Pittston Area Reloads After Conference Title Run
Pittston Area enters the 2026 season facing a significant roster transition, but the expectations surrounding the program remain high.
The Patriots finished 8-3 last fall and put together one of the strongest regular seasons in District 2. They won eight of their first nine games, captured the Wyoming Valley Conference Division 1 championship and earned notable victories over Dallas, Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton Area and Wallenpaupack.
Their season ended with a heartbreaking 7-6 loss to Delaware Valley in the District 2 Class 5A semifinals.
Head coach Paul Russick must now replace a large and talented senior class that included quarterback Paulie Ferentino, running back Brody Spindler and several important contributors along both lines. Pittston Area returns only a handful of established starters, but the roster still features explosive offensive talent, a proven linebacker and experienced playmakers in the secondary and return game.
The Patriots may look different in 2026, but they still possess the athleticism and physical identity needed to contend in the Wyoming Valley Conference.
Quarterback Competition Headlines the Offense
The biggest question entering training camp will be who replaces Ferentino at quarterback.
Junior Santino Capitano is among the leading candidates after gaining limited varsity experience last season. Capitano completed three of nine passes for 97 yards and rushed 20 times for 99 yards and two touchdowns.
His athleticism gives Pittston Area a potential dual-threat option, but the starting job will be decided through competition.
The Patriots need their new quarterback to protect the football, distribute it to an athletic group of skill players and operate efficiently in key situations.
Pittston Area does not necessarily need the new starter to carry the offense. With multiple proven runners and one of District 2’s most versatile playmakers returning, the quarterback’s most important responsibility will be managing the game and making good decisions.
Lo Presto Gives Patriots an Elite Playmaker
Senior Lucas Lo Presto will be the centerpiece of the offense.
Lo Presto caught 39 passes for 560 yards and five touchdowns last season. He also carried the ball 47 times for 378 yards and nine scores, demonstrating his ability to produce from multiple positions.
He finished the year with 120 total points.
The Patriots can line Lo Presto up at wide receiver, place him in the backfield or use motion to create mismatches. His ability to score as a runner, receiver and return specialist makes him difficult for opponents to contain.
With several high-production seniors graduating, Lo Presto will be asked to take on an even greater leadership role.
Pittston Area will look for creative ways to get the football into his hands while preventing defenses from focusing on him exclusively.
Deep Backfield Should Remain Productive
Although the Patriots must replace Spindler’s production, they return a promising group of running backs.
Senior Jude Ferentino rushed 63 times for 399 yards and three touchdowns last season. His experience gives Pittston Area a dependable option capable of handling a larger workload.
Sophomore Kayden Bailey is one of the roster’s most exciting young players. Bailey rushed for 521 yards and six touchdowns on only 53 carries as a freshman, averaging nearly 10 yards per attempt.
His combination of speed and big-play ability could make him one of the breakout performers in the Wyoming Valley Conference.
Capitano can also contribute to the rushing attack, particularly if he wins the quarterback job.
Instead of relying on one featured runner, Pittston Area has the personnel to use a committee. Ferentino brings experience, Bailey provides explosiveness and Lo Presto can attack defenses from nearly anywhere on the field.
Offensive Line Must Be Rebuilt
The greatest offensive concern is the line.
Pittston Area graduated Gunnar Zaledonis, Nico Cielo and Brian Hankey, leaving several important positions to fill.
The Patriots’ rushing success last season was built in large part on the play of an experienced offensive front. Replacing that size, physicality and leadership will be one of the coaching staff’s biggest priorities during camp.
Returning tight end John Jadus should help provide stability as both a blocker and receiving option.
The new linemen will need to develop quickly, particularly with a new quarterback taking over. Establishing the run, avoiding negative plays and providing dependable pass protection will determine whether the offense can maintain the production it showed in 2025.
Pittston Area scored at least 31 points in seven games last season. The skill-position talent remains, but the development of the offensive line will determine whether the Patriots can approach those numbers again.
Radzewicz Leads the Defense
The defense will be built around returning linebacker Chance Radzewicz.
Radzewicz gives the Patriots an experienced and physical presence in the middle of the field. He will be responsible for setting the front, communicating assignments and helping younger defenders adjust to varsity football.
Pittston Area must replace several defensive leaders, including Spindler, Victor Narsavage, Zaledonis and Hankey.
That makes Radzewicz’s leadership even more important.
The Patriots want to maintain the physical, hard-hitting style that helped them win the conference championship last season. Accomplishing that will require the new defensive front to play with discipline and keep blockers away from Radzewicz.
Front Seven Faces Major Transition
Pittston Area lost considerable production along the defensive line and at linebacker.
Zaledonis and Hankey were important two-way linemen, while Spindler and Narsavage provided experience at linebacker.
The Patriots will need new contributors to emerge at defensive tackle, defensive end and alongside Radzewicz in the linebacker corps.
The coaching staff wants the defense to remain aggressive, but it must first establish consistency against the run.
Winning on early downs will allow Pittston Area to use pressure packages and put opposing quarterbacks in difficult third-down situations.
The Patriots may experience some early growing pains as younger players settle into larger roles, but the program’s emphasis on physicality should remain unchanged.
Veteran Defensive Backs Provide Stability
The secondary should be one of the more experienced areas of the defense.
Lo Presto returns at defensive back, while Deondre Miller gives Pittston Area another proven player in coverage.
Both will be counted on to match up with opposing receivers, communicate with younger players and limit explosive passes.
The Patriots graduated Stephen Barnic, Malkom Blackshear and Aidan Brody, so the secondary still has positions to fill. However, returning two experienced defensive backs gives the unit a solid foundation.
Lo Presto’s athleticism and ball skills make him a potential takeaway threat, while Miller’s physical presence should help against both the run and pass.
Pittston Area will need the secondary to play consistently while the front seven develops.
Return Game Could Change Games
Special teams should remain a major weapon because of Lo Presto.
His vision, speed and ability to make defenders miss give Pittston Area one of the most dangerous return specialists in District 2.
The Patriots will look for him to create favorable field position and produce momentum-changing plays on both kickoffs and punts.
Senior Dom Salvo returns as the long snapper, providing valuable consistency in an often-overlooked position.
The kicking and punting duties are less settled. Jordan Talarico returns with punting experience, but the coaching staff expects competition throughout camp as it searches for consistency at both specialist positions.
Field position could be especially important while the offense develops a new quarterback and rebuilt line.
Players to Watch
Lucas Lo Presto, Sr., WR/DB/KR/PR: Dynamic three-phase playmaker who produced 938 yards from scrimmage, scored 14 offensive touchdowns and finished with 120 points.
Jude Ferentino, Sr., RB: Experienced runner who rushed for 399 yards and three touchdowns and should receive an expanded role.
Kayden Bailey, So., RB: Explosive young back who gained 521 yards and scored six touchdowns on 53 carries as a freshman.
Santino Capitano, Jr., QB: Athletic quarterback candidate who contributed as both a passer and runner in limited varsity action.
Chance Radzewicz, LB: Returning defensive leader expected to anchor the middle of the Patriots’ defense.
Deondre Miller, DB: Veteran defensive back who will be counted on to limit explosive plays.
John Jadus, TE: Returning offensive starter who provides blocking experience and another option in the passing game.
Jordan Talarico, P: Returning specialist who will compete to provide consistency in the punting game.
Dom Salvo, LS: Reliable long snapper whose experience gives the special teams unit stability.
My Thoughts on Pittston Area
Pittston Area enters 2026 with fewer returning starters than most conference contenders, but the Patriots still have enough talent to remain dangerous.
The offense features one of District 2’s top all-around playmakers in Lo Presto, a proven senior runner in Ferentino and a rising sophomore in Bailey. That group gives the Patriots the potential to remain explosive even while breaking in a new quarterback.
The biggest questions are at quarterback and along the offensive line.
Defensively, Pittston Area must replace substantial production in the front seven. Radzewicz will provide leadership at linebacker, while Lo Presto and Miller give the secondary experience.
The Patriots may need time to develop chemistry, especially early in the season. However, the program is coming off a conference championship and has established a physical, competitive identity under Russick.
If Pittston Area receives steady quarterback play, develops its young linemen and maintains its hard-hitting defensive style, the Patriots should remain in the Wyoming Valley Conference Division 1 race and contend for another District 2 Class 5A playoff appearance.
Head Coach: Paul Russick
Assistant Coaches:
Lon Hazlet
Michael Capone
Jeremy Davis
Joe Graziano
Broc Hazlet
Greg Holl
Christian Martinez
Pat Nelson
Mike Nocito
AJ Oliveri
Matt Pisano
Pat Roman
Nick Sciandra
Justin Wall
John Warnek
Team Name: Pittston Area Patriots
District: 2
Class: 5A
League: Wyoming Valley Conference, Division 1
2025 Record: 8-3 overall
8/22 Mid Valley (3A) 7:00 pm W 46-9
8/29 North Pocono (4A) 7:00 pm L 21-34
9/05 @ Greater Nanticoke (4A) 7:00 pm W 48-13
9/12 Wyoming Valley West* (5A) 7:00 pm W 64-20
9/19 @ Dallas* (4A) 7:00 pm W 36-35
9/26 @ Crestwood* (4A) 7:00 pm W 47-14
10/03 Wilkes-Barre * (6A) 7:00 pm W 31-24
10/10 Hazleton Area* (6A) 7:00 pm W 49-13
10/17 @ Wallenpaupack (4A) 7:00 pm W 14-13
10/24 @ Wyoming Area (3A) 7:00 pm L 22-41
10/31 Delaware Valley (5A) 7:00 pm L 6-7 Dist 2 Class 5A Semifinal
2026 Schedule:
Date Opponent Kickoff
8/28 @ East Stroudsburg South (5A) 7:00 pm
9/04 Berwick Area (4A) 7:00 pm
9/11 @ Hanover Area (4A) 7:00 pm
9/18 Dallas (4A) 7:00 pm
9/25 @ Hazleton Area* (6A) 7:00 pm
10/02 Oxford Area (5A) 7:00 pm
10/09 @ Crestwood (4A) 7:00 pm
10/16 @ Wilkes-Barre * (6A) 7:00 pm
10/23 Wyoming Valley West* (6A) 7:00 pm
10/30 Wyoming Area (3A) 7:00 pm
Key Starters Lost:
Brody Spindler (RB/LB)
Paulie Ferentino (QB)
Gunnar Zaledonis (OL/DL)
Stephen Barnic (WR/DB)
Victor Narsavage (LB)
Malkom Blackshear (DB)
Aidan Brody (DB)
Nico Cielo (OL)
Brian Hankey (OL/DL)
Offensive Starters Returning:
Lucas Lo Presto (WR)
John Jadus (TE)
Jude Ferentino (RB)
Defensive Starters Returning:
Chance Radzewicz (LB)
Lucas Lo Presto (DB)
Deondre Miller (DB)
Special Team Starters Returning:
Jordan Talarico (P)
Dom Salvo (LS)
Lucas Lo Presto (KOR/PR)
Key Newcomers:
Christian Cerasaro (WR/DB)
Logan Slater (OL/DL)
Evan Mancini (WR/DB)
2026 Returning Player Stats (From the 2025 Season):
Lucas Lo Presto (Sr. WR/DB): 39 receptions for 560 yards and 5 TDs; 47 carries for 378 rushing yards and 9 TDs; 120 total points scored.
Jude Ferentino (Sr. RB): 63 carries for 399 rushing yards and 3 TDs.
Kayden Bailey (So. RB): 53 carries for 521 rushing yards and 6 TDs.
Santino Capitano (Jr. QB): 20 carries for 99 yards and 2 TDs; 3-of-9 passing for 97 yards.
2026 Outlook:
Offense: The Patriots must replace high-value production in the backfield, including their primary 1,000-yard rusher and starting quarterback. However, the offense remains highly dangerous thanks to a versatile, elite playmaker who can score from both the backfield and the wide receiver position.
A dynamic committee of explosive runners will handle the ground game, while the biggest question mark heading into the season will be a competitive battles up front on the offense line with a mix of seniors and underclassman including freshman battling it out.
Defense: Pittston Area’s defense aims to maintain the physical, hard-hitting identity that fueled last year’s conference title run. The unit is anchored by a standout returning linebacker in the middle, complemented by an experienced and physical presence on the edge.
In the secondary, a pair of veteran defensive backs will be relied upon to lock down opposing receivers and limit big plays through the air.
Special Teams: The return game is expected to be a major strength, spearheaded by an elite, dynamic return specialist. Meanwhile, the coaching staff will focus heavily on training camp battles to break in new depth and secure consistency at the placekicking and punting positions.