Three All-Region football players recently announced their college plans.
Riverside tight end and Class 2A all-state selection Richie Kostoff will continue his academic and athletic careers at East Stroudsburg University. Kostoff led the Vikings football program to its first District 2 championship since 2010 and is a starter for the basketball team that won the District 2 Class 3A championship last week at Mohegan Arena.
Carbondale Area defensive end Elijah Houdershieldt committed to Lycoming College, and Western Wayne defensive lineman Evan Dean selected Wilkes University. Both were also selected to the All-Region team after outstanding senior seasons.
Another Carbondale Area standout, Connor Sansky, who had his senior season cut short because of an injury, will continue his football career at Hartwick.
Kostoff is the most statistically accomplished tight end in Lackawanna Football Conference history. The physical blocker, runner, and receiver had 54 receptions for 773 yards and 11 touchdowns in his senior year. He added 498 yards rushing and four touchdowns. His 136 career receptions rank No. 5 in LIAA history, and his 1,725 receiving yards rank 10th in LIAA history.
Houdershieldt and Sansky were part of a solid Carbondale Area defense that helped the team reach the District 2 Class 3A playoffs.
Last season, Houdershieldt had 82 tackles, including 64 assists, 18 solo with five for loss, three sacks, 19 quarterback pressures, a tipped pass, and a fumble recovery. Had 197 tackles, 14 for loss, and 57 quarterback pressures in his career.
Sansky was the emotional leader in tackles for the Chargers before his injury at midseason.
Dean, a three-year starter at Western Wayne, had 44 solo tackles and 46 assists for 90 total tackles with six for loss and 2.5 sacks. He added seven quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble. He finished his career with 84 solo tackles, 111 assists, 195 total tackles with 11 for loss, five sacks, 14 quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles.
Armstrong honored
Riverside coach Harry Armstrong was named the District 2 coach of the year by the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association.
Armstrong guided the Vikings to a 13-2 record, the District 2 Class 2A championship, and the PIAA Class 2A semifinals. It was the first district title for the football program since winning the Class 1A crown in 2010.
In 12 seasons, Armstrong has a career record of 90-57.
Camp rescheduled
Camp for a Cause, a youth football skills camp and fundraiser in honor of late Dunmore quarterback Sonny Crotti, who died of brain cancer in February 2024, is rescheduled for March 15 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. after being postponed last month because of inclement weather.
The camp is geared toward youth football players and their development and will be held at Riverfront Sports Complex, West Olive Street, in Scranton.
This year’s camp will raise funds for the families of two local players who are fighting cancer. All proceeds will go to Sebastian Trotta, a junior high football and baseball player at Wallenpaupack who has Stage 4 leukemia, and Gio Lucido, a member of the Riverside Junior Vikings football organization who has Stage 4 neuroblastoma.
Cost of the camp is $40 and is open to athletes for all football positions in grades 3 through 7.
