Tags: District 11, Gameday Hub, News, pfn
24 August 2024
Special Contributor: lsvsports.com/
Both the Blue Raiders and Green Knights were looking to take a step forward in 2024. After Pen Argyl’s early success, Tamaqua was able to take the lead in the second half on Saturday afternoon.
Things didn’t start well for Tamaqua, going three yards and out and botching a punt. Pen Argyl took over at Tamaqua’s 42. On a fourth-and-3 play, Caiden Faust picked up 30 yards and almost broke all the way through for a score. Mason Soos finished the job on the next play, penetrating the end zone from five yards out.
Tamaqua followed the Green Knights’ touchdown drive with a 15-play, 62-yard drive of its own, but came up empty on 4th and goal from the 6-yard line. Luke Kane completed a 13-yard pass to Victor Schlosser on the first play, bringing his team near the halfway line. The combination of Bradley Whalen and Schlosser in the running game would begin to break down the Pen Argyl defensive line.
After a punt by Pen Argyl from the Tamaqua 42-yard line, the Blue Raiders took control at their own 24-yard line. One play later, Schlosser broke a ball on his third run of the night and completed an end-around 68 yards to the goal. The extra point tied the score with 7:06 left in the first half.
On the ensuing drive, Pen Argyl lost two yards and was quickly three yards away. Tamaqua, with momentum on its side, managed a 73-yard, ten-play drive. Luke Kane’s 22-yard pass to Schlosser was negated by a holding call, but then he found Jacob Hehn for 51 yards down the left side to flip the field. Pen Argyl thought they had a fourth-and-long stop, but a call for roughing the passer extended the drive. Tamaqua took advantage with a 7-yard catch in the end zone by senior TE Declan Coleman. Pen Argyl got the ball back and had a first down at the midfield line, but let the half expire. Tamqau went to the locker room with a 14-7 lead.
It seemed as though Pen Argyl was ready to respond and tie the game on their first drive of the second half. Zach Metzgar picked up 13 yards on a reverse and a facemask personal foul gave the Green Knights a nearly 30-yard gain that put them at the Tamaqua 39. Methodically, Pen Argyl drove into the red zone and eventually to the 6. On the fourth and final attempt, Metzgar ran left and Luke Kane came out of his linebacker position to make a tackle for a loss of three yards and keep the Green Knights off the scoreboard.
Tamaqua responded on the next drive. Facing a 3rd and 7, Luke Kane threw a 66-yard catch-and-run to Schlosser, putting the Blue Raiders in a goal-to-go situation from the 5. Two plays later, Tyler Koch was in the end zone and Tamaqua led 21-7 with 3:04 left in the third quarter.
After forcing a three-and-out, Tamaqua was back on track. Schlosser made it 55 on another end-around play. Unsportsmanlike conduct allowed the Green Knights to extend their lead to 11. Bradley Whalen scored a 5-yard touchdown on his 15th run of the night. Tamaqua was now in full control, 28-7, as the third quarter drew to a close.
The Green Knights finally seemed to have a big win on their next drive when Soos threw a 51-yard touchdown pass to Chris Crespo. However, the play was called back for holding and the team was forced to punt on 4th & 17.
From there, Tamaqua got a 22-yard field goal from Nick Barron and Schlosser made an interception that put the Blue Raiders back in the game. Ace Schickram capped the scoring with a five-yard touchdown run.
Victor Schlosser finished his day with 145 yards and a touchdown on the ground and 89 yards on four catches. Bradley Whalen was a reliable force, running 18 times for 76 yards and a touchdown. Luke Kane completed 8 of his 12 passes for 176 yards and a touchdown.
Tamaqua faces a tough home test when North Schuylkill travels next Friday night. Pen Argyl will look to rebound when they travel to Palmerton.
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