Please support our Reporters

2024 Team Preview: Wallenpaupack Area Buckhorns (2)

Written by: David Mika on Friday, August 2nd, 2024. Follow David Mika on Twitter.

Head Coach: Matt Nawrocki

Assistant Coaches:
John Myers
Rick Kryeski
Rich Palazzi
Ben Burkhardt
Joe Tilton
Mark Mchugh
Aiden Maldacker
Todd Schmalzte
Pete Vargo
Alex Carling
Dave Miller
Darrian Gordon
Jeff Wentzell
Brad Kiesendahl
Frank Sek
George Rafferty Sr.
Vic Longano

Team Name: Wallenpaupack Area High School

District: 2

Class: AAAA

League: Lackawanna Football Conference, Division 1

2023 Record: 2-9

8/25 @ Honesdale (AAAA) 7:00 pm W 23-6
9/01 @ Hazleton Area (AAAAAA) 7:00 pm W 28-21
9/08 Wilkes-Barre (AAAAAA) 7:00 pm L 10-27
9/15 @ Delaware Valley* (AAAAA) 7:00 pm L 14-41
9/22 Abington Heights* (AAAAA) 7:00 pm L 28-35
9/29 Scranton Prep* (AAA) 7:00 pm L 3-37
10/06 @ North Pocono* (AAAA) 7:00 pm L 14-28
10/13 Dallas (AAAA) 7:00 pm L 3-31
10/20 Valley View* (AAAA) 7:00 pm L 16-31
10/27 @ Scranton* (AAAAA) 7:00 pm L 14-35
11/03 @ Dallas (AAAA) 7:00 pm L 11-43

Key Starters Lost:
Ben Ostroski
Jordan Santiago
Jake Holbert

Offensive Starters Returning:
Sr. QB Drew Kiesendahl 5-10 200
Jr. G Tyler Gallo 5-10 255
Jr. G Jamie Stiner 5-9 310

Defensive Starters Returning:
Sr. LB Xaiden Schock 6-2 205
Sr. DB Mark Nilsen 5-9 210
Sr. LB George Rafferty 6-1 225

Special Team Starters Returning:
Sr. LS Mike Passenti 5-10 185

Key Newcomers:
So. Edward Kiesendahl 5-7 175
Jr. Christian Gutierrez 5-9 225

2024 Returning Player Stats:
Drew Kiesendahl
Offense:
817 yards passing (71 of 164)
3 touchdowns

522 yards rushing
97 carries
2 touchdowns

Xaiden Schock
Defense:
140 total tackles
58 solo tackles
8.5 TFL
1 sack

Mark Nilsen
58 total tackles
33 solo tackles
2 interceptions
2 PD

George Rafferty
36 total tackles
14 solo tackles
6 TFL
1 fumble recovery

2024 Offensive Outlook: We feel very confident in what we will have up front on our line and in our backfield this upcoming season, led by our senior Quarterback Drew Kiesendahl who will be in his 3rd year of piloting the offense. We must have some guys step up at receiver this summer, and if that happens we are very excited about what our offense can do.

2024 Defensive Outlook: The keys to our defensive success this season rely heavily on the back of our veteran lead linebacker core, we have 3 seniors in our linebacking core that will lead our defense. We hope to be very tough in the run game.

2024 Wallenpaupack Buckhorns
Interview with Head Football Coach Matt Nawrocki #PAHSFB @hsfbamerica pic.twitter.com/AUO2ybuvy8

— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) July 30, 2024