Like Deja-Vu,
Olympians look Familiar in '05 Opener
By: Kevin McArdle
Jim Thorpe opened the 2005 Anthracite 8 season the same way it opened the
past two A8 campaigns - by throttling Tamaqua.
Taking the field without the now-graduated seniors who led them to an
undefeated regular season and the outright A8 title last year, the
new-look Olympians showed they still have the talent to contend for this
year's title, too, and bested the Blue Raiders, 35-14.
Since dropping a close 7-6 decision to Tamaqua in the A8's inaugural game
in 2002, Thorpe has now taken three straight openers from the Blue
Raiders, with the combined score of those games an eye-popping 117-28.
In other non-league action, Schuylkill Haven and Shenandoah Valley each
scored week one wins, while Mahanoy Area, Marian, Minersville, and
Panther Valley all lost.
Jim Thorpe 35, Tamaqua 14
At Tamaqua, the Olympians rolled up 366 yards in total offense and cruised
past the Blue Raiders in the week's only league contest.
Junior QB Craig Zurn led the Thorpe aerial attack, completing 3-of-8
passes for 72 yards - including TD tosses of 34 and 20 yards to SE Josh
Hontz - and rushing 14 times for 73 yards. Senior TB Tyler O'Shura led the
ground attack, with 155 yards - and an 80-yard TD - on 13 carries.
Defensively, Thorpe's Red Swarm had four QB sacks - two by DE Mike Taptich
and one each by NG Mike Rambo and DT Keith Long - while SS Scott McGonigal
notched an interception.
Senior TB Ryan Stahler and senior QB George Zubey stood out for Tamaqua;
Stahler running for 45 yards and two TDs, and Zubey completing
11-of-18 passes for 86 yards. Stahler and CB Mark Angst had interceptions,
as well.
Schuylkill Haven 10, Hamburg 0
At Hamburg, the highly-touted Hurricanes wore down the Hawks in an
emotional opener.
The win was the first for new Haven head coach Mike Farr, who was named
recently to replace longtime coach John Davis, who died
unexpectedly during the second week of preseason practice.
Haven took a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter when, after an
interception by senior S Greg Sterner, QB Jon Miller hit TE Joe McCarthy
with a 23-yard TD toss. The squads then battled to a scoreless tie through
the middle quarters, until Haven PK Eric Fryer booted a 22-yard
field field goal to set the final score.
Haven faces yet another emotional game in week two, when it returns home
to Rotary Field to face Marian.
Shenandoah Valley 24, North Schuylkill 6
At Shenandoah, the Blue Devils used a balanced offensive attack to
surprise the Spartans.
Senior FB Cody Rakus paced Shenandoah Valley, carrying eight times for 76
yards and one TD, and catching a 33-yard TD pass. Junior TB Josh
Metkus (10-32) and Soph TB Nick Varga (4-27) added depth.
Junior QB Mike Reese had a banner debut, as well, connecting on 9-of-14
passes for 136 yards.
Sophomore FB Matt Rizzo (9 carries, 36 yards, 1 TD) and senior QB Chad
Marquadt (3-of-6, 67 yards) led North Schuylkill.
Williams Valley 35, Mahanoy Area 13
At Williamstown, a trio of senior running backs helped the Vikings come
from behind to top the Golden Bears.
Senior Christian Brown led the WV attack, carrying eight times for 122
yards and three TDs, while FBs Ray Broadie and Shane Heberling each
bulled their way for 66 yards on 15 carries.
Mahanoy Area held two leads in the first quarter, the first (7-0) gained
on a 45-yard TD pass from QB Trevor Strenchock to RB Jim Wronski,
and the latter (13-7) on a one-yard run by TB Mike Cadau.
Lehighton 35, Marian Catholic 21
At Hometown, junior TB Robbie Frey rushed for a school-record 324 yards
and sparked the visiting Indians to a comeback win over the Colts.
Trailing 14-7 late in the third quarter, Frey ripped off a 92-yard TD run
that pulled Lehighton to within 14-13. Then, in the fourth quarter,
he added a 44-yard TD run as the Indians pulled away.
For Marian, junior QB Travis John completed 9-of-21 passes for 124 yards -
including a 42-yard TD toss to SE Kevin McNavage - while junior
QB Adam Agosti completed 8-of 15 passes for 93 yards, including a 7-yard TD
toss to TB Brad Petritsch.
Petritsch also paced the Colts ground game, running for 52 yards and a TD
on 17 carries.
Tri-Valley 20, Minersville 12
At Hegins, the Bulldogs jumped out to an early lead and held off the pesty
Battlin' Miners.
Senior HB Tyler Sweinhart and junior QB Dylan Schreffler paced Tri-Valley;
Sweinhart carrying eight times for 74 yards, including a
24-yard TD, and Schreffler completing 8-of-18 passes for 123 yards and
rushing 17 times for 44 yards and two TDs.
Junior QB Ryan Weachock kept the Miners in the game, tossing a 13-yard TD
toss to RB Justin Duncan in the second quarter and scoring on a
one-yard run late in the fourth. In all, Weachock completed 13-of-21 passes
for 133 yards and carried 25 times for 108 yards.
Athens, 21, Panther Valley 7
At Athens, the Wildcats outgained the Panthers 382-118 to avenge last
year's close 7-6 loss in Lansford.
All three Athens TDs came via the ground, with freshman QB Shane Raupers
scoring on an 11-yard run, Zane Waite tallying a 6-yard score,
and Jordan Baird, a 15-yard jaunt.
Senior FB Chas Field paced the Panthers, running for 75 yards and a TD in
17 carries.
Standings League Overall
Jim Thorpe 1-0 1-0
Schuylkill Haven 1-0 0-0
Shenandoah Vy 1-0 0-0
Mahanoy Area 0-1 0-0
Marian 0-1 0-0
Minersville 0-1 0-0
Panther Vy 0-1 0-0
Tamaqua 0-1 0-1
Schedule (*league game)
*Marian @ Schuylkill Haven
*Mahanoy Area @ Jim Thorpe
Pine Grove @ Panther Valley
Nativity @ Shenandoah Vy
Minersville @ North Schuylkill
Tamaqua @ Lehighton