Carrying the Legacy: Lakeland’s David Naniewicz Writes His Own Chapter in a Family Built on Chiefs Pride
By: Doug Noldy | SportzWire | October 31, 2025 | Photo courtesy Doug Noldy
For Lakeland Chiefs senior captain quarterback, and defensive end David Naniewicz, he entered his senior campaign not only playing for his team and school, but for a family that has a rich, storied history at Lakeland.
For David, he doesn’t need to be reminded of the storied history. He sees it every day walking through the commons, the gym, and the field house at Lakeland Jr. Sr. High School. Never mind the countless stories he hears from several family members.
Now as the Chiefs, who are coming off a 9-1 regular season, the LFC Division 2 championship, and the number one seed in the District 2 playoffs, Naniewicz is looking to make his own history along with his own stories to tell in the future.
A rich tradition of Naniewicz’s at Lakeland.
The rich history of the Naniewicz family and Lakeland football runs deep, unlike no other.
For father Dave Sr., he was coached by his father, Rich, all throughout the midget program. In high school, Dave, as a tight end and defensive end, was an integral part of the 1987 Lakeland Eastern Conference Class A championship team that went an unprecedented 13-0. A team and era at the time that played much larger school enrollment programs. Dave Sr. went on to play at the collegiate level at Delaware Valley College where he was a four-year starter at tight end.
For mom Kerry Kozlosky Naniewicz, she was a standout at Lakeland in the late 80s and early 90s, excelling in both basketball and softball.
Then there’s brother John, who was a two-way lineman for the Chiefs who played from 2007-2010, and a member of a Chiefs division championship team in 2010.
Uncle Richie Naniewicz, a true football enthusiast, poured his heart and soul into every game, a lesson he learned from his older brother Dave. He played for the Chiefs from 1991 to 1993.
Even female Naniewicz’s played football.
Kamri , David’s sister, won two A.C.C.J.F.L. Super Bowls in the span of the 4 years she played. Even though Kamri traded in the shoulder pads and helmet for pom-poms , she can be seen on the sidelines cheering on David and the Chiefs as a proud Lakeland cheerleader. Kamri is also a member of the girls’ basketball and softball teams at Lakeland.
Mom Kerry, while in 5th grade, played for one year on the Lakeland B-team in the midget program. Kerry was one of the first girls ever to play football for the program.
An injury almost sidelined Naniewicz for his senior season.
During baseball season, David and his family had a major scare when he injured his arm/elbow, one that could have ended his senior campaign. David went to his parents and said, “Something isn’t right.” The Naniewicz’s held their breath, fearing the worst but also remained positive. After test results, it showed David had a small tear in his UCL ligament in his elbow on his throwing arm. He needed rehab, and with the support of his family, he headed to Fame Strength in Kingston for the next two months. He went three times a week and was under the guidance of trainer Brandon Tunis. Thanks to Tunis’s great guidance and therapy, David was cleared to play football his senior season.
A love for the game and the numbers to back it up.
David has been a football fan since he was two years old. His parents, Kerry and Dave, along with his Aunt Kim, even said that on Saturday mornings instead of watching cartoons or playing video games, David learned and studied football plays. He even memorized players’ names, positions, and numbers. It’s clear and evident that it paid off. Under the guidance of head coach David Piwowarczyk, Naniewicz helped lead the Chiefs to the top offense in the LFC Division 2 with Naniewicz being a headache for opposing teams being a dual-threat quarterback. With his arm, he threw for almost 1500 yards and 15 touchdowns, both tops in the LFC Division 2. David’s speed, athleticism, and agility helped him run for over 800 yards and another 12 scores, leading the Chiefs in both categories.
Always wasn’t easy. Hard work paying off.
Naniewicz was a freshman on the 2022 Chiefs team that went 12-0 and won the district 2 2A championship before falling in the state playoffs. After graduation hit the Chiefs hard for the 2023 season, the Chiefs struggled to a 1-9 record. The 2024 season saw improvement and more competitiveness as the Chiefs came away with a 3-8 record. Naniewicz and his fellow teammates took their last two seasons personally and wanted the Chiefs to not only get back to winning ways, but championship ways. A week after a district semifinal loss to Riverside, Naniewicz and his returning teammates started holding each other accountable. They began a vigorous weight lifting program in the offseason, added speed and agility training in the summer. Most importantly, they made it fun and relaxed. This hard work and dedication is paying off as they aim for the Chiefs’ ninth district championship in the program’s history.
What’s next for #7?
Naniewicz aims to win the district championship and make a deep state playoff run. After football, he’ll return to basketball as a top returning player for the Chiefs. In the spring, he’ll play baseball for his senior year. Naniewicz plans to play football at the collegiate level and major in physical therapy.
For now, the Naniewicz family is having the time of their lives as they ride along with David on the journey he’s taking them on. They’re witnessing firsthand how David is shaping his own legacy.And they couldn’t be prouder of him.
