YATESVILLE — Pittston Area High School honored its first football team and its first graduating class during a game against Valley View on Friday, Sept. 16.
Members of the 1966 football team, the first in the school’s history, were on hand, including legendary coach Bob Barbieri. The members met in the lobby for a social gathering before the game and were introduced to the crowd prior to the game.
While the current high school building didn’t open until the 1968 school year, the first graduating class attended school in Pittston, Hughestown and Duryea. The district was formed when Northeast School District and Pittston City School District merged in the early 1960s.
In the first game, Pittston Area beat Old Forge 20-14 and finished the season 6-3. The players were reminiscing about how they would make up plays in the huddle in that first season.
![]()
Mary Kay Jones, front right, waves to fans as she leads former football players, cheerleaders, majorettes, and homecoming queens over the last 50 years of Pittston Area’s rich history.
![]()
Legendary Pittston Area head football coach Bob Barbieri, left, chats with current Pittston Area school board member, John Adonizio. Adonizio played QB for PA, graduating in 1976.
![]()
Some members of the Pittston Area 1966 football campaign were honored prior to the game along with players, cheerleaders, majorettes, and homecoming queens over the past 50 years. From left, Marty Sowa, Bruce Knick, Nick Barbieri, coach Robert Barbieri, John Adonizio, Ron Ostrowski, Pat Cumbo, Charlie Turco, Jack Colarusso and out of camera range, Tom Posluszny.
![]()
Former Patriot Tom Posluszny, right, chats with current superintendent of Pittston Area, Kevin Booth.
![]()
Pittston Area High School Principal John Haas shakes hands with Ron Ostrowski, far left, has he speaks to Pasquale Cumbo, center, and Charlie Turco, hidden.
