Jim Thorpe plays for EC title
Jim Thorpe faces Salisbury in Friday’s Eastern Conference Class 3A championship game.
Salisbury at Jim Thorpe
Friday, Nov. 1, 7 p.m.
Here’s what you need to know:
PLAYOFF BOUND ... The Olympians (7-3) have now qualified for the postseason for a fifth consecutive season, going 40-15 during that time. Thorpe has not been able to come away with a championship in any of those seasons. “Obviously, our goal is always to be playing Week 11 and 12 in the district playoffs; we’re disappointed we’re not in districts, but we’re very excited for the chance to compete for an Eastern Conference 3A championship,” said Jim Thorpe head coach Mark Rosenberger. “We moved past not getting into districts pretty quick when you have a good team in Salisbury to prepare for.”
UTILITY MAN ... To stop Salisbury, the Olympians will need to stop its speed. The Falcons boast a ton of it, but the player to watch out for is Tim Buda. Buda is a big play all-purpose guy with 477 yards receiving and 437 yards rushing and 13 total scores. Salisbury (6-4) has also been explosive through the air this season with quarterback Quintin Steven throwing for 1,704 yards, 17 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. His main target on the season has been Chad Parton, who has caught 53 balls for 792 yards and nine scores. Parton also has rushed for 256 yards and three touchdowns on the season. “Their skill group is one of the best that we’re going to see all season long, especially when it comes to speed,” said Rosenberger. “We’re well aware of the challenges they present on the offensive side of the ball and the number of athletes they have.”
SMASH MOUTH ... Salisbury has struggled with physical teams this season, which bodes well for an Olympians team that is big and strong up front with a physical rushing attack led by CJ Selby, who has rushed for 1,423 yards and 15 touchdowns. The Falcons lost all three matchups with the run-first physical type teams in the Colonial League in Saucon Valley, Northern Lehigh and Southern Lehigh giving up an average of 47 points per game.
— By Brad Hurley
