FOOTBALL: Former WVC stars have NFL dreams

Randy Spencer saw the drive and determination from Dom DeLuca at such a young age that Spencer could only imagine how it would transfer to a starting quarterback in the Wyoming Valley Conference.

DeLuca helped lead the Warriors to a Class 3A state title, earned a walk-on opportunity at Penn State that eventually turned into a scholarship where he was selected as a two-time captain and defied all odds by becoming a force on special teams and a starting linebacker.

The desire of chasing his dreams from Wyoming Area to Penn State to signing as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens hasn't surprised anyone, particularly Spencer.

"Just incredible, creating another opportunity for himself at the highest level," Spencer said. "He is chasing his dream. As much as it has to do with the talent and the player, it is so much more. It's about the person and the character. I couldn't be more excited and proud of him."

DeLuca joins a list of former Wyoming Area players who recently earned a shot to make an NFL roster. Tony Orlandini had his opportunity with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Julian Campenni went to camp with the Indianapolis Colts. Current Wyoming Area assistant Rich Musinski was with the New England Patriots twice, as well as with the Titans and Chargers.

DeLuca led the Warriors to the 2019 Class 3A state championship. Following the game, it was learned he did so with a torn ACL suffered in the second half. He still gutted it out, returning to the field to play quarterback and safety in the come-from-behind win.

It is that style of grit and determination that allowed DeLuca to take a chance on being a preferred walk-on at Penn State, with no guarantees he would ever see the field. Instead, he went to work. He established himself in the weight room, did everything necessary to get on the special teams unit and eventually became a starting linebacker.

"It's the same thing people were questioning about Penn State," Spencer said. "Whether it was a realistic goal and dream. Now you are talking about professional football. I'm not surprised. To know him is to understand how he is able to elevate to the levels he has. It is the combination of talent, toughness and discipline. Not many people have that combination."

DeLuca is not the only former Wyoming Valley Conference star to sign with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent. Former Williamsport quarterback Joe Fagnano signed with the Ravens not long after it was announced DeLuca was heading to Baltimore.

Fagnano, a 2019 Williamsport grad, originally started his collegiate career at the University of Maine, and transferred to the University of Connecticut where his collegiate career truly blossomed. When Fagnano graduated from Williamsport, he left as one of the top passers in WVC history, throwing for 4,063 yards. His athleticism set him apart from the other quarterbacks in the conference during his time.

His ability to read defenses and turn broken plays into positive yards made him a difference-maker and a tough opponent to prepare for.

"You could just tell the difference when he was on the field; he was a step above everyone else," said Wilkes-Barre Area coach Ciro Cinti, who devised the scheme for the Millionaires quarterback. "He just was better than anyone else out there on the field. He was so good that we put a spy in to mitigate some of his athletic ability."

Cinti was not surprised to hear of Fagnano joining the Ravens.

"He had such a strong arm, he was one of the most talented kids around," Cinti said. "I'm not surprised he is where he is at. When he was in high school you just knew his best football was ahead of him."

Fagnano and DeLuca squared off against one another Oct. 20, 2017. In a game played at Wyoming Area, the Warriors won a shootout, 58-42. Fagnano rushed for 56 yards and one touchdown and completed 18 of 29 passes for 176 yards and four touchdowns. DeLuca rushed for 39 yards and completed 17 of 21 passes for 174 yards and four touchdowns.

"It was a track meet," Spencer recalled. "Williamsport had athletes all over the field. We were up by a touchdown at the half, and Dom did a great job the entire game. It was one of those games that was fun to watch, except if you were coaching in it."

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