HS FOOTBALL: Spartans defeat Cardinals, 41-19
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - North Schuylkill's #29 Josh Chowansky attempts to elude Pine Grove defenders.
FOUNTAIN SPRINGS – What began as a close back-and-forth battle ended in a runaway for North Schuylkill at Spartan Stadium Friday night.
The 1-0 Spartans and 0-1 Cardinals took to the field Friday in a rematch of last year’s District XI Semifinal, in which North Schuylkill 42-20.
This year’s battle played out in an almost duplicate fashion.
Pine Grove struck first, scoring a touchdown midway through the first quarter, giving the Cardinals a 7-0 advantage.
The lead would hold until 9:04 remained in the second quarter. Pine Grove, with the shadow of their own goalpost at their backs, averted disaster on a 3rd down, recovering a fumble inches from their goal line.
On fourth down, they wouldn’t be so lucky. Jaxson Chowansky found his way into the endzone, blocking the punt. Jared Tinari would recover in the endzone for a touchdown, knotting the game up at 7-apiece.
The two squads exchanged scores as time waned in the first half, leading to a 22-13 halftime score in North Schuylkill’s favor.
The second half would heavily favor the Spartans. With 10:40 remaining in the third quarter, Josh Chowansky ran 23 yards into the endzone to put the Spartans up 28-13. Another PG score with 4:47 to go in the 3rd created a 28-19 ballgame.
Two more scores in the fourth quarter — a Jake Hall to Tanner Walacavage pass for 31 yards and a Hall to Joey Flail 34-yard pass — would create the 41-19 final score in the Spartans’ favor.
Next week, the undefeated Spartans continue their homestand, hosting the Eagles of Blue Mountain (1-1) on Friday night.
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