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Nanticoke takes Season Opener over Carbondale

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

| August 26, 2023

For the Nanticoke Trojans, this season came in with a new turf surface and high expectations. After all the fanfare came to an end, it was time to play the game and the Trojans came to play as they kept Carbondale out of the end zone with Jaidyn Johnson almost in the Chargers backfield every play. Zach Fox powered the offense as Nanticoke took a 35-0 home victory to start the season 1-0. “Alot of excitement here. It was a big night with the stadium dedication, the guys played well and we’re thrilled.” Trojans Head Coach Ron Bruza said.

Carbondale started with the ball and the Nanticoke defense got a three and out. On the first offensive play of the game for the Trojans, Zach Fox broke free for a 55 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Nanticoke with 10:44 remaining in the first quarter. “It was definitely a goal. Just came out and that’s all I wanted”. Fox talking about scoring the first touchdown on the new turf. Carbondale started moving the ball on their next drive as Ethan Brewen picked 39 all-purpose yards on the drive. However, the drive stalled as Carbondale entered Trojan territory and were forced to punt. Johnson blocked the punt then Gavin Turak recovered the blocked punt and returned it to the Carbondale 49 yard line.

It looked like the Trojans were going to build on the blocked punt but the Chargers got a fumble recovery at their own one yard line. However, Nanticoke got the momentum back as senior lineman Ryan Wiaterowski forced a fumble and fellow senior defensive end Seth Raymer recovered it at the one yard line. Fox scored from one yard out on the next play and his second touchdown of the game to make it 14-0 Nanticoke wth 3:27 remaining in the first quarter.

The Chargers got into Trojans territory on a penalty but Johnson got his first sack on second down as the first quarter came to an end. The sack resulted in a Carbondale punt. Nanticoke started at their own 23 yard line. Fox got the ball six times on the drive, ending it on a 44 yard touchdown run for his third score of the night and a 21-0 Trojan lead with 7:11 to go in the first half.

On a third and 6 for Carbondale, Darryl Bennett got seven yards on the ground but an incomplete pass, a sack by Johnson and a Bennett completion to Brewen for 14 yards made it a fourth and 4. Bennett found Colin Ormes but was one yard short of the first down and Nanticoke took over on downs at midfield. Facing a fourth and 2, Stephen Armstrong ran for three yards. After an incompletion, Fox looked he was getting his fourth touchdown of the game but was just out of bounds and got a 31 yard gain to the six yard line. Eugene Gyle finished the drive on the next play with a six yard run to make it 28-0 with 1:46 to go until halftime. The Chargers ran the ball into halftime.

Nanticoke cruised in the second half. Triston Allen tiptoed the sideline for a 28 yard score to make it 35-0 Trojans and that ended up being the final score. Jaidyn Johnson ended the night with 3.5 sacks also had the first tackle of the season on the opening kickoff. Johnson discussed his game tonight. “It felt amazing to get the first hit on the new turf. Felt nice being in the backfield every play. It felt like they couldn’t check me every play.” said Johnson. Nanticoke takes on Old Forge at home next Friday. Carbondale has their home opener against Lakeland.

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