SCRANTON – Scranton Prep’s plan for sustained success starts on offense and defense.
Their decade of dominance includes three consecutive District 2 Class 3A championships and seven since 2015. This season’s Cavaliers are the favorites to defend their district crown and again make an impact at the state level after reaching the quarterfinals in 2023.
Three big reasons are the return of Ambrose Rossi and Byron Axtell to the offensive and defensive lines and linebacker Reese Tanner to the defense.
Scranton Prep’s standout leaders and teammates took the field at Convery Field in Monday’s first daily practice.
“The line is really important,” said Rossi, a 6-foot-5, 275-pound three-year starter. “We work hard on that every day in practice, making sure our steps are correct and that we control plays. We talk and communicate; If we can do that, we know we’ll be fine.
“Things are going well now. After the last few months of working together, we are moving forward and playing well.”
AROUND THE FIELDS: Riverside and Scranton Prep
Rossi and Axtell were part of a physical offensive line that paved the way for an explosive running game last season. Scranton Prep rushed for 3,199 yards in 14 games.
“We have a lot of good backs, so we know we have to be physical at the line,” said Axtell, a 6-foot-5, 275-pound junior. “We’re going over our steps every day in practice. Our line coach (Dan) McShaffery is an excellent line coach and makes sure we’re always ready. We have to play physical on every play.”
Defensively, Scranton Prep outplayed its opponents. The unit posted two shutouts and limited five opponents to one score or less. In the regular season, the Cavaliers outscored Lackawanna Football Conference teams 225-23 in the first half.
This year’s schedule brings new teams. Scranton Prep, although favored in Division I LFC, also has challenging games at Loyola Blakefield in Maryland, a home game against Canisius of Buffalo, New York, and a road game against Jersey Shore on Oct. 18 in Week 9.
“I’m really excited about the defense,” Tanner said. “We have a lot of guys coming back this year and a lot of new guys coming in with a lot of talent who will take on new roles. It should be fun and it will be exciting for us.”
Scranton Prep will play East Stroudsburg South and Notre Dame-Green Pond on Saturday at 10 a.m. The Cavaliers play Valley View on August 23rd at 7pm at Dunmore Veterans Memorial Stadium in a Division I LFC game to start the first week of the regular season.
Big season expected at Riverside
TAYLOR — As Tavian Branch runs onto the practice field behind Riverside High School, we can’t help but turn our attention to him.
He’s a big junior forward, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 285 pounds. His personality is as big and mature as his physical presence. Then, as he goes through practices, it’s easy to see why he’s the most sought-after player in the Lackawanna Football Conference by college recruiters.
At Monday’s morning practice, in the first official practice allowing full contact in the state, Branch showed he is a leader for a Riverside team that is optimistic for the 2024 season. The Vikings have talent returning from a team that reached the finals of District 2 Class 2A last fall and began the season ranked No. 8 in the standings. Pennlive. withPennsylvania High School Class 2A Football Poll.
Branch’s talent and potential will draw college recruiters to Riverside games this season.
As offers come in, your focus is on development.
“It’s good to be here and mentor the young guys and be able to show the coaches and my teammates my leadership,” Branch said.
Graydon Dupree is a junior who dedicated a lot of time to the weight room and gained 20 pounds. The 6-1, 240-pound junior will play center and wing on the defensive line.
“We are all working hard and making great efforts to be as good, if not better, than we were last year,” Dupree said. “I’m really excited to see what we’re able to do this year.”
Riverside also has a college prospect at tight end and linebacker. All-Region returning linebacker Richie Kostoff leads the defense and had 82 tackles, 39 solo, 11 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles. He received a scholarship offer from Bucknell University.
“It all started in the offseason and getting all the guys here to train,” Kostoff said. “We’ve all really been looking for that this offseason. The energy is high and I think we’re all ready for Week 1.”
Linebacker Quinn Pucilowski led the Riverside defense in total tackles, tackles for loss, sacks and fumble recoveries last season. With Kostoff and Pucilowski, the Vikings should have one of the best defensive teams in Division III LFC.
“We are rising and preparing for this moment,” Pucilowski said. “We’re ready and this was a good first day for us.”
Riverside will play Canton on Saturday at noon and open the regular season at home Aug. 23 against Dunmore in a rematch of last season’s District 2 Class 2A championship game.
