First Posted: 9/10/2013

Editor’s note: Well, it’s no surprise that with the second week of September comes a lot of football games. This week, Dispatch readers hop in the Gridiron Delorean (a later model) for some memories that include several area wins and some outstanding offensive performances.

SEPTEMBER 2003

Following a gut-wrenching loss the week before at the hands of Berwick, Wyoming Area senior Joe Marianacci took matters into his own hands as the Warriors topped Dallas, 27-6.

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All-around athlete Marianacci finished the game with 233 yards of offense. He had 138 rushing on 14 carries, 65 yards on two kick returns, 32 yards on a pass reception, the Warriors’ only pass completion of the game.

Marianacci also intercepted a pass and blocked a kick.

SEPTEMBER 1993

Pittston Area’s gridiron squad traveled to Nanticoke where it fumbled the opening kickoff, leading to a Trojan score, were outgained 247 yards to 70, managed only two first downs and lost by a score of 29-8.

The Patriots’ only score came in the second quarter on a draw play. PA quarterback Jerry Ranieli dropped back to pass and handed off to Carlos Concha. Concha did the rest with a 48-yard touchdown run after bouncing off several would-be tacklers in the backfield.

SEPTEMBER 1983

Pittston Area’s Nick Biscontini tosses three touchdowns as the Patriots run all over Tunkhannock by a score of 29-6.

The Patriots also finished with 263 yards on 39 carries, good for a 6.2 average. Biscontini was 6-of-13 with 145 yards. Bisconti connected with Jeff Kramer for an 80-yard touchdown for the first score.

Dave Burns finished with 120 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown.

SEPTEMBER 1973

Patriot starting running back Jimmy Cefalo rushed for 206 yards and three touchdowns as Pittston Area blasted Coughlin, 35-8, for its second straight win in the WVC.

A capacity crowd at Plains Memorial Stadium watched as the Patriots gained 409 yards with fullback Dave Bachkosky also having a solid night with 95 yards on the ground.

The defending Class A champions took a 28-0 lead by halftime. Quarterback Jimmy Castellino completed five passes for 74 yards, including a 10-yard scoring strike to Tommy O’Malley.

SEPTEMBER 1963

Hal Powson, a well-known Canadian sportswriter, penned a few words about former Pittston High standout Len Vella in the Canadian professional football circles.

Powson praised Vella as “rapidly developing into one of the league’s best linemen.” He was also one of the biggest for his Edmonton team.

Vella was a 1957 graduate of PHS, went to the University of Pittsburgh and then transfered to Georgia where he put in a few seasons in the SEC under a coach named Charley Trippi.

SEPTEMBER 1953

Jenkins Township High School ran all over Avoca High School at Avoca Memorial Stadium, grabbing a 40-0 win in the East Anthracite-Greater Pittston Conference clash.

Guidon DePasquale, or “Gallopoing Guido” as he was called, had a pair of lengthy TD runs – one for 84 yards and another for 50 yards to lead Jenkins. DePasquale also had two interceptions.

DePasquale shared backfield duties with John Severnak and Walter Hutz as each provided a touchdown.