Marian Catholic 21
Jim Thorpe 14
Game Photos
Principal Lesisko Game Photos
Marian outlasts Jim Thorpe to force a 3-way tie for the lead in the Anthracite Football League. Both teams fought extremely hard in a driving rain in front af a huge homecoming crowd at Jim Thorpe. The Red Swarm defense allowed only 50 yards rushing and forced 3 turnovers but was hurt several times on big pass plays. In the end, it was the Colts that capitalized on Thorpe miscues to win the game.The Olympians capped their first possession with a 5-yd TD pass from Craig Zurn to Scott McGonigal. Alex Landon made the extra point to give Thorpe the 7-0 lead. Marian answered later in the first quarter on a 2-yd run by Brad Petrisch.
The Olympians held on to the lead by blocking the extra point leaving the score at 7-6 after one quarter. Jim Thorpe extended the lead to 14-6 at half-time on a 63-yd flea flicker from Zurn to Josh Hontz.
In the 3rd quarter Marian took advantage of good field position to tie the score at 14. Adam Agosti capped the dive with an 8-yd run. A 2-pt conversion pass from Agosti to Petrisch knotted the game.
The game would remain tied for most of the 4th quarter with neither team able to get into an offensive rhythm. The Olympians seemed to be poised to take the lead. With eight minutes remaining in the game, Agosti was sacked and fumbled. Kyle Porembo recovered setting up the Olympians with a first and goal at the Colt 5-yd line. Two running plays field reach the endzone and on third down Travis John made a diving interception in the endzone to end the threat.
The Red Swarm defense stopped the Colts again but Thorpe fumbled the ball away near midfield. A few plays later Agosti connected with Kevin McNavage who avoided two tackles and raced 40 yards to put the Colts up 21-14. With 22 seconds remaining in the game, Craig Zurn scrambled 39 yards to the endzone while avoiding several Colt defenders. The play was negated however on a phantom block in the back penalty. Time expired before the Olympians could run another play.
RUSHING: Marian: Petrisch 26-50, Yorke 2-16, Confer 1-9, King 3-5, Rizzo 1-1, Agosti 11-(-30), JT: Redline 14-40, Garland 1-8, McGonigal 1-5.
PASSING: Marian: Agosti 9-17-1-149, JT: Zurn 7-21-2-154.
RECEIVING: Marian: McNavage 4-84, Stevens 4-33, Petrisch 1-32, JT: Hontz 2-94, McGonigal 2-14, DeBenedittis 1-24, Skaflestad 1-11, Redline 1-11.
If Shenandoah Valley and Marian Catholic both win in week 10, they will share a Tri-Championship with Jim Thorpe (all 3 teams would have an 8-1 league record). All 3 teams have already clinched spots in the District XI playoffs (SV & Marian in A and Thorpe in AA).
Tags: Alex Landon, Craig Zurn, Josh Hontz, Kyle Porembo, Marian, Scott McGonigal
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