Patriots get a boost from both sides of kicking game

There have been times this season when Pittston Area has been in better positions in games than would be indicated by a comparison of team offensive statistics with that of the opponents.

The explanation is a simple one.

“We always talk about special teams being a third of the game,” Patriots coach Joe DeLucca said. “If you can win that battle, you’re going to be in football games.”

With Gavin Wolfe kicking the ball and Lucas Lopresto returning kicks, the Patriots often come out ahead in the kicking game.

“Gavin gives up the opportunity to flip the field,” DeLucca said. “He’s had a punt over 50 yards this year. He’s had a 36-yard field goal as his long. He’s had a few touchbacks.

“Definitely having that as a weapon certainly bodes well for us.”

Wolfe, who also plays soccer for Pittston Area, has two field goals on the season and has been reliable on extra points.

Lopresto has returned kicks for touchdowns three times, including both a kickoff and a punt return in the same game against Wyoming Valley West. His other touchdown return came on a kickoff against Crestwood.

“Hardly any team is going to kick to me all season,” Lopresto said after his four-touchdown effort against Wyoming Valley West. “When I get the opportunity, I try to get the most of it.

“I just follow my blocks.”

When those blocks create an opening, Lopresto has the ability to outrun opponents.

The way DeLucca sees it, the Patriots benefit from Lopresto’s presence regardless of whether teams kick to him.

“Teams have to decide, ‘are we going to kick it deep or not?’” DeLucca said. “Wilkes-Barre, that was their main objective to try to contain him, which they did a pretty nice job. But, when you squib, or if you kick it to him — Lucas seems look sometimes like he didn’t get anything – but you look and we’re out near midfield.

“Whether they kick it to the second line or deep, it puts us in good field position.”

Prior to an injury, quarterback Matt Walter, the team’s second-leading rusher, began joining Lopresto as the other deep man on kickoffs.

“He has tremendous speed and hits the gaps pretty well,” DeLucca said. “It’s kind of like pick your poison when he’s back there.”