ISAAC RYON
Isaac Ryon, with his ailing leg keeping him on the sideline, didn’t want his remarkable season and high school football career to end wearing a winter coat over his gameday uniform.
He approached Lackawanna Trail head coach Steve Jervis and requested to enter the PIAA Class 1A quarterfinal game against Belmont Charter. The longtime mentor of the Lions looked into his leader’s eyes, understood the magnitude of the situation, and knew what it meant to Ryon.
After a short deliberation, Ryon took the field. The outcome was not what the senior wanted. Lackawanna Trail lost in a wild, high-scoring contest, but he walked off the field on his terms. He was willing to sacrifice and endure the agony of a pulled hamstring for one final shining moment in a Lions’ uniform.
On the field and off, Ryon earned the respect of his teammates, coaches, teachers, and administrators at his school. He embodied what a high school athlete should aspire to be and served as an inspiration for those in a football-rabid community.
His record-setting statistics, combined with his character, made him an overwhelming choice for the 34th Fiore Cesare Award and Scholarship sponsored by Peoples Security Bank and Trust and presented annually by the Roy Davis Scranton Chapter of Officials.
Ryon will be honored at a luncheon on Monday at 2 p.m. at the Peoples Security Bank and Trust Corporate Center on Moosic Mountain.
The award and $2,500 scholarship are given in honor of Cesare, the late first commissioner of the officials in the chapter. It recognizes players for academic excellence, community involvement, character, and impact on the LFC.
“Isaac comes from a very athletic family,” Lackawanna Trail coach Steve Jervis said. “His parents, sisters, uncles, and cousins are all good athletes. What Isaac did this season was take our program to that next level. We have had a lot of good backs, but to do what he did, not only will he be remembered in our school history, but also within the LIAA for years to come.”
On the field, Ryon had a record-setting season for the ages.
He led Lackawanna Trail to the District 2 Class 1A and Lackawanna Football Conference Division III championships and an 11-2 record.
Ryon set LIAA single-season records with 2,876 yards rushing, 49 rushing touchdowns, 54 total touchdowns, and 354 total points. In addition, Ryon became Lackawanna Trail’s all-time leading rusher and scorer with 4,969 yards, 82 rushing touchdowns, and 89 total touchdowns.
Last week, he was selected as the Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class 1A Player of the Year in the state. Ryon was also named The Times-Tribune Offensive Player of the Year and the LFC Division III Coaches’ Offensive Player of the Year.
“He is a terrific kid,” former Lackawanna Trail running back coach Jim Becchetti said. “I had the privilege of coaching Isaac for four years, and to see the growth in the physicality that he played with as a runner and a blocker, and the impact that he had in all phases of the game, he really took the position to a high level. He was a highlight reel waiting.”
Academically, Ryon is a high-honor roll student at Lackawanna Trail, and his contributions extend to the community.
“He is a phenomenal young man who comes from a great family that does so much for the community,” Jervis said. “When I first arrived at Lackawanna Trail, his grandmother was head of the booster club. For generations, his family has supported our program in so many ways. Their generosity and support are shown in all of the sports teams in our school district.”
Fiore Cesare Award Winners
1992: George Howanitz, Valley View
1993: Jeff Laboranti, North Pocono
1994: Greg Caucci, Lakeland
1995: Eric Miller, Abington Heights
1996: Tim Charles, West Scranton
1997: Harry Armstrong, Riverside
1998: Derek Hewlett, Abington Heights
1999: Tom Hughes, West Scranton
2000: Brett Trichilo, Dunmore
2001: Evan Prall, West Scranton
2002: Chris Donati, Old Forge
2003: Al Karaffa, Scranton
2004: Joe Tuzze, Lakeland
2005: Zach Lasavage, Carbondale Area
2006: Kyle Passeri, Valley View
2007: Hubie Graham, West Scranton
2008: Miller Holmes, Dunmore
2009: Michael Perry, Dunmore
2010: Tyler Hughes, West Scranton
2011: Joe McCarthy, Scranton
2012: Bryan Schor, Delaware Valley
2013: Shane Schuback, Old Forge
2014: Jake McCarthy, Scranton
2015: Kevin Holmes, Scranton Prep
2016: Matt Cavallaro, Delaware Valley
2017: Nick Shoemaker, Dunmore
2018: Mason Kordish, Valley View
2019: Janaasah Boone, Valley View
2020: Zane Janiszewski, Western Wayne
2021: Will Soma, North Pocono
2022: Dominico Spataro, Lakeland
2023: Aiden Black, Delaware Valley
2024: Louis Paris, Scranton Prep