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

Outstanding plays by TIMES-NEWS Player of the Week Josh Hontz, QB Cinicola, Redline, McGonigle, Adams, Garland, White, Jones and the entire Olympian team resulted in another X in the win column.

We have some video clips of the game. Here’s one:
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldOROWwP3yA]

Go to our YouTube channel to see them.

Lehighton    27

Jim Thorpe  20

The Lehighton Indians defeated Jim Thorpe 27-20 in overtime to retain the 209 Trophy. The Olympians had several chances to seal the game but could not finish off the persistent Indians.

The Indians dominated most of the first half despite limited playing time for their phenomenal running back Robbie Frey. Lehighton kicker Corey Whitehead connected on a 34 yard field goal that skipped over the crossbar to give the Indians a 3-0 lead in the first quarter. Justin Mooney completed a TD pass to Salvatore Caruso expand the 2nd quarter lead to 10-0. The Thorpe offense came to life in the 2nd quarter behind the running of Craig Zurn. Zurn finished a JT drive with a TD pass to Scott McGonigal. Alex Landon’s kick cut the Indian lead to 10-7 at the half.

The Indians regained momentum on the opening kick of the second half when Frey raced untouched for an 80yd TD making the score 17-7. The Olympians answered later in the third quarter. The hard running of Zurn and a key run by Joe Garland set up a 5yd TD run by Phil Redline. The extra point attempt failed making the score 17-13. The Red Swarm defense dominated the 3rd quarter and most of the 4th. JT took the lead for the first time in the 4th quarter on a 16 yd run by Zurn who finished with 205yds rushing. The Olympians held a 20-17 lead with 4 minutes remaining and took possession of the ball at their own 11. The Olympians needed only 2 first downs to run out the clock but only earned one. After a Thorpe punt the Indians took over with 1 minute remaining. On 4th down Mooney avoided a sack and connected with Caruso on a 30yd pass with under 30 seconds remaining. The next play was a short pass to Frey. Scott McGonigal was able to pull Frey down in bounds to keep the clock running. The Indians hustled to the line and spiked the ball with one second remaining. Whitehead hit a 38yd FG as time expired to send the game to OT. Mooney scored a 4yd TD on the third Lehighton play in overtime to give the Indians a 27-20 lead. An Indian interception on 3rd down sealed the win for the Indians.

Both teams will be participating in District XI playoffs next weekend.