NAME: Dominic DeLuca
SCHOOL: Wyoming Area
LAST SEASON: 2019
POSITIONS: QB/DB/KR/P

Sometimes leaders lead by being vocal. Sometimes leaders lead by being an example on the field. Dominic DeLuca did both. The three-year starter at quarterback and team captain was instrumental in the Warriors becoming the first District 2 team since 1997 to win a state championship. DeLuca lifted Wyoming Area from a 14-0 deficit in the 4th quarter to win the school’s first state title. Even more impressive is that DeLuca played the second half with a torn ACL. For 2019, DeLuca threw for 1,687 yards, 21 touchdowns and only 5 picks. He rushed for 981 yards and 13 touchdowns. For his career, he threw for 3,880 yards, 55 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He finished with 1,906 rushing yards. DeLuca also had a total of 819 return yards which included three kickoff returns for touchdowns and an interception return for a score. On defense, DeLuca played safety and had 201 career tackles and 12 career interceptions. He was also a very effective punter.

DeLuca was named a 2019 NPF Wyoming Valley Conference Small School Offense Player of the Year and first-team quarterback, defensive back and punter. He was named the 2019 NPF District 2 Offense Player of ther Year. DeLuca was also a Wyoming Valley Conference Small School first-team quarterback and defensive back in 2018 and an NPF All-District 2 defensive back that season. DeLuca was named the Offensive Player of the Year and all-state quarterback by the Pennsylvania Football Writers and Offensive Player of the Year and a first-team all-state quarterback by the Pennsylvania Football News in 2019. He was also named a first-team all-state defensive back in 2018. DeLuca received Offensive Player of the Year and first-team quarterback honors in 2019 and first-team defensive back honors in 2018 by EasternPaFootball.com. He was also named a member of the WNEP Dream Team in 2019. DeLuca will continue his football career at Division I-FBS Penn State University.

Wyoming Area coach Randy Spencer on DeLuca: “Legendary, historic, heroic… these are the words that have been used to describe Dominic DeLuca’s performance, who together with his teammates led our team to our first state championship. He combined talent, heart, and courage over a remarkable four year varsity career. As a freshman, he worked to make his first start defensively in a district semifinal playoff game vs Berwick. He was pressed into action at quarterback as a sophomore due to an injury, adapted quickly, and led our team to the district playoffs. As a junior, he led our team to an undefeated regular season, but we suffered a disappointing loss in the district semifinal to Lakeland. This past season, his talent was on full display as a dual threat quarterback, a lock down pass defender and run stopper at safety, a big play kick returner, a solid punter, and a reliable holder. Dominic’s incredible playmaking was matched by his leadership. The biggest play he made all year was when he came back into the state championship game after being injured. He gave his team hope and inspiration. He willed himself to finish the game on no legs. After taking a helmet to one knee and suffering a torn ACL in the other, he went on to throw two touchdowns and rush for the game winning score. It has been an honor to coach Dominic, and be a part of the program history created by him and his teammates. Penn State is adding a “True Lion” to their pride. ”