Jim Thorpe 38
Pocono Mountain West 28

Pictures from the game.

Jim Thorpe improves record to 7-0.

Jim Thorpe jumped out to an early 14-0 lead Friday on rushing TDs by Phil Redline and Scott McGonigal. The Panthers dominated the remainder of the half scoring 21 points. PMW quarterback Jon Mangual had a tremendous game throwing for 216 yards and evading the JT rush.

JT trailed for the first time this season 21-14 at the half. The Olympians regrouped at the half and scored 17 3rd quarter points. The Red Swarm defense set up the Thorpe offense forcing back-to-back turnovers on Panther drives. Corey Cinicola, making his first career start, threw a 27yd TD pass to Raul DeBenedittis to tie the score at 21. Redline would score his 2nd rushing TD on the next JT possession to give the Olympians a lead they would not relinquish.

Alex Landon connected on his first field goal of the year to expand the JT lead to 31-21. Redline scored a 3rd rushing TD in the 4th quarter to make the score 38-21. The Panthers would not quit and drove for a TD of their own to cut the Thorpe lead to 38-28 with under 5 minutes to play.

An onside kick attempt by PMW was recovered by Mike Thomas. The Olympians would be forced to punt and made a final defensive stand to preserve the win for the Olympians. Cinicola finished 8-15 for 146yds 1td and 2 ints. His main target was Josh Hontz with 4 receptions for 61yds.

Redline had a huge game on the ground carrying 32 times for 135 yds and 3 scores. The Red Swarm defense played a tremendous second half containing Mangual who was so elusive in the first half.

NEXT GAME

7pm Friday October 20th at Schuylkill Haven

Total team effort dominates North Schuylkill for the entire game.

(1) Spartans were held to 66 yards of total offense (56yds on the one play in the 3rd quarter)

(2) ”Clewless” NS passing attacked had only one completion for 1 yard. No receptions for Robbie Clews.

(3) NS managed only 2 first downs the entire game.

(4) Red Swarm recovered 3 fumbles, recorded a safety and gave the Olympian offense great field position the entire night.

 Inspired by the Red Swarm Defense, the Olympian Offense scored 7 TDs. Kyle Porembo and Phil Redline each scored first half rushing TDs. After the Jim Thorpe Defense scored a safety, “Big Ben” Flizack hauled in a 14 yard TD from Craig Zurn to increase the JT lead to 30-0 at the half. The lone defensive lapse by the Olympians occurred early in the 3rd quarter when the NS quarterback ran 56 yards for the only Spartan score. The Olympians answered on the ensuing drive with a 10 yard TD pass from Zurn to Josh Hontz. Craig Zurn and Tony Mistretta added rushing TDs to reach the final score of 50-6.

The Olympians spread the wealth on offense with the O-line (Lance Malatak, Shawn Bradley, Billy Mertz, Robbie Mathurin, Keith Long & Ben Flizack) opening huge holes for a host of JT runners. 10 rushers gained 301 yards on the ground (Craig Zurn 7-102, Phil Redline 18-91, Tony Mistretta 6-41, Scott McGonigal 6-25, Jake Zurn 2-19, Kyle Porembo 3-17, Tim Kunkel 2-9, Tom Ferguson 1-5, Raul DeBenedittis 1-(-1)). The passing attack was balanced as well. Craig Zurn went 6 for 12 passing for 92 yards and Corey Cinicola completed his only attempt for 8 yards.  6 players pulled down passes for 100 yards (Raul DeBenedittis 2-43, Mike Thomas 1-18, Ben Flizack 1-14, Josh Hontz 1-10, Phil Redline 1-6, Kyle Porembo 1-7).

The complete JT team effort continued when substitutes entered the game. There was no let down when the Olympian second team took the field and played a majority of the 4th quarter. The second team offense added a TD. The second team defense yielded only 1 NS first down and surrendered zero points.

Next Game

Olympians host backyard rival Panther Valley in an Anthracite League game Friday September 22nd at 7pm.

Please come out and show your support…GO THORPE!