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CARBONDALE – Chris Rasmus certainly left a lasting impression with the Old Forge Blue Devils.
During his varsity career, the receiver and defensive back did everything he could to uphold the program’s proud tradition. In three seasons, he etched his name among the all-time greats and earned Lackawanna Football Conference Division III Coaches’ All-Star honors.
This week, he will play his final high school game, wearing the gold helmet as a member of the County All-Star team as it prepares to face the City in the 92nd Scranton Lions Club Dream Game. Kickoff is 7 p.m. on Wednesday at John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium.
“Playing at Old Forge was the best experience of my life,” Rasmus said. “If I could do it all over again, I would. I tell that to my teammates all the time. I am not playing college football, so this Dream Game is the last, so I want to go out with a bang.”
While battling unusually low roster numbers, Rasmus developed into a leader and a playmaker.
In 2023, the Blue Devils’ most successful season in Rasmus’ three years, he emerged as a reliable receiver. He caught 18 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns and added 146 yards rushing with a touchdown. Old Forge reached the District 2 Class 1A final but lost to a powerful Lackawanna Trail team.
As a junior, Rasmus was part of a wide-open and exciting offense. He had a connection with quarterback TJ DiMattia, who threw for 1,638 yards and 21 touchdowns and teamed with speedster Cael Krushnowski to form a dynamic receiving duo.
During a 3-1 start to the season, Rasmus hauled in 19 passes for 252 yards and three touchdowns. His numbers included eight receptions for 118 yards and two touchdowns in a 42-7 win over Hanover Area.
After a three-game losing skid, Rasmus tied a school record with 10 receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown in a win over Holy Cross. In the team’s final game of the year, he had a 25-yard touchdown reception in a 59-7 win in an Eastern Conference Class 1A/2A playoff game.
Rasmus finished his junior season with a team-high 52 catches for 609 yards and five touchdowns.
Returning in his senior year, surrounded by an inexperienced group, Rasmus battled each week.
Old Forge lost its first six games of the season. During that stretch, Rasmus caught a school-record 12 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown against Western Wayne.
Then, in a win over Susquehanna, Rasmus caught 11 passes for 140 yards, and he scored a touchdown. The following week, in a win over Holy Cross, he had six catches for 69 yards and a score.
Through all the ups and downs of the season, Rasmus remained the steady, emotional leader for the Blue Devils.
As a senior, Rasmus caught 62 passes to set a school record for 841 yards, which ranks third, and seven touchdowns.
“Facing some adversity throughout my career made me a better football player,” Rasmus said. “From the community coming out to support us through all the ups and downs and the coaches and the guys putting in the work every day, I learned a lot of valuable lessons.”
He finished as the program’s all-time leader with 131 career receptions and seven 100-yard games. Rasmus is second with 1,747 career receiving yards and third with 14 career touchdown receptions.
“It means the world to me to break and set those records,” Rasmus said. “To be up there with the best athletes in Old Forge history means a lot to me.”
After rewriting the Old Forge record books, Rasmus would like to close his playing days with a victory as a member of the County all-star team.
“I am extremely excited,” Rasmus said. “I am here with some of my teammates and some new guys whom I played against in my three years. There is a lot of energy. The coaches are excited, and the players are excited. It’s going to be fun.”
------------
92nd SCRANTON LIONS CLUB DREAM GAME
When: Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Where: John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Noteworthy: The County leads the series, 44-42-4.
Continue reading...
During his varsity career, the receiver and defensive back did everything he could to uphold the program’s proud tradition. In three seasons, he etched his name among the all-time greats and earned Lackawanna Football Conference Division III Coaches’ All-Star honors.
This week, he will play his final high school game, wearing the gold helmet as a member of the County All-Star team as it prepares to face the City in the 92nd Scranton Lions Club Dream Game. Kickoff is 7 p.m. on Wednesday at John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium.
“Playing at Old Forge was the best experience of my life,” Rasmus said. “If I could do it all over again, I would. I tell that to my teammates all the time. I am not playing college football, so this Dream Game is the last, so I want to go out with a bang.”
While battling unusually low roster numbers, Rasmus developed into a leader and a playmaker.
In 2023, the Blue Devils’ most successful season in Rasmus’ three years, he emerged as a reliable receiver. He caught 18 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns and added 146 yards rushing with a touchdown. Old Forge reached the District 2 Class 1A final but lost to a powerful Lackawanna Trail team.
As a junior, Rasmus was part of a wide-open and exciting offense. He had a connection with quarterback TJ DiMattia, who threw for 1,638 yards and 21 touchdowns and teamed with speedster Cael Krushnowski to form a dynamic receiving duo.
During a 3-1 start to the season, Rasmus hauled in 19 passes for 252 yards and three touchdowns. His numbers included eight receptions for 118 yards and two touchdowns in a 42-7 win over Hanover Area.
After a three-game losing skid, Rasmus tied a school record with 10 receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown in a win over Holy Cross. In the team’s final game of the year, he had a 25-yard touchdown reception in a 59-7 win in an Eastern Conference Class 1A/2A playoff game.
Rasmus finished his junior season with a team-high 52 catches for 609 yards and five touchdowns.
Returning in his senior year, surrounded by an inexperienced group, Rasmus battled each week.
Old Forge lost its first six games of the season. During that stretch, Rasmus caught a school-record 12 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown against Western Wayne.
Then, in a win over Susquehanna, Rasmus caught 11 passes for 140 yards, and he scored a touchdown. The following week, in a win over Holy Cross, he had six catches for 69 yards and a score.
Through all the ups and downs of the season, Rasmus remained the steady, emotional leader for the Blue Devils.
As a senior, Rasmus caught 62 passes to set a school record for 841 yards, which ranks third, and seven touchdowns.
“Facing some adversity throughout my career made me a better football player,” Rasmus said. “From the community coming out to support us through all the ups and downs and the coaches and the guys putting in the work every day, I learned a lot of valuable lessons.”
He finished as the program’s all-time leader with 131 career receptions and seven 100-yard games. Rasmus is second with 1,747 career receiving yards and third with 14 career touchdown receptions.
“It means the world to me to break and set those records,” Rasmus said. “To be up there with the best athletes in Old Forge history means a lot to me.”
After rewriting the Old Forge record books, Rasmus would like to close his playing days with a victory as a member of the County all-star team.
“I am extremely excited,” Rasmus said. “I am here with some of my teammates and some new guys whom I played against in my three years. There is a lot of energy. The coaches are excited, and the players are excited. It’s going to be fun.”
------------
92nd SCRANTON LIONS CLUB DREAM GAME
When: Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Where: John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Noteworthy: The County leads the series, 44-42-4.
Continue reading...
