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LFC/WVC POY nominations
How it works: We will select both an offensive and defensive player from each league. 5 players from each side of the ball and from each conference have been chosen for this award let's meet the candidates.
Dominico Spataro SR QB Lakeland: Some guys just play at a different level once the lights turn on and Spataro is no expectation. Spataro will go down as one of the best players in Chiefs' history and dominated every Friday night from start to finish. The Senior QB threw for a District 2-high 2,372 yards and 30 touchdowns, and on the ground was just as effective rushing for 826 yards and 18 touchdowns. His 48 total touchdowns were the most of any in District 2, and he helped lead the Chiefs to an undefeated regular season, a division title, and a district title.
Reese Gaughan JR WR Riverside: When it's all set and done Gaughan will go down as one of the best receivers in District 2 history. Gaughan helped the Vikings double their win total for 2021 and along the way broke records. Gaughan broke the all-time receptions record in the LFC with 173 and had a monster junior campaign recording 61 receptions for 1,055 and 12 touchdowns. Gaughan's 173 receptions are the most all time in school history and his 1,055 receiving yards this season is the fifth most in a season in school history.
Chase Taddonio SOPH QB Riverside:Harry Armstrong and the Vikings program continue to pump out great talent at the Quarterback position and Taddonio is already starting to look like one of the best QBs to come out of the program. Taddonio who was slated to start as a Freshman in 2021 went down with a season-ending injury, but once he stepped foot under the lights in 2022 there was no looking back. Taddonio was the centerpiece of the Viking's spread offense and just put up monster numbers throwing for 2,110 yards and 22 touchdowns which was all third-best in District 2. Taddonio also got it done with his legs on Friday Nights rushing for 417 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Luke Janiszewski SR RB Western Wayne:Filling in the shoes of his brother Zane was gonna be no easy task, but Luke Janiszewski cemented his own legacy in the Wildcats Program. The Wildcats had one of the best seasons in program history behind Janiszewski and marched all the way to the 3A District title. Despite coming up short, Janiszewski had a career season averaging 9.5 yards a carry, 147 yards a game while rushing for 1,326 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Billy Maloney JR QB Scranton:The Knights were the biggest shocker in district 2 this season. The Knights entered the season projected to win 4-5 games all that doubt did was help QB Billy Maloney shine in the electric city. The Junior QB was the leader of that Knight's offense that marched all the way to the 5A district title game for the first time since 2012. Maloney gave the Knights a dual threat look under center, as Maloney threw for 1,432 yards and 19 touchdowns, while also getting the job done with his legs rushing for 893 yards and 8 touchdowns. His 893 rushing yards were the second-best in District 2 for a quarterback.
LFC DPOY
Lacota Dippre SR DE Lakeland:Arguably the best player in the district helped lead Lakeland one of its best seasons in program history. Dippre, just like his brother, will go down as one of the best players in Chiefs history and simply was a complete game changer on Friday nights. The Holy Cross commit helped lead Lakeland to an undefeated regular season, a division title, and a district title, and completely dominated from his defensive end spot recording 61 tackles, 22.0 for a loss, 11 sacks and 3 interceptions.
Justin Kalitsnik JR LB Delaware Valley:When you put up numbers similar to Jason Henderson you know you are having an incredible year. It's now back to back seasons with 100+ plus tackles for Kalitsnik, and he was the leader of that Warrior's defense that captured its seven straight district title. Kalitsnik recorded a District 2 high 143 tackles, 97 solo, 10+ TFL, and averaged 11 tackles a game.
Ryder Machado JR DB Delaware Valley:The last name Machado runs deep in the Delaware Valley program and Ryder has already become the star to rep the Black and White for coach Olsommer. The Warriors had another successful season capturing the program's seventh straight district title. They got it done on the defensive end led by Machado, who recorded 96 tackles, 6 interceptions and 11 passes defended. One of Machados six interceptions came in the district finale against Scranton, Machados late fourth quarter interceptions sealed a district title for Warriors
Taheed Jewell SR DB Valley View:The Cougars had one of the best defenses in district 2 and that's because of the playmakers that coach Howanitz had on the field, none shined as bright as Jewell did and made the impact he did. The senior DB single handled won games for the Cougars and lined up from anywhere from safety to corner and even played in the box. Most of the time Jewell was the most athletic player on the field and as a result put up a great number, Jewell recorded 75 tackles, 4 interceptions, 1 of them returned for a touchdown and 8 pass deflections.
Nico Bossi SR DE Abington Heights:It was an up and down season for the Comets, but one thing that was consistent for the Comets was Bossi play. Bossi was simply a wrecking ball on defense and opposing offenses game planned against the Comet's senior. Bossi dominated all season long and had 2 big performances against Scranton in week 8 and Delaware Valley in week 10 recording 10+ plus tackles in each upset win. Bossi recorded 101 tackles, 10.0 TFL, and 3 sacks.
WVC OPOY
Noah Schultz SR RB Crestwood:Not much else to say other than it was one of the greatest seasons a running back has had in district 2. From start to finish no one was as dominant as Schultz and the Comets, as the senior helped Crestwood capture a division title, a 4A district title, a state playoff win, and a state semifinal appearance, the first in program history. I am gonna let the numbers speak for themselves: 9.3 yards a carry, 160 yards a game, 2,572 yards, 37 touchdowns (School Record). His 2,572 yards and 40 total touchdowns were both fifth-best in the state according to MaxPreps.
Parker Bolesta SR RB Dallas:Bolesta adds his name to the list of all-time great running backs at Dallas, the Stony Brook commit simply dominated the field from start to finish. Through the first half of the season Bolesta and the Mountaineers were the most dominant team in the district and in week 2 Bolesta ran for 130 yards and 3 touchdowns against Crestwood handing them their only loss of the regular season. Bolesta ran for 202 yards a game, and he ran for 2,430 and 33 touchdowns on the season.
Aaron Crossley JR RB Wyoming Area: We talked in the preseason with Crossley specifically about stepping into the role as the primary ball carrier, and he answered with “it's gonna be a fun year” it's safe to say the Junior halfback had a fun year. Crossley had a great season for the Warriors and opened up his Junior campaign with a bang rushing for 352 yards and 4 touchdowns in a 48-28 win over Tunkhannock. Crossley dominated the rest of the season averaging 9.5 yards a carry, 192 yards a game and finished with 2,115 yards and 24 touchdowns. His 2,115 rushing yards was 12th best in the state according to MaxPreps.
Preseason ranking breakdown
Mekhi Nelson JR RB Wilkes-Barre:Electric and Explosive are just 2 words to describe Wilkes-Barre star Mekhi Nelson, the junior halfback has already emerged as the district's next big star. It was a dominating junior season for Nelson as he helped the Wolfpack reach the 6A sub-regional playoffs, Nelson had some big games along the way for the Wolfpack including a 191 yard, 3 touchdown game against Dallas in a 35-0 win. On the season Nelson ran for 1,670 yards and 22 touchdowns which were both fourth best in District 2.
Jacob Hunter SR QB Holy Redeemer: Holy Redeemer waited 15 years to make the district playoffs and all it took was for Hunter to take over the reins of the offense. The Royals scored the most points in the division this year and the fourth most points in the Valley behind Hunter. Hunter completed over 50% of his passes for 2,237 yards and 29 touchdowns which were both second best in District 2.
WVC DPOY
Magnus Bibla SR DE Crestwood:The Comets marched to the state semifinal for the first time in program history, and had one of the best seasons in program history led by Bibla. The last name Bibla runs deep in the Comets program and Magnus cemented his own legacy as one of the best players to ever rep the Red and White. Bibla might have had the best defensive season of anyone in district 2 recording 70 tackles, 23.0 for a loss, and 12 sacks. Behind Bibla the Comets captured the WVC division 1 title and the 4A district championship.
Nick Miscavage SR DB Crestwood:Every team that makes a state run has some sort of playmaker in the secondary, lucky for the Comets and Coach Archangeli they had one of the best playmakers in the state. Miscavage took a huge leap his senior season and proved to play big dividends for the Comets as they only gave up 14 points a game. Miscavage recorded 42 tackles, 7 interceptions, and 5 passes defended. During the Comet's playoff run Miscavage made big plays, including an interception in the district title game and a goal-line interception in the state quarterfinal against Bonner-Prendie.
Naquan Johnson JR LB Wilkes-Barre: In the diamond city some shine more than others and Johnson has proven he is one of the brightest. The junior linebacker has emerged as one of the best linebackers in the area, and has proven that he is a problem on Friday nights. Johnson was the leader of that Wolfpack defense that won six games and put great numbers recording 74 tackles, 12.0 TFL, 10.0 Sacks, and an interception.
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Qay'von Minor SR LB Hazleton:The Cougars had playmakers all around the field on friday nights but none may be as effective as Minor was. The senior linebacker was the heart and soul of the Cougar's defense and helped lead them to an 8-3 record and a birth of the 6A playoffs. Minor was a true playmaker and recorded 117 tackles, 13.5 TFL, 4 sacks and an interception. His 117 tackles were second best in the WVC.
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Cole Kakalecik SR LB Crestwood:From his freshman year to his senior year, Kakalecik was one of the best linebackers in district 2 and made his impact on the Comets program and the field every Friday night. The senior linebacker was one of the leaders of that Comet's defense that only gave up 14 points a game. Kakalecik recorded a WVC-high 120 tackles, 17.0 TFL and 4.0 Sacks. Crestwood fans can never forget the 3rd and 1 stop he had against Bonner-Prendie, as one play later it was a goal line interception for the Comets.
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