HS FOOTBALL: Rosters announced for 2021 Scranton Lions Club Dream Game

Joby Fawcett, The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
·5 min read

May 15—The Dream Game is looking to tee it up this summer.

After the first cancellation in the history of the all-star football clash, caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the summer tradition is expected to be renewed when the City faces the County in the game set for July 21 at 7 p.m. at John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Proceeds from the event go to the Lackawanna Blind Association.

"The Scranton Lions Club couldn't be happier to give these players one last chance to play and represent their schools," game co-chair Bill Dempsey said. "The Dream Game is always meaningful to the players and their families, but this year will be special."

On Friday, Dempsey, and fellow co-chairs Nick Rodio and Kristen Hinds released the rosters of graduated players for each team. Coaches from the Lackawanna Football Conference met to select the players.

"We are very excited to host the Dream Game this summer and we are confident that we will have a great game. People want to get back to normal and the game really signifies the start of the football season," said Jerry Preschutti, the longtime player liaison who is entering his 42nd year with the game.

Lakeland coach David Piwowarczyk will coach the County team, and the City coach is Scranton Prep's Terry Gallagher. Both were set to coach in the 86th game that did not get played.

Piwowarczyk and Gallagher will have the chance to work with many of their own players in this year's contest, which is presented by Northeast Rehab and Riverfront Sports.

Lakeland had six players chosen to the County team, including All-Region defensive lineman and Hookey Reap Award winner Cross Douglas, All-Region defensive back Mike Pidgeon, All-Region running back Giovanni Spataro, All-Region linebacker Chase Nolan, Collin Clauss-Walton and Robert Romanowski.

Scranton Prep has five players on the City team. They are defensive back Max Mulligan, tight end Vito Gianello, quarterback Paddy Grady, defensive back Christian Graniel and linebacker Ryan McAndrew.

The County team will also feature The Times-Tribune Offensive Player of the Year Zane Janiszewski of Western Wayne, and Class 1A all-state athlete Michael DiGregorio and all-state linebacker Colin Holzman from Old Forge. Delaware Valley also has six players on the roster, including All-Region wide receiver Mark Callanan and All-Region defensive back Preston Machado.

Riverside quarterback Johnny Gilchrist, the all-time leader in career passing yards in the Lackawanna Interscholastic Athletic Association, and teammate All-Region receiver Michael Rickert, and All-Region linebacker TJ Noto of Valley View are also on the County team.

Honesdale defensive lineman Sam Deron, who will play on the Pennsylvania all-star team for the Big 33 Classic on Memorial Day, will play for the County.

In addition to the Scranton Prep standouts, the City team boasts six players from District 2 Class 2A champion Dunmore, including All-Region kicker Peyton Badyrka, and six players from Scranton, headlined by running back and linebacker Devin Chollette.

Two-time all-state and three-time All-Region fullback Ray Melnikoff will represent Lackawanna Trail and All-Region defensive lineman Chris Kryeski of North Pocono are members of the City team.

There are also four players who missed the 2020 season who have an opportunity to play in the Dream Game.

Abington Heights teammates Corey Wickenheiser and Will Stevens, and Carbondale Area tight end Donovan Loomis are on the County team. Both programs sat out the fall sports season because of the coronavirus pandemic.

West Scranton quarterback Cayden Merrifield, who lost his senior season because of an injury, was selected to the City roster.

COUNTY

Head coach: David Piwowarczyk, Lakeland

Abington Heights: Corey Wickenheiser (WR/DB); Will Stevens (OL/DL/LS).

Carbondale Area: Donovan Loomis (TE/DE).

Delaware Valley: Mark Callanan (WR/DB); Aiden Oliver (QB/K/P); Preston Machado (RB/DB); Cooper Kidd (LB); Hayden Kaylor (OL/DL); Thomas Actisdano (OL/DL).

Honesdale: Sam Deron (DL); Jacob Orrick (FB/LB); Geoff Johnson (OL/DL).

Lakeland: Chase Nolan (LB); Mike Pidgeon (WR/DB); Giovanni Spataro (RB); Cross Douglas (OL/DL); Collin Clauss-Walton (OL/DL/LS); Robert Romanowski (TE/DE).

Mid Valley: Connor Kocsis (TE/DE); Jeremiah Wolo (WR/DB); Jayson Maceyko (OL/DL).

Old Forge: Colin Holzman (RB/LB); Dante Lucarelli (QB); Michael DiGregorio (ATH); Jayden Rose (OL/DL).

Riverside: Johnny Gilchrist (QB); Michael Rickert (WR); Justin Tigue (OL/DL); Gavin Thomas (LB).

Valley View: T.J Noto (FB/LB); Matt Smith (TE/DE); Corey Coulthard (RB/LB); Pat Murphy (DL).

Western Wayne: Zane Janiszewski (RB/LB); Adam Silfies (FB/LB); Julien Walck (OL/DL).

CITY

Head coach: Terry Gallagher, Scranton Prep

Dunmore: Dylan Aqunio (ATH/DB); Peyton Badyrka (K/P); Michael Burke (TE/LB); Karl Kincel (RB/LB); Connor Blume (OL/DL); Mason Maciejewski (OL/DL).

Lackawanna Trail: Ray Melnikoff (RB/LB); Ty Vokes (OL/DL/LB); Kyle Austin (OL/DL).

Montrose: Dominic Palmatier (WR/DB).

North Pocono: Ryan Dolphin (WR/DB); Sam Smith (RB/LB); Chris Kryeski (OL/DL).

Scranton: Devin Chollette (ATH/LB); Nacier Green (ATH/LB/S); Mychal Slavinski ( RB/LB); Noah Lance (OL/DL); Charles Stewart (OL/DL); Matt Reyes (OL/DL).

Scranton Prep: Max Mulligan (WR/DB); Vito Gianello (TE/LB); Paddy Grady (QB/DB); Christian Graniel (WR/DB); Ryan McAndrew (ATH/LB/S).

Susquehanna: Gavin Baker (TE/DE); Garrett Decker (RB/LB).

Wallenpaupack: Alex Gardsy (QB/ATH/DB); Nick Parrella (ATH/LB); Liam Smith (OL/DL); Nick Seretis (OL/DL); Seamus Smith (ATH/LB).

West Scranton: Nick Forsette (ATH/LB); Al-Khabear Russell (WR/DB); Cayden Merrifield (QB/WR); Moet Wellington (WR/DB); Brian Lipscomb (OL/DL).

Contact the writer: jbfawcett@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9125; @sportsTT on Twitter