2024 Team Preview: Pittston Area Patriots (2)

Head Coach: Joe DeLucca

Assistant Coaches:
Lenny Butczynski
Drew DeLucca
John DeLucca
Dwayne Downing
Kevin Krawczyk
Joe Oliveri
Ken White
Greg Holl
Walter Coles
Joe DeLucca, Jr.
Nick Sciandra
Justin Wall
John Warnek

Team Name: Pittston Area Patriots

District: 2

Class: AAAAA

League: Wyoming Valley Conference, Division 1

2023 Record: 5-6

8/25 @ Hazleton Area (AAAAAA) 7:00 pm L 7-28
9/01 Williamsport (AAAAAA) 7:00 pm L 2-25
9/08 @ Wyoming Valley West (AAAAA) 7:00 pm W 20-13
9/15 Hanover Area* (AAA) 7:00 pm W 35-6
9/22 @ Valley View (AAAA) 7:00 pm L 7-41
9/29 Greater Nanticoke* (AAAA) 7:00 pm L 28-35
10/06 Lake-Lehman* (AAA) 7:00 pm W 35-7
10/13 @ Tunkhannock* (AAAA) 7:00 pm W 49-14
10/20 Holy Redeemer* (AA) 7:00 pm W 41-0
10/27 @ Wyoming Area* (AAAA) 7:00 pm L 14-35
11/03 @ Delaware Valley (AAAAA) 7:00 pm L 7-42

Key Starters lost:
Drew DeLucca – QB
Ciaran Bilbow – TE/DE

Offensive Starters Returning:
Lucas Lopresto WR/DB 5’9″ 170 10
Brody Spindler OL/DL 5’11” 230 10
Collin Smith OL/LB 5’11” 220 12
CJ Pietrzak RB/LB 6′ 210 12
Gerry Groom WR/DB 6′ 175 12
Matt Walter QB/DB 6’2″ 180 12
Sam Hankey OL/DL 6’2″ 300 12
Brandon Lockett OL/DL 6′ 250 11
Nico Cielo OL/DL 5’10” 260 11

Defensive Starters Returning:
Matt Walter WR/DB 6’2″ 180 12
Brody Spindler OL/DL 5’11” 230 10
Lucas Lopresto WR/DB 5’9″ 170 10
Malkolm Blackshear WR/DB 6’1″ 160 11
Gerry Groom WR/LB 6′ 175 12
Victor Narsavage” WR/LB 5’8″ 190 11
Jaylen Hart TE/DL 6′ 230 11
CJ Pietrzak RB/LB 6′ 210 12
Colten Lis TE/DE 6’5″ 210 10
Collin Smith OL/LB 5’11” 220 12

Special Team Starters Returning:
Gavin Wolfe K/P 5’10” 180 12

Key Newcomers:
Taj Bailey WR/LB 6’2″ 200 12
Chance Radzewicz RB/LB 5’11” 190 10
Aidan Brody RB/DB 5’8″ 160 11
Blake Jaworski OL/DL 5’10” 210 11
John Jadus TE/DE 6’3″ 220 10
Stephen Barnic WR/DB 5’9″ 160 11
Gunnar Zaledonis OL/DL 6’1″ 270 11
Jude Ferentino RB/LB 5’8″ 176 10
Billy Dessoye WR/DB 6′ 150 11

2024 Returning Player Stats:
Lucas Lopresto 38 receptions 679 yards 8 TDs
Matt Walter 32 receptions 435 yards 4 TDs
CJ Pietrzak 31 rushes 173 yards 5 TDs
Aiden Brody 27 rushes 107 yards 1 TD
Gavin Wolfe 27 extra points

2024 Outlook:
Offense: Matt Walter will make the move from one of the top returning WR in the Conference to QB. He takes over for Drew DeLucca, who became the Patriots all-time leading passer. Walter has speed, a high football IQ and will have plenty of talent around him. Lucas Lopresto will be his main target coming off a stellar freshman campaign where he was one of the top 3 receivers in all of district 2. How quickly the offensive line gels and their ability to provide space for 220 pound RB CJ Pietrzak, will determine how successful the Patriots offense will be this season. The offensive line has size, speed and strength and will be anchored by Brody Spindler, Gunnar Zaledonis, Collin Smith, Sam Hankey and Brandon Lockett.

Defense: The Patriot defense returns a plethora of players with experience from last season. Gerry Groom was one of the team leaders in tackles and brings toughness and tenacity to the defense. The defense has size and speed in all facets at the line, linebacker core and the defensive secondary. Fundamentals of gap discipline and tackling will be the main keys to how successful the defensive unit will be this season.

Special Teams: The Patriots return a solid kicking game led by Gavin Wolfe who will return as the Kicker and Punter. Wolfe has a strong leg and was near perfect in extra points last season and can get the ball in the end zone on kickoffs. There will be plenty of athletes to choose from as kick and punt returners with Lopresto being one of the more dangerous players with the ball in his hands.