Honesdale Brings Back Veteran Core Looking for Major Step Forward in 2026
Honesdale enters the 2026 season with a much different level of experience than it had a year ago.
The Hornets finished 4-7 in 2025, but several young players were forced into major varsity roles and now return with a full season of experience. Head coach George Howanitz believes that growth, combined with the return of most of the offensive line, quarterback Abe Bryant and standout running back Gabe Duda, gives Honesdale a chance to make significant improvement.
The Hornets must replace Kobe White, Zach Meagher and Logan Dieterich, but nearly every other major contributor returns.
That continuity should make Honesdale a much more confident and competitive team this fall.
Young Team Gained Valuable Experience in 2025
Honesdale opened last season with a 19-9 victory over East Stroudsburg North before battling through a difficult stretch against Pocono Mountain East, Wallenpaupack, Mid Valley, Valley View and Lakeland.
The Hornets showed improvement as the year progressed.
They shut out Western Wayne, 36-0, defeated Greater Nanticoke, 56-21, and earned a dramatic 41-40 road victory over West Scranton.
Honesdale then advanced to the Eastern Conference Class 4A championship before falling to Wallenpaupack.
That experience exposed several younger players to high-pressure situations and should benefit them significantly in 2026.
“With many starters returning and all the young players who started last year being a year older, I expect us to be very competitive this season,” Howanitz said.
Duda Headlines the Offense
Senior Gabe Duda returns as one of the top offensive players in the Lackawanna Football Conference.
The All-LFC and All-Region fullback rushed 165 times for 1,295 yards and 17 touchdowns last season.
That is an average of nearly 7.9 yards per carry.
Duda gives the Hornets a proven workhorse who can control games on the ground and help take pressure off the passing game.
With most of the offensive line returning, Honesdale has every reason to believe he can put together another outstanding season.
Duda’s combination of power, vision and experience will make him the centerpiece of the offense.
Bryant Returns at Quarterback
Senior Abe Bryant returns behind center after throwing for 554 yards and two touchdowns last season.
Bryant’s biggest advantage entering 2026 is experience.
He now has a full season of varsity football behind him and will be operating an offense with familiar players surrounding him.
The Hornets do not need to become a pass-heavy team with Duda in the backfield, but improved efficiency through the air would make the offense much more difficult to defend.
If Bryant can take another step as a passer, opponents will have a harder time committing extra defenders to stopping Duda.
Deep Backfield Gives Hornets Options
Honesdale has more than one productive runner returning.
Damian Davis rushed for 321 yards and three touchdowns last season.
Dontae Joseph added 101 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Turk Acker rushed for 105 yards.
That depth gives the Hornets several options behind Duda.
Davis can help keep Duda fresh, while Joseph and Acker provide additional athleticism.
A deeper rotation should allow Honesdale to remain committed to the run game throughout four quarters.
LaBruno Gives Passing Game Experienced Target
Senior Max LaBruno returns at tight end after catching five passes for 80 yards last season.
His experience as both a receiver and blocker makes him an important piece of the offense.
The Hornets can use LaBruno to help establish the edge in the running game while also creating opportunities off play-action.
With Duda demanding so much attention from opposing linebackers, LaBruno could find more opportunities in the middle of the field.
Offensive Line Could Be Major Strength
Perhaps the biggest reason for optimism is the offensive line.
Bobby MacDowell, Liam Platt, Landen Bertot and Mason Quigley all return.
That continuity up front should provide a major boost.
The line already has experience blocking for Duda and protecting Bryant, meaning the Hornets should be able to build upon last year’s system instead of starting over.
“With eight starters back on offense including most of the OL, QB, and the league’s top returning rusher, Gabe Duda, the offense should be much improved,” Howanitz said.
If the offensive front stays healthy, Honesdale could become one of the better rushing teams in the LFC.
Defense Returns Nearly Everyone
The defense may be even more experienced than the offense.
Honesdale returns nearly the entire unit, losing only two defensive backs and one defensive lineman.
That continuity should allow the Hornets to play faster and more confidently.
Last season, several younger defenders were learning on the job.
This year, they enter camp understanding the system, their responsibilities and the speed of varsity football.
“The defensive unit will be much better than 2025,” Howanitz said.
Duda Leads Secondary
Duda is not only the offensive centerpiece.
He also returns after recording 67 tackles from the defensive backfield.
That type of production shows how important he is to the entire team.
Duda’s physicality allows him to support the run while his experience in coverage gives the secondary an established leader.
With two defensive backs graduating, his communication and leadership will become even more valuable.
MacDowell Anchors Defensive Front
Senior Bobby MacDowell returns after recording 48 tackles and six tackles for loss.
His production makes him one of the most important players on the defensive line.
MacDowell will be asked to control gaps, create pressure and help keep blockers away from the linebackers.
The Hornets need the defensive front to become more consistent against physical rushing teams.
Having an experienced player like MacDowell gives them an excellent starting point.
Linebacker Corps Has Depth and Experience
Honesdale returns several productive linebackers.
Cole Dieterich recorded 33 tackles last season.
Brayden Fritsch added 30 tackles.
Max LaBruno also had 30 tackles, while Gino Patrisso contributed 16 tackles and two tackles for loss.
That experience should help the Hornets become more consistent in the middle of the defense.
The linebackers already understand the system and should be able to react faster rather than spending time thinking through assignments.
Acker Gives Secondary Another Playmaker
Turk Acker returns at defensive back after recording 34 tackles and five tackles for loss.
His ability to make plays around the line of scrimmage gives Honesdale another physical defensive back.
Acker can help against both the run and pass and should become one of the leaders of the secondary.
Joseph also returns after recording 31 tackles.
Together with Duda, the Hornets have a solid core of experienced defensive backs.
Quigley Expected to Take Larger Role
Mason Quigley returns at defensive end after gaining varsity experience last season.
His statistics were limited, but his experience should help as he steps into a larger role.
The Hornets lost one defensive lineman, so Quigley and the other returners will need to fill that production.
With so many experienced linebackers and defensive backs behind him, steady play up front could make the entire unit better.
Special Teams Bring Valuable Stability
Honesdale returns both its kicker and punter.
Alex Valerio returns as the placekicker, while Duda returns at punter.
That continuity is important.
The Hornets also return their kick and punt returners, giving the special teams units experience in every major area.
Special teams could become a significant advantage in close games.
Schedule Will Challenge Hornets
Honesdale opens the regular season at Wallenpaupack before hosting East Stroudsburg North.
The Hornets then travel to North Pocono before facing Carbondale and Crestwood.
LFC play includes Western Wayne, Lakeland, Dunmore, Mid Valley and Riverside.
That schedule provides little room for mistakes.
However, Honesdale’s experience should help the team handle difficult stretches much better than it did last season.
Players to Watch
Gabe Duda, Sr., FB/DB/P – All-LFC and All-Region standout who rushed for 1,295 yards and 17 touchdowns while recording 67 tackles.
Abe Bryant, Sr., QB – Returning starting quarterback expected to take another step with an experienced supporting cast.
Damian Davis, RB – Productive runner who rushed for 321 yards and three touchdowns.
Bobby MacDowell, OL/DL – Veteran lineman who recorded 48 tackles and six tackles for loss.
Max LaBruno, TE/LB – Two-way contributor who provides experience in the passing game and linebacker corps.
Turk Acker, RB/DB – Versatile athlete who recorded 34 tackles and five tackles for loss.
Dontae Joseph, RB/DB – Experienced two-way player who adds depth to the backfield and secondary.
Cole Dieterich, LB – Returning linebacker who finished with 33 tackles.
Brayden Fritsch, LB – Veteran defender who recorded 30 tackles.
Alex Valerio, K – Returning kicker who gives Honesdale special teams stability.
My thoughts on Honesdale:
Honesdale has the ingredients to become one of the more improved teams in the Lackawanna Football Conference in 2026.
The Hornets return eight offensive starters, including their quarterback, most of the offensive line and one of the league’s top running backs in Duda.
That alone should make the offense much more consistent.
Defensively, nearly the entire unit returns.
Duda, MacDowell, LaBruno, Acker, Dieterich and Fritsch give Honesdale experienced players at every level.
The biggest difference this season should be confidence.
Many of the players who were learning varsity football in 2025 now enter the year knowing what to expect.
If Bryant develops as a passer, the offensive line stays healthy and the defense turns its experience into more consistent execution, the Hornets have an excellent opportunity to improve upon last year’s four-win regular season and become a factor in the LFC and District 2 postseason picture.
Head Coach: George Howanitz
Assistant Coaches:
Dave Rebar
Jason Sepkowski
Josh Lobasso
Jeremy Ebert
Randy Parry
Craig Rupp
Dan Patrisso
Team Name: Honesdale Hornets
2025 Record: 4-7
8/22 @ East Stroudsburg North (4A) 7:00 pm W 19-9
8/29 Pocono Mountain East (5A) 7:00 pm L 7-28
9/05 @ Wallenpaupack (4A) 7:00 pm L 6-37
9/12 @ Mid Valley* (3A) 7:00 pm L 21-42
9/19 Valley View (4A) 7:00 pm L 8-49
9/26 @ Western Wayne* (3A) 7:00 pm W 36-0
10/04 Lakeland* (2A) 7:00 pm L 6-31
10/10 Greater Nanticoke (4A) 7:00 pm W 56-21
10/17 Dunmore* (2A) 7:00 pm L 8-50
10/24 @ West Scranton* (5A) 7:00 pm W 41-40
10/30 @ Wallenpaupack (4A) 6:00 pm L 20-47 Eastern Conference Class 4A Championship
2026 Schedule:
Date Opponent Kickoff
8/22 @ Valley View (4A) 10:00 am Scrimmage
8/28 @ Wallenpaupack (4A) 7:00 pm
9/04 East Stroudsburg North (4A) 7:00 pm
9/11 @ North Pocono (4A) 7:00 pm
9/18 Carbondale Area (4A) 7:00 pm
9/25 @ Crestwood (4A) 7:00 pm
10/02 Western Wayne* (3A) 7:00 pm
10/09 @ Lakeland* (2A) 7:00 pm
10/16 @ Dunmore* (2A) 7:00 pm
10/23 Mid Valley* (3A) 7:00 pm
10/30 Riverside (2)* (2A) 7:00 pm
Key Starters lost:
Kobe White
Zach Meagher
Logan Dieterich
Offensive Starters Returning:
Gabe Duda FB (LFC All Star/All-Regional)- 165 Carries for 1295 yards and 17 TDs
Abe Bryant QB – 554 Pass / 2 TDs
Damian Davis RB – 321 yards rush / 3 TDs
Dontae Joseph RB- 101 rush yards/1 TD
Max LaBruno TE – 5rec/80 yards
Turk Acker RB – 105 yards rush
Bobby MacDowell OL
Liam Platt OL
Landen Bertot OL
Mason Quigley OL
Defensive Starters Returning:
Gabe Duda DB – 67 tackles
Dontae Joseph DB – 31 Tackles
Max LaBruno LB – 30 Tackles
Turk Acker DB – 34 Tackle/5 TFL
Bobby MacDowell DL – 48 Tackles/ 6TFL
Gino Patrisso LB- 16 Tackles/2 TFL
Cole Dieterich LB – 33 Tackles
Brayden Fritsch LB – 30 Tackles
Mason Quigley DE – 4 Tackles
Special Team Starters Returning:
Alex Valerio K
Gabe Duda P
Damian Davis
Dontae Joseph
Max LaBruno
Cole Dieterich
Turk Acker
Cooper McGhie
Harvey Rolston
Gino Patrisso
Brayden Fritsch
Key Newcomers:
Manny Edwards
AJ Dutton
2026 Outlook: With many starters returning and all the young players who started last year being a year older, I expect us to be very competitive this season.
Offense: With eight starters back on offense including most of the OL, QB, and the league’s top returning rusher, Gabe Duda, the O should be much improved.
Defense: Everyone is returning except for two DBs and a DL. The defensive unit will be much better than 2025.
Special Team: Kicker and Punter are returning along with KR/PR