HS FOOTBALL: Zimmerman, Wolff, West, Naniewicz selected to PFW all-state teams

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

It takes outstanding leadership to motivate teammates, help turn around a program and lead it to championship success.

North Pocono and Lakeland had that.

Both teams had players who contributed to title runs. The Pennsylvania Football Writers rewarded those athletes Wednesday by naming them to all-state teams in their respective classifications.

Senior lineman Cole Zimmerman, senior linebacker Evan Wolff, and junior Cole West all had impacts that led North Pocono to a school-record 13 wins, a Lackawanna Football Conference championship, and a District 2 Class 4A title. All three were selected to the Class 4A team.

“The best thing I can say about this group is that they never lost sight of the team goals,” North Pocono coach Greg Dolhon said. “With what we accomplished as a team, you do get noticed for your individual accomplishments. These guys were all about winning, first and foremost. They started with a goal of winning the league, then the district. They were able to lead us to those goals.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled for them.”

Senior David Naniewicz emerged as a playmaker for Lakeland in his third year as a starter. He fueled the Chiefs’ run to an LFC Division II crown and a District 2 Class 2A championship after the team went 4-17 in the previous two seasons. He was chosen as an athlete for the Class 2A team.

“He was the ultimate team player,” Lakeland coach Dave Piwowarczyk said. “He was willing to do whatever we asked — offense, defense and special teams. Those types of kids are easy to coach.

“To watch his development was just amazing. Dave rose to the occasion.”

North Pocono used a punishing running attack and a swarming defense to win 13 straight games before losing in the PIAA Class 4A quarterfinals to Cardinal O’Hara.

Zimmerman excelled as the starting left tackle for the Trojans. The 6-foot, 260-pound three-year starter, who also played center and guard in his career, was a force throughout the season.

“Cole had a strong will to win,” Dolhon said. “He wanted to have success so badly this year, and that put him over the top as one of the best linemen in the state. Having him at the left tackle position really solidified our offense.”

Defensively, the 6-2, 225-pound Wolff stayed healthy for the first time in his career and dominated. He combined his athleticism with an intense passion to track down ball carriers to rack up 125 total tackles, including 73 solo. He had 15 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, five passes defended, and three forced fumbles.

As a tight end, Wolff also contributed 11 receptions for 199 yards and three touchdowns.

“For Evan, it was all about being healthy,” Dolhon said. “We knew how good he was, and being healthy, we had an electric player who was all over the place. He was a defender that teams did not run toward. He was relentless in pursuit of the quarterback. He was one of the best defensive players in the area. He was a playmaker, and we always knew that No. 31 was going to show up.”

In the backend of the defense, West came through when his team needed him most. He was the LFC Division I coaches’ and The Times-Tribune Defensive Player of the Year. The 6-2, 195-pound junior had 88 total tackles and nine interceptions, including two in the postseason, five tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and 12 passes defended.

“If you watch football, you could make the argument that he was the best all-around player in the area,” Dolhon said. “He made key tackles and timely interceptions in games. He is a special player, and with his size and speed, he affected the games.

“In every game that we played, Cole was a factor. He is just a kid who made a play when we needed one. I can’t say enough about him. He was a big play waiting to happen every week. We were very fortunate to have him, and we are thrilled that he is coming back.”

In the summer, Piwowarczyk held an open competition for quarterback with Naniewicz and up-and-coming standout Rocco Spataro.

The 6-3, 215-pound Naniewicz won the job and became the biggest factor in Lakeland’s resurrection, having an 11-2 overall record. His power running, decision-making, and precision passing made the Chiefs an explosive offense. He completed 125 of 198 passes with six interceptions. He threw for 1,743 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also led the team with 938 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns.

Naniewicz finished his career with 3,758 yards passing and 35 touchdowns, and had 1,464 yards rushing with 24 touchdowns.

“To watch his development was just amazing,” Piwowarczyk said. “Dave rose to the occasion. Competition breeds success. To watch him battle, and the way he carried himself with his film study, preparation, and knowing where he wanted to go with the ball, was impressive. He was a battering ram running with the ball. The whole offense ran through him. He was great for us.”

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos