Franklin Regional boys counting on hard work to lessen sting of graduation losses

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, August 23, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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If Franklin Regional doesn’t outscore opponents, the next best thing will be to outwork them.

That could be the Panthers’ M.O. this boys soccer season.

“We’ve had very productive summer workouts, which have been very well attended,” coach Nick White said. “The boys are hungry and desire to repeat the success of last season. The messaging has been this: If we want to have a chance to achieve similar success, we must work even harder than we did last season. The investment in fitness and training has been there, and we expect these to be foundational building blocks.”

WPIAL Class 3A runner-up Franklin Regional has to replace eight seniors, including cornerstone players Danny Christafano, Joey Bayne and goalie Noah Walker.

Don’t sleep on the Panthers just yet, though.

A sturdy back line should lead them to wins, complemented by an offense with quiet pop.

Returning starters include senior forwards Cruise Lamanna and Fabrizzio Costa, senior midfielder Keaton Sheetz, senior defenders Dom Mascara and Joey Benson and junior defender Thomas Bridges.

“We’ve got a close-knit group of guys that are committed to working their hardest in order to achieve our goals,” White said.

Other key returnees include juniors Ian Johns, Daniel Todd and Rory Bayne and sophomores Michael Hillebrand, Aiden Alexander, Aiden Schlagel, Khai Sheetz and Ethan Falvo.

Senior Emerson Bush will play goalkeeper, but junior Nate Hussey also should see time in net.

“The expectation is that we will be able to defend well given our returning starters who gained so much experience last year,” White said. “We also have returning players back that should help fuel our attack.

“We feel very strongly about the abilities of our players that are rising through the program and ready to take the next steps in their high school careers.”

White thinks 3A will be “as competitive as its ever been.”

“There are so many good sides,” he said. “I’m excited to find out how we will match up with all of the competition.”

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Franklin Regional