TUNKHANNOCK — Hunter Pitcavage and his Dallas teammates heard all summer about last year’s slow start to the season. They took the field with determination making sure it won’t happen again.
Pitcavage wasted no time, taking the first play of the game 66 yards for a touchdown as Dallas scored early and often on their way to a season-opening 42-0 victory over Tunkhannock in a Wyoming Valley Conference Division football game Friday evening at Tunkhannock Memorial Field.
The Mountaineers clicked on all cylinders, scoring all 42 of its points in the first half, and outgaining the Tigers, 384-151. It was Pitcavage who got the scoring started getting the handoff, finding a hole and dashing 66 yards to put the first points on the board.
“It was amazing scoring six there and getting this done for the team,” Pitcavage said. “Getting that 1-0 start is everything for us. Every season is a new chapter and we were able to get this off to a good start.”
Offense, defense and special teams it was clicking.
After forcing a three-and-out, Dallas scored in three plays with Talan Geskey finding speedster Tyce Mason for an 18-yard touchdown.
Dallas wasn’t done scoring in the first quarter. The Mountaineers showed off their run game, grinding out an 11-play drive with Jim Youngblood punching it in from 12 yards out and a 21-0 first quarter lead.
“We got off the bus ready to play football and that’s what we’re expected to do,” Dallas head coach Rich Manello said.
One area Manello preaches is special teams, and special teams made a huge impact in the second quarter.
Pitcavage soared over the line to block a punt, scoop up the loose ball and return it 20 yards for a touchdown. It wouldn’t be the only time he would get his hands on a punt.
Later in the second quarter, Pitcavage burst through the line again for another blocked punt. One play later Dallas capitalized when Geskey found Bobby Gallagher for a 20-yard touchdown pass.
“Coach talks about special teams all the time and it showed tonight,” Pitcavage said. “Some teams take it off, we don’t at Dallas. It was a big reason we won tonight.”
Dallas’s defense would also get in the act with five sacks and an interception. Gallagher intercepted a pass and return it to the Tunkhannock 20. Marv Saracinaj put an exclamation point on the drive with a 19-yard touchdown run and send the game into the mercy rule.
“Special teams is very big for us. It’s no secret that we go after kicks and it’s something we take pride in,” Manello said. “We work on it every day. Football is three phases. Special teams were great. Defensively we pitched a shutout which is hard to do. Offensively, we’ll watch the film but we were able to run the ball, and it looks like we played the passing game pretty well but will watch the film.”
For Tunkhannock, Tye Cokely passed for 101 yards while dealing with pressure all night. His leading receiver Jayden Newell caught two passes for 52 yards.
Dallas will host Wyoming Valley West in Week 2 on Friday night. Tunkhannock will host Mid Valley looking for its first win of the season.