Nanticoke at North Pocono

Recap

NORTH POCONO 56, NANTICOKE 0

In Moscow, the North Pocono Trojans used a withering ground game and an overwhelming defense to stifle visiting Nanticoke, winning 56-0.

The Trojans opened the scoring on their opening drive as tailback Joe Briskie, returning from an injury that kept him sidelined for the second half of last season, rumbled into the end zone from four yards out just two minutes into the contest.

The next two North Pocono drives were climaxed on scoring aerials from quarterback Chase Zimmerman to standout receiver Cole West. The first covered 18 yards and the second 25, and with less than 8 minutes elapsed in the ball game, The Trojans held a commanding 21-0 advantage.

Josiah Gray was the next Trojan to hit paydirt as he carried in from 4 yards out with just 2:34 left in the quarter, increasing the Trojan lead to 28-0.

The second quarter featured short scoring runs for the Trojans. Zimmerman sneaked in from a yard out and later Jayden Taylor carried over from 2 yards away, giving North Pocono a 43-0 halftime lead.

With the mercy rule in effect during the entire second half, North Pocono consumed the majority of the game clock in the game’s third quarter. Gavin Swartz did the honors, this time from 6 yards away. A missed point after gave North Pocono a 49-0 lead headed into the final quarter.

With 5:30 left in the football game, the Trojans’ Lawrence Abbatiello danced 23 yards for the game’s final tally.

Briskie led the Trojans with 95 yards on the ground, while both of Zimmerman’s pass attempts went for touchdowns.

North Pocono travels to Yatesville to face Pittston Area next weekend in what should be an interesting early season test for the highly touted Trojans. Nanticoke will attempt to even their record in Week 2 as they host Carbondale Area.

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST QUARTER

NP — Joe Briskie 4-yd run (Shane Youngblood kick) – North Pocono 7-0

NP — Cole West 18-yd pass from Chase Zimmerman (Youngblood kick) – North Pocono 14-0

NP — West 25-yd pass from Zimmerman (Youngblood kick) – North Pocono 21-0

NP — Josiah Gray 4-yd run (Youngblood kick) – North Pocono 28-0

2ND QUARTER

NP — Zimmerman 1-yd run (Henry Wolff run) – North Pocono 36-0

NP — Jayden Taylor 2-yd run (Andrew Derenick kick) – North Pocono 43-0

3RD QUARTER

NP — Gavin Swartz 6-yd run (Kick failed) – North Pocono 49-0

4TH QUARTER

NP — Lawrence Abbatiello 23-yd run (Derenick kick) – North Pocono 56-0