Battle of unbeatens

It’s hard to believe that it’s almost Week 6 and we’re halfway through the regular season.

The powerful, unpredictable Schuylkill League Football Division 1 has three undefeated squads left. Two of them will square off on Friday, when North Schuylkill travels to Jim Thorpe in the Times News Game of the Week.

Everything is clicking for the Spartans, who earned a 33-21 victory over Mount Carmel on the road last Friday. Before the victory against the Tornadoes, North Schuylkill shut out both Marian and Schuylkill Haven by a combined 89-0 margin.

“It’s a huge game, there’s no doubt about that,” said Jim Thorpe head coach Mark Rosenberger. “From our standpoint, we need to eliminate the big plays defensively. When you watch them play, with five games on them, they are so good at providing big plays. They have outstanding speed with their quarterback and running back, who are both physical, tough runners.”

Spartans’ junior quarterback Jaden Leiby (5-11, 165) ran a read-option-type offense flawlessly and dominated Mount Carmel last Friday. In the first half alone, he had three rushing scores of 50-plus yards. Expect to see a heavy dose of Leiby and senior tailback Mitch Wagner.

“The main thing is slowing down the running game, and trying to make them uncomfortable on second and third down; putting them in long situations,” Rosenberger said. “The only way to get there is stopping the big plays.”

The ground-and-pound approach of North Schuylkill could play well into the grasp of the “Red Swarm”, who are more than living up to that nickname in 2018. Thorpe is currently the best TN defense statistically, yielding just 54.2 total yards of offense per game. On top of that, the Olympians have allowed only 106 total rushing yards this season, or just 21.2 yards-per-game.

“It’s a great opening night (for division play) at Jim Thorpe coming up this week,” Rosenberger said. “The kids and coaches are excited. It’s a big game, no doubt about it; but it’s another game. I tell our kids it doesn’t matter how many people are here, if it’s on PCN, or TV-13, but the bottom line is that it’s a game you love to play and you have to play with passion and excitement. You can’t worry about who’s watching, because it doesn’t make an impact on the game.”

The Olympians are well-rounded and ready to attack with their TN-leading 429.8 offensive yards per game. Rosenberger’s squad sports a quarterback in Roberto Santiago who has completed 62 percent of his passes and is averaging 13.52 yards per carry. He’s joined in the backfield by tailback CJ Selby, who has over 800 yards and a dozen scores. The reigning Times News Player of the Week, Jarrin Geisinger, leads the team with 170 yards through the air and three receiving touchdowns.

Yes, it’s only Week 6, but this highly-anticipated Division 1 contest could have heavy implications on who will hoist the SLF trophy when the dust settles in about a month. The Olympians and Spartans have split their last four meetings, but only one will remain unbeaten after Friday night’s exciting showdown.

“Being 5-0 and playing meaningful football is where we want to be,” said Rosenberger. “I’m proud of all of the players, they’re doing an outstanding job.”