Delaware Valley Reloads After District Championship Run With Physical Identity in Mind
Delaware Valley enters the 2026 season carrying the confidence of a district championship and the challenge of replacing several of the playmakers who helped deliver it.
The Warriors finished 7-6 in 2025, but the record does not fully capture the path they traveled. After opening the season with four consecutive losses against a demanding schedule, Delaware Valley responded by winning seven of its next eight games, including postseason victories over Pittston Area and Abington Heights to claim the District 2 Class 5A championship.
That late-season surge showed the toughness and resilience that have long defined the program under head coach Keith Olsommer.
Now, the Warriors must build a new identity around an experienced offensive line, a physical front seven and a group of younger players who will be asked to grow quickly.
The graduation of Mike Iuzzolino, Justin Estevez, Josh Rhien, Chris Renna and Reagan Decker removes several important contributors from last season’s championship team. However, Delaware Valley still returns enough experience to remain a contender in the Lackawanna Football Conference Division 1 and District 2 Class 5A.
The formula is clear.
Run the football.
Control the line of scrimmage.
Play better defense.
Offensive Line Must Set the Tone
Delaware Valley’s offense will be built around its offensive line.
Senior Philip Leslie, a 6-foot-3, 290-pound lineman, returns as one of the anchors of the unit. Senior Mike Seltzer also brings valuable experience at 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds.
The Warriors believe this group must become the strength of the offense.
That means creating movement in the running game, protecting the quarterback and allowing Delaware Valley to dictate tempo.
The offense wants to establish the run first and use that success to create opportunities through play action.
If the line consistently wins at the point of attack, the Warriors should be able to control possession and reduce the pressure on their new backfield contributors.
The offensive front will carry a significant amount of responsibility this season, but it also possesses the experience and size needed to handle it.
Estevez Provides Proven Production
Senior Devin Estevez returns as one of Delaware Valley’s most important two-way players.
Estevez rushed for 500 yards and six touchdowns last season while also recording 76 tackles defensively.
His versatility gives the coaching staff several options.
Offensively, he should become one of the primary players expected to replace the production lost from last year’s backfield.
His physical running style fits the identity Delaware Valley wants to establish.
The Warriors do not need to become a pass-first team.
They want to run behind their experienced line, wear down opponents and create favorable down-and-distance situations.
Estevez has already shown he can contribute in that style of offense.
His ability to handle a larger workload will be one of the major storylines of the season.
Dabney Gives Passing Game a Proven Target
Senior tight end James Dabney returns after catching 28 passes for 528 yards last season.
At 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, Dabney creates matchup problems for opposing defenses.
He has the size to work over the middle, the strength to make contested catches and the versatility to contribute as a blocker.
Dabney will be especially important in the play-action passing game.
If Delaware Valley establishes the run, defenses will be forced to commit additional players near the line of scrimmage.
That should create opportunities for Dabney behind linebackers and between safeties.
His experience and production make him the most proven receiving weapon on the roster.
Senior Jacob Wolack also returns at wide receiver and should provide another dependable option on the perimeter.
Play-Action Passing Game Must Be Efficient
Delaware Valley does not need to throw the football constantly to be successful.
The Warriors need to throw it effectively.
The offensive philosophy centers on establishing the running game and using play action to generate explosive plays.
That places a premium on timing, protection and decision-making.
The new quarterback must protect the football and take advantage of opportunities when defenses become overly aggressive against the run.
With Dabney working the middle of the field and Wolack providing experience outside, Delaware Valley has reliable targets.
The key will be creating balance without moving away from the physical identity the coaching staff wants.
Front Seven Carries Defensive Expectations
The strength of the defense is expected to be the front seven.
Senior defensive linemen Mark Reinhardt and Jace Stahli return to anchor the interior.
Reinhardt recorded 27 tackles last season, while Stahli added 31.
At 6-foot and 270 pounds, Stahli provides size and strength in the middle.
Reinhardt gives the Warriors another experienced presence capable of occupying blockers and disrupting the run game.
Behind them, senior linebacker Dylan Bannon returns after recording 61 tackles.
Estevez also returns after leading the team with 76 tackles.
That experience gives Delaware Valley a strong foundation in the box.
The coaching staff believes the front seven must establish itself early and help protect a younger secondary.
Defense Focused on Major Improvement
Delaware Valley’s defensive outlook is direct.
The Warriors must be better than they have been over the past two seasons.
Last year’s team showed it could score, but it also allowed 49 points to Jersey Shore, 46 to Central York, 49 to Scranton Prep and 56 to Hollidaysburg.
Those performances made it difficult to control games.
The defense wants to become more physical, more consistent and less vulnerable to explosive plays.
That improvement begins with the front seven.
If the defensive line controls gaps and the linebackers tackle effectively, the Warriors can force opponents into predictable passing situations.
The coaching staff believes that will be essential while several young players develop in the secondary.
Bannon and Estevez Lead Linebackers
Bannon and Estevez give Delaware Valley two proven linebackers around which to build.
Bannon’s 61 tackles show his ability to find the football and finish plays.
Estevez brings physicality, range and experience.
Together, they should become the leaders of the defense.
The Warriors will depend on them to communicate assignments, support the run and help younger defenders adjust to varsity competition.
Their leadership will be especially important during the early part of the schedule.
If the linebackers consistently play downhill and prevent short gains from becoming explosive plays, the defense should improve significantly.
Secondary Must Develop Quickly
The biggest defensive question is in the back half.
Senior Lucas Purdon returns after recording 25 tackles, but Delaware Valley must identify several additional defensive backs ready to contribute.
The coaching staff knows those players will need to mature quickly.
The Lackawanna Football Conference features several dangerous passing attacks, and inexperienced defensive backs will be tested immediately.
Communication, discipline and tackling will all be critical.
The secondary does not need to become dominant overnight.
It needs to avoid breakdowns, keep plays in front and benefit from pressure created by the front seven.
If the younger players improve throughout the season, Delaware Valley’s defense could become much more complete.
Special Teams Should Remain a Strength
The kicking game appears to be in good shape.
The Warriors have two capable kickers and return senior long snapper Will Mackenzie.
That experience should provide stability on extra points, field goals and kickoffs.
The primary question is at punter.
Finding a dependable option there will be one of the priorities during preseason camp.
Field position often determines close playoff games, and Delaware Valley experienced several of those last season.
A reliable punter would help the defense and give the Warriors another way to control games.
Players to Watch
Devin Estevez, Sr., RB/OLB: Returning two-way standout who rushed for 500 yards and six touchdowns while recording 76 tackles.
James Dabney, Sr., TE: Proven receiving threat who caught 28 passes for 528 yards and should become a major weapon in the play-action game.
Philip Leslie, Sr., OL: Massive 290-pound lineman expected to anchor the offensive front.
Mike Seltzer, Sr., OL: Veteran lineman whose experience will be vital to the Warriors’ run-first identity.
Dylan Bannon, Sr., LB: Returning defensive leader after recording 61 tackles last season.
Jace Stahli, Sr., DL: Physical interior lineman who totaled 31 tackles and will help anchor the front seven.
Mark Reinhardt, Sr., DL: Experienced defensive lineman returning after recording 27 tackles.
Lucas Purdon, Sr., DB: Veteran defensive back expected to provide leadership in a developing secondary.
Jacob Wolack, Sr., WR: Returning receiver who gives the offense another experienced option on the perimeter.
Will Mackenzie, Sr., LS: Dependable long snapper who provides stability to the kicking game.
My thoughts on Delaware Valley
Delaware Valley enters 2026 with championship confidence but several important questions.
The Warriors return enough experience to remain dangerous, especially along the offensive line and throughout the front seven.
The offense will be built around establishing the run, controlling possession and using play action to create opportunities for Dabney and the receiving corps.
Defensively, the Warriors must improve after allowing too many explosive plays over the past two seasons.
Bannon, Estevez, Stahli and Reinhardt give Delaware Valley a strong foundation in the box, but the secondary must develop quickly.
Special teams should remain dependable, though the punter position still needs to be settled.
If the offensive line becomes the strength the coaching staff expects, the running game stays productive and the defense takes a meaningful step forward, Delaware Valley has every opportunity to contend again in the Lackawanna Football Conference and defend its District 2 Class 5A championship.
The Warriors proved last season that a difficult start does not have to define a team.
In 2026, the goal is to begin stronger and finish with another postseason run.
Head Coach: Keith Olsommer
Assistant Coaches:
Nick Quaglia
Jim Donnelly
Al McElroy
Joe Raniero
Tony Bajor
Jesse Jayne
Richie Matz
Brett Cohen
Austin Sullivan
Team Name: Delaware Valley Warriors
District: 2
Class: 5A
League: Lackawanna Football Conference, Division 1
2025 Record: 7-6
8/23 @ McKeesport Area (4A) 12:05 pm L 24-51 KDKA Classic at Wolvarena
8/29 Jersey Shore (4A) 6:00 pm L 42-49
9/05 @ Central York (6A) 6:00 pm L 21-46
9/12 @ Scranton Prep* (3A) 7:00 pm L 44-49
9/19 @ Wallenpaupack* (4A) 7:00 pm W 35-21
9/27 Abington Heights* (5A) 4:00 pm W 28-14
10/03 Long Island Lutheran (NY) 6:00 pm W 55-34
10/10 Valley View* (4A) 7:00 pm W 41-0
10/17 @ North Pocono* (4A) 7:00 pm L 21-28 OT
10/23 @ Scranton* (6A) 7:00 pm W 49-19
10/31 @ Pittston Area (5A) 7:00 pm W 7-6 Dist 2 Class 5A Semifinal
11/07 @ Abington Heights (5A) 7:00 pm W 27-24 Dist. 2 Class 5A Championship
11/14 Hollidaysburg (5A) 7:00 pm L 42-56 PIAA Class 5A 1st Round @ Danville HS
2026 Schedule:
Date Opponent Kickoff
8/22 @ Bethlehem Liberty (6A) 11:00 am Scrimmage
8/28 @ Bethlehem Catholic (4A) 7:00 pm
9/04 @ Northampton (6A) 7:00 pm
9/11 East Stroudsburg South (5A) 7:00 pm
9/19 Scranton Prep* (3A) 4:00 pm
9/25 @ Wallenpaupack* (4A) 7:00 pm
10/02 @ Valley View* (4A) 7:00 pm
10/09 Scranton* (6A) 7:00 pm
10/16 North Pocono* (4A) 7:00 pm
10/23 @ West Scranton* (6A) 7:00 pm
10/30 @ Abington Heights* (5A) 7:00 pm
Key Starters Lost:
Mike Iuzzolino
Justin Estevez
Josh Rhien
Chris Renna
Reagan Decker
Offensive Starters Returning:
Philip Leslie Sr OL 6’3″ 290
Mike Seltzer Sr OL 6’1″ 225
Thomas Zaucha Jr 6′ 185
James Dabney Sr TE 6′ 3″ 225
Jacob Wolack Sr Wr 5’10” 155
Defensive Starters Returning:
Mark Reinhardt Sr DL 5’10” 255
Jace Stahli Sr DL 6′ 270
Dylan Bannon Sr LB 6′ 215
Devin Estevez OLB 5’10” 200
Lucas Purdon DB 5’7″ 160
Special Team Starters Returning:
LS Sr Will Mackenzie 5’10” 175
Key Newcomers:
Jr OL Caleb Hogan 6’2″ 260
Jr WR Finn Stutzman 5’6″ 175
So WR Nick Vilord 5’8″ 165
Sr QB Lucas Petersheim 6’2″ 175
SO K Landon Decker 6’1″ 170
Jr LB Cole Belcher 5’11” 215
Jr OLB Mason Stewart 6’2″ 200
SO DB Jason Westwridge 5’8″ 155
SR Sam Wood TE 6’4″ 215
SR DB Alex Calvario DB 6′ 175
Jr DL Tanner McBride 5’11” 255
Jr DB Jude Yost 6’1″ 173
2026 Returning Player Stats:
Devin Estevez: 500 rushing yards and 6 TDs – 76 Tackles on D
James Dabney 28 receptions, 528 yards
Jace Stahli 31 Tackles
Lucas Purdon 25 Tackles
Mark Reinhardt 27 Tackles
Dylan Bannon 61 Tackles
2026 Offensive Outlook: We need to establish the running game. Then rely on our play action game for passing. Our OL needs to be the strength of our offense.
2026 Defensive Outlook: Have to be better than we were the past two season. Have to find several players on the back half of our O. Hopefully our front seven can establish themselves and help our back half. Young guys need to grow up fast!
2026 Special Teams Outlook: Have two good kickers and long snappers. Need to find a punter. The kicking game should be pretty good.