2/1/23
 
SCRANTON, Pa. – The Lackawanna College football team is sending 14 different players to Division I and II four-year schools to play football next season, with more student-athletes expected to finalize their plans soon.
 
"Signing Day is the culmination of two years of hard work on the field and consistent effort in the class room," said head football coach Mark Duda, "Our players have earned everything they have, and we are super proud of all of them."
 
Highlighting the Falcons outgoing student-athletes is linebacker Lonnie Rice (Philadelphia, PA), who has committed to play football at Syracuse University. Rice, who came to Lackawanna after a year at the University of Buffalo, was the second-leading tackler on the team last season with 39 combined stops, including 29 solo tackles. Rice led the Falcons in tackles-for-loss (12.5) and was tied for second on the team in sacks (4.5).
 
"Lonnie is a great athlete who plays the game as it was meant to be played," said Duda. "All out, all the time."
 
2^nd Team All-NJCAA selection D'Andre Townes-Blue (Willow Grove, PA) is headed to Jackson State University next year. Townes-Blue was an outstanding offensive tackle that moved from the right side of the line to the left and never missed a beat, helping pave the way for a Falcons offense that ranked 13^th in the NJCAA in rushing yards per game, while scoring 33 points per contest, inside the top ten in the NJCAA.
 
About D'Andre, Duda says "Blue got better every day. He matured into a great offensive lineman."
 
Last year's leading tackler and one of the captains of the Falcon defense, Keeno Arrington (Pittsburgh, PA) is on his way to the University of Delaware to play for the Blue Hens. Arrington, son to the legendary Penn State linebacker Lavar Arrington, led the Falcons with 34 solo tackles and a team-high 43 total tackles last season. Arrington had 13 pass break-ups from his safety spot, had four tackles-for-loss, and two interceptions last year.
 
Duda on Arrington: "Keeno truly took a chance on himself, and went from not playing football to (going to) a fine Delaware program."
 
Last year's fourth-leading tackler, Willie Matthews, is headed to Southern University. Matthews (Montclair, NJ) had 31 solo tackles and 37 total tackles last season, as well as eight tackles-for-loss and three sacks.
 
The most prolific passer in Lackawanna College history, Barry Brown (Philadelphia, PA), is headed to Central Connecticut State next year. Brown holds seven Falcon records, including career and season passing touchdowns and career passing yards. Brown, a second-team All-NJCAA selection two years ago, threw for 1,493 yards and 13 touchdowns last year, while also running for 301 yards and another eight touchdowns.
 
Other Falcons headed to four-year programs include: Last year's leading wide receiver James Westry (Newark, NJ) is headed to Robert Morris University; cornerback Janaasah Boone (Peckville, PA) is heading to Wagner College, as is defensive tackle Najae Hallenbeck (Toms River, NJ); linebacker Avanti Lockhart (Sinking Spring, PA) is going to Shepherd University, and so is defensive tackle Cyler Rozina (Archbald, PA); defensive safety Andrew Vines (Garner, NC) is staying in PA and going to Saint Francis University; offensive tackle Elijah Philippe (Newark, NJ) will go play at Troy University; offensive lineman Saut Kandic (Guilford, CT) will make his way to Assumption University; and starting center on the offensive line, Benjamin Eisenhower (New Cumberland, PA), will go to the University at Albany next season.


The Falcons were 7-3 last season, and made the program's 13^th postseason bowl appearance in the 2022 edition of the Wool Bowl in Roswell, New Mexico. Coach Mark Duda, entering his 30^th season as the head football coach, is the active wins leader in NJCAA Football, and sixth all-time, with 199 career victories.