NEPA Hometown of Super Bowl Coach "Super Proud"

Dunmore, Lackawanna County -- The crowd at Honeychild's in Dunmore was more like San Francisco East. Many gathered Sunday night to cheer on the 49ers for mainly one reason; to see Dunmore native and San Francisco defensive coordinator Vic Fangio coach at the Super Bowl.  One man in the crowd grew up with Fangio and was a teammate with him on a baseball team. "1969 Little League Champs. Victor Fangio, one of our best players," said Tim Burke.  Mr. Burke always knew there was something special about Fangio besides his athletic ability, "He was a go-getter, worked hard in sports and like anything could have happened with Victor."

Long before Fangio ever set foot on the NFL sidelines, he cut his coaching teeth with the Dunmore Bucks High School football team. "He went through a great system in Dunmore with Coach Henzes and he just brought it to a higher level now," said Mr. Burke. Honeychild's owner, Sharee Gentile, shared that same Buck pride. "It's awesome. I mean we couldn't be more proud to come from our home school," she said. 

The 49ers defense under Fangio gave up three first half touchdowns; not the game plan you'd draw up to try and win the Lombardi Trophy. A last second San Francisco field goal at the end of the second quarter kept it a two score game. But win or lose, this crowd was just proud that their native son was on such a grand, national stage. "It's the best. I mean who could ask for anything else. Dunmore, hometown, small town, very proud town," said Ms. Gentile. Mr. Burke added, "Everybody in Dunmore is so proud of him obliviously."

The San Francisco 49ers showed a valiant effort in the second half trying to overcome a 22 point deficit but lost 34-31 and failed to deliver a Super Bowl ring to Vic Fangio and company.