ANDREW LUPINSKI
Lackawanna Trail’s Lucas Evans
Colin Owens, Lackawanna Trail
As the summer moves along, lots of people are starting to think about Friday night lights and the gridiron.
Heat acclimatation practices began this week in the PIAA, and both Lackawanna Trail and Tunkhannock are eager to get the season started.
The Lions come into the season with their usual high expectations. Coach Steve Jervis’s squad won its fourth straight District 2 championship in 2024, and also came away with Lackawanna Football Conference Division III and District 2/11 Class A subregional championships before losing a heartbreaker in the first round of the state playoffs to Muncy 47-46.
NPF Football recently released its complete series on ‘Five to Watch’ a collection of players in the Lackawanna Football Conference and Wyoming Valley Conference, who are poised to make a difference on teams this season.
The players listed are some of the best at their positions and will play a huge role in their team’s successes for the 2025 season. Players were recognized at one position, even if they are successful two-way players.
Lackawanna Trail was well represented in the series.
Senior running back Isaac Ryon returns after putting up a season where he was the leading rusher and scorer in the LFC and across District 2. He rushed for 1,719 yards on 153 carries for an 11.2 yards-per-carry average and scored 27 touchdowns on the ground. He also had six receptions for 87 yards and one touchdown, and returned a kickoff for a touchdown to be named to the Class A all-state football team as a running back. Ryon was also a valuable part of Trail’s defense at safety recording 64 tackles with 10 pass breakups and three interceptions. He even contributed on special teams as a kicker kicking 26 extra points and one field goal.
Senior Lucas Evans returns as one of the top offensive lineman in District 2. The 6-3 265 pound all-state offensive lineman was a dominant left tackle last season helping Trail rush for over 3,800 yards as a team. He is expected to play on both sides of the ball as a defensive lineman as well. He is an imposing force that grabs your attention when he walks onto the football field.
Senior Colin Owens returns as a starter at linebacker and is expected to be one of the leaders of the Lions defense. Last season, he recorded 41 tackles, including four tackles-for-loss, and a sack. He will also start on the offensive line for the Lions, and is expected to be one of the top two-way players in the LFC Division III.
Senior Holden Edwards was named a sleeper at fullback. The fullback is always an important part of the Lions Wing-T offense, and Edwards is expected to step into that role this year. Last season, he carried the ball 13 times for 52 yards rushing. He is also expected to be a starter at linebacker on defense, and kicked nine extra points on special teams last year.
Junior Tim Richmond was also named a sleeper at defensive back. He is expected to step in at cornerback, and will have big shoes to fill replacing all-state player Max Kimmel. He has very good speed and Trail expects him to become a playmaker on defense. He also carried the ball seven times for 51 yards rushing and one touchdown on offense last year.
Quarterback Tyler Jervis and tight end Blake Stage were named as others to watch at their positions for Lackawanna Trail.
Tunkhannock is coming off a District 2 Class 3A playoff berth and looks to take a step forward this year with a lot of players coming back with returning experience.
Senior Andrew Lupinski could be one of the top returning athletes in the Wyoming Valley Conference. During his first year playing football last year, he had 19 receptions for 352 yards receiving and two touchdown receptions. He also carried the ball 40 times for 167 yards rushing and five rushing touchdowns. He also returned a kickoff for a touchdown on special teams.
Fullback Caden Simmers, offensive lineman Cooper Thomas, and kicker Callum Jerome were listed as others to watch at their positions for the Tigers.