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|---|---|---|
| Coach Shane Grodack | Evan Dean | Josh Vinton |
TEAM: Western Wayne Wildcats
COLORS: Black & Gold
COACH: Shane Grodack, 2nd Season (8-4)
PIAA: Class 3A
2024 CONFERENCE: LFC Division II
2023 RECORD: 8-4 (4-1 in conference)
RECORD LAST FIVE SEASONS: 35-17
STADIUM: Sharkey Rosetti Sports Complex
OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 9
DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 7
OFFENSIVE SCHEME: Pro
DEFENSIVE SCHEME: 3-4
2024 PREVIEW
The momentum of the Western Wayne program continued seamlessly with Shane Grodack taking over as the head coach last year. The formula of pounding the football and opposing defenses continues to be the Wildcat way and helped them reach the Class 3A title game in 2023. They should continue to be a factor in the division and the district this season.
The biggest hole to fill is at quarterback with John Pyatt taking over. Jake Grodack will be the backup. Josh Vinton returns after rushing for 1,547 yards and the offense should go through him again. Quinn Swartz, R.J. Walton, and Archer Long will also get touches at tailback. James Jimenez has experience at fullback and will be backed up by Adam Bartholemew and Austin Elias. Sean Owens returns at wide receiver with Vinny Silon, Jak Hubinger, Owen Palkovic, Seth Montijo, and Aedan Lampman in the mix to get reps there. Hayden Mundrake is a returning starter at tight end. Donovan Gregorski and Jayden Kellachow will be the backups.
The offensive line is a strength with all five starters returning – left tackle Evan Dean, left guard Connor Bryant, center Mason Rush, right guard Tony Donnini and right tackle Jared Goldman. Vinnie Baldini, Riley Dunn, Paul Borowski, Landon Visceglia, Nicolas Cotter, and Mike Pongranz will provide depth on the offensive front.
Dean, Goldman, and Donnini are all returning starters on the defensive line. Borowski, Bryant, and Mundrake will provide depth up front. Pyatt returns at outside linebacker and will be joined by Gregorski, Swartz, Montijo, or Kellachow on the other side. Jimenez is back at inside linebacker and will be joined by either Baldini, Bartholemew, or Elias. Silon is a returning starter at cornerback with Hubinger, Walton, Palkovic, and Lampman will be in competition for the other side. Owens and Vinton are back at the safety spots. Long and Grodack will provide depth in the secondary.
Vinton and Long will be in the mix to be the new placekicker. Either Owens or Vinton will be the punter. Jake Grodack is the new holder with Baldini returning as the long snapper.
QUOTE FROM COACH GRODACK: We have a core of returning veteran starters in the skilled positions and two returning starters on the offensive and defensive line. We have a number of players competing for those spots and we expect to again be competitive in League and postseason play.
RETURNING ALL-STARS – LFC Division II
First Team Running Back – Josh Vinton
First Team Wide Receiver – Sean Owens
First Team Offensive Lineman – Evan Dean
First Team Offensive Lineman – Tony Donnini
First Team Defensive Lineman – Evan Dean
First Team Defensive Back – Sean Owens
Honorable Mention Tight End – Hunter Mandake
Honorable Mention Linebacker – James Jimenez
Honorable Mention Defensive Back – Josh Vinton
