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| Coach Steve Jervis | Anthony Paolucci | Cooper Castellano |
TEAM: Lackawanna Trail Lions
COLORS: Red, Black & White
COACH: Steve Jervis, 17th Season (136-64), 22nd Overall (159-103)
PIAA: Class 1A
2026 CONFERENCE: LFC Division III
2025 RECORD: 12-2 (5-0 in conference)
RECORD LAST FIVE SEASONS: 43-13
STADIUM: Lion Pride Stadium
OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 5
DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 6
OFFENSIVE SCHEME: Wing T
DEFENSIVE SCHEME: 4-4
2026 PREVIEW
Lackawanna Trail continued its championship run in 2025, capturing another league and district title. Expectations remain high heading into 2026, but the Lions were hit hard by graduation and will need several younger players to step into key roles. Even with those losses, there is still plenty of talent on the roster, so expect the Lions to once again be among the area’s top teams.
The first order of business will be replacing a significant amount of offensive production. Lucas Filipek takes over at quarterback to direct head coach Steve Jervis’ Wing-T offense. Hayden Reed, Riley Borruso, Colby Stanton, and Ayden Fowler are expected to compete for carries at running back and wingback. The good news is that fullback Carter Edwards returns after a strong season, with Adam Pettinato providing depth. Timmy Richmond is back at wide receiver, while Joey Thomas and Logan Pietrzak will also be in the mix. Kaylix Douglas returns as the starting tight end, with Danny Jones and Grayson Chabal providing depth.
The offensive line has been the foundation of Trail’s success over the past several seasons, and the Lions return key pieces up front. Left guard Anthony Paolucci and center Cooper Castellano are returning All-Stars from 2025. Newcomers will fill the remaining positions, including left tackle James Bartholomew. Connor Seamans and Joey Wasliewski will compete at right guard, while Chase Stanton and Taylor Axtell are expected to battle for the right tackle spot.
Defensively, Douglas and Castellano return at defensive end, while Paolucci is back at defensive tackle. Bartholomew, Chase Stanton, and Todd Root provide additional options on the interior of the defensive line. The strength of the defense will be at linebacker, where three starters return, including inside linebackers Edwards and Reed. Filipek is back at one outside linebacker spot, while Colby Stanton is expected to start on the opposite side. Fowler, Seamans, Pettinato, and Lucas Brunner provide depth.
In the secondary, Richmond returns at cornerback, with Thomas and Borruso competing for the opposite corner position. Jones and Pierce Carpenter are expected to battle for the starting job at safety.
Thomas returns as the team’s kicker, while Douglas is back at punter. Brunner will also contribute in the kicking game.
QUOTE FROM COACH JERVIS: We graduated a great group of talented football players who have left a lasting impact on our program, however the cupboard is not bare. We have a strong nucleus of talented returning players who have been working hard. We also welcome some talented freshmen up from our junior high program. Overall, our kids are working hard and expectations are high.
RETURNING ALL-STARS – LFC DIVISION III
First Team Fullback – Carter Edwards
First Team Tight End – Kaylix Douglas
First Team Offensive Lineman – Tony Paolucci
First Team Defensive Lineman – Kaylix Douglas
Honorable Mention Offensive Lineman – Cooper Castellano
Honorable Mention Defensive Lineman – Cooper Castellano
