{"id":418102,"date":"2026-08-27T09:56:09","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T09:56:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/418102\/"},"modified":"2026-08-27T09:56:09","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T09:56:09","slug":"gameface-2026-dallas-hoping-for-fast-start-to-new-season-wilkes-barre-citizens-voice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/418102\/","title":{"rendered":"GAMEFACE 2026: Dallas hoping for fast start to new season \u2013 Wilkes-Barre Citizens’ Voice"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Dallas\u2019<\/p>\n

Dallas\u2019 Blake Ziomkowski. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dallas\u2019<\/p>\n

Dallas\u2019 Ben Thomas. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dallas\u2019<\/p>\n

Dallas\u2019 Cole Langdon. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dallas\u2019<\/p>\n

Dallas\u2019 Grant Gauntlett. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dallas\u2019<\/p>\n

Dallas\u2019 Ryan Zimmerman. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dallas\u2019<\/p>\n

Dallas\u2019 Brayden Hanas. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dallas\u2019<\/p>\n

Dallas\u2019 Matthew Sevenski. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dallas\u2019<\/p>\n

Dallas\u2019 James Gibbons. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dallas\u2019<\/p>\n

Dallas\u2019 Tyler Richards. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dallas\u2019<\/p>\n

Dallas\u2019 Liam Allen. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dallas\u2019<\/p>\n

Dallas\u2019 Tyler Spaciano. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dallas\u2019<\/p>\n

Dallas\u2019 Trevor Slavinski. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dallas\u2019<\/p>\n

Dallas\u2019 David Worth. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dallas\u2019<\/p>\n

Dallas\u2019 Hayden Romeo. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dallas\u2019<\/p>\n

Dallas\u2019 Carver Jones. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dallas\u2019<\/p>\n

Dallas\u2019 Talan Geskey. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dallas\u2019<\/p>\n

Dallas\u2019 Khary Douglas. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dallas\u2019<\/p>\n

Dallas\u2019 Brady Sherman. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dallas\u2019<\/p>\n

Dallas\u2019 Brady McCann. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dallas\u2019<\/p>\n

Dallas\u2019 Brandon Miller. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dallas\u2019<\/p>\n

Dallas\u2019 Hunter Pitcavage. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dallas\u2019<\/p>\n

Dallas\u2019 Bobby Gallagher. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dallas\u2019<\/p>\n

Dallas\u2019 Tyce Mason. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dallas\u2019<\/p>\n

Dallas\u2019 Jimmy Youngblood. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 24<\/p>\n

Dallas\u2019 Blake Ziomkowski. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

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 \u201cto be continued\u2026 .\u201d<\/p>\n

Because as much as Rich Mannello likes to say a new season means a new team, the bulk of this year\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

It was the second time the Mountaineers faced the Trojans, and both times North Pocono won handily. ,So instead of waiting for this year\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe identity is starting to evolve now,\u201d Mannello said. \u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Of course as always is the case with Dallas, the two keys are the offensive line and special teams.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey all have to stay healthy,\u201d Mannello said of the offensive line. \u201cThey have to dial in and be involved in protection and be able to play everywhere. It\u2019s painful in the summer but they have to be ready when the lights come on Friday night.\u201d<\/p>\n

That\u2019s where special teams comes in. It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cSpecial teams-wise, where we are now punt is never up for discussion,\u201d Mannello said. \u201cWe 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\u2019s won games for us in the past.\u201d<\/p>\n

QUARTERBACKS<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

RUNNING BACKS<\/p>\n

Hunter Pitcavage, Marc Saracinaj will be the featured backs. The B-backs and Y\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

WIDE RECEIVERS<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

OFFENSIVE LINE<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

DEFENSIVE LINE<\/p>\n

Langdon, Klinetob, Faulkner, Sevenski, Spaciano, Teetsel, Ben Thomas and Brayden Hanas will anchor the line.<\/p>\n

LINEBACKERS<\/p>\n

Youngblood, Saracinaj, Pitcavage, Gauntlett, Oldt, Berlew, Moran and Romeo will be the linebackers. All can play inside and outside.<\/p>\n

SECONDARY<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

SPECIAL TEAMS<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Fast facts<\/p>\n

Head coach: Rich Mannello (12th season, 91-51)<\/p>\n

Division: WVC Division 2<\/p>\n

Last season: 6-6<\/p>\n

Male Enrollment: 315<\/p>\n

Class: 4A<\/p>\n

Home field: Mountaineer Stadium<\/p>\n

Schedule<\/p>\n

Aug. 28: at Tunkhannock, 7<\/p>\n

Sept. 4: Valley West, 7<\/p>\n

Sept. 11: Abington Heights, 7<\/p>\n

Sept. 18: at Pittston Area, 7<\/p>\n

Sept. 25: Wilkes-Barre Area, 7<\/p>\n

Oct. 2: Hazleton Area, 7<\/p>\n

Oct. 9: at Lake-Lehman, 7<\/p>\n

Oct. 16: Crestwood, 7<\/p>\n

Oct. 23: at Hanover Area, 7<\/p>\n

Oct. 30: at Berwick, 7<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Dallas\u2019 Blake Ziomkowski. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Dallas\u2019 Ben Thomas. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Dallas\u2019 Cole…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":418103,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[102,104,103,2291,154],"class_list":["post-418102","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-dallas","tag-dallas","tag-dallas-headlines","tag-dallas-news","tag-high-school-sports","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/418102","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=418102"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/418102\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/418103"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=418102"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=418102"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=418102"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}