CARBONDALE — Niiko Hazelton and Michael Shemonski remember the excitement and energy of the first time they sprinted into John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium as Valley View Cougars.
On Wednesday, they will be introduced as members of the County all-star team and take the field for the final time representing the program.
Both graduated players will compete against the City all-stars in the 92nd Scranton Lions Club Dream Game at 7 p.m.
“My first time running out on that field, I was really nervous,” Hazelton said. “I was a little smaller guy, but I was ready to go. I was a sophomore, and playing with all of the seniors was really great. My last time running out will be bittersweet. It will be fun. This game will mean a lot. The Valley View fans have been watching for three years and supporting me every step of the way.”
During their careers, the two former Cougars contributed to the team’s success.
Valley View reached the District 2 Class 4A final in 2023 and won the championship in 2024. Last season, the Cougars returned to the postseason and had a 6-5 record.
Hazelton was a two-year starter on the offensive line as a guard.
In his junior season, the 5-foot-10, 255-pound run blocker helped Valley View average 217.8 rushing yards per game. He received an honorable mention on the Lackawanna Football Conference Coaches’ Division I all-star team.
As a senior, Hazelton was a force. He helped the Cougars average 166.1 yards per game and 4.8 yards per carry. He was named to the LFC Coaches’ Division I all-star first team.
After the season, he announced his commitment to continue his academic and athletic careers at Moravian College.
In the Dream Game, with only eight linemen on the roster, Hazelton will have to log time on both sides of the ball.
“We are just trying to help each other out,” Hazelton said. “If I am not playing at guard, I will help and play tackle. We have to do whatever we can to help this team win. There are only eight of us, but we are among the best in the conference, so we should do all right.”
Shemonski, whose father, Mike, was a Big 11 all-star on Valley View’s 1992 PIAA Class 2A championship team and had three receptions for 27 yards in the 1993 Dream Game, grew up respecting the program’s championship tradition.
He was motivated to contribute to the Cougars in his two varsity seasons, which included 28 games. He finished with eight career receptions for 55 yards and seven total tackles.
“This means a lot,” Shemonski said. “I am looking forward to this. There will be a lot of energy. I’d like to do as well as he did.”
Hazelton and Shemonski are looking to lead the County to a seventh straight win in the summer all-star classic.
“We have to be confident,” Shemonski said. “I can’t wait to play. There are a lot of great guys on this team. We are going to go out there and have a good time.”
92nd SCRANTON LIONS CLUB DREAM GAME
When: Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Where: John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Noteworthy: The County leads the series, 44-42-4.