Dunmore defensive lineman Mike Boland
Dunmore linebacker Nick Shoemaker
Scranton Prep defensive end Noah Beh
Lakeland defensive end CJ Dippre
Delaware Valley defensive lineman Brandon Clemons
Valley View linebacker Nyeem Wartman
Lakeland linebacker Joe Tuzze
Delaware Valley linebacker Jason Henderson
Riverside linebacker Nick Rossi
Old Forge linebacker Shane Schuback
West Scranton defensive back Evan Prall
Old Forge defensive back Brian Tomasetti
Delaware Valley defensive back Dylan Kelly
Lackawanna Trail’s Max Kimmel
Abington Heights defensive back JC Show
Abington Heights defensive back Dave Keisling
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Dunmore defensive lineman Mike Boland
This summer, The Times-Tribune is announcing the top players from the last 25 years.
After conducting extensive research, athletes were selected to the First Team, which comprised traditional football positions, plus an additional athlete. A Second Team, a Third Team, and an Honorable Mention list were also established.
The defense list includes five defensive linemen, five linebackers, five defensive backs, and one athlete.
This is a thankless job. There are undoubtedly great players who will feel they were overlooked or are more deserving of higher recognition, and for that, we apologize in advance. Arguments can be made for many of the players.
Those recognized were also chosen based solely on their high school football careers. Any achievements at a higher level of football were not taken into consideration.
Here were qualifications that were considered, but were not limited to those being recognized:
Players who were Times-Tribune Players of the Year and multiple-time selections to the All-Region team.
Players who were honored by The Associated Press or The Pennsylvania Football Writers on all-state teams or as player of the year for their respective classification.
Linemen who were awarded one or multiple Hookey Reap Awards as the outstanding linemen in Lackawanna County.
Dunmore defensive lineman Mike Boland
DEFENSIVE LINE
Mike Boland, Dunmore, 2010-12
The Times-Tribune All-Region selection at interior line was named to the Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class 1A all-state team in 2012 after leading Dunmore to the PIAA Class 1A final. He was selected as the winner of the Hookey Reap award as the top defensive lineman and the top offensive lineman in Lackawanna County in 2012. He had 67 tackles and 14 sacks as a senior. Following his senior year, he committed to the University of Connecticut, but transferred to Lackawanna College. He completed his collegiate playing career at Bethune-Cookman University.
Dunmore linebacker Nick Shoemaker
Nick Shoemaker, Dunmore, 2014-17
Earned Times-Tribune Defensive Player of the Year in 2017 at tackle when he had 83 tackles with 36 solo and 28 tackles for loss on a defense that had six straight shutouts in the regular season on the way to the District 2 Class 2A championship and a 14-1 overall record. He had 40.5 tackles for loss in two seasons. He was a two-time Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class 2A all-state team member and was part of 53 wins in four seasons at Dunmore. He earned the Hookey Reap award as the top defensive lineman in Lackawanna County in 2017. He played collegiately at Monmouth University.
Scranton Prep defensive end Noah Beh
Noah Beh, Scranton Prep, 2011-13
A Times-Tribune All-Region player and Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class 3A all-state defensive end who helped Scranton Prep capture the Lackawanna Football Conference Division I championship as a senior. He had 53 total tackles with 28 solo and five sacks for the top-rated defense in the LFC in 2013. He was named to the 2013 American Family Insurance USA Today All-Pennsylvania Football Team. He verbally committed to Penn State University and transferred to the University of Delaware.
Lakeland defensive end CJ Dippre
CJ Dippre, Lakeland, 2017-20
A four-year starter and All-Region selection on offense at tight end, defense at end and punter. He finished his career with 124 total tackles with 40 for loss, 11.5 sacks and two interceptions. He led Lakeland to the District 2 Class 3A championship in the COVID-19-shortened season in 2020. After receiving 17 scholarship offers, he committed to the University of Maryland to play tight end before transferring to the University of Alabama.
Delaware Valley defensive lineman Brandon Clemons
Brandon Clemons, Delaware Valley, 2008-10
Times-Tribune All-Region selection and dominant interior lineman on both sides of the ball. In his senior season, the athletic lineman had 66 tackles with 15 for loss, seven sacks, six blocked kicks and three fumble recoveries. He was the first player from Delaware Valley selected to play for the Pennsylvania all-stars in the Big 33 Classic. Also, he was chosen to play in the inaugural Chesapeake Bowl in Maryland. He played collegiately at Michigan State University.
Second team: Thor Balavage, Scranton Prep; Lacota Dippre, Lakeland; Mike Galantini, Valley View; Evan Craig, Abington Heights; Morgan Craig, Abington Heights; Tavian Branch, Riverside.
Third team: Tim Drewes, Dunmore; Pat Carrube, Lakeland; Shoaib Tajak, Scranton; Daniel Belardi, Scranton Prep; Chris Bennett, Lakeland; Jesse Hinkley, Scranton.
Honorable mention: Frank Emmitt, Abington Heights; Tom Bennie, Riverside; Josh Angelo, Mid Valley; Chris Conte, Dunmore; Brett Leavesley, Abington Heights; Mark Dunckle, Lackawanna Trail; Cross Douglas, Lakeland.
Valley View linebacker Nyeem Wartman
LINEBACKERS
Nyeem Wartman, Valley View, 2009-11
After leading Valley View to its first District 2 Class 3A championship in his senior season, he earned the Times-Tribune Defensive Player of the Year award. He had 120 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and ended his career with 387 total tackles. He was selected to play in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas. He was chosen to play for the Pennsylvania all-stars in the Big 33 Classic. He played collegiately at Penn State University.
Lakeland linebacker Joe Tuzze
Joe Tuzze, Lakeland, 2001-04
The two-time Times-Tribune Defensive Player of the Year (2003-04) had 142 tackles and two interceptions while leading the Chiefs to the District 2 Class 2A championship in 2004. Lakeland had a record of 46-5 in four seasons. He was a three-time All-Region selection at linebacker and a two-time choice at fullback. He finished his career with 362 tackles and was a two-time Associated Press all-state selection. He committed to Akron University following his senior year.
Delaware Valley linebacker Jason Henderson
Jason Henderson, Delaware Valley, 2017-20
A two-time Times-Tribune Defensive Player of the Year (2019-20) and a four-year starter at Delaware Valley. As a senior, he led the Warriors to the District 2 Class 6A championship and into the PIAA quarterfinals. He had 102 tackles, including 52 solo, and three passes defended in seven games of the shortened COVID-19 season in 2020. He was named to the Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class 6A all-state team and was among 50 players named to the MaxPreps all-state team. He finished his career with 592 total tackles, including 218 solo, with 14 sacks, three interceptions and 11 passes defended. He plays linebacker at Old Dominion University.
Riverside linebacker Nick Rossi
Nick Rossi, Riverside, 2007-10
Times-Tribune Defensive Player of the Year in 2010. He was selected to the Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class 1A all-state team after leading the Vikings to the District 2 Class 1A championship and the PIAA Class 1A final. He had 116 tackles, 7.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss as a senior and was selected to the Pennsylvania all-stars for the Big 33 Classic and in the inaugural Chesapeake Bowl in Maryland. He played college football at Akron University.
Old Forge linebacker Shane Schuback
Shane Schuback, Old Forge, 2010-2013
Two-time Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class 1A all-state linebacker and two-time All-Region selection who was the 2013 Times-Tribune Defensive Player of the Year. He had 141 total tackles as a senior and led the Blue Devils to the District 2 Class 1A championship and the PIAA Class 1A final. He had 98 tackles with 15 for loss, four sacks, three interceptions and four fumble recoveries as a junior. He finished his career with 278 total tackles, with 78 for loss. He played at Lackawanna College and Slippery Rock University.
Second team: Thomas Drewes, Dunmore; Dan Faubel, Wallenpaupack; Matt Wagner, Delaware Valley; Rashawn Battle, Wallenpaupack; Kevin Sochovka, Riverside; John Snyder, Abington Heights; Ben Dial, North Pocono.
Third team: Jorden Sekol, Old Forge; Michael Golay, Scranton Prep; John Habeeb, Abington Heights; DeVaughn Chollette, West Scranton; Vince Tuzze, Lakeland; Eric Pabst, Scranton; Train Jones, Valley View.
Honorable mention: Tyler Musgrave, North Pocono; Justin Kalitsnik, Delaware Valley; Shawn Bodtmann, West Scranton; Tyler Stafursky, Scranton Prep; John Wormuth, Lakeland; Matt Gorton, Scranton; Jim Colvin, Lackawanna Trail; Cory Meade, Dunmore; Craig Chopko, Lakeland.
West Scranton defensive back Evan Prall
SECONDARY
Evan Prall, West Scranton, 2000-01
Times-Tribune Defensive Player of the Year in 2001. He was named to The Associated Press Big School all-state third team after he led West Scranton to the NEPFC Division 2 North championship. He had 47 solo tackles with 17 assists, six interceptions — returning one for a touchdown — and five blocked extra points. He earned the Fiore Cesare Award. He was also an outstanding receiver who played college football at East Stroudsburg University, where he was a two-time All-American and a member of the school’s Hall of Fame. He signed as a free agent with the Arizona Cardinals and New York Jets.
Old Forge defensive back Brian Tomasetti
Brian Tomasetti, Old Forge, 2011-2013
The Times-Tribune Defensive Player of the Year in 2013, when he had nine interceptions and returned three for touchdowns. He finished with 27 tackles and a fumble recovery and was chosen to the Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class 1A all-state team after leading Old Forge to the District 2 Class 1A final and an 11-1 record. He finished his career with 11 interceptions. He continued his football career at Penn State University.
Delaware Valley defensive back Dylan Kelly
Dylan Kelly, Delaware Valley, 2014-2017
The Times-Tribune All-Region selection was selected to the Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class 6A all-state team in 2017. He had 34 total tackles and a school-record 10 interceptions as a senior when he led the Warriors to the District 2 Class 6A championship and a 12-1 record. He finished his career with 173 total tackles and 17 interceptions.
Lackawanna Trail defensive back Max Kimmel
Max Kimmel, Lackawanna Trail, 2021-24
Times-Tribune Defensive Player of the Year in 2024. The three-time Times-Tribune All-Region selection was named to the Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class 1A all-state team in 2023 and 2024. He had 44 tackles with 36 solo and three for loss, a sack, a fumble return for a touchdown, 13 passes defended and nine interceptions with three returned for touchdowns. He finished his career with 178 tackles (135 solo), 24 passes defended and 22 interceptions. Led Lackawanna Trail to three straight District 2 Class 1A championships.
Abington Heights defensive back JC Show
JC Show, Abington Heights, 2010-2013
A four-year starter in the secondary who played 47 games and was a two-time All-Region selection. He had 141 solo tackles and 200 total tackles in his career. Finished with 10 tackles for loss, nine interceptions, 12 passes defended, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. Led Abington Heights to District 2 Class 3A championships in 2010 and 2012, and the Lackawanna Football Conference Division I championship in 2010.
Second team: Jake Manetti, Old Forge; Jared Nepa, Carbondale Area; Brian Lalli, Valley View; Alex Filarsky, Lakeland; Kevin Holmes, Scranton Prep.
Third team: James Fruehan, Abington Heights; Thomas Pidgeon, Lakeland; Billy Maloney, Scranton; Pat Fricke, Scranton Prep; Matt Talerico, Riverside.
Honorable mention: Kevin Sompel, Scranton Prep; Stoney Van Horn, Lackawanna Trail; Morgan Holmes, Dunmore; Fabby Desir, Scranton; Pat Hart, Dunmore; Michael Ehnot, Dunmore; Casey Nealon, Lackawanna Trail; David Sweetman, Riverside.
Abington Heights defensive back Dave Keisling
ATHLETE
Dave Keisling, Abington Heights, 2004-06
Times-Tribune Defensive Player of the Year in 2006. As a strong hybrid safety/linebacker, he led Abington Heights to the District 2 Class 3A championship in 2005 and the District 2 Class 4A championship in 2006. He had 61 total tackles with three for loss and three sacks while defending four passes and compiling six interceptions with two returned for touchdowns. In 2005, as a junior, he was also an All-Region player with 60 tackles, four interceptions and a sack. He played at Fork Union Military Academy before finishing his college career at Penn State University.
Second team: Joey Gutowski, Old Forge.
Third team: Robbie Evans, Scranton Prep.
Honorable mention: Corey Gilroy, Dunmore; Richie Hearon, Delaware Valley; Sean Madden, Bishop O’Hara.
Originally Published: August 3, 2025 at 12:00 AM EDT