The season couldn’t have started better for West Scranton and Carbondale Area, programs looking to reverse their fortunes.
Both teams are motivated to carry the momentum in an intriguing early season showdown.
No. 10 West Scranton (1-0) visits Carbondale Area (1-0), which won its opener for the first time since 2016, on Friday night in a nonleague game at 7 p.m. at the Andrew Cerra Sports Complex.
“They are a scrappy, tough, physical group,” West Scranton coach Jake Manetti said. “Caedon Voglino is a versatile kid. (Francisco) Roman is a good, tough, shifty runner and makes guys miss in space. They are big up front and get off the ball. They allow their linebackers to run free and make tackles.
“We are prepared to be in a dogfight, and we also know that we have a job to do.”
The matchup is unique. The programs haven’t met in the modern era. Carbondale Area and West Scranton played six times from 1944 to 1949, according to data from the late sports historian Dr. Roger Saylor. West Scranton won all six meetings.
“It is great for our program, and I am excited that our kids have an opportunity to play a meaningful game in Week 2 in 10 years,” Carbondale Area coach Jeff Arthur said. “We are playing a very talented West Scranton team that looked really good on film.”
Carbondale Area erased nine years of Week 1 frustration with an emphatic 40-7 win at Nanticoke Area. The Chargers were 0-8 and outscored, 310-32, in openers since 2017, with the program not playing in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Chargers started this season with optimism. A veteran group of players returned, and despite some unsettled times during the summer, powered past Nanticoke Area with 283 rushing yards on 50 carries and 117 passing yards.
Voglino returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and added three rushing touchdowns for the Chargers. Francisco Roman had 104 yards on 23 carries, and fullback Cole Balderas had 79 yards as Carbondale Area’s offensive line dominated.
“We did really well running the ball, and we all played our hearts out,” Voglino said. “We are really excited about playing this game against West Scranton.”
West Scranton is 7-58 overall since 2019, with one win on opening weekend.
The Invaders changed that narrative and broke open their win in the second half, scoring 24 points to pass Hazleton Area, 38-17.
“At times in the past where there was a situation where we went down, 17-14, after leading in the game and momentum was shifting, we didn’t respond,” Manetti said. “We went 24-0 from there out. That is impressive and something different. It is a change with this group. They understand that there is a lot of game remaining and need to keep executing. It’s exciting to see.”
The Invaders, who are competing in the LFC Division I and jumped up to Class 6A this season, displayed an explosive offense that caused quite a buzz this summer, including a good performance against Berwick in a scrimmage.
Freshman quarterback Austin Sostre passed for 185 yards and had two rushing touchdowns. His brother Jonyae Sostre ran for 35 yards and two touchdowns, and Kaz Colbert had four receptions for 105 yards for the Invaders.
WEST SCRANTON AT CARBONDALE AREA
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: Andrew Cerra Sports Complex
Records: CAR 1-0, WS 1-0.
Last: West Scranton, 33-7 (1949)
The buzz: West Scranton won all six meetings from 1944 to 1949. Carbondale Area defeated Nanticoke Area, 40-7, and West Scranton beat Hazleton Area, 38-17, in Week 1. Both teams moved up a classification in District 2 for this two-year cycle. West Scranton competes in Class 6A. Carbondale Area, which is in a co-sponsoring partnership with Forest City, is in Class 4A.
SCOUTING REPORT
West Scranton: The Invaders came into the season optimistic because of their talented QB Austin Sostre. He had a good debut with 185 passing yards and a touchdown, and two rushing touchdowns in a 38-17 win over Hazleton Area. His brother, Jonye Sostre, had five receptions for 41 yards, and Kaz Colbert, a speedster, had four catches for 105 yards. The defense responded, holding Hazleton Area to one score in the second half. The secondary limited Hazleton Area to 17 passing yards.
Carbondale Area: The Chargers have their most experienced team in years. They also have outstanding talent with several players who can make plays. RB Francisco Roman is explosive, and Caedon Voglino scored on special teams and on offense in a win over Nanticoke Area. The Chargers’ defense dominated, limiting Nanticoke to 95 rushing yards and 149 total yards last week. The Chargers have good size on both sides of the ball and controlled the line of scrimmage last week.
GameFace Game of the Week (JOBY FAWCETT / STAFF GRAPHIC)