Pittston running back Harry Pugliese (6) leaps away from Nanticoke Jaylin Collins (9) along the sidev line during the second quarter.
Nanticoke running back Zack Fox (22) tries to break free from Pittston linebacker Drew Menendez(22) early in the first quarter of play.
Nanticoke defensive lineman Jaidyn Johnson (7) sacks Pittston quarterback Drew DeLucca during the second quarter of play.
Pittstonrunning looks to the goal line refeee for the signal that the two point conversion was a success in the second quarter to give the Patroits a 14_0 lead in the second quarter against Nanticoke Friday night.
Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
Pittston running back Harry Pugliese (6) falls just yards short of the goal line in the second quarter after a long run against Nanticoke.
Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
Pittston quarterback Drew DeLucca (3) is forced to scramble even with running back Harry Pugliese (6) blocks Nanticoke defensive lineman Jaylin Johnson (7) who applied pressure on the play in the second quarter.
Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
Nanticoke running back Owen Atkins (40) breaks away for yardage against Pittston during the second quarter of playagainst Pittston.
Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
NANTICOKE — Drew DeLucca was keen on silencing what felt like a rare playoff atmosphere at Frank Chicknoski Stadium.
With the Nanticoke defense playing well into its sixth consecutive quarter of scoreless football, the Pittston Area quarterback took things into his own hands. On each of his four passes during a 95-yard scoring drive, DeLucca seemed to air out more of the buzz in the home crowd.
DeLucca finally figured out a stingy Trojans defense to lead Pittston Area to a 35-6, Wyoming Valley Conference Division 2 victory on Friday evening.
He threw for 88 yards in the drive on four passes. On a third-and-17, DeLucca heaved a ball sky high for Anthony Cencetti to scoop up like an outfielder catching a short fly. DeLucca broke the scoreless draw by hitting freshman Brody Spindler, a converted lineman not even on the game program, for a 6-yard touchdown with 7:47 remaining in the second quarter.
“They brought a ton of pressure, and we just had to figure out how we were going to adjust to that,” Pittston Area coach Nick Barbieri said. “We’ve got some talented wideouts, and we took advantage of that max protection. I give them credit for a great game defensively. They gave us fits early in the game.”
From there, it was all Pittston Area. The Patriots scored 21 unanswered points and held off an upstart Nanticoke Area squad looking to even its record.
But it was Harry Pugliese who received all the glory. He punctuated the proficiency of the Patriots’ passing game by finding the end zone four times. Pugliese finished carrying 18 times for 131 yards.
On top of his one passing touchdown, DeLucca connected on 13 of 20 passes for 225 yards. His favorite target, Kevin Lockett, had a 100-yard receiving game on five catches.
“You put our kids in one-on-one situations, and they’re going to do a great job of getting open,” Barbieri said. “A lot of it has to do with Drew DeLucca. He puts the ball right on under some heavy 2duress too.”
Fresh off a shutout of Lake-Lehman last week, Nanticoke’s defense continued where it left off. The Trojans forced a fumble on the second Pittston Area play from scrimmage. On the next possession, Nanticoke Area blocked a punt. Each time, the Trojans received the ball inside the 40-yard line and were unable to score.
Leading by six points, Pugliese had his breakout moment late in the first half. He broke four tackles en route to a 25-yard run inside of the 10 that set up his first touchdown.
Nanticoke’s offense sputtered with injuries and sickness leaving them down to the third-string quarterback. By the end of the game, the Trojans were without Peyton Kepp, Mykal Julian and Jaylin Collins as regular producers.
The Trojans were sparked by sophomore Treston Allen on defense. Despite being one of the smallest players on the field, Allen recovered a fumble, picked off a pass, recorded a sack, and earned another tackle for a loss. Allen intercepted a tipped ball that led to Nanticoke Area’s lone touchdown in the third quarter.
“(Allen) wanted to get better each week,” Nanticoke coach Ron Bruza said. “He does a nice job for us. His action on the field says enough.”
Zach Fox waited and found an open lane on a 17-yard run to cut the deficit to two scores in the third quarter.
Pugliese’s touchdown runs were 10 yards in the second quarter, 7 in the third and 5 and 44 in the fourth.
BY THE NUMBERS
Pittston Area’s defense stopped Nanticoke on nine consecutive third-down situations. … The Patriots had statistical advantages of 14-10 in first downs, 174-162 in rushing yards, 225-27 in passing yards and 399-189 in total offense. The rushing advantage came despite having just 26 attempts, compared to Nanticoke’s 42 carries. … Pittston Area had six players catch passes, including Anthony Ranieli catching three for 30 yards and Robby Barbieri two for 67 to support Lockett’s 5-for-100 effort.
UP NEXT
Pittston Area is at Lake-Lehman Friday night in a Wyoming Valley Conference Division 2 game between two of the four teams that have winning records within the division. The Patriots are 2-0, behind only Wyoming Area’s 3-0, in the division and 3-3 overall. The Black Knights are 2-1 and 2-4. Lake-Lehman has struggled offensively. The 14-7 win over Tunkhannock Friday night was just the second time this season that it scored more than once in a game. Landon Schuckers carried 14 times for 180 yards and two second-half touchdowns in the win.
