA — Nicholas Kondrosky 6 run (Ava Musinski kick), 11:05.
Second Quarter
WA — Luke Kopetchny 1 run (Musinski kick), 4:10.
Third Quarter
WA — Lavell Brock 85 interception return (Musinski kick), 7:39.
WA —Musinski 35 FG, 4:28.
Fourth Quarter
MV — Paxton Grebb 8 run (pass failed), 11:52.
WA — Dominic Bartell 25 run (Musinski kick), 11:08.
WA — Semaj Morris 89 run (Musinski kick), 8:38.
MV — Justin Winters 12 run (pass failed), 4:32.
MV — Grebb 9 run (Richard Dilks pass from Grebb), 2:34.
Team statistics`Mid Valley Wyoming Area
First downs`15`14
Rushes-yards`36-201`28-256
Passing yards`94`25
Total yards`295`281
Passing`8-21-3`1-4-0
Sacked-yards lost`2-4`3-12
Punts-avg.`4-29`2-43
Fumbles-lost`1-1`3-2
Penalties-yards`1-5`8-80
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING — MV, Kayden Barnauskas 23-91, Paxton Grebb 3-20, Jacob Bennett 2-1, Justin Winters 8-89. WA, Nicholas Kondrosky 13-103, Luke Kopetchny 4-7, Dominic Bartell 2-28, Semaj Morris 5-109, Michael McKernan 1-3, Adrian Cruz 1-3, Tyler Karcutski 1-5, Maddox Fink 1-neg.2.
PASSING — MV, Cole Skotleski 5-12-0-64, Paxton Grebb 3-8-2-30, Jacob Bennett 0-1-1-0. WA, Luke Kopetchny 1-4-0-25.
RECEIVING — MV, Nick Hricenak 4-61, Aiden Wilson 2-21, Dylan Sarnoski 1-4, Jacob Bennett 1-8. WA, David Favata 1-25.
INTERCEPTIONS — WA, Luke Kopetchny 2-5, Lavell Brock 1-85.
Week 3 September 11, 2026: Warriors Blanked by Berwick 39-0
Times Leader Brady Cleaver ran for three touchdowns and passed for another Friday as Berwick ran over visiting Wyoming Area for a 39-0 victory in a game between Wyoming Valley Conference teams that are no longer battling each other for a division title.
Berwick denied Wyoming Area a title repeat in 2025 by handing the Warriors their only regular-season defeat.
The Bulldogs came out on top again behind a defense that limited the Warriors to 56 yards total offense.
Gavin Galutia recovered a fumble to end Wyoming Area’s second possession and Berwick went 45 yards on 45 plays to open the scoring.
Galutia had a 14-yard run, then a 12-yard touchdown off the left side for a 7-0 lead with 3:32 left in the first quarter.
The Bulldogs scored three times in the second quarter to open a 26-0 halftime lead.
Galutia’s 25-yard run set up a 1-yard Brock Simms touchdown in the first minute of the quarter.
Cleaver swept left end for 4 yards to make it 20-0 with 6:29 left in the half, then scored on a 12-yard run with 1:45 left. He had a 21-yard run and Logan Zapata added a 13-yarder to set up the last score of the half.
Galutia limped off the field in the second quarter. He was in uniform on the sideline the rest of the game, but did not return to action. He finished with 65 yards on 10 carries, helping Berwick outrush Wyoming Area 163-26 in the first half.
Cleaver carried eight times for 72 yards. His last score was a 4-yard run midway through the third quarter. He hit Gabe Decker for a 9-yard touchdown with 3:43 left in the quarter to invoke the running clock.
Sportzwire Berwick delivered a dominant performance on both sides of the football Friday night, rolling past Wyoming Area, 39-0, at Crispin Memorial Stadium.
Quarterback Brady Cleaver accounted for four touchdowns, rushing for three scores and throwing another, while the Bulldogs’ defense limited the Warriors to just 56 yards of total offense. The victory improved Berwick to 2-1 on the season, while Wyoming Area fell to 1-2.
Wyoming Area initially stopped Berwick on fourth down near midfield, but the momentum quickly shifted when the Warriors lost a fumble on their ensuing possession. The Bulldogs capitalized, driving 45 yards before Gavin Galutia scored on a 12-yard run to give Berwick a 7-0 lead with 3:32 remaining in the first quarter.
Berwick broke the game open with three touchdowns during a commanding second quarter.
Galutia ripped off a 25-yard run that set up Brock Simms’ one-yard touchdown plunge early in the period. Cleaver then added scoring runs of four and 12 yards, sending the Bulldogs into halftime with a commanding 26-0 advantage.
Galutia finished with 65 yards on 10 carries before leaving the game with an injury during the second quarter. Cleaver carried eight times for 72 yards as the Bulldogs controlled the line of scrimmage and consistently moved the football on the ground.
Wyoming Area recovered an onside kick to begin the second half and drove deep into Berwick territory, but the Bulldogs’ defense produced a fourth-down stop near the goal line to preserve the shutout.
Cleaver scored his third rushing touchdown on a four-yard run midway through the third quarter. He then connected with Gabe Decker for a nine-yard touchdown with 3:43 remaining in the period, extending the lead to 39-0 and putting the game under the running-clock rule.
The Bulldogs protected the shutout late when defensive back Shiloh Escobar intercepted a pass inside the Berwick 10-yard line.
Berwick’s defense dominated the matchup from start to finish, holding Wyoming Area to only 26 first-half rushing yards and preventing the Warriors from completing any promising drives.
The victory marked Berwick’s second consecutive win after the Bulldogs defeated Pittston Area, 36-17, one week earlier. Berwick will remain at Crispin Field next week to face Wilkes-Barre Area, while Wyoming Area will return home to host Mid Valley.
Week 2 September 4, 2026: Warriors Handle Hanover Area 47-6
Times LeaderAfter being shut out in its last two games against perennial Lackawanna Conference powers, Wyoming Area had no trouble finding the end zone Friday night.
The Warriors scored on their first six possessions — plus on defense as well — as they routed Hanover Area 47-6 in a Wyoming Valley Conference non-divisional game.
Wyoming Area lost 42-0 to state-ranked Dunmore in its opener. Its 2025 season ended with a 42-0 playoff loss to Scranton Prep.
The team on the field the past two weeks looked very different than the one which lost to Prep. The scoring was evidence of that.
Sophomores Lavell Brock and Hudson Sharpe, junior Semaj Morris and freshmen Michael McKernan all scored their first varsity touchdowns. Sophomore Dominic Bartell scored only his second. “What you saw between Week 1 and Week 2 is talent,” Wyoming Area coach Randy Spencer said. “We’re very confident in the talent we have, but the reality is you have guys getting their first taste of varsity experience. “Until you get into a varsity game and played 48 minutes against high-level competition, there is really no way to prepare for that.”
Even Wyoming Area’s most experienced skill player — senior Luke Kopetchny — is getting on-the-job training. Kopetchny has been one of the best receivers in the state throughout his career. He moved to quarterback when last year’s starter, Jack Gravine, suffered a season-ending injury in the spring.
Bartell was the first in the end zone, capping a 11-play, 55-yard drive to start the game with a 3-yard run. Then it was Brock’s turn as he ran a smooth stop-and-go down the right side and hauled in a 34-yard TD throw from Kopetchny.
Kopetchny plowed in from a yard out five plays after a Hanover Area fumble for a 21-0 lead entering the second quarter. The Warriors ran 22 offensive plays to five by Hanover Area in the first quarter.
Kopetchny then scored on defense in the second. Hanover Area quarterback Logan Richardson had his arm hit as he threw and Kopetchny undercut the pass and returned it 53 yards for a score. “He’s a Division I recruit to Brown University,” Spencer said of Kopetchny. “It was great to see him put all those tools on display tonight. He did a great job leading. As tough as it was competitively and athletically last week, but to come back with the competitive confidence and leadership to lead this group and all those young guys.”
The Warriors struck two more times to take a 41-0 lead into halftime.
Hudson caught a pass at the Hanover Area 30-yard line and zipped down the right side to make it 35-0 with 7:38 left in the second quarter. On Wyoming Area’s next possession, Morris had the longest play of the night, a 63-yard run to the Hanover Area 1. He took the ball over the goal line on the next play.
Hanover Area crossed midfield once in the first half as a 28-yard reception by Luke Willis placed the ball on the Wyoming Area 22. A penalty followed by a sack ended the threat.
Citizens VoiceLuke Kopetchny found just about every way possible to help his team win, and he did it all in just half a game.
The senior quarterback/defensive back accounted for four touchdowns in the first half to lead Wyoming Area’s to a 47-6 defeat of Hanover Area in a Wyoming Valley Conference football game on Friday night in Exeter.
Kopetchny, a Brown University commit, was nearly perfect as a passer, completing 4 of his 5 pass attempts for 117 yards and two long touchdowns. He also scored on a quarterback sneak and a 50-yard interception return. “You saw tonight why he’s so well-respected by college coaches,” Wyoming Area head coach Randy Spencer said. “I’m impressed with his leadership. Our guys respond to him, and it’s a testament to his character.”
Kopetchney was one of seven Warriors to score. Running back Semaj Morris rushed four times for 98 yards and a touchdown, and wide receiver Lavell Brock hauled in two passes for 45 yards and a score. Michael McKernan, Dominic Bartell and Hudson Sharpe all chipped in with touchdowns, and Ava Musinski connected on all five of her extra point attempts. “I was proud of the way we responded on both sides of the ball after last week,” Spencer said of the Warriors’ 42-0 Week 1 loss to Dunmore. “Dunmore did a good job against us, and we just couldn’t make the big play. This week, we were much better. We got good contributions from a lot of kids. Some were playing varsity football for the first time, and they did their part.”
Hanover Area couldn’t get much going against a Warrior defense led by Brock, Kopetchny and defensive lineman Domenic Bell, who forced a fumble, recorded a quarterback sack and was around the ball all night.
But the Hawkeyes caught a spark on the offensive side in the third quarter when quarterback Logan Richardson hit Luke Willis for two big gainers. Workhorse running back Dewayne Downey had 56 of his 76 yards in the fourth quarter, breaking many tackles along the way.
The Hawkeyes got on the board in the fourth when Richardson hit his brother Conor down the left sideline for the lone Hanover Area points. “The Richardson boys are talented, and Downey is a tough guy to bring down. I’m proud of the effort our guys gave all night against Hanover,” Spencer said.
Tymofi Fanha had a pair of blocked extra points for the Hawkeyes.
Wyoming Area 47, Hanover Area 6
Hanover Area`0`0`0`6 — 6
Wyoming Area`21`20`6`0 — 47
First quarter
WA — Dominic Bartell 3 run (Ava Musinski kick), 6:42
WA — Lavell Brock 34 pass from Luke Kopetchny (Musinski kick), 2:50
WA — Kopetchny 1 run (Musinski kick), 0:33
Second quarter
WA — Kopetchny 53 interception return (Musinski kick), 9:49
WA — Hudson Sharpe 43 pass from Kopetchny (Musinski kick), 7:38
WA — Semaj Morris 1 run (kick failed), 1:13
Third quarter
WA — Michael McKernan 30 run (kick blocked), 6:45
Fourth quarter
HAN — Conor Richardson 30 pass from Logan Richardson (kick blocked), 7:27
Times Leader Dunmore showed why it opened the season ranked as the No. 4 Class 2A football team in the state, according to PennLive.com.
The Bucks forced five turnovers and never let visiting Wyoming Area get closer than the 24 on the way to a 42-0 romp in a non-league opener between traditional District 2 Small School powers.
Weston Yannone scored three touchdowns, catching two passes from Brady McCormick, who replaced him at quarterback with the Division I prospect’s move to tailback.
“I’m going to do whatever my team needs me to do,” Yannone said. “ … If coach (Kevin) McHale wants me there, I’m going to play it the best I can.
“I love quarterback. I love playing anywhere.”
Yannone carried 10 times for 55 yards and one score and caught Dunmore’s only two completions in five attempts for the scores from 50 and 68 yards.
All-state wide receiver and Brown University commit Luke Kopetchny moved in the opposite direction for Wyoming Area, spending the first half at quarterback and completing six of 11 passes, but all for short gains. Down 35-0 before their first snap of the third quarter, the Warriors tested sophomore David Favata and freshman Tyler Karcutskie at quarterback in the second half.
The Warriors managed just 15 total yards on their first five possessions and did not pick up a first down until their seventh possession at which time they were already down three touchdowns.
“Across the board, they set the level of physicality and we didn’t match it throughout the course of the game,” Wyoming Area coach Randy Spencer said.
The Bucks controlled play up front and their inside linebackers, Brandon Mecca and Xavier Burke were outstanding. Mecca had four of his team’s first six tackles, forcing a fumble on one of them. Burke had six first-half tackles, two for losses, one for no gain and the other two within two yards of the line of scrimmage.
“They set a high standard for our defense,” McHale said. “When they get to the ball, usually good things are happening.”
Despite the sluggish offense, Wyoming Area was within 7-0 with seven minutes left in the half.
After the Warriors lost a fumble at their 25, the Bucks scored with 16 seconds left in the first quarter on a Jacob Costanzo 7-yard run.
Dunmore took control with three touchdowns in a span of 4:34 in the second quarter.
Josef Wolff ran 29 yards and Yannone ran 19 yards for scores, then Yannone was wide open down the left sideline to haul in the 50-yard touchdown pass.
Dunmore was at the 20 late in the half, but Wyoming Area held and a field goal attempt was no good.
The Bucks arrived at the Mercy Rule when Costanzo returned the second-half kickoff 90 yards for a score.
The second McCormick-to-Yannone connection made it 42-0 with 7:02 left in the third quarter.
Citizens Voice This was the reason Weston Yannone set that alarm for 5:30 a.m. in the offseason.
That sweat dripping off his forehead while pumping iron, the miles ran throughout the Dunmore community, mentally preparing for his senior season before the sun came over the horizon.
Yannone showed everyone he’s going to be a menace in his final year at Dunmore. Wyoming Area saw it firsthand from the opposite sideline.
Rotating between tailback and wide receiver, Yannone’s blazing speed was a huge difference-maker in the opening week of the high school football season as he broke the end zone on two long strikes from Brady McCormick as the Bucks rolled past Wyoming Area, 42-0, on Friday night.
“You just have to tuck your chin, keep your head down and keep putting in the work,” said Yannone, who had 118 yards receiving, 62 yards on the ground and scored three times. “We were up at 5:30 a.m. most days this summer, and in the spring, too. I would do a lift, get in a run, go to school and then went to track practice. It’s about that grind and putting in the work. But it shows when you come out in Week 1 and put together a performance like that.”
It was almost a perfect game for the Bucks in terms of openers.
The offense scored five times with perfect balance — three on the ground and two through the air — and Jacob Costanzo scored on a 90-yard kickoff return to open the second half ina enact the mercy rule. Oh, and the Buck defense forced five Wyoming Area turnovers.
“A game where you have five turnovers, it’s tough to be successful in that type of game,” Wyoming Area coach Randy Spencer said. “Give Dunmore credit because I thought they were aggressive in every spot. They are senior heavy and experienced, and they set the level of physicality. Credit to them in that respect. Some lessons are hard ones to learn, but it’s an opportunity for our young team to learn that lesson tonight. We’ll come back and attack next week, and learn from this game.”
Coming into Friday, it was billed as one of the marquee matchups, not only in District 2, but around the state. Dunmore, a state-title contender in Class 2A against a Wyoming Area squad that’s expected to push toward that district championship in Class 3A.
It was a heavyweight fight in the first quarter with both sides feeling each other out.
Dunmore landed the knockout punch in the second, scoring three times in a seven-minute span. Josef Wolff broke through on a 29-yard inside handoff, and following a Warrior fumble, Yannone capped off a five-play series on the short field with a 19-yard burst off the right side.
Two minutes later, Yannone got back in the end zone as he beat the secondary, and McCormick laid a perfect pass in stride over the defense for the 50-yard strike for the 28-0 lead at the break.
“I got to shout out Brady because he’s been putting in the work day in and day out,” Yannone said. “All winter, he’s been throwing amazing balls. He stays in the pocket, took a good hit today, and still threw an amazing ball. I can’t do anything without him throwing those great passes.”
Enter Costanzo.
Taking the opening second-half kickoff at the 10-yard line, the 6-foot-3 senior hit a ginormous hole in the middle of the field and went untouched 90 yards. Thirteen seconds into the second half, Costanzo called ballgame.
“I can’t thank my team enough. I just caught the ball, and no one even touched me. It was such a great hole to run through,” Costanzo said. “All credit to everyone who blocked for me. We knew, in the first half, that we couldn’t take our foot off the gas. Starting that second half off with a spark, it really carried our momentum through the rest of the game.”
The Bucks’ defense did the rest, recovering three fumbles as Yannone and Jackson Harding both picked off passes.
Wyoming Area didn’t record a first down until three minutes left in the second quarter, and was held to just 63 yards in the first half, and 158 for the game.
“The community was big for us. Such a great crowd tonight, and it really was a big-game atmosphere,” Costanzo said. “There are high expectations for us, and we know it. I think we proved ourselves tonight.”
Dunmore 42, Wyoming Area 0
Wyoming Area`0`0`0`0 — 0
Dunmore`7`21`14`0 — 42
First quarter
DUN – Jacob Costanzo 7 run (Russell Toole kick), 0:16
Second quarter
DUN – Josef Wolff 29 run (Toole kick), 6:59
DUN – Weston Yannone 19 run (Toole kick), 4:26
DUN – Yannone 50 pass from Brady McCormick, 2:25
Third quarter
DUN – Costanzo 90 kickoff return (Toole kick), 11:45
DUN – Yannone 68 pass from McCormick, 7:02 Team Statistics`WA`DUN
First downs`5`12
Rushes-yards`30-101`37-243
Passing yards`53`118
Total yards`154`361
Passing`7-13-2`2-5-1
Sacked-yards lost`0-0`0-0
Punts-avg.`5-32.8`1-28.0
Fumbles-lost`4-3`1-1
Penalties-yards`6-45`6-41
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING — WA, Dominic Bartell 8-44, Gavin Feeney 2-14, Luke Kopetchny 3-13, Samaj Morris 3-10, Jordan Rosario 3-7, Nicholas Kondrosky 8-7, David Favata 1-6, Michael McKernan 1-1, Connor Grochal 1-minus 1. DUN, Wolff 4-69, Yannone 10-55, Nick Rought 3-48, Xavier Burke 7-47, Costanzo 2-9, Dylan Speed 2-6, Beau Golden 1-5, Noah Rought 1-4, Colin Coulthard 3-3, Carter Coyle 3-1, Will Bonin 1-minus 4.
PASSING — WA, Kopetchny 6-11-1-24, Tyler Karcutskie 1-1-0-29, Favata 0-1-1-0. DUN, Brady McCormick 2-5-1-118.
RECEIVING – WA, Drew Keating 2-9, Favata 1-29, Lavell Brock 1-8, Bartell 1-6, Kondrosky 1-3, Rosario 1-minus 2. DUN, Yannone 2-118.
INTERCEPTIONS — WA, Kopetchny 1-0. DUN, Jackson Harding 1-8, Yannone 1-0.
MISSED FIELD GOALS – DUN, Toole 43 (short).
