Preview: Notre Dame Hosts Jim Thorpe in District 11 3A Semifinals Matchup

Tagged under: District 11, News, pfn, Playoffs

john fox dan di edwardo | November 12, 2026

Coming off a dominant 79-0 shutout win against #7 seeded Salisbury Township, Notre Dame Green Pond will stay home to host Jim Thorpe, who is coming off a 48-27 win over #6 seeded Tamaqua. Overall on the year, the NDGP Crusaders are 10-1, and the Jim Thorpe Olympians are 7-4, setting the stage for a potential offensive shootout.

The Crusaders are coming off their most complete team win of the season, with QB Tommy Murphy accounting for 5 TD passes and 226 passing yards overall. The Notre Dame ground game lived up to the hype, with 167 total yards combined. Tyler Coad was the leading rusher with 3 carries for 55 yards, including a 53 yard TD run. The leading WR was Drew Boyd 4 catches for 95 yards and 2 TDs. The defense also chipped in with 6 sacks and 3 INTs. John Hull led the defense with 1 pick-6 INT, plus 2 sacks, and 2 tackles for loss.  With weapons like Boyd, the 1-2 punch at RB of Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Striba, and the threat of Tommy Murphy both passing and running, the Crusaders are a complete offense that is a nightmare for other teams to game plan against. Tommy Murphy filled in for longtime recently departed QB, Matt Bodnar, without missing a beat, which is an encouraging sign for Coach Stambaugh and the team, who is looking to make one last deep playoff run before the senior core of Boyd, Striba, Gordon and Hull all move on in 2027.

The Olympians are coming off their best offensive effort of the season as well, scoring 48 points and sending a statement that they are clicking at the right time. QB Tyler Hoherchak threw for 201 yards and 3 TDs on 18 passes, while rushing for 53 yards and a TD. Bobby Levins led the RBs with 13 carries for 140 yards and 2 TDs. Jim Thorpe also picked off two passes courtesy of Paxton Novack and Anthony Kiehl. However, one area Jim Thorpe must improve in is run defense, as Terrence McDowell Jr. had 166 rushing yards and 3 TDs, to the tune of 8.7 yards per carry. Against a Notre Dame offense that boasts running backs like Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Striba, the Olympians defense will have their work cut out for them. The good news for Jim Thorpe is that they won 4 of their last 5 and are averaging 30 points per game in those contests. The offense needs keep up that pace, especially when facing a Notre Dame Green Pond offense that can score in bunches and put opponents to bed rather quickly, as they showed against Salisbury Township last week.

Overall, both teams are humming offensively, and are hitting their strides at the best possible time. However, Notre Dame is also getting more help from their defense of late, something the Olympians need to pull out a road win in a hostile environment. The main key to the game will be whatever defense makes more plays. In a game that has potential for an offensive shootout, that one INT, forced fumble, or sack can be the difference. Tune in Friday night at 7 to see which team moves on in the District 11 3A Playoffs!