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SCRANTON — Caiden Berardi had to make a difficult decision when his high school football career reached a crossroads.
A four-year starter at various positions — including quarterback, which was his preferred position, tight end and defensive end — the 6-foot-3, 235-pounder made one final choice to focus on defense. He became a force at linebacker for the West Scranton Invaders. So much so, he was recruited and will play at Bloomsburg University.
Before he heads to preseason camp, Berardi wants to help the City all-star team to a victory in the 91st Scranton Lions Club Dream Game on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium.
“I think I really matured,” Berardi said. “Starting as a freshman and going up through each grade level, I could see myself maturing. I focused on what the team needed and what the team was looking for out of me.
“Then, here I am playing linebacker.”
It didn’t come without adversity.
In his sophomore season, Jake Manetti, who will coach Berardi and the City team in the Dream Game, was named Invaders head coach. Berardi became the starter at quarterback. He used his strong build to run for 160 yards and four touchdowns and threw for 875 yards and seven touchdowns.
In his junior season, Berardi split time at quarterback and threw for 334 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 90 yards and five scores.
West Scranton lost a heartbreaking game in Week 1 to Old Forge. Berardi had 37 yards rushing and threw for 56. He struggled in a lopsided loss to Abington Heights, threw for 102 yards in a tough game against Hazleton Area, but threw for only 10 yards in the Bell Game loss to Scranton, 21-0.
Berardi started to lose playing time at quarterback understood he started to make a mark on defense.
“Starting out the season, I was playing quarterback, and after we…
Source link : https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/2025/07/20/91st-dream-game-west-scrantons-berardi-locked-in-at-linebacker-for-city/
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Publish date : 2025-07-20 19:03:00
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