Pictured are key members of the Pittston Area Football team. First row, from left: Jack Albert and David Sudo Back. Second row: Brandon Farrell and Jimmy Spindler.
Fred Adams | For Sunday Dispatch
Juniors and skill position players are likely to receive much of the attention on the Pittston Area football team this season, but the Patriots are also relying heavily on two senior linemen as they try to bounce back from a winless half season of football in 2020.
Brandon Farrell, a 6-foot, 275-pound tackle, and Jack Albert, a 5-11, 255-pound guard, are expected to line up next to each other on the right side of an otherwise inexperienced offensive line.
“I’m hoping to improve,” Albert said. “It’s my last year, as a senior, so I’m hoping for it to be the best year I’ve ever had here.
“I’ve been working – every single person in the line has been working – almost every single day in the weightroom. We’re just hoping to keep that intensity up, keep the momentum up and have a good year.”
Farrell also pointed to the weightroom as the key to potential improvement.
Coach Nick Barbieri knows that depth in the line could be an issue, but he is relying on his frontline players there to help provide the needed improvement.
“If we can run the ball and stop the run, I think we’ll be successful,” he said.
That means Farrell and/or Albert could add defensive end responsibilities to their offensive duties. They are working with freshman Nick Cianfichi as the three players most likely to fill those two positions.
Junior fullback/nose guard Dave Sudo and wide receiver/defensive back Robby Barbieri are team’s returning two-way starters.
Jimmy Spindler, already a defensive leader as inside linebacker, will not just become a two-way starter, but in two of the most important positions. He takes over at quarterback.
Spindler acknowledges that combination of the two positions could be difficult, but the junior said he believes he has the work ethic responsible to handle the tasks.
“If I see something I want to do, I do it,” he said. “Both with offense and defense, I like to be in control. If something’s out of place, I have to call it out.”
Spindler hopes to be able to bring variety to his new assignment.
“I’m looking to be more of a dual-threat quarterback,” Spindler said. “Pass game. Run game. I want to be able to do everything on the field.”
Nick Barbieri said progress made in a tough, pandemic-shortened 2020 season could pay off this year.
“We had a lot of sophomores play for us last year,” the coach said. “Even though it was a short season, they gained a lot of experience.”
Center Jake Mills, guard Nick Sciandra and tackle Cianfichi are expected to take over the remaining offensive line spots with center Jaiden Morgans also an option.
Adam Shovlin, a 6-6 sophomore with speed, could be a threat from the tight end position where A.J. Scialpi is also working.
Robby Barbieri, who was second on the team in catches last season, is at wide receiver where he could be joined by Gino Triboski, David Girman or Kevin Lockett.
Harry Pugliese and Alex Hoban, who gained some experience at the position last season, are tailbacks.
Drew Menendez is another fullback.
Chaz Sciandra will back up all three line spots in the 3-4 defense.
Menendez will join Spindler at inside linebacker with Scialpi providing depth.
Hoban returns to start at outside linebacker. Shovlin could handle the other side. Morgans and Adam Lazar are the other candidates.
Robby Barbieri returns at one safety spot with Pugliese at the other. A.J. Greico backs up at strong safety and DeLucca at free safety.
Triboski returns at one cornerback with Girman or Lockett at the other. Youngsters Josh Pierre and Anthony Ranieli are in reserve.
Many of the same players from a year ago will handle the kicking duties, but with different roles.
Robby Barbieri will kick extra points, Sudo will kick off and Lockett will punt.
