Honesdale names Collins, Avery, Rutherford and Passaro captains for 2024 football season

HONESDALE — There's a palpable sense of excitement crackling in the air around this year's Honesdale varsity football team.

The Hornets showed flashes of brilliance last fall, but eventually finished up the season with a disappointing 3-7 record. This time around, though, local fans are buzzing about the prospects of a championship season.

The 2024 Red & Black roster features 16 seniors, four of whom have been named captains ahead of Friday night's home opener versus East Stroudsburg North. All are seniors and each brings with him a stellar football resume.

Aiden Collins, Mason Avery, Wyatt Rutherford and Anthony Passaro will lead the charge before what promises to be a big boisterous Week 1 crowd.

“When I think of our four captains, the word that immediately comes to mind is grit,” said veteran head Coach Paul Russick. “These four guys are always ready to do battle and they just never give up.”

Captains Courageous

Collins is entering his fourth year as Honesdale's starting quarterback. It's also his second season serving as a team captain.

Last fall, Collins completed 52 percent of his passes, good for 1,145 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was also a threat to run the ball, amassing 334 yards and seven more TDs on 86 carries.

“Aiden is a four-year starter, a three-sport athlete and a two-year captain,” Russick said. “He is without question the leader of our team and of this program. Aiden has put in a ton of time and is definitely our field general.”

Avery is a senior tailback coming off a breakout season. Last fall, he rushed for more than 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also played a major role in the Hornets' aerial assault, catching 13 passes out of the backfield.

“Mason is a dynamic athlete who can excel at any sport and any position,” said Russick. “He's a joy to be around and a pleasure to coach.”

Rutherford is a senior who will anchor the offensive line at left guard. He's a powerful force as a blocker in both the running game and in pass protection. Rutherford did not allow a single sack as a junior.

“Wyatt is definitely the strongest player in the program,” Russick said. “He's a finisher in our ground game. Wyatt is a throwback lineman who wants to be the best at anything he does.”

Passaro is another member of a talented senior class and a two-year starter at left tackle. He's fully recovered from a torn ACL suffered during his sophomore basketball season and champing at the bit to make up for lost time.

“Anthony is a very athletic lineman,” Russick said. “He's worked extremely hard to get himself back to 100 percent this year.”

Ready for Opening Night

Honesdale kicks-off its regular season slate Friday night with a non-league home game versus East Stroudsburg North.

The Timberwolves are coming off a tough 2023 campaign in which they posted just one win against nine losses in District 11 action.

This year, head coach Dave Laughlin's squad is looking to bounce back with a revamped schedule that includes non-league games versus Honesdale and Wallenpaupack Area.

For the Hornets, Week 1 offers the possibility of a fast start in start contrast to last year when they dropped their first four games.

In Russick's mind, this current team has the talent and experience to compete for an LFC division title.

“The majority of these young men have been with me for five years now,” he said. “If they continue to work hard and attack every situation with that trademark grit, they'll not only put us in position to have a big season, but they will put themselves and their families in position for success in the future.”

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Honesdale names Collins, Avery, Rutherford and Passaro captains for 2024 football season