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North Pocono dominates 1st half to defeat Berwick

 
Tagged under: District 2, Gameday Hub, News, pfn

| August 29, 2026

North Pocono rolled out to a large halftime lead only to come up lame in the 3rd quarter and held on to defeat Berwick 36-20.  Trojan RB Joe Briskie had 2 short yardage touchdowns, RB Jayden Taylor had a rushing TD.  Berwick QB Brady Cleaver threw for a score and ran for a score.

Berwick had won the coin toss and deferred to the 2nd half, so North Pocono opted to receive the opening kickoff.  Berwick kicked off and was facing the sun as North Pocono’s Cole West eluded several tacklers and changed fields, then broke free for a 93-yard kickoff return TD.  With 11:45 left in the 1st quarter, North Pocono had a 7-0 lead.

Berwick couldn’t get anything going on their first drive and punted it away.  North Pocono took advantage immediately and drove into Bulldog territory.  The drive was capped when RB Joe Briskie scored on a 7-yard run and it was 14-0 for North Pocono with 8:58 left in the 1st quarter.

North Pocono struck again in the 2nd quarter.  The Trojan defense held Berwick in check early and scored again when RB Jayden Taylor had a 1-yard run to paydirt to make it 20-0 North Pocono with 8:39 left in the first half.

10 seconds later, disaster happened for the Bulldogs.  A bad snap and fumble led to a Trojan recovery of the ball in the endzone to make it 27-0 North Pocono with 8:29 left in the first half.  After the teams exchanged several possessions, the Trojans had a decent drive that stalled.  North Pocono Kicker Shane Youngblood stepped up big though, and drilled a 47-yard field goal to give North Pocono a 30-0 halftime lead.

Berwick had some success early in the 3rd quarter.  They received the 2nd half kickoff and on the 2nd play of the half it was QB brady Cleaver connecting with his brother, WR Bryce Cleaver for a 78-yard catch-and-run for the score and Berwick was on the board with the Trojans still leading 30-7.

Being that this was the first game of the year, cramps began to set in for both teams but especially for the Trojans.  There were at least 8 stoppages of play and several Trojan players had to come off the field.  The Bulldogs took advantage as the game headed to the 4th quarter and had an extended drive that was capped when RB Gavin Galutia scored on a 6-yard run.  With 8:03 left in the game, North Pocono had a 30-13 lead.

Berwick then scored again when Brady Cleaver broke away on a 76-yard scoring run.  With 4:44 left, North Pocono was holding on to a 30-20 lead.

North Pocono then executed a lengthy, clock-draining drive that was capped by Briskie on a 3-yard run to put North Pocono up 36-20 with 1:28 left in the game.

Berwick had one last chance, but with no timeouts remaining the drive stalled as time expired and the Trojans emerged with a 36-20 victory.  North Pocono is now 1-0 and will head on the road to face Scranton.  Berwick dropped to 0-1 and will try to get back on track at Pittston Area.

 
 
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