Trustin Johnson jaunts in for a 9-yard touchdown for Wyoming Area to go up 14-7 against the Comets of Crestwood last year.
Tony Callaio file photo | Times Leader
Warrior sophomore Luke Kopetchny (8) makes a fingertip catch off of the 47-yard pass from QB Anthony DeLucca for a Wyoming Area touchdown against Crestwood last year.
Tony Callaio file photo | Times Leader
Wyoming Area will be looking to extend an Opening Night streak while Pittston Area tries to end one when the high school football season begins Friday night.
Both teams are home in rematches of last season’s openers.
Wyoming Area has won its last nine openers, including the 28-21 victory last season at Crestwood, the team it hosts at Anthony “Jake” Sobeski Stadium.
Pittston Area has lost five straight openers since a win to begin the 2019 season. The Patriots lost 32-0 last season at Mid Valley and will meet the Spartans again at Charley Trippi Stadium in Paul Russick’s debut as head coach of his alma mater.
Luke Kopetchny had nine catches for 248 yards and two touchdowns in Wyoming Area’s win last season, but could be on the other end of passes this time around after spending time at quarterback in the preseason.
Trustin Johnson is also back. He scored from the 1 with 1:05 remaining last season to break a 21-21 tie.
Crestwood is led by the return of Jaden Shedlock, who has been quarterback for parts of the past three seasons. Shedlock, who has also missed significant time to injury, 2was healthy for the opener and ran 22 times for 163 yards and two touchdowns.
Pittston Area has its third coach in three seasons.
Joe DeLucca’s debut as Patriots head coach was spoiled by a strong defensive effort from the eventual Lackawanna Football Conference Division 2 co-champions.
Mid Valley returned two interceptions for touchdowns and limited Pittston Area to 75 yards total offense.
Pittston Area, however, has more returnees from that game. Russick will try to build a running game after the Patriots managed just 26 yards on the ground in 20 carries in last season’s opener.
Four-year starter Brody Spindler makes his return to fullback, the position he started at two years ago before spending last season in the Pittston Area offensive line.
Among the players Mid Valley needs to replace is Jakob Lesher, who rushed for 156 yards and scored all five of his team’s touchdowns last season.
