Pocono Mountain East Looks to Build on Historic Breakthrough Season
History was made in 2025 for the Pocono Mountain East Cardinals.
Under second-year head coach Dustin Thomas, the Cardinals posted the first winning season in school history, finished with a school-record 8-4 mark, captured both of their rivalry trophies for the first time since 2019, and advanced to the District 11 Class 5A championship game. Although the season ended with a 35-24 loss to Whitehall, the rapid turnaround has transformed the program into one of the rising teams in District 11.
Now entering 2026, expectations have changed. Rather than hoping to compete, the Cardinals are looking to prove last season was only the beginning.
Building on a Historic Foundation
The progress made under Thomas and his coaching staff has been remarkable.
Just one year before reaching the district championship game, Pocono Mountain East suffered a 49-7 playoff loss to Whitehall in the semifinals. Last season, the Cardinals closed that gap dramatically, battling the Zephyrs into the fourth quarter before falling by just 11 points in the district title game.
Along the way, East defeated both Pocono Mountain West in the “Pride of the Mountain” rivalry and Stroudsburg in the race for the “Old Oaken Bucket,” marking the first time the Cardinals swept both rivalry games since 2019.
While several record-setting seniors have graduated, the foundation of the program remains firmly in place.
Serfass Leads Experienced Offense
Senior quarterback Ceejay Serfass returns after one of the finest seasons by a signal caller in school history.
In his first year as the starting quarterback, Serfass established school records for passing yards and passing touchdowns, providing stability and explosiveness to the Cardinals’ offense. His experience will be invaluable as East replaces several of its top receiving threats.
The Cardinals graduated standout wide receiver Justin Williams, who surpassed 1,000 receiving yards and will continue his career at East Stroudsburg University, along with versatile tight end Connor Triano, who set the school record with 11 receptions in a game against Stroudsburg and will play at Lycoming College.
Despite those losses, East returns an experienced supporting cast.
Senior running back Evan Garrett returns to anchor the rushing attack, while senior wide receiver Kevin Davis and senior Blake Martin will be expected to assume larger roles in the passing game. Senior transfer MJ Bolinger and junior Walter Wade provide additional weapons as the Cardinals reload their receiving corps.
Perhaps the biggest strength of the offense is up front.
The Cardinals return their entire offensive line, led by seniors Johnny Pezzuti and Dyron Kelley along with juniors Preston Melton, Zakai Chambers and Mason Brown. Junior Alex Judd and sophomore Michael Leager add quality depth to a veteran unit that should give Serfass plenty of protection while opening running lanes for Garrett.
Defensive Front Returns Intact
Defense became a calling card for Pocono Mountain East in 2025.
The Cardinals finished first in their division in both scoring defense and total defense, and much of that success returns.
Every defensive lineman from last year’s championship team is back, giving defensive coordinator Bobby Fox one of the area’s deepest defensive fronts entering his third season directing the unit.
Senior Leo Fernandez, David Louis-Jean, Johnny Pezzuti and Dyron Kelley headline a group that also includes juniors Preston Melton, Zakai Chambers and Mason Brown. The ability to rotate fresh bodies throughout games should keep the Cardinals physical deep into the fourth quarter.
Junior fullback/linebacker Dean McCarthy returns in the middle of the defense, while newcomers Walter Wade and sophomore Ben Surovcik are expected to strengthen the linebacker corps.
Although the Cardinals must replace standout defenders Justin Williams, Connor Triano, Bobby Ehrmann and Connor McCarthy, the experience in the trenches gives East a solid foundation to remain one of the top defensive units in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.
Special Teams
Senior Lucas Angst returns to handle both kicking and punting duties, giving the Cardinals an experienced and dependable specialist in the kicking game.
Players to Watch
- Ceejay Serfass, Sr., QB: School-record holder for passing yards and passing touchdowns in a season returns to lead the offense.
- Evan Garrett, Sr., RB/OLB: Veteran two-way standout expected to carry a larger offensive workload.
- Kevin Davis, Sr., WR/S: Experienced playmaker who will become one of Serfass’ top receiving targets.
- Blake Martin, Sr., WR/DB: Versatile senior ready for an expanded role on both sides of the ball.
- Johnny Pezzuti, Sr., OL/DL: Leader of an offensive line that returns every starter.
- Dyron Kelley, Sr., OL/DL: Physical two-way lineman who anchors both fronts.
- Dean McCarthy, Jr., FB/MLB: Emerging defensive leader in the middle of the Cardinals’ defense.
My Thoughts on Pocono Mountain East season
Replacing several school-record-setting skill players is never easy, but Pocono Mountain East has positioned itself for sustained success.
The return of record-setting quarterback Ceejay Serfass, an experienced offensive line, every defensive lineman from one of the league’s best defenses, and a coaching staff that has rapidly elevated the program gives the Cardinals plenty of reasons for optimism.
The biggest challenge will be identifying new playmakers at wide receiver and in the secondary. If those positions develop quickly, Pocono Mountain East has the talent and experience to once again challenge for the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Mountain Division title and make another deep District 11 Class 5A playoff run.
One thing is certain: after making history in 2025, the Cardinals are no longer a surprise. They enter 2026 with the expectations—and the roster—to continue building one of the fastest-rising programs in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Head Coach: Dustin Thomas
Assistant Coaches:
Bobby Fox
Michael Boone
Richard Swingle
Team Name: Pocono Mountain East Cardinals
2025 Record: 8-4
8/16 Lehighton (4A) 10:00 am Scrimmage
8/22 @ Louis E. Dieruff (6A) 7:00 pm W 42-27
8/29 @ Honesdale (4A) 7:00 pm W 28-7
9/04 Scranton (6A) 6:00 pm W 45-0
9/12 Allentown Central Catholic (4A) 7:00 pm L 3-30
9/19 Stroudsburg* (6A) 7:00 pm L 34-40 OT
9/27 @ Bethlehem Catholic (4A) 12:00 pm L 6-48
10/03 East Stroudsburg South* (5A) 7:00 pm W 30-7
10/10 @ Pleasant Valley* (5A) 7:00 pm W 28-0
10/17 @ East Stroudsburg North* (4A) 7:00 pm W 56-20
10/24 Pocono Mountain West* (6A) 7:00 pm W 35-21
11/01 Pleasant Valley (5A) 5:00 pm W 27-0
11/08 @ Whitehall (5A) 6:00 pm L 24-35
2026 Schedule:
Date Opponent Kickoff
8/22 @ Lehighton (4A) 10:00 am Scrimmage
8/28 Louis E. Dieruff (6A) 7:00 pm
9/03 @ Bangor (4A) 7:00 pm
9/11 @ William Allen (6A) 7:00 pm
9/18 @ Emmaus (6A) 7:00 pm
9/25 Stroudsburg* (6A) 7:00 pm
10/01 Easton Area (6A) 7:00 pm
10/08 @ East Stroudsburg South* (5A) 7:00 pm
10/16 Pleasant Valley* (5A) 7:00 pm
10/23 East Stroudsburg North* (4A) 7:00 pm
10/30 @ Pocono Mountain West* (6A) 7:00 pm
Key Starters Lost:
Justin Williams WR/S
Connor Triano TE/OLB
Devon Jackson WR/CB
Bobby Ehrmann S
Connor McCarthy OLB
Returning Players:
Ceejay Serfass QB (Sr)
Evan Garrett RB/OLB (Sr)
Kevin Davis WR/S (Sr)
Blake Martin WR/DB (Sr)
Johnny Pezzuti OL/DL (Sr)
Dyron Kelley OL/DL (Sr)
Leo Fernandez DL (Sr)
Lucas Angst K/P (Sr)
David Louis-Jean DE (Sr)
Preston Melton C/DL (Jr)
Zakai Chambers OL/DL (Jr)
Mason Brown OL/DL (Jr)
Dean McCarthy FB/MLB (Jr)
Key Newcomers:
MJ Bolinger WR/DB (Sr)
Walter Wade WR/LB (Jr)
Alex Judd OL/DL (Jr)
Nyere Francis OL/DL (Jr)
Ben Surovcik OLB (So)
Michael Leager OL/DL (So)
2026 Outlook: The Cardinals are coming off their first winning season in school history, as well as the best record in school history finishing 8-4. The Cardinals won both rivalry games this past season (The Old Oaken Bucket & The Pride of The Mountain) for the first time since 2019. East made it to the PIAA 5A Championship game and lost to Whitehall 35-24. Just one season prior, the Cardinals faced Whitehall in a Semi-Final game and lost 49-7. The improvement in just two years behind new Head Coach Dustin Thomas and staff is easy to acknowledge.
To go along with such a stellar team season, many individuals broke school records of their own including 1,000 WR Justin Williams who will be continuing his college football career at East Stroudsburg University. Connor Triano, a swiss army knife for the Cardinals last season, also notched his name in the record books with most receptions in a game with 11 vs Stroudsburg last year and will be continuing his football career at Lycoming College. The Cardinals will be without many big name skill players this upcoming season so many questions will remain unanswered until this Fall where we will see if the Cardinals can match their major overhaul of building a consistent winning program.
While many big stars will be missed, Quarterback Ceejay Serfass will be returning under the helm. In his first season at QB last year, Serfass broke the school record for Passing yards and Touchdowns in a single season. With his experience and an entire offensive line who will be returning, the Cardinals and Serfass will be in good hands. All defensive lineman will be returning as well, and with many pieces to rotate in along the defensive line, East will be looking to improve on their defensive efforts which landed them #1 in points allowed and team defense in their division in 2025. Going into his third season as Defensive Coordinator, Bobby Fox will look to stay consistent and find some missing pieces to complete his defense.