FOUNTAIN SPRINGS - Workmanlike. Impressive. Scary.
Yes, all those adjectives can be used to describe North Schuylkill's 35-6 victory over visiting Tamaqua in Friday's opening night victory in Anthracite Football League play.
Indeed, the Spartans (1-0, 1-0 AFL) were workmanlike in showing why they are the preseason favorites to win the league in a poll of the coaches by scoring on their first four possessions in taking a 27-0 halftime lead. And veterans such as quarterback Bobby Grigas, running back John Rupinski, fullback Major Jordan and wide receiver Tevin Murray were impressive in having their way with Tamaqua (0-1, 0-1) on the ground and in the air.
Mostly though what was so scary about the victory was the way North Schuylkill never appeared to shift into fourth gear in cruising past the Blue Raiders. Which is not to say the Spartans were without their share of big plays.
"For opening night, I thought we played well," North Schuylkill coach Wally Hall said. "We got the ground game going early, and then we were able to go to the passing game.
"We want to throw the ball, and we have some receivers who can make plays. Obviously, the offense was able to take advantage of some things."
A 60-yard run by Rupinski on the five-play, 70-yard drive to open the game accounted for the largest chunk of the 103 yards he gained on 13 carries. He capped the drive with a 5-yard run after just 1:45 of playing time.
Jordan rambled for 57 of his 72 yards on four carries to highlight the seven-play, 76-yard scoring drive on the next possession. Grigas capped the drive with the first of his three touchdown passes with a well-placed ball to the 6-5 Murray.
"We knew going in we were going to have some match-up problems in the passing game, and they certainly took advantage of that," Tamaqua coach Sam Bonner said. "They have size and they have people who can make plays."
North Schuylkill made those plays on both sides of the ball, getting interceptions from Jordan and Rich Zahodnick and recovering two of five forced fumbles. One of those fumble recoveries came early in the second quarter on a sack of freshman quarterback Thad Zuber, who left the game late in the half with an ankle injury.
On the first play following the fumble Zahodnick scored on a 54-yard run, and three plays later the Spartans got the ball back on Jordan's interception. On first down, Grigas and Murray combined on a 33-yard touchdown pass for a 27-0 lead.
A 36-yard pass from Grigas to Murray that went to the 2 keyed a four-play, 51-yard drive early in the third quarter. Jordan then bulled his way into the end zone, and the 2-point pass from Grigas to Murray made the score 35-0 and the mercy rule went into effect.
With Zuber out of the game, running back Ernie Shilko, who had 16 carries for 33 yards, moved to quarterback, completing 2 of 3 passes for 30 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to Tyler Skripko, who led the Raiders with 10 carries for 52 yards. Collin Moyer, who had three receptions for 22 yards, replaced Shilko in the backfield and carried eight times for 25 yards.
Grigas completed 5 of 8 passes for 147 yards, including two completions to Zahodnick for 73 yards.
Game Summary
Tamaqua 0 0 0 6 - 6
North Schuylkill 13 14 8 0 - 35
NS - Rupinski, 5 run (Grigas kick)
NS - Murray, 5 pass from Grigas (kick failed)
NS - Zahodnick, 54 pass from Grigas (Jordan pass from Grigas)
NS - Murray, 33 pass from Grigas (kick failed)
NS - Jordan, 2 run (Murray pass from Grigas)
T - Tyler Skripko, 20 pass from Shilko (pass failed)
T NS
First Downs 10 9
Rushes-Yards 39-125 32-229
Passes 6-13-2 5-8-0
Passing Yards 59 147
Total Yards 184 376
Fumbles-Lost 5-2 2-1
Penalties 1-5 6-40
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
RUSHING: Tamaqua - Ty. Skripko 10-52, Shilko 16-33, Moyer 8-25, Dannenfelser 3-24, Zuber 2-(-9). North Schuylkill - Rupinski 13-102, Jordan 4-72, Hummel 5-18, Grigas 3-15, DeAngelo 4-10, E. Clark 2-7, Runge 1-0.
PASSING: Tamaqua - Shilko 2-3-0, 30 yds; Zuber 4-10-2, 29. North Schuylkill - Grigas 5-8-=0, 147 yds.
RECEIVING: Tamaqua - Moyer 3-22, Ty. Skripko 1-20, Dannefelser 1-10; Tr. Skripko 1-7. North Schuylkill - Murray 3-74, Zahodnick 2-73.
INTERCEPTIONS: North Schuylkill - Jordan, Zahodnick.