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| Coach Paul Russick | Lucas Lo Presto | Jude Ferentino |
TEAM: Pittston Area Patriots
COLORS: Red, White & Blue
COACH: Paul Russick, 2nd Season (8-3) (28-33 overall)
PIAA: Class 5A
2026 CONFERENCE: WVC Division 1
2025 RECORD: 8-3 (5-0 in conference)
RECORD LAST FIVE SEASONS: 25-30
STADIUM: Charley Trippi Stadium
OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 3
DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 3
OFFENSIVE SCHEME: Multiple
DEFENSIVE SCHEME: Mulitple
2026 PREVIEW
Pittston Area alum Paul Russick brought a championship back to his alma mater in his first season as head coach. Now, he wants to build on that title and keep the Patriots on top. It won’t be easy after the team was hit hard by graduation, but enough veterans return, mixed with a talented group of young players, to give Pittston Area a chance to succeed.
Some new faces will play vital roles in the 2026 season. Santino Capitano takes over at quarterback, with Santino Salvo providing depth. Jude Ferentino and Kayden Bailey both started at running back at various points last season and return to the backfield. Chance Radzewicz takes over at fullback.
All-Star wide receiver Lucas Lo Presto returns for his senior season, while Christian Cerasaro and Deondre Miller will also see time at the position. John Jadus returns as the starting tight end.
The biggest question mark could be the offensive line. All five starters graduated, leaving a young group to take over up front. The projected starters are J.J. Grochal at left tackle, Brandon George at left guard, and Logan Slater at center. The right side features some experience with Jordan Talarico at guard and Jimmy Tighe at tackle. Tyriq Alpheaus and Rocco Oliveri provide depth.
Jadus and Capitano are expected to start at defensive end, with Alex Rosencrance, Josh Balchine, Isaiah McCroskey, and Tighe also in the mix. Ryan Kowalcyk, Donquavious Jackson, and Misael Sanchez will rotate at defensive tackle.
The inside linebacker position should be a strength with Radzewicz and Dominick Salvo returning. Bailey and Chase Baron are the new outside linebackers. Ferentino will provide depth.
Lo Presto returns at cornerback and will be joined by some combination of Cerasaro, Santino Salvo, and Amir Sanders. Miller moves from cornerback to safety, while Evan Mancini and Gavin Migliori provide depth in the secondary.
Talarico returns as the punter, while the starting kicker will be determined during preseason camp. Dominick Salvo will handle the long-snapping duties, while Lo Presto, Miller, and Bailey will be the primary returners.
QUOTE FROM COACH RUSSICK:We have to replace production at quarterback and tailback, but with an explosive committee of runners and weapons we can move all over the field, our main focus right now is seeing who steps up to win the battles on our offensive line. Defensively, we are going to maintain our violent, hard-hitting identity that won us a conference championship last fall, anchored by our linebackers, a physical edge rusher, and veterans in the secondary. Special teams will be advantage for us with game-breakers who can return kicks and our punter/snapper already in place, leaving our camp focus strictly on finding a reliable placekicker.
RETURNING ALL-STARS – WVC DIVISION 1
Most Valuable Player – Lucas Lo Presto
First Team Wide Receiver- Lucas Lo Presto
First Team Tight End – John Jadus
First Team Defensive Back – Lucas Lo Presto
Honorable Mention Defensive Lineman – Santino Capitano
Honorable Mention Linebacker – Dominick Salvo
Honorable Mention Punter – Jordan Talerico
All-District 2 Wide Receiver – Lucas Lo Presto
