Paupack football team will be well-represented at 2026 Dream Game
PECKVILLE — One of the area’s most highly anticipated summer athletic events is now just a week away, and local high school football fans are counting down the hours.
The 2026 Dream Game is scheduled for Wednesday, July 22 at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Peckville. Weather permitting, opening kick-off is slated for 7 p.m.
This marks the 92nd year for the gridiron classic, which is organized by the Scranton Lions Club. All proceeds from the contest, which features graduating seniors from all over NEPA, go to the Lackawanna County Association for the Blind.
Local athletes will once again be playing key roles at the Dream Game.
Suiting up for the County squad will be Vinny Baldini, Paul Borowski and Landon Visceglia of Western Wayne, along with Honesdale’s Kobe White and Logan Dieterich. The City team includes Wallenpaupack Area’s Izael Rodriguez, Logan Caruso, Tyler Gallo, Mason Gonzalez and Jamie Stiner.
“It’s amazing to see our program so well-represented,” said Paupack head coach Matt Nawrocki. “It’s such an honor to be chosen for the Dream Game and I can’t wait to see these young men suit up one last time for this historic contest.”
A fond farewell
The Dream Game remains the longest running high school football all-star game in the nation, pitting the County against the City in a last hurrah for local stars.
Paupack has been honored this year with having five players chosen for the City roster. Leading the Buckhorns contingent is Caruso, who starred both offensively and defensively during his senior season.
Caruso rushed for more than 700 yards and 8 touchdowns while also notching 15 receptions and another 105 yards. He’s expected to see time both in the backfield and at linebacker.
“Logan is a very special athlete,” Nawrocki said. “He’s garnered the respect of everyone he’s played against during his career here at Paupack. Logan will be playing at the next level this fall at Springfield College.”
Rodriguez also earns high marks from his veteran skipper as a receiver and defensive back. A versatile multi-sport athlete who also excels in track, Rodriguez was part of the 4x4 relay team that won a PIAA state medal this spring.
“Izzy is a special kid because of the way he dedicated himself to the football program,” Nawrocki said. “He’s achieved great success during his time here and he’ll be continuing his career at Shippensburg University.”
Gallo (RB/LB), Gonzalez (WR/DB), and Stiner (OL/DL) are also expected to make key contributions for the City.
The County defeated the City, 12-0, in the inaugural Dream Game Dec. 7, 1935, at Athletic Park. The City earned its first Dream Game win over the County 6-0 the following year on a frigid afternoon before an estimated 2,000 fans.
Last summer, the County continued its recent dominance by rolling to a 40-17 victory over the City. With the win, the County increased its winning streak to six straight and now enjoys a 44-42-4 edge in the all-time series.
There has been only one instance when the Dream Game didn’t happen, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. The series even persevered during World War II when it was viewed as an excellent morale booster for local fans.
On the horizon
The Dream Game fulfills a two-fold purpose on the local high school grid scene.
It officially closes the book on the 2025 Lackawanna Football Conference season and also serves as an unofficial kick-off for the 2026 campaign.
Things begin in earnest less than three weeks from now when the LFC hosts its annual Media Day for newspapers, television stations and online outlets. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, August 4 at the Regal Room in Olyphant.
Players and coaches from each local team will be on hand for interviews, photos and videos. Media Day is organized by former Wallenpaupack Area coach Stan Kucharski.
This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Paupack football team will be well-represented at 2026 Dream Game
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