Saucon Valley Piles Up Points Against Catasauqua
Tagged under: District 11, Gameday Hub, News, pfn
Cody Brady | September 28, 2024
In an ultra-competitive District XI class 3A playoff field, this one meant a lot for the Panthers. Despite being 4-1 coming in, Saucon Valley was on the outside of the playoff picture at the midway point of the season, chasing down Northwestern Lehigh, North Schuylkill, Notre Dame Green Pond, and Tamaqua. It comes as no surprise then, that the team was hungry to make a statement in front of their home fans in week 6. They made one as they blew out Catasauqua 62-14.
On the flipside, Catasauqua entered the game having lost two in a row and sans their starting quarterback, Aiden Reilly for the second straight week. Leading rusher for the team, Jordan Bradshaw received his second consecutive start.
Catasauqua’s Matt Fotta actually intercepted Braden Rohn’s first pass of the evening, returning the ball to the Saucon 31 and putting the Rough Riders in a great spot to score first. However, the Panthers defense came up big all night long, starting with a Caleb Grim tackle for loss. A 4th & 2 call came up short for the Rough Riders and they turned it over on downs at the Panthers 23.
With just one play, Jared Rohn exploded through the line for 51 yards, flipping the field position and setting up his own 11 yard touchdown run over the left side two plays later. Catasauqua struggled to tackle and wrap-up early, and Jared Rohn took advantage often. He was able to keep his legs constantly going and break free from arm tackles and change direction on a dime.
After the quick score, head coach Anthony Brinkley went to his bag of tricks. Andrew Gilbert would collect a perfectly executed onside kick, extending Catasauqua’s time on defense early in the game. Braden Rohn scrambled for gains of nine and thirteen before brother Jared took it into the end zone again from a yard out.
Trailing 14-0 with 4:07 left in the first quarter, quarterback Jordan Bradshaw went to the air for the Roughs, completing a 12 yard pass to Manny Bolmer and hooking up with Tyler Linandri for 14. For the second straight drive, though, the Saucon defense rose up. This time it was Jared Rohn who met Cadeo Estronza in the backfield for a loss of four. A false start then added five yards to a 4th & 4; Catasauqua opted to punt after a timeout. The punt was nearly downed on the 1-yard line, but the player downing the ball had a foot in the end zone, resulting in a touchback.
Braden Rohn went to the air on 3rd and long, finding Jack Robertson all alone behind the secondary for a 66 yard touchdown. On the ensuing possession, Andrew Gilbert scampered down the near sideline into the end zone, but did step out on the Catty 28. Three plays later, Jared Rohn carried the rock seven yards for a touchdown, marking his third of the half and putting Saucon ahead 28-0.
The next two Panthers drives were one play daggers that put the game well out of reach. Jack Robertson got behind the defense one more time for a 47 yard touchdown reception and Shane Kerosetz tacked on a 26 yard touchdown run following a fake punt that came up short.
The Saucon defense remained stout throughout the game, holding Catasauqua to one net rushing yard in the first half. On a Joe Peterson sack of Jordan Bradshaw, Bradshaw came off the field assisted by trainers. He would not return in the game. Catasauqua would be down to their third string quarterback for the remainder of the game in Cadeo Estronza.
Estronza provided a bit of a spark for the Rough Riders in the second half, speeding down the far sideline on the second play of the third quarter for 57 yards and a touchdown. He then ripped off a 79 yard that would set up a five yard pass to JoJo Lafond. But for as hard as Catasauqua worked all night trying to muster offense, Saucon countered almost immediately each time. In the third quarter, after the Estronza rushing score, Shane Kerosetz returned the ensuing kickoff to the Catty 37. Two plays later, Braden Rohn raced 31 yards to the house. On their next drive, it took just two plays before Peter Albano found Noah Weiss for a 70 yard touchdown.
The scoring in the 62-14 blowout was capped on a 12 yard touchdown run by Eli Szlachtianshyn. On the night, Saucon Valley ran for 325 yards and six scores. Braden Rohn and Pete Albano combined to complete all three of their passing attempts for 181 yards and three touchdowns.
“This is one of those games where I can’t wait to go watch the tape. I can’t wait to see our line,” said coach Anthony Brinkley after the game. Minus the two late big runs, his defense allowed just 41 yards on the ground and 77 through the air.
Saucon Valley’s offense has scored 117 points over its last two games and will go on the road at Salisbury next Friday night. Catasauqua will look to get back in the win column when they travel to Jim Thorpe.
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