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‘Passionate to play this game’; Nicco Thomas, North Hills route Plum 42-7

 
Tagged under: District 7, Gameday Hub, News, pfn

| October 17, 2026

WEST VIEW, PA– Yeah, they’re for real.

And not only that, they know it too.

On this wet, cold, rainy night at Martorelli Stadium, North Hills cruised to a 42-7 win over Plum, with the mercy rule kicking in in the second half.

North Hills came out on all cylinders, finding the end zone four times in the first quarter. Nicco Thomas scored half of them and finished with three in the first half alone.


“Passion”, he said. “Passionate to play this game. Me and my guys have worked for this for so long. Shoutout to Coach [Kasperowicz]. He really came in and changed the entire program. I have a different kind of love for the game and the guy next to me. Same for the guy in front of me. Whether he’s in the white jersey like Plum tonight or red. So, I just really love this game. I give my love to football every night. I really am a running back. Especially cause of last season, I’m a defensive player, but no, I’m trying to change the narrative.”

My goodness, has he. Even his coach is impressed by how he’s “changed the narrative.”

“Selfless,” Eric Kasperowicz would say of Thomas. “Captain” was the other word.

“I’d say he’s a pretty good linebacker and he’s a pretty darn good running back as well,” he’d say with a smirk. “Really proud of how he plays. He’s so eager to learn and get better. And really honed his craft. And he’s balling out this year for us. And we’re going to go as far as Nicco will take us.”

Such high praise. Good for him.

And not to be forgotten Johnell Edison who added two touchdowns of his own in the first half as well.

Man, this North Hills defense is really good. Like really good. That’s two weeks in a row that they’ve (almost) shut out two very high-powered offenses in Armstrong and Plum. What’s that saying, “Defense wins championships”

Well, if that’s the case, then this team could very well be playing in the stadium with the yellow seats. And wherever the state championship happens to be. That was about the most complete win I’ve seen all season. The rain was also on North Hills’ side when Plum couldn’t hold onto the thing for a few possessions.

Unfortunately for those guys, the playoffs are probably out of reach. Which is a shame since they had the WPIAL leader in passing yards and touchdowns, quarterback John Nonnenberg. As well as top receiver Semaj Robinson, who was shut down all game.

Nonnenberg had some nice throws at times, but with the rain, it was hard to catch the ball. Now, if there was no rain, could this game have been more competitive? Maybe… It’s hard to say. With North Hills’ defense… eh… I’ll leave that up to you.

The Indians now move forward to hosting Pine Richland next week at Martorelli in is shaping up to be the “Game of the Year” in 5A. The Northeast Conference title is on the line, and the Rams made their statement tonight with a blowout win over Armstrong. I’ll save the River Hawks the embarrassment by not mentioning the final score.

But if there is any team that can slow that high-powered Rams offense… uh huh.

TV and Radio broadcast again, anyone?

 
 
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