Lakeland Behind Naniewicz, Rosenkrans Slide By Holy Cross Saturday Afternoon

By: Brian Ptashinski  |  August 31, 2024

DUNMORE - Under the overcast skies of Northeastern Pennsylvania Saturday afternoon, before a packed-house at St. Anthony's Memorial Playground field, the young upstarts fro Lakeland high school did just enough to earn a tough 21-3 decision over the Holy Cross Crusaders in a LIAA cross divisional contest.

Behind quarterback David Naniewicz and WR Chase Rosenkrans. Naniewicz threw for two touchdowns, both to Rosenkrans, and threw for over 130 on the afternoon. Rosenkrans caught six balls for just under 100 yards and those two scores. The offense ended up with almost 300 yards of total offense RB Caden Cuozzo also picked up an additional 69 yards carrying the ball.

Holy Cross got the scoring started the scoring with a 35 yard Connor Farrell field goal at the 5:06 mark of the opening quarter to make it 3-0, after converting one of the two lost fumbles by the visitors.

Holy Cross was limited to just 72 yards in the game with 33 of those yards coming on the Crusaders first two drives. The Crusaders also were held in check by the Chiefs defense with nine plays for losses.

Lakeland then got their lead on the ensuing drive as they drove to the Crusader twelve from there Naniewicz connected with Rosenkrans who made a sliding catch in the end zone on the opening play of the second quarter to make it 7-3 with 11:54 till half. The drive covered 60 yards on 11 plays.

After stopping Holy Cross on fourth down the Chiefs went back to work as Naniewicz lofted a pass to Rosenkrans, who got behind the Crusaders defense and kept his focus as a defender made a leaping swipe to deflect the ball, but to no avail as Rosonkrans took it the remaining distance for a 61 yard score and a 14-3 lead with 4:51 left in the second quarter. That score remained until intermission.

Neither team could muster any points in the the third quarter. As good as the Lakeland squad looked at times they have their fair share of mistakes with over a dozen penalties for 90 yards and those two turnovers.

"It feels good to get a win," Rosenkrans mention after the game. "We did make some mistakes but we will get those fixed, we are a young team and still learning,” he concluded. He also picked up 65 yards in punt returns on the afternoon.

The only score in the final twelve minutes came on the legs of freshman running back Rocco Spataro who scored on an ten yard run with 11:05 left in the game, the first of his career. Spataro finished the game with 33 yards.

Lakeland (2-0) will face a tough task next week as the number 9 team ranked in the state in 2A by PA Football News Riverside comes to town also 2-0. The Vikings coming a 62-13 drubbing of WVC foe Hanover Area Friday night. Holy Cross (1-1) will be on the road Friday night to face the Hanover Area Hawkeyes (0-2) that game will be at Greater Nanticoke Area's Dan Distacio field at Frank Chicknosky Stadium at 7 p.m.