Tamaqua Uses Strong Second Half to Beat Pen Argyl
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Billy Splain | August 24, 2024
Special Contributor: lsvsports.com/
The Blue Raiders and Green Knights were both looking to take a step forward in 2024. After early success for Pen Argyl, Tamaqua was able to take over in the second half on Saturday afternoon.
Things didn’t start great for Tamaqua, as they went three and out and shanked a punt. Pen Argyl took over on the Tamaqua 42. On a fourth and three play, Caiden Faust picked up 30, nearly breaking it all the way for a score. Mason Soos would finish the job on the next play, plunging into the end zone from five yards out.
Tamaqua followed the Green Knights’ touchdown drive with a 15 play 62 yard drive of their own, but came away empty on 4th and Goal from the 6. Luke Kane completed a 13 yard pass to Victor Schlosser on the first play to get his team near midfield. The combination of Bradley Whalen and Schlosser in the run game would start to gradually break down Pen Argyl’s defensive line.
After a Pen Argyl punt from the Tamaqua 42, the Blue Raiders took over on their own 24. One play later, Schlosser broke one on his third carry of the night, going 68 yards to the house on an end-around. With the extra point, the game was tied with 7:06 to play in the first half.
On the ensuing drive, Pen Argyl lost two yards, quickly going three and out. Tamaqua, with all the momentum, engineered a ten play, 73 yard drive. Luke Kane had a 22 yard completion to Schlosser wiped out on a holding call, but then found Jacob Hehn for 51 yards down the left side to flip the field. Pen Argyl thought they had a fourth and long stop, but a roughing the passer call extended the drive. Tamaqua capitalized via a 7-yard diving catch in the end zone by senior TE Declan Coleman. Pen Argyl got the ball back and had a first down at midfield, but let the half run out. Tamqau took a 14-7 lead to the locker room.
It seemed Pen Argyl was poised to respond and tie the game up on their first drive of the second half. Zach Metzgar picked up 13 on a reverse and a personal foul facemask call made it a nearly 30 yard gain for the Green Knights, setting them up at the Tamaqua 39. Methodically, Pen Argyl drove inside the red zone and eventually to the 6. On 4th and Goal, Metzgar ran left and Luke Kane came from his linebacker position to make a tackle for a three yard loss, holding the Green Knights off the scoreboard.
Tamaqua responded on the next drive. Facing a 3rd and 7, Luke Kane threw to Schlosser for a 66 yard catch and run, setting the Blue Raiders up with a Goal to go situation from the 5. Two plays later, Tyler Koch was in the end zone and Tamaqua led 21-7 with 3:04 left in the third quarter.
After forcing a three and out, Tamaqua went to the well again. On another end-around play, Schlosser went for 55. An unsportsmanlike conduct call extended the gain all the way down to the Green Knights’ 11. On his 15th carry of the night, Bradley Whalen found pay dirt on a 5-yard touchdown run. Tamaqua was now firmly in control at 28-7 as the third quarter wound to a close.
The Green Knights seemed to have finally hit the big play on their next drive, as Soos hit Chris Crespo for a 51 yard touchdown pass. However, the play was called back for holding and the team had to punt on 4th & 17.
From there, Tamaqua tacked on a 22 yard field goal from Nick Barron and Schlosser would make a diving interception to put the Blue Raiders right back in business in Knights’ territory. Ace Schickram capped the scoring on a five yard touchdown run.
Victor Schlosser finished his day with 145 yards and a score on the ground and 89 receiving yards on four catches. Bradley Whalen was a steady force, rushing 18 times for 76 yards and a touchdown. Luke Kane completed 8 of his 12 passes for 176 yards and a touchdown.
Tamaqua will face a tough test at home when North Schuylkill comes calling next Friday night. Pen Argyl will try to rebound when they hit the road at Palmerton.
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