Oct. 26—NANTICOKE — The rivalry game between Hanover Area and Nanticoke Area is known as the San Souci Struggle.
Both teams had their struggles Friday night — Hanover Area with penalties and Nanticoke Area with turnovers.
Hanover Area, though, was able to overcome its issues for a 16-14 victory in the Wyoming Valley Conference Division 2 game.
Hanover Area (1-4 Div. 2, 2-8 overall) came into Friday night with a remote chance of catching Tunkhannock for the final District 2 Class 3A playoff spot. Tunkhannock lost, but the Hawkeyes’ chances of doing so did not look promising based on the district standings late Friday night.
The victory ended an eight-game losing streak to Nanticoke Area. The Hawkeyes last won the game in 2015.
“Getting that trophy, it’s I think the first time in 10 years,” Hanover Area coach Jason Majiros said.
Nanticoke Area (1-4 Div. 2, 1-9) ended a season which started with first-year coach Scott Dennis dying three days before the opener. Former coach Ron Bruza oversaw the program the rest of the season. He has no intention of returning for 2025, and the school district has been advertising for the head coaching position.
“It’s a lot of ups and downs,” said Bruza, who resigned after 14 years following the 2023 season. “I love this program, I love this community. I appreciated the members of the school board who supported me in coming back. I’m very appreciative of my wife and my family to make some sacrifices to get me to come back.
“It’s been a roller coaster ride right from the beginning in losing your dear friend in coach Dennis. We just really didn’t get a lot done in the win column, but the guys have a lot of character and they’re first-class kids.”
The Hawkeyes were able to prevail despite 16 penalties for 125 yards, an…
