Photo credit: Jack Henzes, front right, observes the statue of him that was unveiled at Dunmore Veterans Memorial Stadium Friday night. (Tim Drewes Photo)
The Dunmore Bucks celebrated early and late Friday night.
After honoring retired coach Jack Henzes in a pregame ceremony, the Bucks rallied to victory in the second half of their home game against Riverside.
Daniel Pigga scored three second-half touchdowns, the first two of which brought Dunmore from behind on the way to a 40-22 win in the non-league game between Lackawanna Football Conference members.
Riverside twice moved ahead in the second half, but Pigga need a total of just 1:15 to erase the two deficits.
Dunmore overcame problems with penalties to lead 12-7 at halftime.
Riverside took the lead on a 35-yard pass from Chase Taddonio to Reese Gaughan. Taddonio passed for 251 yards with Gaughan pulling in 8 passes for 169 yards.
On the first play after Gaughan’s touchdown, Pigga took a pitch around left end and went 80 yards for the touchdown. Thomas Bowen passed to Domenick DeSando for the two-pointer and a 20-14 lead.
Riverside went back in front when a pass went off the helmet of Riverside lineman Paul Higgins, who pulled in the ball and ran it in from 6 yards out for a touchdown.
Bowen then found Pigga deep down the middle for a 38-yard touchdown to put Dunmore ahead to stay.
The Bucks carried the 26-22 lead into the fourth quarter and added to it when Bowen hit Pigga again for a 28-yard touchdown.
Pigga caught 4 passes for 96 yards and 2 touchdowns while rushing for 101 yards and another score on just 5 carries.
Nico Ruggiero, who had opened the scoring by catching one of Bowen’s 3 touchdown passes, added a touchdown run to close the scoring.
Bowen also ran for a touchdown in the first half.
Taddonio passed to Richie Kostoff for Riverside’s first-half touchdown.
MORE COVERAGE
Details on the ceremony honoring Henzes: Dunmore honors coach Henzes with statue at school’s stadium – NEPA Sports Nation.
