Athlete of the Month: Weston Yannone helps lead Bucks team this season

By Steve Svetovich

The Dunmore Bucks football team has been rolling over opponents this season and all-purpose senior Weston Yannone is one of the big reasons.

Coach Kevin McHale’s Bucks at press time are undefeated at 8-0 and winning by large margins. Son of Phil and Jennifer Yannone, Weston totaled 18 touchdowns in the Bucks first eight games. He scored 16 touchdowns on offense, 12 on rushes, and four on passes, one on a punt return and one on an interception.

Weston totaled over 600 yards rushing and 190 yards receiving in the first eight games. He is averaging a robust 14.5 yards per rushing attempt.

The all-purpose senior plays running back, wide receiver, strong safety, and returns punts and kicks for Dunmore.

Multi-talented, Weston is a standout member of Dunmore’s track and field team. He was a Coaches All-Star and All Regional selection for track and field as a junior last season. He was also named co-Performer of the Year for track and field last year.

Weston is editor-in-chief of the yearbook staff at Dunmore High School. He is a member of the Bowling Club, French Club and National Honor Society. He has a 3.5 academic average. Weston’s best academic subject is English.

The senior stalwart talked about his team’s great success following Dunmore’s eighth win, 63-11, over Honesdale.

“It just shows how much work this team put in during the off-season,” said Weston.

“We worked like crazy in preparation for this season. We have great coaches. Coach McHale makes all the right calls. All of the coaches do.”

Weston said he worked hard and credits teammates for his success as an all-purpose player.

“It takes hard work and knowing your job,” he said. “I know what I can bring to the team. Everyone does their job on this team, and my teammates make it easier.”

Well-spoken and polite, Weston gives great credit to the Dunmore defense for the team’s success.

“Our defense goes into each game picturing a zero. The idea is to be as dominant as possible. Defense wins championships.

“Jacob Costanzo has been great on pass coverage. Xavier Burke is in on almost every tackle. He has amazing dedication. Will Bonin stepped in following an injury and has played his heart out. Our defensive line has been amazing, every single one of them. I can’t even single one of them out.”

The senior scholar-athlete said coach McHale taught him a lot.

“He teaches me to never be complacent. Keep getting better. Things are going to get tough, but you have to keep going. Always strive to be better.”

The speedy senior said his parents also taught him a lot. “They taught me to always be humble. Work hard and keep your head down. Keep doing what you do. Don’t stop.”

Weston said he likes listening to music in his spare time. He would like to see country singer Jon Pardi in concert.

The senior standout has a lofty goal. He would like to attend Army West Point in the fall and play football there.

In the future, he would like to become a chiropractor.

His immediate goal centers around the team. “Our expectations are to go as far as possible,” he said. “Our goal is to make a huge run and win a state championship.

“We want to set the standard here at Dunmore for years to come.”

Confident and articulate, Weston is enjoying his senior year at Dunmore.

“It’s amazing here,” he said. “It’s one big family. It’s one big community and everyone has your back.”

***

UPDATE: Dunmore won by a score of 58-6 over Riverside on October 23. They completed a perfect season of 10-0 by defeating Lakeland on October 30 by a score of 53-6. The Dunmore Bucks are the 2026 Division II AA Champions. The top-seeded Bucks will host the District 2 Class 2A football semifinal game against No. 4 seed Holy Redeemer (5-4) on Friday, November 6.