On the opening kickoff of the season, Caedon Voglino sprinted into the open field and finished in the end zone, energizing his team.
Mason Voglino, not in uniform, jogged along the way, yelling the loudest support for his older brother.
Two weeks later, Caedon showed similar enthusiasm when Mason stepped onto the field for the first time in a year after suffering a torn ACL in 2025.
The Voglinos have been competing in Carbondale Area athletics for as long as they can remember. Last year, with Mason out of action and on the mend, it was tough on both.
Now reunited, they plan to enjoy this final season together, hoping their combined efforts will lead to a great finish to an already exciting year for the Chargers.
On Friday, Carbondale Area (2-1) plays at Honesdale (2-1) at 7 p.m. in a pivotal Lackawanna Football Conference game that will impact the District 2 Class 4A playoff race.
“This has been so awesome,” Caedon said. “Coach (Jeff) Arthur brings intensity every day. All of the guys have given a lot. I can’t say enough about them. Having my brother back really touched my heart. Seeing him happy, doing the things that he loves to do most, was great. He worked all offseason for the opportunity to get back. He spent countless hours and days in the weight room.
“I couldn’t be more grateful to get to play with him in my last season.”
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Throughout their lives, the Voglinos have committed themselves to success in sports.
They have an athletic family.
Their father, Tommy, played for the Chargers and gained 900 yards and scored 48 points, including 12 extra-point kicks, as a senior and was a third-team All-Suburban Conference selection in 1997.
Their mom, Jamie, was an all-star catcher for the Chargerettes softball team.
“They have motivated us both to be as excellent as we could be and to work hard,” Mason, a junior, said. “They always want us to be better than they were, and we have taken that to heart.”
Both brothers committed themselves, gaining strength and improving their speed.
They have attended New Breed Athletics in Scranton and trained by Jay Loughney, a certified physical preparation specialist, for years. They also are sprinters on the Carbondale Area track and field team.
“We sacrifice our afternoons going to New Breed to work out and giving 100% at everything that we do,” Caedon said. “My dad and mom really help us. They both do everything that they can to help us get better.”
As a junior football player, Mason helped the program earn a Super Bowl win in the All County Conference A Division in 2024. That same season, Caedon contributed 88 rushing yards for the Chargers during a run to the District 2 Class 3A playoffs.
Their success gave Carbondale fans optimism, and the two were ready to work together in 2025.
“As brothers, we were always in the backyard running routes and playing football together,” Mason said. “We ran sprints and lifted weights together.”
Everything changed early last season.
In Week 1 against Lakeland, Caedon had 31 yards rushing and a 17-yard reception. Mason gained 31 yards on seven carries.
Carbondale Area lost, 52-14. They also lost Mason to an ankle injury.
He missed the second game against Nanticoke Area, then his knee buckled in Week 3. Mason suffered a torn ACL. It was devastating.
“That was tough,” Mason said. “After all the time I put in, getting hurt was tough. Things happen. It’s hard coming back. I just had to get through it mentally. My brother was there with me throughout the rehab. Whether it was getting me to work with the dumbbells or doing single-leg exercises, he helped me and pushed me.”
With the season still young, Caedon dedicated himself to giving his all, because his brother could not play.
“Last year, I wish that we had him to kind of take some pressure off guys,” Caedon said. “It was a scary moment. I played the season out for him, to carry on what he left off and then to get ready for this year to see what we can do together.”
Caedon finished the season with 203 rushing yards. He also caught five passes for 35 yards and had three touchdowns.
Carbondale Area earned an Eastern Conference Class 3A playoff game against Mid Valley.
While rehabilitating, Mason took the time and built strength. He hit the weight room. He did everything he could to return this season. He endured a challenging process both physically and mentally.
Still not cleared to compete, he did not play in Week 1 against Nanticoke Area.
Caedon found the best way to start the season in his honor by racing to an 89-yard kickoff return touchdown. He also ran for three touchdowns in the second quarter when the Chargers put the game away, eventually winning 40-7.
“That was awesome,” Mason said. “Seeing him return that kick was huge. I was so pumped for him.”
In the next game against upstart West Scranton, Caedon again returned a kickoff for a touchdown. He was also a complementary running option to his teammates Francisco Roman and Cole Balderas. He had 97 yards on 14 carries, giving the Chargers a potent offensive attack.
Carbondale Area fell short, however, losing to the Invaders, 25-20, in an exciting matchup at the Andrew Cerra Sports Complex.
Last week, Mason made his long-awaited return. Arthur got him an early carry that he took for a 7-yard gain.
“I had a lot of nerves before the kickoff,” Mason, 16, said. “Once I got that carry on the jet sweep, I got back to the huddle, and I felt great. Getting back out there on the field means a lot to me.”
Having his brother out there with him gave Caedon more energy. He had a second straight productive game, rushing for 115 yards on 19 carries as the Chargers earned a hard-fought win over Crestwood.
“We played like a team the whole game, drive by drive,” Caedon, 17, said. “The offensive line played their butts off. I can’t thank them enough.”
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Carbondale Area fans have reason to be excited about this team.
Caedon has already played a big role in the 2-1 start. Now, Mason adds another playmaker to an offense that is producing 249.3 rushing yards per game.
With the brothers working together, they will provide a surge of determination. Their goal is to take the program to more success in this final season as teammates.
Carbondale Area is pursuing its first football championship since 2005.
“This is really exciting,” Caedon said. “It is my last year here, and I will do everything that I can to play with him for one last season.”