 |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|
| Coach Kevin McHale | Xavier Burke | Brayden Shigo |
TEAM: Dunmore Bucks
COLORS: Crimson & Blue
COACH: Kevin McHale, 8th Season (40-31)
PIAA: Class 2A
2026 CONFERENCE: LFC Division II
2025 RECORD: 5-7 (3-2 in conference)
RECORD LAST FIVE SEASONS: 37-25
STADIUM: Dunmore Veterans Memorial Stadium
OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 10
DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 9
OFFENSIVE SCHEME: Wing T
DEFENSIVE SCHEME: 4-3
2026 PREVIEW
The Bucks showed improvement in 2025 but still fell short of several of their team goals. With an experienced roster returning, they believe they can accomplish those goals—and perhaps even more—in 2026. Dunmore should once again be one of the top small-school teams in District 2, and the potential is there for a special season.
Quarterback Weston Yannone returns for his senior season after accounting for more than 1,400 yards of total offense. Brady McCormick will also see time at quarterback. Xavier Burke, who has played fullback in recent seasons, moves to running back in the Bucks’ Wing-T offense. Josef Wolff and Carter Coyle could also see time in the backfield.
Brandon Mecca returns at fullback, with Colin Coulthard providing depth. Jake Costanzo and Jack McHale are back as the starting wide receivers, while Josh Dudick, Matthew Mislinski, Aiden Zilatis, and Eli Dougherty add depth at the position. Logan Miller returns at tight end, with Will Bonin serving as his backup.
Dunmore has built its reputation on strong offensive line play, and with four starters returning, that unit should once again be a team strength. Carter Davies and Brayden Shigo return on the right side of the line, Patrick Dickel is back at center, and Ethyn Durst returns at guard. Michael Dempsey and Will Haun are expected to compete for the starting job at left tackle.
The defensive front also returns plenty of experience with Miller and Durst back at defensive end, while Shigo and Landen White anchor the interior. Jackson Harding and Mecca return as the starting outside linebackers, while All-Star Xavier Burke is back in the middle.
The entire secondary also returns. Costanzo and Dudick are the projected starters at cornerback, with Mislinski and Jake Donahoe providing depth. Yannone and Dougherty return at safety, while Zilatis adds depth in the defensive backfield.
Russell Toole takes over as the placekicker, while the punting and long-snapping duties are expected to be handled by a combination of veteran players.
QUOTE FROM COACH MCHALE: -We feel good about being balanced. Offensively, we return the core of our offensive line, running backs and all of our wide receivers along with two quarterbacks. We have multiple people who can make big plays. We hope to play at a high level defensively. We return veterans at all three levels. Tackling and causing turnovers has been our focus in the offseason. We return one of our kickers and all of our punters. Our returners did a nice job in some games last year and we feel like we have some guys that can make big plays on Special Teams.
RETURNING ALL-STARS – LFC DIVISION II
Defense Player of the Year – Xavier Burke
First Team Offensive Lineman – Carter Davies
First Team Athlete – Weston Yannone
First Team Defensive Lineman – Logan Miller
First Team Linebacker – Xavier Burke
First Team Defensive Back – Weston Yannone
Honorable Mention Fullback – Brandon Mecca
Honorable Mention Offensive Lineman – Brayden Shigo
Honorable Mention Defensive Lineman – Ethyn Durst
Honorable Mention Defensive Back – Jack McHale
All-District 2 Linebacker – Xavier Burke
