BLAKELY – Graduated players who starred on the football field last fall gathered beneath the bright, sun-splashed skies Monday evening for Media Day for the Scranton Lions Club Dream Game at John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium.

They separated into groups, with the County team to the left and the City all-stars to the right.

As has been a tradition since 1979, player liaison Jerry Preschutti grabbed their attention as he boasted about the honor of being selected for what is believed to be the country’s longest-running high school football all-star game.

This year’s 92nd Dream Game is set for July 22 at 7 p.m. at John Henzes Veterans Memorial Stadium.

For most, the event is the final time they will compete in a sport they have dedicated a big part of their young lives to.

The others have a chance to get ready for the next level and the next chapter in their athletic story.

This summer, a contingent of athletes has accepted the challenge to play college football close to home. They want to be a part of the championship tradition at Lackawanna College. They also look forward to making an impact as the program transitions from a junior college to the NCAA Division II and a member of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.

Lakeland quarterback/defensive end David Naniewicz, Abington Heights wide receiver/defensive back Gavin Anders and tight end Cayd Sespico, Mid Valley tight end and defensive end Rhys Williams, Western Wayne long snapper Vinny Baldini, and Carbondale Area receiver David Myers are members of the County all-stars who are future Falcons.

North Pocono has three players – linemen Dylan Caster and Cole Zimmerman and running back Josiah Gray – playing for the City all-stars. All are headed to Lackawanna College.

“This is a really great honor after having my career at Lakeland and having a chance to play in college and stay local,” Naniewicz said. “It is an opportunity to build on the culture at Lackawanna and be a part of something special.”

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This is a new era for Lackawanna College, a premier NJCAA program since its inception in 1993.

Legendary coach Mark Duda retired after a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. He had a Hall of Fame career that spanned 32 seasons. He finished as the NJCAA career leader with 217 wins, but more importantly, his program produced more than 450 NCAA Division I athletes.

Mark Ross is starting his first season, and with the move to the PSAC, the Falcons are getting an infusion of talent from the Lackawanna Football Conference.

Naniewicz is a prized recruit. The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder was a three-sport standout for Lakeland, and he earned Class 2A all-state football honors from the Pennsylvania Football Writers.

He was the LFC Division II offensive player of the year after throwing for 1,743 yards and 17 touchdowns. The dual-threat athlete also ran for 938 yards and 14 touchdowns, leading Lakeland to the District 2 Class 2A championship.

“It will be a challenge,” Naniewicz said. “This is a completely new level. It is a big jump.”

Anders, a 6-1, 185-pound receiver, had a record-setting career at Abington Heights. He hauled in 143 passes for 2,053 yards. After he set a school record with 74 receptions for 1,158 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior, he decommitted from McDaniel College, where he intended to play lacrosse, and set his sights on continuing to play football, then chose the Falcons.

“Obviously, there is a new coaching staff, and this is a wonderful opportunity for me,” Anders said. “I couldn’t give up football. I took my time, and I had already committed to lacrosse, but I knew I wanted to play football. I found Lackawanna, and I get to play close to home, be a part of something new, and play in the PSAC. I am just really excited.”

Sespico was a two-way All-Region player as a senior for the Comets. He had 61 total tackles, 15 for loss, and six sacks, a fumble recovery, and a blocked kick. He finished his career with 201 tackles and 40 for loss. As a tight end, he caught 12 passes for 126 yards.

Williams is a physical tight end and defensive end. The 6-3, 200-pounder had 15 receptions for 198 yards and a touchdown and also contributed 42 tackles, with six for loss and four sacks in 2025 for the Spartans.

“Lackawanna’s move from JUCO to Division II is a big transition, but the tradition is outstanding,” Williams said. “When I went on my visit, Coach Ross was a really amazing coach. The staff is amazing. When you look at the program’s overall success, it will carry over to Division II. I am really looking forward to it.”

Myers was an explosive playmaker for Carbondale Area. He hauled in six passes for 120 yards and five touchdowns. He is seeking an opportunity to show more of his skill set when summer practice begins.

“This opportunity means the world to me,” Myers said. “I know a lot of kids do not get a chance to play college football at the Division II level. I am just going to go there and give it my all.”

Baldini was a standout on both sides of the ball and excelled as a long snapper, while battling injuries throughout his senior season. He was an honorable mention LFC Division II all-star at linebacker.

North Pocono’s trio of all-stars all played roles in a championship season in 2025. The Trojans set a school record with 13 wins, and they captured the LFC Division I and District 2 Class 4A championships, while also winning the first PIAA playoff game in program history.

Zimmerman, a 6-0, 280-pound two-way lineman, earned All-Region honors after helping the Trojans grind out 3,841 yards rushing.

“When I heard that they were moving to Division II, I knew that I wanted to play there,” Zimmerman said. “One of my former coaches, Coach Kevin (Roginski), coaches at Lackawanna. He made me a better player, and he came down to see me at the Valley View game, and I had a really good game that night.

“Lackawanna is really close to home. I want to play a high level of football, and that is what I will get at Lackawanna.”

Gray was also an All-Region selection after taking over the starting running back position for an injured Joe Briskie. The 5-9, 180-pound tailback ran for 1,164 yards and 15 touchdowns. His biggest contributions came in the postseason, when he ran for 577 yards and scored six touchdowns.

“I wanted to play in college,” Gray said. “I wanted to pursue my academics first. Then, I got this opportunity at Lackawanna. It is a perfect chance for me to keep playing. I am really excited to play at a high level against really good competition.”

Caster was the biggest player in the LFC in 2025. The 6-8, 330-pound tackle is playing in his third senior all-star game. He represented the East in the PSFCA Big School East-West game in the spring. Last winter, he competed in the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl.

“I know that we like to run the ball a lot in our area, but in that game, they passed a lot,” Castor said. “It was a tough game. I had to work on my footwork and have faster feet. You have to block really fast, guys. That experience is only helping me.”

After receiving college recruiting attention and offers from Mississippi Valley State and East Stroudsburg, he committed to Lackawanna College.

“They were the first school to offer me even before the announcement of the move to Division II,” Castor said. “I always had a good feeling about the program. It is close by. The coaches are great, even though Coach Duda retired. Coach Ross and the new staff are great. I am really excited.”

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During the Media Day event, the future teammates exchanged handshakes and high-fives.

They are excited for one last game representing their high schools before joining together to continue building on Lackawanna College’s championship tradition.