On December 7, 2002, the Parkland High School football team made history. The Trojans won the state championship, defeating Woodland Hills 34-12, to become the Lehigh Valley’s first football team to win a state title at the highest classification, which that year was Class 4A.

The team, celebrating 20 years since that magical season, was honored prior last Friday night’s game with Parkland and Central Catholic. This was all setup thanks to Don Herb, a longtime photographer for Trojan athletics and the Parkland Press.

Some of the players that were in attendance included Parade All-American running back Austin Scott and hard-nosed offensive lineman Matt Saraceno.

“It’s special,” said Saraceno of being back with his team 20 years later. “Fortunately, I have a lot of friends from this team that I still keep in touch with and see. We’ve built some relationships together that will really last forever. It brings back all of the great memories seeing everyone tonight.”

“This is just a beautiful thing,” said Scott. “And I’m so happy this was put together. We’re all old men now and have our own families that we pass along these memories to. This high school gave us everything and means everything to us.”

Obviously, the wins and the recognition, along with a state championship trophy are memories that will stick out to the team and people on the outside. But there were other things that the players will also never forget.

“The bus rides home after a win and the double sessions and intense practices you put in to be able to win games,” Saraceno said. “Off the field, it’s just those relationships you form. It’s really what brought all of us together and helped with our success.”

Saraceno has daughters that are cheerleaders in the Parkland youth system. So he is still around the football program and says that he always gets chills and relives those memories every time he steps into Parkland School District Stadium. The school and football program will always hold a special place to both Saraceno and Scott.

“Parkland helped me become the man that I am today,” said Saraceno. “The work ethic I formed because they want you to succeed in everything you do at a high level. To transfer that into the real world, it was easy for me because of playing football in this program and being a student here.”

“I still have Parkland pride everywhere I go,” said Scott. “I love telling people about our legacy and our school district. It’s great coming from this athletic program. They are successful at so many different sports and really set you up to be successful in anything you choose in life.”

Nowadays, Saraceno is local and runs his own flooring business and Scott has a daughter of his own and still makes it make to the Lehigh Valley every chance he gets.