By Steve Svetovich

The Dunmore Bucks football team finished with a 12-3 record en route to the PIAA Class 2A semifinal last season, but this looks like a rebuilding year with most of those starters lost to graduation. 

Dunmore won the District 2 Class 2A championship for the 13th time last season. Dunmore also had a District 2 Class 1A title in 2012 and an Eastern Conference A championship in 1985. Dunmore won the PIAA Class A title in 1989 and earned eight Big 11 titles. 

Anthony Anelli, a 5-11, 200-pound offensive lineman, and Gabe Francek, a back who rushed for 246 yards and four touchdowns, are the only returning offensive starters for veteran coach Kevin McHale. 

Anelli, the only starter back on a dominant offensive line, will anchor a group that includes Carter Davies, Ethyn Durst, Lorenzo Leo, and Bobby Santarsiero. The Bucks will miss graduate Nathan Reuther who received the Hookey Reap Award as the best offensive lineman in Lackawanna County. 

The Bucks are also replacing several starters on defense. 

Francek had 29 tackles and an interception last year. Jack McNeff had 37 tackles, two interceptions and five broken up passes. Bobby Hoban had 12 tackles in the secondary.

The highly talented Trevon Bass totaled 35 tackles, five for a loss, from his defensive end position last season. Xavier Burke had 32 tackles and two sacks from his linebacker position last year. Both are expected to play big roles defensively this season. 

Lackawanna Football Conference Division II all-star kicker Eric Reesey returns this season. He made 41 of 45 extra points last season. 

“Our expectations are to get a little better every day,” said coach McHale. “We are young and we are going to make mistakes, but if we can get a little better each day, we can be a very good team by the end of the year. 

“Jack McNeff will be the starting quarterback. Jack has been a great leader for us in the off season and through summer practices. He can play at a high level on both sides of the ball and worked very hard to put himself in that position. 

“We are excited for our running game. We lost some playmakers from last year, but have kids looking forward to stepping into those roles. We have some nice speed in the backfield. 

“We will replace the majority of our defense, but have a determined group that are fighting for positions.” 

McNeff, a senior, replaces four-year starter Tommy Bowen, as the starting Dunmore quarterback. He will also start at defensive back. 

Other key returning players include senior offensive and defensive lineman Anelli, senior running back/defensive back Franek who replaces all-state Danny Pigga as the primary back, senior running back/defensive back Izaiah Parker who rushed for 104 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown, senior kicker Reesey, senior defensive end Bess who is the only returning starter on the defensive line, junior running back Ryan Mecca who rushed for 209 yards on 24 carries and sophomore fullback/ linebacker Xavier Burke who is expected to be the primary linebacker in place of all-state selection Nick Donvito. 

Coach McHale said Brayden Shigo is expected to play a key role on both the offensive and defensive lines. 

Reesey and Patrick Kopacz were competing for the starting punter job in preseason workouts. 

Dunmore assistant coaches are Michael Barrett, Damon Bowen, Leonard Burke, Michael Burke, Cory Frick, Rocco LaCapra, Jack Miles, Al Miller, Michael Muracco, Josh Sawka, Nick Shoemaker and Mark Finan, Jr. McHale is in his sixth season as Dunmore Bucks head football coach after serving as an assistant under the legendary late Jack Henzes. McHale has a 35-23 career record entering this season. 

Dunmore lost to Riverside, 16-3, in this season’s first game played on Friday, August 23, at Riverside. 

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