The 91st Scranton Lions Club Dream Game presents an opportunity for graduated football stars from the Lackawanna Football Conference to shine one last time.
Rosters were recently announced for the longtime summer clash between the City and County. This year’s game is scheduled for July 23 at John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Old Forge coach Michael Schuback guides the County all-stars, and West Scranton coach Jake Manetti will lead the City. Last season, the County defeated the City, 35-28, in a wild game that drew 7,165 fans. The County won for the fifth straight year and leads the series, 43-42-4.
Schuback will have one player, lineman Richard Rosado, from Old Forge on the County roster. Manetti has four Invaders on the City team, including quarterback/linebacker Caiden Berardi, running back Shamier Lyons and linemen Joe Perri and Mathias Ngongo.
Scranton Prep, last season’s Times-Tribune No. 1 team and the District 2 Class 3A champion, had six players selected to the City roster, but only five can play. Quarterback Louis Paris, who was The Times-Tribune Offensive Player of the Year, cannot compete as he recovers from a serious knee injury suffered in the PIAA playoffs.
Ambrose Rossi, the Hookey Reap award winner as the outstanding offensive lineman in Lackawanna County; All-Region lineman Travis Sharples; All-Region linebacker Reese Tanner; athlete Treyvon Dickey; linebacker Jack Doughton; and defensive back/wide receiver Brady Holmes represent the Cavaliers.
Valley View won the District 2 Class 4A championship and leads the County team with six selections.
All-Region linebacker Gianni Marino, All-Region defensive back Nick Kucharski, fullback Preston Reed, quarterback Zach Cwalinski, and linemen Dan Murphy and Tommy Fiorelli represent the Cougars.
Other teams that won District 2 championships will also have key graduates competing in the game.
Lackawanna Trail won the District 2 Class 1A title and has four players on the City roster. The Lions’ list includes Max Kimmel, who was The Times-Tribune Defensive Player of the Year; All-Region linebacker Demitrius Douglas; linebacker Logan Edwards; and lineman Brian Gow.
Riverside won the District 2 Class 2A championship and reached the PIAA semifinals. The Vikings have five players on the County roster headlined by All-Region tight end Richie Kostoff, All-Region quarterback/athlete Chase Taddonio, linebacker Quinn Pucilowski and receivers JJ Rogers and Gerry Rose.
Abington Heights, the District 2 Class 5A champion, has three players on the County roster — All-Region wide receivers Shawn Theodore and Shane Brower and lineman Asiel Richards.
Mid Valley, which reached the District 2 Class 3A semifinal, is represented by five players on the County roster, including All-Region running back Jakob Lesher and All-Region linebacker Gavin Rapoch, lineman Nicholas Jackson, defensive back/receiver Connor Hughes and linebacker Kaleb Parry.
Western Wayne, also a District 2 Class 3A semifinalist, has All-Region running back Josh Vinton, All-Region defensive back Sean Owens, All-Region defensive lineman Evan Dean and linemen Connor Bryant and Jared Goldman on the County.
Scranton lineman Dyjeere Weekes, who played in the Big 33 Classic on Memorial Day weekend, is a member of the City all-star team. Other Knights include athlete Memphis Shotto, defensive end Reece Spindler and receiver Jalontae Weeks.
CITY ALL-STARS
Coach: Jake Manetti, West Scranton
Dunmore: Gabe Franek (RB/DB), Jack McNeff (DB/QB).
Lackawanna Trail: Demitrius Douglas (RB/OLB), Max Kimmel (WR/DB), Logan Edwards (FB/ILB), Brian Gow (T/NG).
North Pocono: Mason Richards (C/DE), Karson Gibson (LB/FB), Sam Magnotta (K/P), Brady Lavery (RB/CB).
Scranton Prep: Ambrose Rossi (T/DE), Treyvon Dickey (ATH/DB), Travis Sharples (G/DT), Reese Tanner (FB/LB), Jack Doughton (WR/OLB), Brady Holmes (WR/DB), Louis Paris (QB).
Wallenpaupack: George Rafferty (TE), Drew Kiesendahl (QB/DB), Xaiden Shock (FB/LB), Conan Kier (C/DE), Mike Passenti (WR/DB).
Susquehanna: William Marcy (RB/LB), Rykin Hobart (TE/DE), Zach Norton (OL/DL).
Scranton: Dyjeere Weekes (OL/DL), Memphis Shotto (ATH/DB), Reece Spindler (DE/TE), Jalontae Weeks (WR/DB), Pat Whelan (LB).
Montrose: Hudson Ackema (FB/LB).
Holy Cross: Josh Lentowski (QB/DB).
West Scranton: Caiden Berardi (QB/LB), Joe Perri (OL/DL), Mathias Ngongo (OL), Shamier Lyons (RB/LB).
COUNTY ALL-STARS
Coach: Michael Schuback, Old Forge
Abington Heights: Shawn Theodore (WR/DB), Asiel Richards (OL/DL), Shane Brower (WR/DB).
Carbondale Area: Elijah Houdershieldt (OL/DL), Max Urbas (OL/DL), Ethen Brewen (RB/LB).
Delaware Valley: Amir Guillite (OL/DL), Pasquale Venitucci (OL/DL), Keegan Heath (OL/DL), Christopher DellaBella (OL/DL).
Honesdale: Mason Avery (RB/DB), Aiden Collins (QB), Wyatt Rutherford (OL/DL).
Lakeland: Noah Shaffer (OL/DL).
Mid Valley: Gavin Rapoch (TE/LB), Jakob Lesher (RB/DB), Nick Jackson (OL/DL), Connor Hughes (WR/DB), Kaleb Parry (FB/LB).
Old Forge: Richard Rosado (OL/DL).
Riverside: Richie Kostoff (TE/LB), Chase Taddonio (QB), JJ Rogers (WR/DB), Quinn Pucilowski (FB/LB), Gerry Rose (WR/DB), Sonique Murray-Connell (OL/DL).
Valley View: Nick Kucharski (RB/DB), Preston Reed (RB/LB), Dan Murphy (OL/DL), Zach Cwalinski (QB/LB), Gianni Marino (TE/LB), Tommy Fiorelli (OL/DL).
Western Wayne: Sean Owens (WR/DB), Josh Vinton (RB/LB), Evan Dean (OL/DL), Connor Bryant (OL/DL), Jared Goldman (OL/DL).
