HS FOOTBALL: George Pachucy to be honored by Scranton LIons Club; Scranton Prep's Cullen added to City
Jun. 18—George Pachucy carved out a reputation for defying the odds.
His perseverance from an early age helped him become one of the top quarterbacks in the area. He went on to an accomplished collegiate career, had some tryouts in the National Football League, excelled in semi-professional ball and then passed on his knowledge to the next generation of high school athletes as a coach.
This summer, the Scranton Lions Club will honor the former Mid Valley and University of Delaware standout as its man of the year. Pachucy will be recognized at halftime of the 89th Dream Game, set for July 19 at John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium, with kickoff at 7 p.m.
"It is very humbling," Pachucy, 65, said. "I never take awards as being about me. They are more a reflection of the team. I have always been surrounded by great people, starting with my family, my parents, George and Theresa; my sisters, Chris, Terry and Josette, and brother Joe; my wife, Diane and son George; daughter-in-law Haley; and foster son, Norman; my high school coaches and teachers, and my teammates and coaches who I have worked with and for.
"You never do anything by yourself."
Pachucy's playing career at Mid Valley for coach Jerry Preschutti nearly got sidetracked before it really got started. He missed the first half of his junior season after doctors discovered a tumor in his left arm that required surgery and a bone tranfusion from his hip.
It didn't derail Pachucy, however, as he returned and played five games.
The following season, he completed 41 of 119 passes for 670 yards and three touchdowns while also running for 293 yards. Pachucy also excelled as a punter, averaged better than 40 yards per kick, and earned second-team all-star honors in the Big 11.
In the 1975 Dream Game, Pachucy led a furious second-half rally and threw for 151 yards and three touchdowns, but the County fell short to the City, 20-18.
After enrolling at Milford Academy to gain experience, Pachucy played at the University of Delaware. He also had tryouts for the New England Patriots, Baltimore Colts and Kansas City Chiefs. In semi-professional football, he had stints with the Binghamton Jets, the Niagara/Buffalo Spartans and the Scranton Eagles.
Pachucy helped start the football program at Sacred Heart. He was the first head coach, starting officially at the varsity level in 1990. In six seasons at Sacred Heart, Pachucy finished with a record of 13-41 before he returned to his alma mater as head coach in 1996. At Mid Valley, he helped lead the program to a record of 18-14 and two District 2 Class 1A playoff berths in three seasons.
Pachucy had been an assistant at Mid Valley for Stan Kucharski, Jim Baggetta, Alan King and Stan Yanoski. He also spent 18 years as the quarterbacks coach at Lackawanna College before spending another year as the tight ends coach for Mark Duda.
Cullen added to roster
Aidan Cullen spent all of last season as the biggest fan of Scranton Prep's football team.
The linebacker hoped to contribute to the Cavaliers' run to a District 2 Class 3A championship, but because he was a transfer student as a junior from John Jay High School in New York, he was declared ineligible for his senior year.
However, he will have one final opportunity to represent Scranton Prep as a member of the City all-star team for the Dream Game. He replaces Scranton Prep graduate Sean Monahan, who cannot participate in the game, according to co-chairperson Bill Dempsey.
Cullen was a starter on defense for Scranton Prep for the first three games of his junior year before suffering a broken arm in a win over Wallenpaupack. He had 30 tackles, but missed the remainder of the year.
"I am so excited. It is immeasurable," said Cullen, who will attend Louisiana State University, where he will study business management. "I am so grateful to have this chance, and I will not waste this opportunity. I am really looking forward to the contact, and it is going to be awesome to put the pads back on and get back out there on the field.
"When I was playing, I really took pride in film study because I always viewed football as a mental game, and I am excited to get back to doing that as well."
Contact the writer:
