Building a Legacy: Carbondale’s Journey to a Winning Season Under Coach Arthur
By: Doug Noldy | Sportzwire | November 6, 2024 | Photo courtesy Doug Noldy
As the final moments slipped away at Jake Sobieski Stadium in West Pittston, Carbondale head coach Jeff Arthur took a moment with each of his seniors as they left the field, embracing them and expressing his gratitude. This was more than just a goodbye; this was a celebration of a journey. These seniors had been with Arthur from the beginning of his tenure at Carbondale, a group he once led in the Jr. Chargers organization. Together, they had delivered Carbondale’s first winning season in seven years, leaving a legacy that underclassmen could build upon.
A New Era Begins: In May 2021, Arthur achieved his dream by becoming head football coach at his alma mater, Carbondale Area. He knew there would be challenges, especially after the coronavirus pandemic halted Carbondale’s fall sports in 2020. Arthur inherited a program that had not seen the field since October 2019. In the 2021 season, the Chargers went 5-5, qualifying for the District 2 AA playoffs before falling to Wyoming Area. The following two seasons saw continued challenges, but Arthur’s vision for the program remained unwavering.
2024 Brings New Facilities: With three seasons as head coach and two district playoff appearances, Arthur began to see greater buy-in from players and administration alike. His efforts led to approval for a much-needed new weight room—one of his priorities since day one.
New Kid on the Block: Connor Sansky: Heading into the 2024 season, Arthur was optimistic about the talent he had, particularly along the offensive line. A key addition was Connor Sansky, a transfer from Riverside, who brought leadership and experience to the team. Accepted immediately by teammates, Sansky earned a captain’s role and worked closely with senior linemen Max Urbas and Elijah Houdershielt to mentor the younger players.
2024—A Season of Unknowns: Before the season, Carbondale’s starting RB transferred, leaving a significant gap. Senior Jordan Myers, sophomore Caedon Voglino, and returning FB Ethen Brewen stepped up to fill the role. Additionally, the QB position was in question, with freshman Cole Becchetti eventually getting the starting nod. Arthur’s absence for the first three games due to a suspension added to the challenges, but longtime assistant Bob Matoushek ensured the team remained focused.
The Chargers opened 2024 with a tough loss at Lakeland but quickly bounced back, winning three straight games, including two shutouts. They faced heartbreak at Dunmore in Week 5 but rebounded with a strong win over Montrose. Weeks 7 and 8 brought tough losses to state-ranked teams, but Carbondale returned to form with a Week 9 win over Susquehanna and capped off the regular season with a victory against Old Forge. This win secured the Chargers’ first winning season since 2017 and clinched a spot in the District 2 3A playoffs. Although Wyoming Area ended their playoff run, the Chargers had achieved significant progress.
Battling Injuries: Like many teams, Carbondale faced injuries. Sansky’s season ended early with a leg injury, and both Myers and Voglino sustained shoulder injuries. However, Brewen stepped up, rushing for nearly 350 yards and five touchdowns in the final two games.
A Promising Future for Carbondale: Freshman QB Cole Becchetti demonstrated promise, throwing for over 600 yards and rushing for another 250, marking him as a cornerstone for the future. Sophomore linemen Mateo Spinelli and Chayse Roche anchored the offensive line, and junior Jaiden Keller’s intensity will be an asset next season. Underclassmen such as Francisco Roman and Daron McKenzie showed potential, adding depth to the Chargers’ roster moving forward.
Jr. Chargers Win the Super Bowl: The Carbondale Jr. Chargers capped off a perfect 8-0 season by winning the A.C.C.J.F.L. Super Bowl, outscoring opponents 225-46 with three shutouts. The future looks bright for Carbondale, as these young players, under Coach Frank Zaccone’s guidance, continue to develop, including Mason Voglino, the younger brother of Caedon.
Coach Arthur addressed his team for several minutes following the loss, he thanked his players, especially his seniors, his coaching staff who put in countless hard hours, the administration. He was thankful for the kids buying into the program and praised how much effort he had gotten from them all season. He preached to the underclassmen on what they needed to do to compete with teams like Wyoming Area in the years to come. But now, the foundation has been set, all due to seniors Ethen Brewen, Daniel Gonzalez, Sam Grizzanti, Ryan Haynes, Elijah Houdershieldt, Colin Jordan, Isaiah Kilmer, Blake Menotti, Jordan Myers, Jake Rosler, Connor Sansky and Max Urbas. This senior class will hold a special meaning with Coach Arthur for several reasons.
After fulfilling his media duties, Arthur walked off the field. Near the end of the end zone was one last senior to hug, it was Connor Sansky. Leaning on his crutches, eyes full of tears, before him and Arthur embraced, Sansky had three words for his coach, “Thank you, Coach.”
