Dallas’ Blake Ziomkowski. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Dallas’ Ben Thomas. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Dallas’ Cole Langdon. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Dallas’ Grant Gauntlett. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Dallas’ Ryan Zimmerman. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Dallas’ Brayden Hanas. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Dallas’ Matthew Sevenski. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Dallas’ James Gibbons. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Dallas’ Tyler Richards. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Dallas’ Liam Allen. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Dallas’ Tyler Spaciano. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Dallas’ Trevor Slavinski. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Dallas’ David Worth. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Dallas’ Hayden Romeo. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Dallas’ Carver Jones. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Dallas’ Talan Geskey. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Dallas’ Khary Douglas. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Dallas’ Brady Sherman. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Dallas’ Brady McCann. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Dallas’ Brandon Miller. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Dallas’ Hunter Pitcavage. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Dallas’ Bobby Gallagher. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Dallas’ Tyce Mason. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Dallas’ Jimmy Youngblood. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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Dallas’ Blake Ziomkowski. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
If the 2025 Dallas football season were a movie or a book, there would be no official ending. Instead, the best way to sum it up would be in the form of a cliffhanger ending with “to be continued… .”
Because as much as Rich Mannello likes to say a new season means a new team, the bulk of this year’s team was part of a squad that began last season 1-5, turned things around at just the right time and ended up playing North Pocono in the district championship game.
It was the second time the Mountaineers faced the Trojans, and both times North Pocono won handily. ,So instead of waiting for this year’s team to form its own identity, most of that comes with an easy reminder of what the first six weeks of last season were like.
“The identity is starting to evolve now,” Mannello said. “The carry-over from kids from last year showed a lot of resilience. A lot of the kids we have back started 1-5. Kids have long memories. That has to be the core of what this season is built on. Every team has different personalities. Most of those kids are back. It is part of last season as much as it is part of this season.”
The Mountaineers are in a pretty good spot. They have 12 returning starters, led by wideout Tyce Mason, quarterback Talan Geskey and running back Hunter Pitcavage who missed a considerable amount of time last season due to injury. In his place, Mark Saracinaj took over the starting role in Week 4.
Of course as always is the case with Dallas, the two keys are the offensive line and special teams.
“They all have to stay healthy,” Mannello said of the offensive line. “They have to dial in and be involved in protection and be able to play everywhere. It’s painful in the summer but they have to be ready when the lights come on Friday night.”
That’s where special teams comes in. It’s the hidden yardage that Mannello wants his team to find. As has been proven in the past with the Mountaineers, special teams can be the determining factor in winning or losing a football game.
“Special teams-wise, where we are now punt is never up for discussion,” Mannello said. “We have been an average kick coverage team with very good kickers. We have to find that next level of players that can go out there on special teams and not give up a chunk play. Punt is the most important thing we do here: punt protection and coverage. Those are the two keys. And everyone knows that we are coming after kicks. It’s won games for us in the past.”
QUARTERBACKS
Talan Geskey, a junior, returns for his second year as the starter. His backups will be Brady McCann, Jesse Berlew and Cole Hampel. Geskey completed 74 of 143 passes for 1,091 yards and 13 touchdowns. He averaged 14.7 yards per completion and rushed for 532 yards and four touchdowns. McCann was 4 of 11 for 27 yards.
RUNNING BACKS
Hunter Pitcavage, Marc Saracinaj will be the featured backs. The B-backs and Y’s will be Jim Youngblood, McCann, Owen Oldt, Jayden Razawich, Hayden Romeo and Billy Moran. Pitcavage lost for the season in Week 3 a year ago after rushing for 139 yards and three touchdowns. Saracinaj ran for 441 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 4.0 yards per carry.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Tyce Mason, Trevor Slavinski, Bobby Gallagher, Michael Viglone, Luke Kostick, Carver Jones, Brady Sherman and Tom Fostock. Mason is the most experienced wideout returning. He caught 17 passes for 215 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged 12.6 yards per catch.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Mannello has found the depth he has been looking for to the point he feels confident he can roll different combinations out on the field and not be too concerned with giving up a drive. Grant Gauntlett, Drew Klinetob, Cole Langdon, Brady Ecenrode, Wyatt Teetsel and Matt Sevenski figure to be the key guys up front. Liam Allen, Logan Faulkner, Eric Kuzma, Tyler Richards, Tyler Spaciano and Blake Ziomkowski round out the group.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Langdon, Klinetob, Faulkner, Sevenski, Spaciano, Teetsel, Ben Thomas and Brayden Hanas will anchor the line.
LINEBACKERS
Youngblood, Saracinaj, Pitcavage, Gauntlett, Oldt, Berlew, Moran and Romeo will be the linebackers. All can play inside and outside.
SECONDARY
This group is experienced and deep. Gallagher, McCann, Mason, Slavinski, Geskey, Hampel, Khary Douglas, Jones, Luke Kostick, Sherman, Viglone and Fostock round out the position. Mason led the team in interceptions last season with six. Slavinski was tied for second with three. Gallagher and McCann each had two.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Brandon Miller, David Worth and Christian Maier will be the kickers. Of the trio, Miller and Worth have the most experience. Miller kicked 30 extra points and three field goals with a long of 33 yards. Worth kicked five extra points.
Fast facts
Head coach: Rich Mannello (12th season, 91-51)
Division: WVC Division 2
Last season: 6-6
Male Enrollment: 315
Class: 4A
Home field: Mountaineer Stadium
Schedule
Aug. 28: at Tunkhannock, 7
Sept. 4: Valley West, 7
Sept. 11: Abington Heights, 7
Sept. 18: at Pittston Area, 7
Sept. 25: Wilkes-Barre Area, 7
Oct. 2: Hazleton Area, 7
Oct. 9: at Lake-Lehman, 7
Oct. 16: Crestwood, 7
Oct. 23: at Hanover Area, 7
Oct. 30: at Berwick, 7