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|---|---|---|
| Coach Nick Barbieri | Drew Delucca | Ciaran Bilbow |
TEAM: Pittston Area Patriots
COLORS: Red, White & Blue
COACH: Nick Barbieri, 7th Season (24-36)
PIAA: Class 5A
2023 CONFERENCE: WVC Division 2
2022 RECORD: 7-4 (6-0 in conference)
RECORD LAST FIVE SEASONS: 18-31
STADIUM: Charley Trippi Stadium
OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 1
DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 1
OFFENSIVE SCHEME: Pro I
DEFENSIVE SCHEME: 4-3
2023 PREVIEW
It was a great year for the Pittston Area program going unbeaten in WVC Division 2 and winning the league title. Unfortunately, most of the players that contributed to that championship aren’t on the roster going into this season. It will be rough to start for the Patriots as players get experience, but they are hoping they can build on the success from last season.
The good news is the one returning starter on offense is quarterback Drew Delucca. He threw for 1,598 yards last season and that experience should pay off this season with a young offense around him. C.J. Pietrzak takes over at running back and will be backed up by Xzaviyer Blackshear. Brody Spindler will be the new fullback with Collin Smith behind him. Lucas Lopresto, Matt Walter, Gerry Groom, and David Eymer are all in the mix at wide receiver. Ciaran Bilbow, Colten Lis, and A.J. Scialpi are on the depth chart at tight end.
The offensive line will be all new faces. Adam Wynn will be the left tackle. Kayden Walker will be at left guard. Nico Cielo or Brandon Lockett will take over at center. Steven Smith and Sam Hankey will take over the right side of the line.
On defense, Lis and Bilbow will be the defensive ends while Scialpi and Jaylen Hart will be at the defensive tackle spots. Pietrzak and Smith will be the outside linebackers with Spindler, the only returning starter on defense, at inside linebacker. Competition at the cornerback position will be Malcolm Blackshear, Lopresto, Eymer, and Brian Antigua. Walter, Groom, Lucca and Aiden Brody are candidates for the safety spots.
Gavin Wolfe will handle the kicking and punting duties.
QUOTE FROM COACH BARBIERI: With only 1 starter returning on both sides of the ball we will be very inexperienced. The talent level is excellent though. How quickly we can mature on both side of the ball will determine how our season goes.
RETURNING ALL-STARS – WVC DIVISION 2
First Team Linebacker – Brody Spindler
Second Team Quarterback – Drew DeLucca
