Coach Rosenberger announces seniors and award winners at the Jan. 11 2009 banquet.

The Jim Thorpe Area High School football program held its annual banquet Jan. 11, 2009 at the high school. The banquet is an opportunity to congratulate all 72 football players and honor those who have displayed outstanding leadership, athletic success and academic achievement.

Coach Rosenberger started the banquet recapping the 6-4 season which ended with key victories against Marian and Lehighton. Rosenberger said the 2008 record wasn’t what he wanted but quoting a fellow coach he said, “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.” Rosenberger said he’ll accept that this year since we did crush Marian and Lehighton which means a lot to our program and our community.

Award Winners:
Kysheem Lynch — Offensive MVP
CJ Lehmann — Defensive MVP
Nate Schmidt — Special Teams MVP
Tyler Mangold — Lineman of the Year
Chris DeMuro — Anthracite League Sportsmanship Award
Bill Rieck — Lehigh Valley Scholar Athlete
Tony Mistretta — Phil Heraty Award
Tyler Mangold — Ed Fuzzy Fahey Award

Click on pictures below for descriptions and names.

The Schuylkill County Football Coaches Association officially kicked off the 2008 season Friday, August 8 with its 5th annual Media Day at Maroons Sports Bar & Grill in Pottsville and the four Olympian Varsity Football Captains were there: Chris Demuro, James Nunez, Tony Mastretta, and Billy Reick.

Read the Pottsville Republican’s story here.

The following players were recognized at the Annual Football Banquet, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008 for their 2007 All-Star Selections:

Billy Rieck – Center
Honorable Mention Schuylkill County North Team
Honorable Mention All Anthracite Team

Tyler Mangold – Guard
Honorable Mention Schuylkill County North Team
Honorable Mention All Anthracite Team

Joe Garland – RB
Honorable Mention RB – All Anthracite Team

Nathan White – OT
2nd Team Schuylkill County North Team
2nd Team Anthracite Team
2nd Team Times News

Anthony Mistretta – DB
2nd Team Schuylkill County North Team
2nd Team Anthracite League

Jake Zurn – DB
2nd Team Schuylkill County North Team
2nd Team Anthracite League
2nd Team Times News – Defensive Specialist

Nathan Schmidt – Kicker
1st Team Schuylkill County North Team
1st Team Anthracite League
1st Team Times News

Corey Cinicola – QB
1st Team Schuylkill County North Team
1st Team Anthracite League
1st Team Pottsville Republican
1st Team Times News
2nd Team Morning Call
Honorable Mention Pennsylvania Football News All State

Kyle Porembo – LB
1st Team Schuylkill County North Team LB
1st Team Anthracite League LB
1st Team Times News
Honorable Mention – Reading Eagle LB

Scott McGonigal
1st Team Schuylkill County North Team LB
1st Team Anthracite LB & FB
1st TeamTimes News
1st Team Pottsville Republican LB
1st Team Reading Eagle – Anthracite Region LB 

Eric Busocker
1st Team  Schuylkill County North Team DB
1st Team Anthracite League DB
1st Team Pottsville Republican DB
1st Team Times News DB
2nd Team Anthracite League WR
Honorable Mention – Reading Eagle WR
Honorable Mention Pennsylvania Football News All State DB

Lance Malatak
1st Team Schuylkill County North Team Guard & DT
1st Team Anthracite League Guard & DT
Anthracite League Lineman of the Year
1st Team Times News
2nd Team Pottsville Republican Offensive Guard
Honorable Mention – Reading Eagle Offensive Guard
3rd Team Pennsylvania Football News All State

Phil Redline – RB
1st Team Schuylkill County North Team
1st Team Anthracite League
1st Team Times News
2nd Team Pottsville Republican
Honorable Mention – Reading Eagle RB
Honorable Mention Pennsylvania Football News All State

Josh Hontz
1st Team Schuylkill County North Team WR
Offensive Player of the Year Anthracite League
2nd Team Schuylkill County DE
1st Team Anthracite League
2nd Team All Anthracite DE
Co-Offensive Player of the Year
1st Team Times News
1st Team Pottsville Republican
1st Team Reading Eagle – Anthracite Region
1st Team Morning Call
2nd Team Associated Press All State
3rd Team Pennsylvania Football News All State

Shenandoah 30
Jim Thorpe 20 The Olympian JVs fell to Shenandoah 30-20 on Monday. The Devils hit several big plays and took advantage of poor JT tackling to come away with the victory. Jim Thorpe failed to convert a 4th and 1 on their first possession. Shenandoah connected on a halfback pass on their first offensive play for a 55 yard touchdown to take a 6-0 lead.

Olympian defense would even the score later in the first quarter when Tom Hartman intercepted a screen pass and returned it 35 yards for a TD. The try for 2 failed leaving the score at 6-6. Another SV drive was stopped in the first half by a CJ Lehman interception. JT would take a 12-6 lead when Corey Cinicola connected with Nate Jones late in the 2nd quarter.

The Devils regained the lead just before the half on a 65 yard fade. The 2 pt conversion failed but a JT penalty on the try allowed another attempt. SV scored to make the score 14-12 at the half. SV opened the 2nd half with a long drive for a TD which was aided by JT missed tackles. After the 2 pt conversion the Devils lead was 22-12.

On their next drive the Olympians answered when Tom Ferguson raced 45 yards on a toss to cut the SV lead to 22-18. JT got hard inside running from Bill Rieck and Kyle Busocker and Ferguson continued his success to the outside. Ralph Bertrand led the Olympians with 3 receptions.

The JT defense played well at times with Tony Mistretta recording to tackle for a loss and a big sack by Josh Strohl. The Olympians seemed to take a 24-22 lead late in the 3rd quarter but a holding call negated the score. That drive stalled setting up another big play for the Devils. The SV QB connected on a passs over the middle which was misplayed by the JT defense. The Devil receiver raced 50 yards for the score extending the SV lead to 30-18.

The Olympians threatened one last time but SV intercepted a 4th down pass at the one yard line with 4 minutes remaining. SV would take a safety on 4th down to make the score 30-20 with under 2 minutes remaining.

NEXT JV GAME
Monday 10/09/2006 5pm at home vs Minersville