Pagnella a Pleasant Surprise for Lancaster

In mid-July, junior running back Daniel Pagnella had yet to win a spot on Lancaster High’s varsity roster. By midseason, the Eagles scrapped their split-back set in an effort to better showcase the 5-foot-6, 160-pound Pagnella. Now, at season’s end, Pagnella is arguably the run-oriented Golden League’s top running back among underclassmen.

Pagnella, not listed among Lancaster’s top 12 players in the preseason, gained 137 yards in last Friday’s season finale to finish with 1,044 yards and 10 touchdowns.

“He’s a little plugger with a lot of heart,” said Coach Ray DeShane, whose team finished 3-6-1 in its first season of varsity competition. “I feel very comfortable knowing he is coming back as our guy.”

Moving up: Hart has called defensive lineman Peter Dubsky up from the freshman team. The 6-1, 220-pound Dubsky adds size and depth to the Indians’ defense.

Hart opens the Division II playoffs Friday by playing host to Torrance.