EXETER, Pa. (WKBN) – The 2019 PIAA Class 3A state champions have garnered a pair of 10-win seasons in the past three years (2021 and 2023).
“This year’s team returns a significant amount of talent and experience from a group that won a [Wyoming Valley Conference] Division 2 championship and advanced to the District 2 Class 4A semifinals,” said coach Randy Spencer.
The Warriors standout running back Aaron Crossley (1,843 rushing yards) has since graduated, but the offense returns eight starters that include quarterback Anthony DeLucca (752 passing yards, 11 TDs), running back Michael Crane (398 rushing yards; 88 receiving yards), receivers Kevin Wiedl (11 catches, 225 yards), Luke Kopetchny and Josh Mruk (11 catches, 237 yards) along with the versatile Lidge Kellum (581 rushing yards, 5 TDs; 88 receiving yards) and a pair of senior linemen Chase DeSanto and Andrew Steinberger.
In each of the Warriors’ 10 wins a year ago, Wyoming Area scored four touchdowns or more in each of those games.
“We’ll be led by our returning [signal caller] DeLucca,” Spencer notes. “Up front, our anchors will be Chase [DeSanto], who’s a Division 1 recruit with scholarship offers from Maine and Sacred Heart, and also Andrew [Steinberger].”
Only two opponents were able to score 21 points or more against Wyoming Area in 2023 (Crestwood and Southern Columbia).
Wyoming Area’s defense will feature Mruk and Tyler Reynolds up front with Matt Rutkoski at linebacker. Ben Gravine and Crane will also be counted on to get after the quarterback and ball carriers as well from the edge. Jacob Morgan and Wiedl could line up at linebacker or safety. In the defensive backfield, the Warriors will have Trustin Johnson, Damian Lefkoski and Gage Speece. John Turner will play a key role as well as he returns as the team’s punter.
Wyoming Area will visit Crestwood to open the new season on Friday, August 23.
Wyoming Area Warriors
Fast Facts
Head Coach: Randy Spencer
2023 Record: 10-2
Last 5 Years: 45-14 (76.3%)
League: Wyoming Valley Conference, Division 2 (Class 4A)
Home Field : Jake Sobeski Stadium
Base Offense : Spread/Pro/I
B ase Defense: 5-2
2023 Team Stats
Scoring Offense : 34.9
Scoring Defense : 15.0
2023 Individual Leaders
Passing: Anthony DeLucca – 752 yards, 46.6% (41-88), 11 TDs
Rushing : Aaron Crossley – 1843 yards, 8.4 avg, 26 TDs
Receiving: Josh Mruk – 237 yards, 21.5 avg, 6 TDs
Tackles : Jacob Morgan – 78
QB Sacks : Aaron Crossley – 4.5
Interceptions: Josh Mruk – 2
2023 Results
Valley View 20 Warriors 0*
Warriors 31 North Pocono 19*
Warriors 35 Pittston 14
Southern Columbia 34 Warriors 7
Warriors 49 Lake-Lehman 14
Warriors 55 Holy Redeemer 13
Warriors 35 Scranton 19
Warriors 47 Hanover 0
Warriors 35 Nanticoke 13
Warriors 29 Crestwood 22
Warriors 47 Honesdale 12
Warriors 49 Tunkhannock 0
2024 Schedule
Aug. 23 – at Crestwood
Aug. 30 – Dallas
Sept. 6 – at Western Wayne
Sept. 13 – Lakeland
Sept. 20 – at Tunkhannock
Sept. 27 – Berwick
Oct. 4 – at Hanover
Oct. 11 – Lake-Lehman
Oct. 18 – Nanticoke
Oct. 25 – at Pittston
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