Stream Pennsylvania High School Football on the NFHS Network
 
 
 
SAFR: Safer Through Science
 
CoachComm Cobalt Plus
 
Turf Tank
 

Notre Dame Green Pond 59 Tamaqua 16: Crusaders Advance to DXI 3A Championship Game

Tagged under: District 11, Game Photos-Videos, Gameday Hub, New Coaches, News, pfn, Playoffs

| November 8, 2025

Crusaders March Over the Blue Raiders on the Way to Championship Game

Neither Tamaqua nor the rain was going to slow down Notre Dame Green Pond’s goal of making it to the championship game next week for the District 11 3A Title. The Crusaders did that by outscoring the Blue Raiders 59-16 last night. Coach Bonner had the game plan, power the ball on the ground, eat up the clock and keep the ball away from the Crusaders who can put points on the board in bunches rain or shine. It looked like Tamaqua’s game plan might work and it did for the start of the game. They had the lead 7-8, but then Coach Stambaugh’s defense was able to slow down the Blue Raiders ground game and his offense ran off 28 straight points. Notre Dames’s defense only allowed one more touchdown, right before the half and shutout Tamaqua in the 2nd half. The offense didn’t let the rain slow them down and added 24 points in the 2nd half.

The Crusaders won the toss and elected to receive and they did not waste any time putting points on the board. Matt Bodnar threw to one of his favorite targets Alex Clark for a long pass play to the 12yd line of Tamaqua. Next Bodnar connected with Jonathan Striba on a pass that came up just short of the goal line to the one and Faustie Capobianco ran it in for the 1st of three touchdowns on the night and Notre Dame led 7-0 at 11:20 in the 1st quarter

Like I said Tamaqua had a game plan of run the ball and they did, mostly from a stacked backfield with RB Terrence McDowell Jr doing most of the leg work. FB Malachi Stewart not only blocked, but on 1st and goal from the punches it in from the 1yd line and after a 2pt conversion the Blue Raiders led 8-7 at 3:02 in the 1st quarter.

Oh boy we have a game, but Matt Bodnar and Alex Clark said hold on there, not so fast and connected again on a long pass play. This time from their own 32yd line 68yds for the score on the 3rd play of the drive and just that quick the Crusaders led 15-8 at 2:17 in the 1st quarter.

Notre Dame’s defense came up with a three and out, that gave them great field position and set up Tommy Murphy to take one to house 43yds on the 1st play from scrimmage and the Crusaders now led 22-8 with 18 seconds left in the 1st quarter.

Tamaqua’s next drive stalled after a holding call at their own 36yd line on 3rd and 5, they punted to the Crusaders who started their next drive at the 50yd line. And on 1st and 15 from the 26yd line of Tamaqua, Matt Bodnar threw to Jonathan Striba for 20yds to the 6yd line. Then Striba finished the drive and ran it in from 6yds out and the Crusaders led 29-8 at 8:13 in the 2nd quarter.

The Blue Raiders went three and out, but a fumble gave them the ball right back at their own 40yd line. This drive also stalled and Tamaqua was set to punt and it was blocked and recovered by Kalet Wilson at the 38yd line of Tamaqua. On 1st and 10 Bodnar threw to Drew Boyd who almost scored and got to the 2yd line 1st and goal. A penalty moved it back to the 7yd line and Faustie Capobianco got his 2nd touchdown of the game at 3:18 in the 2nd quarter. Crusaders led 35-8.

The Blue Raiders refused to roll over and with 25 seconds left in the half, on a drive that started on their own 33yd line, Terrance McDowell Jr ran 38yds to the 1yd line and took it in on the next play. After another 2pt conversion the score was 35-16. and that was the halftime score.

The 2nd half was all Crusaders all the time, on offense and defense. The defense shutout Tamaqua and the offense put up 24pts, the first of which was Faustie Capobianco’s powers in for his 3rd rushing touchdown of the game from the 1yd line at 5:06 in the 3rd quarter. To put the Crusaders up 42-16.

They also added a 22yd FG that made it 45-16 with 22 seconds left in the 3rd quarter.

One more for the road, the road to a championship game, that is. Matt Bodnar wasn’t finished, another completion for a touchdown, this time Cody Driscoll for 23yds and the score at 8:28 in the 4th quarter and that made it 52-16 Notre Dame on top.

Did I say one more for the road, I meant two. Jonathan Striba, who had a great game, took it to the house for the final score of the game at 5:47 left in the game 62yds. FINAL SCORE 59-16.

John Fox caught with Coach Stambaugh after the game and here is what he had to say about his team advancing to the Championship Game next against Northwestern Lehigh for the District 11 3A Title.

Matt Bodnar had another great game passing and led the offense to a 59pt performance

And last but not least, Faustie Capobianco he ran for three touchdowns on the night. He missed the playoffs the past two seasons due to injury, and for him to be able to contribute the way he did on both offense and defense was huge for him and his team. here is what he had to say to John Fox after the game.

The Crusaders got the win, but there is still unfinished business to care of next week. And that is Northwestern Lehigh in the Title Game, for game time, location, for this game and all the games across the state go to Pa Football News .com and the brackets page.

 

Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews

 
 
PA Football News Scoreboard presented by NFHS Network
 
GoRout
 
Showcase by Circle W Sports
 
x