Starting Lineup: Record-setting season just the start for SV’s Dominic Giuffre
To recognize the top players in Berks football MikeDragoSports.com has selected the “Starting Lineup,” a preseason All-Berks team that includes the top linemen, backs, receivers, linebackers and specialists.
Players were selected based on past performance, expected performance this season and college potential. Two-way players were given special consideration. One player will be introduced each day, in random order (the players are not ranked).
Dominic Giuffre, Schuylkill Valley
| 6-1 | 175 | Senior | RB/OLB |
BACKSTORY: Like his Schuylkill Valley teammates, Dominic Giuffre got off to a rough start last season. He broke his left pinkie in the season-opener, forcing him to carry the ball only with his right arm the rest of the season. In Week 2 he lost the ball on a fumble and came out of the game.
“I thought I blew it,” he said of his chance to be the Panthers’ lead back. “I thought I was done; (that) I wasn’t gonna get (a chance) again.”
Turns out Giuffre and the Panthers were only getting started. He ran for 131 yards and a pair of touchdowns the next week, helping Schuylkill Valley to the first of six straight wins.
Giuffre only got better as the season progressed. In Week 5 he went for 163 yards and four TDs against Pequea Valley. Two weeks later he topped 200 yards for the first time and added four more scores.
He turned the Frost Bowl into his personal showcase, rushing for a program-record 310 yards and four TDs, including a stirring 96-yard zig-zag that helped lift his team over rival Hamburg.
He set another program record in the regular season finale, scoring six touchdowns against unbeaten Lancaster Catholic.
“Every time he touches the ball and breaks another one, it blows my mind,” said his quarterback, Michael Goad.
When it was all over Giuffre had rushed for 1,548 yards and set or matched at least eight program records, including 30 TDs in a season, 174 points in a season and 24 touchdown runs in a season.
He’s the only player in the 50-year history of the program to score four or more touchdowns four times in the same season.
“(He) has quick feet and good acceleration,” said Schuylkill Valley coach Bruce Harbach. “He’s tough to bring down in the open field. I like his quickness and his mobility.”
Giuffre spent the spring and summer working with noted Reading-area trainer John Schaeffer, working to improve his overall strength, especially his legs. He played last season at, or below, 160 pounds. He was wiry and a tough runner then. Now, at 175 pounds, he’ll be even tougher – and faster.
“I was able to add on to my speed,” said Giuffre, who has been timed at 4.51 in the 40. “I feel more power when I lift off.”
He displayed that off during summer basketball when he was able to dunk for the first time.
Giuffre showed late last season that he’s just as dangerous in the passing game as in the run game. He had a pair of TD catches in the 44-41 loss to Lancaster Catholic.
Harbach plans to take advantage of that. The Panthers will utilize more formations and move Giuffre out of the backfield occasionally, to the slot or to wide receiver. You might see him in motion more often.
If he catches the ball in the open field there aren’t too many linebackers in the league – let alone safeties or corners – who are going to run him down.
“He’ll be the major focus of our offense,” Harbach said, hardly breaking news with that statement. “He’ll play a major role in the run and pass game.”
Giuffre got lost in the shuffle at Wilson, where he played in junior high. He transferred to Schuylkill Valley before his sophomore season and saw some playing time. Even he found his breakout junior season a bit surprising.
“I just wanted to come out and give it my all,” he said, never expecting to end up dotting the record book with his name.
Giuffre was excited about the big numbers he put up but he’s not resting on them.
“It felt good in the moment,” he said, “but we’re past that (now).”
ROLE: Lead tailback and starting OLB on Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 5 favorite.
COLLEGE PROSPECTS: Offers from Albright and Misericordia.
Starting Lineup
| Dominic Giuffre | Schuylkill Valley | RB/OLB |
| Mason Semmel | Hamburg | HB/TE/DT |
| Ean Winchester | Twin Valley | HB/TE/DT |
| Zack Zandier | Exeter | TE/DE |
