Lackawanna Trail’s Isaac Ryon (10) cuts past Riverside’s Max Jackson during the 92nd Scranton Lions Club Dream Game at John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium in Peckville, Pa., on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. (ISAAC DIAZ/STAFF PHOTO)
Lackawanna Trail’s Tyler Jervis (8) looks downfield during the 92nd Scranton Lions Club Dream Game at John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium in Peckville, Pa., on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. (ISAAC DIAZ/STAFF PHOTO)
Wallenpaupack’s Logan Caruso (28) is brought down by Western Wayne’s Vinny Baldini and Honesdale’s Logan Dietrich during the 92nd Scranton Lions Club Dream Game at John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium in Peckville, Pa., on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. (ISAAC DIAZ/STAFF PHOTO)
Lackawanna Trail’s Isaac Ryon (10) catches a touchdown pass during the 92nd Scranton Lions Club Dream Game at John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium in Peckville, Pa., on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. (ISAAC DIAZ/STAFF PHOTO)
Lackawanna Trail’s Isaac Ryon (10) is tackled by Riverside’s Max Jackson during the 92nd Scranton Lions Club Dream Game at John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium in Peckville, Pa., on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. (ISAAC DIAZ/STAFF PHOTO)
Lackawanna Trail’s Isaac Ryon (10) runs with the ball during the 92nd Scranton Lions Club Dream Game at John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium in Peckville, Pa., on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. (ISAAC DIAZ/STAFF PHOTO)
Lackawanna Trail’s Tyler Jervis (8) throws a pass during the 92nd Scranton Lions Club Dream Game at John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium in Peckville, Pa., on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. (ISAAC DIAZ/STAFF PHOTO)
Delaware Valley’s Michael Iuzzolino (26) is tackled by Wallenpaupack’s Logan Caruso during the 92nd Scranton Lions Club Dream Game at John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium in Peckville, Pa., on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. (ISAAC DIAZ/STAFF PHOTO)
Dunmore’s Johnley Jean (91) kicks the extra point following a touchdown during the 92nd Scranton Lions Club Dream Game at John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium in Peckville, Pa., on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. (ISAAC DIAZ/STAFF PHOTO)
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Lackawanna Trail’s Isaac Ryon (10) cuts past Riverside’s Max Jackson during the 92nd Scranton Lions Club Dream Game at John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium in Peckville, Pa., on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. (ISAAC DIAZ/STAFF PHOTO)
BLAKELY – In an intense all-star battle between two teams of graduated players unwilling to surrender, many of whom were competing in a sport they love for the final time, it only seemed fitting that the decision came down to the final few seconds.
Scranton Prep graduate Mackey Lynett made three memorable catches in the waning seconds to secure a wild, 36-35, victory for the City all-stars over the County on Wednesday night in the 92nd Scranton Lions Club Dream Game.
On the game’s final drive, Lynett, a lacrosse commit to the University of Scranton, converted a key third down with a 27-yard reception, cradled an 8-yard touchdown pass on fourth down with 4.6 seconds remaining, and capped the comeback by snaring a pass that just pierced the plane of the goal line for the deciding points as the City snapped a six-game losing streak in front of 7,100 fans at John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium.
“Just knowing that you are going out there against the best of the best from our league makes you understand that you have to leave it all out there on the field,” said Lynett, who finished with 66 yards on three receptions. “It was my last game. We went in down 14 at halftime, but everyone was like, we might as well give all that we could to win, and it showed that we did.”
In addition to Lynett’s late-game heroics, the City’s win was fueled by Lackawanna Trail’s record-setting running back Isaac Ryon.
After setting LIAA records with 2,876 yards and 49 touchdowns rushing and 54 total touchdowns and 354 points, Ryon gave one more unforgettable performance. He darted and dodged defenders and totaled 155 yards on 20 carries with two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 67 yards and the game’s first touchdown and completed the critical third-down pass for 27 yards to Lynett on the game-winning drive.
“We just played to win,” Ryon said. “We knew we had the players to do it. We knew that we could do it. We just never gave up and came up with a huge win.”
Lackawanna Trail quarterback Tyler Jervis completed eight of 15 passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns. He also added a 1-yard touchdown on a sneak, while piloting the City offense to 477 total yards on 58 plays.
Wallenpaupack’s Logan Caruso added 85 yards rushing on eight carries, and fellow Wallenpaupack standout Mason Gonzalez had two catches for 83 yards, including one for 48 yards that kick-started the City’s final march to victory.
“It was so emotional,” Gonzalez said. “It was great. I was so hyped up. We made some crazy catches, and I am just so glad to have played. The drought is over with.”
Delaware Valley running back Mike Iuzzolino and Lakeland quarterback David Naniewicz powered the County attack.
Iuzzolino, who is headed to Carnegie Mellon, ran for 79 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown. He also had an electrifying 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
“The ball was in the air for a while, and I got underneath it,” Iuzzolino said. “The blocks were developing in front of me, and I was just creeping up, and then I waited for that hole to open and hit it. It was a huge hole. Once you get that turf in front of you, I was going.”
Naniewicz, a Lackawanna College commit, ran for 51 yards and a touchdown and completed two passes for 33 yards and a touchdown.
“It was a great experience to get to play with these great athletes,” Naniewicz said. “It wasn’t the outcome we wanted, but we played our hearts out.”
Mid Valley graduate Rhys Williams, also a Lackawanna College commit, returned an interception for a 16-yard touchdown in the first half.
“I got off the ball and got hit,” Williams said. “I saw Isaac Ryon come through and the quarterback drop back. Madden (Sandly) demolished the quarterback, and I saw the ball. It was mine. I was only thinking ‘6’ after I caught it. The adrenaline rush was insane. It was the greatest moment in my football life.”
In the first quarter, Ryon ignited the thrilling contest with an over-the-shoulder catch, resulting in a 37-yard touchdown and a 6-0 lead with 6:35 remaining.
Led by Naniewicz’s punishing running, the County responded. Abington Heights tight end Cayd Sespico capped the drive with a 2-yard touchdown reception.
Iuzzolino gave the County a 14-6 lead on a 7-yard touchdown with 3:45 remaining in the first half. Ryon had a 38-yard run, and Jervis hit Lynett for 31 yards before scoring on a 1-yard run. Caruso caught a pass for a 2-point conversion to tie the game.
It took the County only a few seconds to reclaim the advantage when Iuzzolino sprinted 94 yards with the ensuing kickoff. Two plays later, Williams scored on an interception, and the County went into halftime with all the momentum, 28-14.
The City turned to a ground-and-pound approach, running behind its massive offensive line. Ryon finished a 14-play drive – all rushes – that covered 83 yards to start the second half and pull the City to within 28-21.
Following the game’s only punt, the City put together a 12-play, 78-yard drive to tie the game. Ryon scored on a 3-yard run with 6:24 left in the fourth.
The County came right back with Iuzzolino, who burst free for a 35-yard run to help set up Naniewicz’s 1-yard sneak that made it 35-28.
On the City’s dramatic final drive, Mid Valley’s Wyatt Youngblood made an interception that set off a celebration on the County sideline. However, the County was flagged for an illegal defensive alignment, nullifying the play, and Lynett made sure the City did not waste its second chance.
“Throughout the whole last drive, the coaches and players were going back to what was working,” Lynett said. “We all gave some ideas, and everything was working. It was a team effort there. Everyone saw what was open, and we executed.”