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| Coach Pat Keating | Mahki Mickels | Jayden Ransom |
TEAM: Tunkhannock Tigers
COLORS: Black & Orange
COACH: Pat Keating, 2nd Season (4-6) (12 years as head coach, 85-41 overall)
PIAA: Class 3A
2023 CONFERENCE: WVC Division 2
2022 RECORD: 4-6 (3-3 in conference)
RECORD LAST FIVE SEASONS: 17-33
STADIUM: Tunkhannock Memorial Stadium
OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 6
DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 7
OFFENSIVE SCHEME: Multiple
DEFENSIVE SCHEME: Multiple
2024 PREVIEW
The Tigers made strides during coach Pat Keating’s first season at the helm and now will see if they can make even more noise in WVC Division 2. They also move down to Class 3A and a playoff spot is not out of the question. Looking at the Tunkhannock program, it’s safe to say it’s ahead of schedule in its rebuilding.
The biggest challenge will be replacing the backfield. Zach Latwinski and Randall Paxton will compete for the starting quarterback job while Karver Lewis, Lucas Ciprich, and Ethan Dominick could get looks at tailback. Either Cayden Simmers, Landon Bolcavage, or Jeremiah Montero will be the new fullback. The receiving corps is experienced as Paxton, Daniel Browning, Carter O’Neill, and Jayden Ransom all started at one point last season. Mahki Mickels returns at tight end with Simmers backing him up.
The offensive line will be the strength of the offense with four returning starters. Brock McClain is back at left tackle, Adyn Anderson at center, James Thomas at right guard and Cooper Thomas at right tackle. Jayden Thomas is one of the favorites to play left guard while Ian Burke will provide depth up front.
Cooper Thomas, James Thomas and McClain all return to the defensive line with Burke expected to be in the rotation as well. Mickels and Lewis are returning starters at outside backer while Simmers returns inside. Gregory, Bolcavage, and Ciprich will provide depth at linebacker. The Tigers will look for new cornerbacks with Ransom, Paxton, and Josiah Parr being considered. Browning is back at safety while Dominick, Andrew Lupinski, and Bobby Seidel could all see time in the secondary.
Callum Jerome, Dominick, and Lupinski will be involved in special teams.
QUOTE FROM COACH KEATING: Players have worked extremely hard throughout the offseason to get our program to turn the corner. We are working very hard to try to make Tunkhannock Football a winning brand. Overall team strength is moving in the right direction. Participation numbers are moving in the right direction. We still have areas of inexperience on our team, and all of our players are still working on learning new systems on both sides of the ball, but I love the effort and commitment that our team displayed this summer.
RETURNING ALL-STARS – WVC DIVISION 2
Second Team Offensive Line – Cooper Thomas
