Shenandoah Valley (4-0) at Jim Thorpe (4-0)

Sept. 30, 2006

In battle of unbeatens, Jim Thorpe knocks off Shenandoah Valley

Just off Route 903 in Jim Thorpe, there was a key Anthracite Football League contest. Two unbeatens met, the Devils from Shenandoah Valley (4-0) and the Olympians of Jim Thorpe. It was Youth Night, with youngsters hoping to see what they'll be playing like in the future.

The Olympians would start of the night with good field position, at the Devil 46 - yard line. From there, it would take Olympian quarterback Craig Zurn and the offense 9 plays to get into the end zone on their first drive of the night. Junior Running Back Scott McGonigal took the handoff 2 yards for the touchdown. An Alex Landon kick would make it 7-0. That is how the 1st quarter ended as well.

On the last drive of the 1st quarter, Jim Thorpe gained 15 yards to their own 25 yard line. On a 4th and 20 (a sack by the Devils), Alex Landon punts the ball. Shenandoah Valley returner fumbles the ball and Jim Thorpe recovers the ball on the Devil 49 yard line. Starting the 2nd quarter, the Olympian offense used up 9 plays and 49 yards for the Craig Zurn 1 yard touchdown run, at the 9:03 mark. A Landon kick made it 14-0. On the next series for Shenandoah, it was 3 plays and out as Jackson Lattimore fumbles the ball and the Olympians recover their 2nd fumble of the evening.

Starting off on the Devils 21 yard line, it took Jim Thorpe 2 plays with 7:56  remaining in the half to make it 21-0. Junior Running Back Philip Redline plunged in from 2 yards out for his only touchdown of the evening. Redline has 114 yards rushing on the evening.

Not wanting to be shutout in the first half, Junior Running Back Nick Varga dove in from 1 yard touch to put the Devils on the board. With a key play being a 58 yard pass from quarterback Mike Reese to receiver Koury Kaplafka ending on the 1 yard line. It took the Devils offense 3 plays from the 1 yard line to get in.

With no scoring from either side in the 3rd quarter, Scott McGonigal and the Olympians were hungry for more. With 2:28 left in the game, McGonigal ended his evening, with his second touchdown of the night - a 1 yard touchdown run - to put the game away and keep he and his Olympians unbeaten at 5-0.

This Friday, Jim Thorpe (5-0) travels to Minersville (4-1) while Shenandoah Valley (4-1) hosts Schuylkill Haven (2-3). Both are league games.

Game Summary

1st Quarter

7:49 - JT - Scott McGonigal 2 yard TD run (Alex Landon kick)

2nd Quarter

9:03 - JT - Craig Zurn 1 yard TD run (Landon kick)

7:56 - JT - Philip Redline 1 yard TD run (Robert Lawler kick)

3:46 - SV - Nick Varga 1 yard TD run (Justin Soloman kick)

3rd Quarter

no scoring

4th Quarter

2:28 - JT - Scott McGonigal 1 yard TD run (Landon kick)
 

NOTES:

Jim Thorpe had 17 first downs; Shenandoah Valley 9

Philip Redline had 114 yards rushing on 19 carries

Devil QB Mike Reese threw for over 190 yards

Devils were held to only 6 yards rushing on the evening