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| Coach Brydon Rukstalis | Gadgidas Reisinger | Jayden Ford-Spivey |
TEAM: Wyoming Valley West Spartans
COLORS: Burgundy & Gold
COACH: Brydon Rukstalis, 1st Season
PIAA: Class 6A
2026 CONFERENCE: WVC Division 1
2025 RECORD: 1-10 (1-4 in conference)
RECORD LAST FIVE SEASONS: 5-48
STADIUM: Spartan Stadium
OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 9
DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 8
OFFENSIVE SCHEME: Spread
DEFENSIVE SCHEME: 4-3
2026 PREVIEW
New head coach Brydon Rukstalis hopes to revive a struggling program. Expect him to try to bring back the same toughness and intensity that made him a star with the Spartans as a player a decade ago. It might not happen overnight, but there is optimism at Valley West heading into the season.
Rukstalis inherits quarterback Damien Eastman, who threw for 1,666 yards last season, but Eastman will need to cut down on turnovers if the Spartans are going to make progress. Connor Krobert provides depth at quarterback.
Gadgidas Reisinger and Malique Campbell both saw plenty of action at running back last season and will continue to share the workload. Colton Kocher provides depth. Bradley Lamoraeux takes over at fullback.
The Spartans will have plenty of options at wide receiver, including Noah Council, Lucas Flores, Jaheir Cooper-Mickens, Izrel Davis, Zyere McCalla, Xavier Nunes, Al Juan Thomas, and Amor Sims. Tanner Ragukas returns at tight end, with Josiah Sienkiewicz and Omare Ottway Kellom providing depth.
The offensive line is experienced and should be improved in 2026. Trevor Ruddy returns at left tackle, Carter Morrissey at left guard, Kahmar Smith at center, Jayden Ford Spivey at right guard, and Brady Kasarda at right tackle.
The defense also returns several players who gained valuable experience last season. Kasarda is back at defensive end and will be joined by either Morrissey or Sienkiewicz. Ruddy and Smith return on the interior of the defensive line, while Derek Rosario and Spivey Ford provide depth up front.
Ragukas and Reisinger bring experience at inside linebacker, with Cairon Rivers and Lamoraeux providing depth. Sims, Ottway Kellom, Alex Rivera, and Josiah Wills will compete for playing time at outside linebacker.
Kaviyon Maderna and Cooper-Mickens return at cornerback, while Davis is back at safety. Flores is expected to compete for the other safety spot. Campbell, McCalla, Nunes, Thomas, Delante Pettiford, Adriel Sepulveda, and Tamir Popovich provide depth in the secondary.
Xander Jones returns as both the kicker and punter, while Emmanuel Dagdag, Nora Keating, and Sims will also contribute on special teams.
QUOTE FROM COACH RUKSTALIS: Our players have put in an incredible amount of work since the end of last season, and we’re excited to see that commitment translate onto the field this fall. We’ve established a new standard of preparation with an emphasis on accountability, attention to detail, and relentless effort, and our team has embraced it every step of the way. We have a great mix of experienced leaders and young players who are eager to compete. While we know there are challenges ahead as we work to build a new identity for our program, we’re confident in the direction we’re headed and believe this team has the character, confidence and talent to compete every Friday night. We’re excited to continue building our program and take the first step forward under our new leadership during the 2026 season.
RETURNING ALL-STARS – WVC DIVISION 1
Honorable Mention Running Back – Malique Campbell
