Dunmore Bucks look toward rebuilding year

Posted on September 4, 2024 by The Dunmorean

Members of the Dunmore High School Varsity team include, first row, from left: Patrick Kopacz (9), Aiden Hart (56), Trevon Bess (32), Bobby Hoban (6), Gabe Franek (8), Anthony Anelli (75), Jack McNeff (17), Izaiah Parker (24), Bren Novorosky (27), and Eric Reesey (28). Second row, same order: Aiden Mulholland (68), Cayden Reynolds (10), Chris Kornetka (4), Bobby Santarsiero (60), Thomas Fazio (51), Ryan Mecca (23), Kaylon Purdy (20), Zekhi Haynes (50), Noah Kineg (47), Joseph Tur (64), and Cayden Fritz (99). Third row: Jake Costanzo (15), Jack McHale (88), Eli Dougherty (36), Logan Miller (85), Matthew Mislinski (92), Carter Davies (77), Josh Dudick (41), Luke Franek (80), Jackson Harding (5), Xavier Burke (46), Brayden Shigo (63), Lorenzo Leo (73), Ethyn Durst (78), and Christian Mills (42). Fourth row: Jake Donahoe (35), Will Bonin (34), Brandon Mecca (29), Will Haun (52), Josef Wolff (48), Brady McCormick (49), Michael Dempsey Jr., (76), Patrick Dickel (58), and Aiden Zilaitis (82). Back row, coaches from left: Assistant Coach Michael Barrett with sons Patrick and Ryan; Volunteer Coach Cory Frick, Volunteer Coach Rocco LaCapra, Assistant Coach/Junior High Head Football Coach Mark Finan Jr., Volunteer Coach Josh Sawka, Head Football Coach Kevin McHale with his son Colin; Administrative Assistant Robert Grady, Strength and Conditioning Coach Al Miller. and Assistant Coach Damon Bowen. Not pictured: Zaeem Rosario (90) and Strength and Conditioning Coach Tommy Drewes. (Photo by Rich Banick)

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.

Senior members of the Dunmore Bucks varsity team are, first row, from left; Aiden Hart, Bren Novorosky, Gabe Franek, and Patrick Kopacz. Second row, same order: Eric Reesey, Izaiah Parker, Jack McNeff, Anthony Anelli, Bobby Hoban, and Trevon Bess. (Photo by Rich Banick)

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Dunmore freshman team (Junior High) are pictured, first row, from left: Carter Coyle, Jack Henry, Conner Sample, Kodi Jordan, Drew Haun, Logan Neal, Joe Manger, Landen White, Aaron Mecca and Jacob Ortiz. Second row, same order: Anthony Cordaro, Nick Rought, Noah Rought, Jack Roswell, Ian Fong, Kaiden Jefferson, Beau Golden, Janiel Rivera, Kevin Batzel and Gabriel Vullo. Third row: Assistant Coach Josh Sawka and Head Coach Mark Finan Jr. Not shown: Assistant coaches Michael Muracco and Nick Shoemaker. (Photo by Rich Banick)

Members of the Dunmore High School Marching Band include, front row, from left; Drum majors Aidan Walsh and Loren Spudic. Second row: Emilia Gabello, Juan Doan and Savanna Sherman. Third row: Matthew Kirchnerk, Corey Condon, Danielle DiPietro, Izzy Rought, John Silvia and Adam Jones. Fourth row: Rhys Otto, Krithika Krishnan, Evan McDonnell, Ally Polster, Ashlynn Blackwell, Grace Heil, James McCrea and Egan Haikes. Fifth row: Madilyn Keating, Miles Stevenson, Ryan McMynne, Jordan Braathen, Ryan Amendalaro, Nathan McDonnell, Will Healey, Zoey Schlitter, Gabby Spillar, Sascha Novak, Kellie Bidwell, Luke Kalinowski.(Photo by Rich Banick)

Dunmore Bucks holding heads high

Posted on December 6, 2023 by The Dunmorean

Dunmore Bucks players Chris Conte and Nick Donvito combine for the tackle during the quarterfinals game. (Photo courtesy: Tim Drewes)

By Steve Svetovich

It was a gallant season on the gridiron for the Dunmore Bucks.

A season to remember, even though the team fell one win short of a shot for a state title.

Dunmore lost, 39-7, to PIAA powerhouse Southern Columbia on Friday, December 1, in the state semifinal at Harman-Geist Stadium, Hazleton.

The Bucks returned to the state semifinal for the first time since 2017. Dunmore finished the season with a 12-3 record.

Garrett Garcia rushed for 193 yards and three touchdowns to lead Southern Columbia to victory in the state semifinal.

Dunmore senior quarterback Tommy Bowen scored the Bucks lone touchdown on a 4-yard run with seven seconds left in the contest.

Dunmore senior standout back Danny Pigga rushed for 58 yards on 11 carries in the loss. He finished the season with a highly impressive 1,726 yards on the ground.

“This was a big turnaround for us from the past three years and really since 2017,” said Pigga after the loss. “We worked real hard to get where we wanted to be, but came up short of our state goal.

“I think everyone came together and pushed for each other on and off the field to be the best team we could be.”

Dunmore fullback Jake Hickey spoke of the team’s chemistry after a gallant run in the state playoffs.

“This team went very far this season because of the brotherhood we have together,” he said.

“We always had each other’s backs and pushed each other everyday. We showed commitment with each other and sacrificed for the team.”

Nathan Reuther is shown with a broken facemask celebrating with his teammates after he intercepted the ball. (Photo courtesy: Tim Drewes)

Dunmore head football coach Kevin McHale was proud of his team.

“I can’t say enough about our kids and what they accomplished throughout their four years,” he said after the loss to Southern Columbia. “We put our program back on the state map.”

Dunmore defeated Riverside, 13-7, for the District 2 Class 2A championship, Friday, November 10.

Bowen rushed for 84 yards and one touchdown on 12 carries in the district title win.

Nick Donvito added another touchdown on a 12-yard run.

The Bucks rolled up 230 yards on the ground on 41 runs in the district title win.

The Dunmore offensive line – Nathan Reuther, Anthony Anelli, Nick Tullio, Rogan Dougherty, Bryce Talutto and Chris Conte – were the backbone behind the Bucks brutal running attack.

Pigga, prolific as ever, rushed for 234 yards and scored five touchdowns as Dunmore rolled past Williams Valley, 41-21, in the PIAA Class 2A first-round game Friday, November 17, at Rotary Field, Schuylkill Haven.

Pigga scored four rushing touchdowns and another on a 12-yard pass from Bowen.

Fullback Hickey added a 19-yard touchdown run in the win.

The Dunmore defense intercepted four passes, one run back 45 yards for a touchdown by Jack McNeff, to lead the Bucks to a 41-25 win over Camp Hill in the PIAA Class 2A quarterfinal contest Friday, November 24.

Pigga, outstanding as usual, rushed for 194 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries in the big win. He scored on runs of 29 and 32 yards.

Senior signal caller Bowen scored on two runs and Donvito added a 9-yard touchdown run in the win.

Hickey contributed 75 yards rushing on 17 carries.

Dunmore finished with a robust 335 yards on the ground, pounding the pigskin 52 times at the bewildered Camp Hill defense.

The Dunmore defense, particularly the secondary, was stellar in the win.

And for the seniors who will be graduating this year, it will be a football season to remember.

This team made Dunmore proud.

Remembering Coach: Dunmore legend passes away at 87

Posted on August 2, 2023 by The Dunmorean

By Steve Svetovich

There are those select few in life who make a lifetime impact on an entire community.And Jack Henzes did it for decades for a large group of student-athletes over multiple generations.

He did it for more than half a century, impacting hundreds of lives.
Most of all, he was a teacher of life lessons.

Henzes, the legendary Dunmore Bucks football coach died Monday night, July 24, after a brief illness. The Dunmore Bucks football icon was 87.

His coaching career spanned five plus decades. He had a 52 year football coaching career. A total of 48 years were at Dunmore.

A member of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, he finished his career with 444 wins. He is second in wins for any high school football coach in the state.

After serving as an assistant football coach for the Blakely Bears, coached by his late father, Jack “Papa Bear” Henzes Sr., he became the head football coach at Wyoming Area in 1966. He lost his first game, 27-13, to the Dunmore Bucks. But that loss was not a prelude for things to come.

The following week, Wyoming Area beat GAR, and in four seasons under Henzes the Warriors went 30-12.In 1971, Jack Henzes became the head football coach of the Dunmore Bucks. Dunmore beat Tunkhannock in the opener and the winning never stopped. For decades, titles and championships became synonymous with Dunmore football.

From 1973 to 1975, Dunmore won three consecutive Big 11 titles. During this time, Henzes mentored three players who later had long NFL coaching careers – Vic Fangio, Tony Marciano, and Joe Marciano.

Fangio became the best defensive coordinator in the NFL with the 49ers and Chicago Bears and is currently with the Miami Dolphins. He also had a stint as head football coach of the Denver Broncos.

“Coach Henzes had a great impact on me because of his passion and commitment to football and his ability as a coach,” Fangio said. “It was contagious to me and made me want to follow in his footsteps and become a high school coach which eventually turned me into a lifelong career of coaching in the NFL. There is no way of quantifying the impact he had on hundreds of students at Dunmore High School during his near 50 years there. He was a true Dunmore icon.”

The 1980’s brought more success to Henzes and the Bucks. The 1985 team, led by twins Bobby and the late Billy Ruddy, went 13-0 and won the Eastern Conference Class A title.

In 1986, he led the PA Big 33 team to a 21-7 win over Maryland.

In 1989, Henzes led Dunmore to its first state title, 57-18, over Keystone in the Class A title game.

In 1995, the Bucks beat Wyoming Area for another district title.

In 2000, Henzes passed his father with 252 career wins.

Henzes led Dunmore to state championship games in 2007, 2012 and 2014, but finished second in the state.

He earned his 400th career win in 2015.

In 2019, he was inducted into the National High School Coaches Hall of Fame.Coach Henzes retired for health reasons in 2019 and was replaced by current Dunmore football coach Kevin McHale who played and coached under him.

“Coach Henzes was always prepared week by week,” McHale said. “He was very precise and concise. There were no cutting corners…He did things the right way. He had a distinct way of doing things.”

“He was a great role model for all the students. The way he treated people is what I took with me from him when I became a head coach… Along with winning many football games, he went above and beyond in setting a great example for student athletes and teaching life lessons to many generations. Many of his student athletes have passed these lessons down to their children and grandchildren.”

Tim Drewes was a standout football player for Henzes at Dunmore from 2011-2014.
“Coach Henzes used to deliver gear to me and my brother Danny every Christmas,” he said. “He would write ‘Santa Henzes’ on the packages.”

“Coach taught us more than football. He taught us how to be better members of the community. Being around the Dunmore football program for over 30 years, the overwhelming theme was preparation meets opportunity. This saying that coach always stated sticks with me to this day. Our team was prepared for anything and it showed, leaving Dunmore with the most wins in program history.”

Henzes was 83 in 2019 when he resigned from his coaching duties while recovering from a heart procedure. His coaching record was 444-164-8 in 52 years.

Former Dunmore Mayor Patrick “Nibs” Loughney echoed the beliefs of the Dunmore community.

“Coach Henzes was a true gentleman most of all,” he said. “He was admired by his athletes and students and will always be in our hearts.”

Tom Carlucci played under Henzes in 2004 and 2005.

“I played for Coach in my junior and senior years,” he said. “Coach Henzes had a tremendous impact on my life. Like most kids, I needed some additional structure and purpose in life. Coach Henzes found a way to effortlessly bridge that gap for many kids. He discovered what I was good at and built me into his game plan.”

“Although he discovered my speed first, it wasn’t until several years later that I discovered that his game plan for all of us was more about life than football.”

Henzes coached the Bucks to the state title game four times, winning the Class A championship in 1989. Other titles won by Dunmore under Henzes include Eastern Conference champions 1985; Class A 2012 State Eastern champions; Class AA 2007, 2014 State Eastern champions; Disfrict 2 “A” 2012 champs; District 2 “AA” champions 1995, 1999, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017.

Former Dunmore Councilman Paul Nardozzi expressed his sentiments.

“Coach was admired by the Dunmore High School students and faculty because he wasn’t just a successful football coach, but a very good teacher and listener who cared about not only his players but the entire student body. He knew mostly everyone’s name and their family.”

“As the signs say in Dunmore, it’s God, family and football. Coach Henzes wouldn’t have it any other way.”

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Sports Editor’s Note: As a sports editor for The Dunmorean for 34 years and previously as a reporter for The Pennsylvania Athlete, Scrantonian Tribune and Sunday Sun, I had the privilege to know Jack Henzes and interview him over 30 times.

I also had the privilege to interview hundreds of his student-athletes. Jack Henzes was all class and a true gentleman in all of my interactions with him. But the best thing you can say about a coach is that during hundreds of interviews I had with his players, not one ever said a bad word about him. And almost every single one called him a mentor and teacher of life lessons and preparing for adulthood.

It wasn’t just about football. “A mentor of life lessons.” What a great life.