After winning the District 2 Class 4A championship in 2020, Crestwood took a step backward last season. The Comets won only three games, suffering their first losing season since coach Ryan Arcangeli took over the program in 2019.
Arcangeli knew where to place the blame.
“We were a fractured bunch last year and that falls on me for not making our team one unified front,” Arcangeli said. “That’s all we preached and harped on all off-season. We’re more together now than we ever been.”
Crestwood has plenty of returning starters capable of putting last season behind them and getting the program heading down the right path once again.
ON OFFENSE
The Comets found something on offense when quarterback Noah Schultz was switched to running back four games into the season. Schultz topped 1,000 yards on the ground, including a 302-yard performance against Abington Heights.
“He’s a natural athlete and I think running back fits him really well,” Arcangeli said. “It allows him more versatility offensively. It allows him to shine on all the skill sets he has.”
Sophomore James Barrett figures to get some of the workload as well. Fullbacks Lincoln Bibla and Logan Rolles will be lead blockers.
Crestwood will have the WVC’s youngest starting quarterback in freshman Jaden Shedlock, who Arcangeli believes has a very bright future.
“He’s a good one,” Arcangeli said. “You’re going to know a lot about him.”
The wideouts group — Brendan Dennis, Josh Hilpp, Robert Knight and Nick Miscavage — didn’t put up numbers last season as the Comets struggled to throw the ball, but is experienced. So is tight end Magnus Bibla, who will be joined by Zach Sheloski. Both have nice size.
Up front, senior tackle Aidan Jardine is considered one of the better linemen in the WVC. Aleks Jaskiewicz will be the other tackle. John Jones and Chris Smolenak will be guards and Andrew Lenahan will handle the center position.
ON DEFENSE
The unit’s performance was a mixed bag last season. It posted two shutouts and held another opponent to six points. On the other hand, it surrendered 28 or more points six times. There is talent to reverse the latter, especially with nine starters returning.
Four-year starter Cole Kakalecik will anchor the linebacking group. He was second on the team in tackles last season with 72. Lincoln Bibla is another seasoned linebacker who had his hand in 46 tackles. Rolles, Michael Antosh, Mayson Girton and Eli Meadows will also see time at the position.
Magnus Bibla and Jardine are coming off strong seasons along the defensive front. Bibla had 63 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and a team-high three sacks. Jardine made 48 tackles. Jones and Smolenak will also start up front. Rotational depth will be provided by Jaskiewicz, Sheloski and Logan Price.
The secondary is deep and experienced, but recorded just one interception last season. Knight was the leading tackler with 64. Dennis, Hilpp, Miscavage, Schultz, Colin Lazo, Jason Swank and Matthew Sklarosky will also play in the deep patrol. The nice aspect about the group is it’s a blend of seniors and underclassmen, meaning Crestwood should be in solid shape in 2023.
OUTLOOK
Crestwood has a major test in its opener against Valley View, a team which defeated the Comets twice last season by identical 38-7 scores. Then comes Dallas and Wyoming Area followed by four consecutive games against bigger schools.
The regular-season concludes against rebuilding Hanover Area followed by D2-4A title contenders Berwick and North Pocono. In a word, the schedule is brutal and, arguably, the toughest top-to-bottom in the Wyoming Valley Conference.
The Comets, though, learned a lot about themselves last season and if those lessons are applied they should find themselves in the eight-team D2-4A postseason.
