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|---|---|---|
| Coach Dennis Buchman | Hunter Johnson | Johncarlos Peralta |
TEAM: Hazleton Area Cougars
COLORS: Scarlet, Silver & White
COACH: Dennis Buchman, 5th Season (22-18)
PIAA: Class 6A
2024 CONFERENCE: WVC Division 1
2023 RECORD: 2-8 (1-5 in conference)
RECORD LAST FIVE SEASONS: 24-26
STADIUM: Harman-Geist Memorial Field
OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 9
DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 9
OFFENSIVE SCHEME: Spread
DEFENSIVE SCHEME: 4-2-5
2024 PREVIEW
The Cougars struggled with an inexperienced roster last season but should bounce back with numerous starters returning on both sides of the ball. They hope to be a darkhorse in WVC 1 and win a district title in Class 6A. Goals will be high, but Hazleton is confident they can reach them
Austin Wilson returns at quarterback and Freddy Corrado will back him up after starting late in the season because of injury. Jeffrey Lantigua will also provide depth. Ashton Karlick will be the new tailback with Sam Miller, Connor Bacon, and Xavier Heck also getting touches. Hunter Johnson will be back at fullback with Johncarlos Peralta his backup. Sam Heller, Markus West, and Jaxon Johnson will provide depth at the position. Yohansel Moran, Riley VanGilst, and Carlos Gonzalez are returning veterans at wide receiver. Jack Mariano, Miguel Vasquez, Logan Gennaro, Jorge Familia, Robin Munoz, Luis Guzman, and Jose Lopez are also on the depth chart at receiver. Peralta, Heller, and Mariano are candidates at tight end.
The line should be a strength in 2024 with four starters returning. Tommy King is back at left guard; Jake Zapoticky returns at center; Gabe Boris is the right guard; Jeremy Ackerman is back at right tackle. Jayden Gardner and Joel Vasquez will compete to be the new left tackle. Manny Salcedo, Ryan Welch, Andrew Gensel, Chrisyadriel Martinez, and Eliesel Lazala Gomez will provide depth on the offensive front.
Ackerman and Joel Vasquez are returning starters at defensive end backed up by Martinez and Brayan Gonzalez. Boris and King are back at defensive tackle with Salcedo and Gensel providing depth inside. Karlick returns at outside linebacker and will be joined by either Miguel Vasquez, Miller, or Connor Bacon on the other side. Both inside linebackers are back in Johnson and Peralta. Heller and Mariano will provide depth. Carlos Gonzalez is a returning starter at cornerback with Gennaro, Guzman, and Lopez in competition to play on the other side. VanGilst is back at safety with Wilson, Moran, or Heck also getting playing time in the secondary.
Mariano is expected to be the placekicker with Wilson back as the punter. Short Snapper will be Welch, Jeremy Ziller, or Zapotocky. Long Snapper will be either Heller, Miller, or Welch.
QUOTE FROM COACH BUCHMAN: We are excited for the 2024 season! Consistency in all three phases and attention to detail will be two major keys in determining our TEAM’s success against a challenging schedule.
RETURNING ALL-STARS – WVC DIVISION 1
Honorable Mention Fullback – Hunter Johnson
Honorable Mention Defensive Line – Tommy King
Honorable Mention Linebacker – Hunter Johnson
Honorable Mention Defensive Back – Riley VanGilst
