TAMAQUA – Kody Flail had a special night for North Schuylkill. On defense he returned a 9-yard fumble for a score, intercepted a pass for a 53-yard touchdown and returned an 81-yard kickoff to start the second half as North Schuylkill crushed Tamaqua 45-14 Friday night.
Tamaqua took the early lead. Grif Griffiths went in for the one-yard score giving Tamaqua a 7-0 lead. The Spartans’ defense allowed 102 total yards in the rest of the game and scored 45 unanswered points.
North Schuylkill answered the drive. Eight plays later Ed Pavalko scored on the one yard run. It took two plays later for the Spartans to score when Flail picked up the loose ball and took it in for a nine yard score. The Spartans led 14-7 and wouldn’t look back.
Flail said, ”When we get down we play a lot harder.”
With 9:22 to go in the second quarter, Flail picked off a Ryan Palsgrove pass and raced down the field for the 53-yard score to give the Spartans a 21-7 lead.
The Spartans would add to their lead when Charlie Hutnick kicked a 24-yard field goal with 49 seconds to go in the half for a 24-7 lead.
Flail continued to dominate, taking the second half kickoff 81 yards for another score. The Spartans led 31-7.
Flail was the star of the night. He finished the game with 145 all-purpose yards, doing it on defense and special teams.
Steve Ennis’ 68-yard interception and score gave the Spartans a 38-7 lead in the third quarter.
Ryan Henning added a score on a one-yard run giving the Spartans a 45-7 lead in the fourth quarter. Tamaqua would get the final score when Jarred Muffley returned a 75-yard kickoff return.
The Spartans defense held Tamaqua to 142 total yards. The Spartans won 45-14 over Tamaqua.
North Schuylkill (6-0) hosts Bristol out of D-1. Tamaqua (5-1) will try to regroup next week on the road at Schuylkill Haven.
