TimesLeader.com

July 23
Dream Game gives one player a second chance

By Don McGlynn dmcglynn@theabingtonjournal.com

ABINGTONS- Each year, the Annual Lions Club Dream Game gives 35 of the top post-graduate football players in the area one last chance to hit the gridiron before they move and leave their high school football careers behind.

Abington Height graduate Joe Diskin participates in the 2007 Dream Game. A total of 18 players from Abington Heights, Lackawanna Trail and Lakeland will participate in this year’s game.

Abington Journal File Photo / Stephanie Walkowski

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But, this year, the 74th annual game, which will be held on Wednesday, July 30, at Memorial Stadium in Scranton, will be doing more than that. It will be giving one player a chance to end his high school playing career on his terms.

Abington Heights High School corner back Matt Nealon was named as a late addition to the county team on Thursday, July 17. Nealon tore his ACL during the fourth game of his senior year, forcing him to sit out all of last season.

“Matt’s a great player and a hard worker,” said Abington Heights coach Joe Repshis. “I watched him work his butt off in the off-season, and when I knew he was healthy, I nominated him for the game, and I think it’s great that he made the team, and is getting a chance to play one last time.”

Nealon was put on the roster as an alternate, and when one of the players dropped out, he was added to the team officially.

Even with a clean bill of health, there was some concern at first as to whether or not Nealon would be physically up to playing, but after seeing him at practice, those worries quickly went away.

“I feel great, my knee’s really healthy, and I’ve been doing really well at practice,” said Nealon. “I’m really excited to be getting one more chance to play. I was nervous, because I wasn’t sure if I had played enough games to qualify, but it all worked out and now I’m ready.”

It won’t be the same as hitting the field with his team of four years, but with all the representatives Abington will have at the game it will feel pretty close.

Nealon will share the field with nine other Comets on July 30: Matt Lee, Kurtis Medeiros, Mike Dargatis, Matt Kurey, Anthony Talarico, Scott Obelinas, Brian Peters, John Kilpatrick and Anthony Lepri also made the team.

“Because it’s an All-Star game, you never know how many of your players will end up on the team, but I’m really happy that Abington has been so well represented over the years,” added Repshis.

“This is one of the greatest honors a player can receive, it’s one of the oldest played games in the country, and all of these guys deserve to be on the team. I’m really proud of them.

Abington Heights’ John Kilpatrick was also chosen for the team, but had to decline his spot, because he was scheduled to report to the University of Rhode Island where he will be attending school in the fall.

Lakeland’s Drew Babcanec, Justin Chopko and Craig Virbitski also had to decline their spots on the team, but the Chiefs will still be represented in the game by Tom Gallagher, Andy Arvonio and Ian Specht.

“Tom, Andy and Ian were sort of the unsung heroes of the team,” said Lakeland athletic director Bob Speicher. “They’re real steady, solid performers, and I’m happy they’re getting this chance.”

Richard Fricke, Ricky Lochen, Jack Weidow, Casey Nealon and Cody Croasdale were chosen to represent Lackawanna Trail. Adam Brace was also chosen, but had to decline his position.

“In my opinion, these are the most deserving players, they were a huge part of our success last year, each on in their own way,” said Lackawanna Trail’s athletic director Jeff Gregory.

The county team is comprised of players from ten-area schools: Abington Heights, Valley View, Old Forge, Lackawanna Trail, Riverside, Lakeland, Mid Valley, Carbondale, Western Wayne and Honesdale.

They will take on the city team made up of players from Delaware Valley, Dunmore, West Scranton, Wallenpaupack, Scranton, Scranton Prep, North Pocono, Montrose, Holy Cross and Susquehanna.

Kick off will happen at 8 p.m., tickets are $7 and can be purchased over the phone at 342-7613, or at the Memorial Stadium box office the day of the game.