TEAM: Hazleton Area Cougars
COLORS: Scarlet, Silver & White
COACH: Dennis Buchman, 1st Season (0-0)
PIAA: Class 6A
2020 CONFERENCE: WVC Division 1
2019 RECORD: 2-8 (1-2 in conference)
RECORD LAST FIVE SEASONS: 22-33
STADIUM: Harman-Geist Memorial Field
OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 8
DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 8
OFFENSIVE SCHEME: Multiple
DEFENSIVE SCHEME: 4-2-5
2020 PREVIEW
A new era begins for Hazleton football as Dennis Buchman takes over as head coach for the Cougars. He was an assistant under former coach Mike Brennan. Hazleton brings back experienced players, but they will have to find playmakers if they are going to compete with other 6A teams.
Senior quarterback Kellen Warner returns after throwing for 1,152 yards in 2019. Fullback Kevin Meluskey, who is getting Division I looks, is the leading returning rusher and will be the lead blocker for sophomore tailback Matthew Buchman who carried the ball 53 times as a freshman and had a 100+ rushing yard game.
Matthew Cusatis is another sophomore who will lead the receiving corp. Cusatis had 25 receptions last season and will be joined by Evan Matyas, Christian Price and Connor Shamany. Ryan Matyas is the new tight end.
The Cougars return four starters on the offensive line including Division All-Star Jason Biever, Seth Hunsinger, James Bugda and Leo Kelly. Gavin Guza is the lone newcomer up front.
Max Barrett is a returning starter on the defensive line along with Hunsinger and Bugda. Jhoan Robles will fill the other spot. Linebacker Meluskey was the leading tackler in 2019 and will have Dante Matarella, who started last season, next to him. Nick Damiano and Mitchell Masten will provide depth at the position. Buchman, Cusatis and Shamany are all experienced in the secondary.
Hazleton will have an advantage on special teams as they return one of the best kicker/punters from last season in Luke Russo.
