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CARBONDALE – Mike Iuzzolino spent three years helping to continue Delaware Valley’s championship dominance with a relentless search for victory.
Now, in what will be his final game representing the Warriors, the talented running back and defensive back is looking to keep the County all-star team on the winning side of the ledger.
On Wednesday, at the 92nd Scranton Lions Club Dream Game, Iuzzolino leads the County, winners of six straight in the series, against the City all-stars at 7 p.m. at John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium.
“I am pumped up and psyched,” Iuzzolino said. “First, this is a great opportunity to play with my high school teammates for one last time, and second, it’s a chance to play with guys I played against.”
During his three varsity seasons, Iuzzolino earned All-Region honors as a defensive back in 2024 and as a running back last fall.
He contributed to Delaware Valley winning District 2 championships in his sophomore and senior years.
In his sophomore season, Iuzzolino was a standout on defense. He had 85 total tackles and two interceptions when the Warriors overcame an 0-3 start to the season to win the District 2 Class 5A title impressively, with wins over Pittston Area and Abington Heights by an average margin of 37.0 points.
A year later, Iuzzolino took over as the team’s primary ball carrier. He had 1,522 yards and 22 touchdowns, but Delaware Valley had its eight-year stretch of District 2 championship seasons snapped when it lost to Abington Heights, 20-14, in the Class 5A final rematch.
In addition to his effort as a running back, Iuzzolino had 86 total tackles.
Motivated to get the team back to winning a district title, Iuzzolino and the Warriors had to recover from a rough start for the third straight year. The Warriors lost their first four games, which included blowing a 31-7 third-quarter lead to Scranton Prep in Week 4.
Then, the season turned around, and the Warriors won five of their last six games. They edged Pittston Area, 7-6, in the District 2 Class 5A semifinals with Iuzzolino scoring his team’s only touchdown. The following week, Delaware Valley rallied for a 27-24 win over Abington Heights in the third straight meeting between the traditional powers in the final.
Iuzzolino closed his senior year with 137 yards and two touchdowns and a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in a wild 56-42 loss to Hollidaysburg in the PIAA Class 5A playoffs.
In 39 games played, Iuzzolino had 3,431 rushing yards and 47 touchdowns. He added 265 total tackles and two interceptions.
“You always want to leave a program better,” Iuzzolino said. “Our senior class did a good job of winning two of three district championships.”
Iuzzolino will continue his academic and athletic careers at Carnegie Mellon, an NCAA Division III program that finished 6-5 last season.
“It came down to it being the best fit for me,” Iuzzolino said. “Carnegie Mellon is a great academic school. Football-wise, they play in a competitive conference. They have great coaches.”
After spending three seasons as the Warriors’ primary weapon, Iuzzolino is looking forward to playing with his former and new teammates as part of the County all-star team. He will share time with his Delaware Valley fullback Justin Estevez, an All-Region linebacker, and Lakeland quarterback David Naniewicz, an All-Region athlete.
When asked the key to the County’s success, he put it succinctly: “We have to run the ball.”
------------
92nd SCRANTON LIONS CLUB DREAM GAME
When: Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Where: John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Noteworthy: County leads series, 44-42-4.
Continue reading...
Now, in what will be his final game representing the Warriors, the talented running back and defensive back is looking to keep the County all-star team on the winning side of the ledger.
On Wednesday, at the 92nd Scranton Lions Club Dream Game, Iuzzolino leads the County, winners of six straight in the series, against the City all-stars at 7 p.m. at John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium.
“I am pumped up and psyched,” Iuzzolino said. “First, this is a great opportunity to play with my high school teammates for one last time, and second, it’s a chance to play with guys I played against.”
During his three varsity seasons, Iuzzolino earned All-Region honors as a defensive back in 2024 and as a running back last fall.
He contributed to Delaware Valley winning District 2 championships in his sophomore and senior years.
In his sophomore season, Iuzzolino was a standout on defense. He had 85 total tackles and two interceptions when the Warriors overcame an 0-3 start to the season to win the District 2 Class 5A title impressively, with wins over Pittston Area and Abington Heights by an average margin of 37.0 points.
A year later, Iuzzolino took over as the team’s primary ball carrier. He had 1,522 yards and 22 touchdowns, but Delaware Valley had its eight-year stretch of District 2 championship seasons snapped when it lost to Abington Heights, 20-14, in the Class 5A final rematch.
In addition to his effort as a running back, Iuzzolino had 86 total tackles.
Motivated to get the team back to winning a district title, Iuzzolino and the Warriors had to recover from a rough start for the third straight year. The Warriors lost their first four games, which included blowing a 31-7 third-quarter lead to Scranton Prep in Week 4.
Then, the season turned around, and the Warriors won five of their last six games. They edged Pittston Area, 7-6, in the District 2 Class 5A semifinals with Iuzzolino scoring his team’s only touchdown. The following week, Delaware Valley rallied for a 27-24 win over Abington Heights in the third straight meeting between the traditional powers in the final.
Iuzzolino closed his senior year with 137 yards and two touchdowns and a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in a wild 56-42 loss to Hollidaysburg in the PIAA Class 5A playoffs.
In 39 games played, Iuzzolino had 3,431 rushing yards and 47 touchdowns. He added 265 total tackles and two interceptions.
“You always want to leave a program better,” Iuzzolino said. “Our senior class did a good job of winning two of three district championships.”
Iuzzolino will continue his academic and athletic careers at Carnegie Mellon, an NCAA Division III program that finished 6-5 last season.
“It came down to it being the best fit for me,” Iuzzolino said. “Carnegie Mellon is a great academic school. Football-wise, they play in a competitive conference. They have great coaches.”
After spending three seasons as the Warriors’ primary weapon, Iuzzolino is looking forward to playing with his former and new teammates as part of the County all-star team. He will share time with his Delaware Valley fullback Justin Estevez, an All-Region linebacker, and Lakeland quarterback David Naniewicz, an All-Region athlete.
When asked the key to the County’s success, he put it succinctly: “We have to run the ball.”
------------
92nd SCRANTON LIONS CLUB DREAM GAME
When: Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Where: John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Noteworthy: County leads series, 44-42-4.
Continue reading...
