First Real Test Dunmore Answers the Talk With a 63-11 Statement Over Honesdale
By: Justin Bradley | SportzWire | October 17, 2026 | Photo courtesy Justin Focus
DUNMORE — The buildup was there. The rankings were there. And so was the question that had followed Dunmore throughout its undefeated season.
Just how good are these Bucks?
Friday night’s showdown between Sportzwire’s No. 2-ranked small-school Dunmore Bucks (7-0) and No. 4-ranked big-school Honesdale Hornets (6-1) was billed as one of the most anticipated matchups of Week 8 in District 2.
By halftime, Dunmore had delivered a convincing answer.
Behind an explosive rushing attack, three interceptions and a remarkable first-half performance from Weston Yannone and Xavier Burke, the Bucks rolled to a 63-11 victory, improving to 8-0 and leaving little doubt about their ability to handle a highly ranked opponent.
Honesdale actually struck first.
Alex Valerio connected on a 30-yard field goal with 3:23 remaining in the opening quarter, giving the Hornets a 3-0 advantage.
That lead lasted just 15 seconds.
On Dunmore’s next possession, Yannone broke loose for a 68-yard touchdown run, putting the Bucks ahead 7-3. Less than three minutes later, Burke intercepted a Honesdale pass and returned it 49 yards for another score.
Suddenly, Dunmore led 14-3.
And the Bucks were only getting started.
Yannone and Burke Take Over
Dunmore’s second quarter was a display of just how quickly its offense can take control of a football game.
Yannone added touchdown runs of 24 and 1 yard, completing his three-touchdown night before halftime.
Burke followed with a 16-yard rushing touchdown before hauling in a 24-yard scoring pass from quarterback Brady McCormick with just eight seconds remaining in the half.
Dunmore scored 28 unanswered points in the second quarter and carried a commanding 42-3 lead into the locker room.
Yannone finished with a staggering 185 rushing yards and three touchdowns on just seven carries, averaging nearly 27 yards per attempt.
The performance earned him Sportzwire’s Cryotherapy Rejuvenate Player of the Game honors.
Despite the individual numbers, Yannone was quick to credit the teammates creating opportunities around him.
“My performance is just me doing my part. I can’t do it without the rest of my team,” Yannone told Sportzwire after the game. “The line’s been playing amazing. I mean, I can’t shout them out enough.”
He also recognized the blocking contributions from Burke at fullback and the receivers working downfield.
For Burke, Friday was another opportunity to showcase his versatility.
The Dunmore standout scored on a 49-yard interception return, a 16-yard run and a 24-yard reception, recording three touchdowns in three different ways, all before halftime.
Burke finished with 37 rushing yards on four carries and 24 receiving yards, while adding one of Dunmore’s three defensive interceptions.
“We came out this game, we knew what we were gonna do,” Burke said. “We came out hard, and that’s just how we play football.”
McHale: Preparation Starts Up Front
While the attention surrounding Friday’s matchup continued to grow throughout the week, Dunmore head coach Kevin McHale said his team’s preparation began well before kickoff.
“Monday morning we came in early, and they were ready to play Monday morning,” McHale told Sportzwire. “They knew it was an important game. We wanted to make sure that we weren’t overlooking anything, and they took care of business.”
For McHale, the foundation of Dunmore’s success remains its work along the line of scrimmage.
“Starts up front for us, offensive, defensive lines. They set the tone,” McHale said. “We have an arsenal of guys back there that could take it to the house at any point.”
That depth was on full display.
Dunmore piled up 382 total yards on just 20 offensive plays, including 295 rushing yards on only 17 attempts.
Josef Wolff added a 30-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, finishing with 36 yards on three carries. Carter Coyle contributed a 30-yard touchdown run in the fourth.
McCormick was perfect through the air, completing all three of his attempts for 87 yards and two touchdowns.
His second scoring pass came early in the third quarter when he connected with Jacob Costanzo for a 53-yard touchdown, extending Dunmore’s lead to 49-3.
Costanzo finished with two receptions for 63 yards.
McHale praised his quarterback’s command of the offense.
“Brady has done a great job managing the offense, the whole operation, calling the huddle, getting us in the right play sometimes,” McHale said. “He’s got a lot of weapons, and he knows where the matchups are.”
Defensively, Dunmore continued to make life difficult for opposing offenses.
Burke, Josh Dudick and Eli Dougherty each recorded an interception, with Burke turning his takeaway into six points.
Honesdale managed 199 total yards, including 143 rushing, but struggled to sustain drives against the Bucks.
Gabe Duda led the Hornets with 46 rushing yards on 13 carries, while Damian Davis added 20 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown. Quarterback Abe Bryant completed two passes for 52 yards but was intercepted twice.
Honesdale’s final touchdown came on a 4-yard run by Davis, followed by a successful two-point conversion.
Let the Results Speak
Perhaps the biggest storyline entering Friday wasn’t simply the matchup itself, but the conversation surrounding Dunmore’s schedule.
Despite entering the game unbeaten and highly ranked, the Bucks had heard the criticism that their early-season opponents hadn’t provided a significant enough challenge.
Yannone addressed that discussion following another dominant victory.
“A lot of people are saying we lean on our schedule, Dunmore’s got a weak schedule,” Yannone said. “Obviously, we can’t pick our teams we play. The kids got nothing to do with it.”
For Dunmore, the approach hasn’t changed regardless of the opponent.
Prepare during the week. Execute on Friday. Move on to the next challenge.
And after eight weeks, that formula has produced eight victories.
Looking Ahead
Dunmore improves to 8-0 and will face a Riverside team that has fallen to 5-3 after dropping three consecutive games.
Honesdale falls to 6-2 and returns home to host a surging Mid Valley squad (5-3), which has won two straight against Riverside and Lakeland.
With the postseason approaching, the Bucks have positioned themselves among District 2’s most dangerous teams.
Friday night was supposed to provide a measuring stick.
Instead, Dunmore made a statement.
Eight games. Eight wins. And the Bucks aren’t interested in slowing down.
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