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|---|---|---|
| Coach Scott Sacco | Jaxon Johnson | Scott Mooney |
TEAM: Hazleton Area Cougars
COLORS: Scarlet, Silver & White
COACH: Scott Sacco, 2nd Season (1-10)
PIAA: Class 6A
2026 CONFERENCE: WVC Division 1
2025 RECORD: 1-10 (0-5 in conference)
RECORD LAST FIVE SEASONS: 24-31
STADIUM: Harman-Geist Memorial Field
OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 9
DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 9
OFFENSIVE SCHEME: Spread
DEFENSIVE SCHEME: 4-3
2026 PREVIEW
It was a rough season for first-year head coach Scott Sacco, but it wasn’t unexpected. The roster was very young, forcing Hazleton Area to rely on inexperienced players throughout the season. The growing pains were evident as the Cougars finished with just one win. However, those young players are now a year older and have a season of experience under their belts, giving Hazleton Area reason to believe it can be much more competitive in 2026.
The skill positions should be the strength of the team, led by returning running back Xavier Heck, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season. Andrew Lucarino returns as the primary backup. J.J. Lantigua is back at quarterback, with Jayson Arroyo providing depth.
Jaxon Johnson returns as the starting fullback, with Jason Zamudio and Agmelth De La Cruz providing depth. All three are also expected to see consideration at tight end. Jose Lopez and Nolan Heller return at wide receiver, while Luis Guzman, Zach Wilson, Jaiden Lopez, Carlos Marquez, Willmington Fabre, Anthony Graziano, and Alex Fedorko are all in the mix for playing time.
The offensive line returns four starters, including left tackle George Nenstiel, left guard Mitchell Chicalese, right guard Scott Mooney, and right tackle Markus West. Hayden Nenstiel and Josh Ackerman will compete for the starting job at center. Dontay Stevenson, Ian Composto, Landyn Klinger, Chase Montone, and Stael Tassy provide depth up front.
Defensively, Mooney and West return at defensive end, with Danny Zola, Danny Colon, Johan Smith, and Stevenson providing depth. De La Cruz and George Nenstiel are returning starters at defensive tackle, while Chicalese and Ackerman are next on the depth chart.
Hayden Nenstiel returns at outside linebacker, with Zamudio, Zander Rossi, and Justin Welch competing for the opposite spot. Johnson is back as a starting middle linebacker, with Lucarino and Josh Malonado providing depth.
Lopez returns as a starting cornerback, with Guzman projected to start on the opposite side. Marc Zellin, Wilson, and Fabre provide depth in the secondary. Heck and Heller are back at safety, with Marquez and Wilson providing depth.
Derek Radzwich takes over as the Cougars’ placekicker.
QUOTE FROM COACH SACCO: We’re fortunate to have a lot of young players returning who gained valuable experience last season. While last year didn’t meet our expectations, it’s motivated this group. We have a chip on our shoulder, and our players are hungry to prove what they’re capable of.
RETURNING ALL-STARS – WVC DIVISION 1
First Team Running Back – Xavier Heck
Honorable Mention Offensive Lineman – Scott Mooney
