By Matt Freiler, Schuylkill League Reporter
North Schuylkill remained undefeated on Friday night, registering a victory on the road at Men of Marian Stadium. The Spartans dominated all three phases of their 35-0 win, which was delayed for 30 minutes in the first quarter due to a power outage.
Senior quarterback Doug Weist passed for 266 yards and two touchdowns, leading his team to the shutout victory over the young Colts. Marian was without starting quarterback Mason Miller, who was sidelined with a knee injury last week.
The Marian defense had no answer for the connection of Weist and senior receiver Scotty Grigas, who caught two touchdown passes and racked up 148 yards receiving. Grigas also returned the opening kickoff of the second half 74 yards for another touchdown.
The scoring started with Mitch Wagner’s one-yard blast into the end zone, giving the Spartans an early 6-0 advantage with eight minutes left in the first quarter.
The play of the game came a few minutes later, when Weist cannon-armed a 56-yard beauty down the sideline for Grigas who caught the ball in stride and scampered in for six. This extended the North Schuylkill lead to 12-0 with four minutes remaining in the opening quarter.
Just before the delay, Wagner punched another one in from short yardage and gave the Spartans a 19-0 advantage with under a minute left in the first quarter. Wagner finished the game with 24 carries for 93 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
When the lights came back on in Hometown, the Spartans looked a bit out of sync. A series of pre-snap penalties and substitution miscues slowed the momentum, and Marian had their chance to capitalize.
On third down, Weist fired a dangerous pass that was jumped by Marian’s Seth Paluck. Paluck looked to have the sure interception, but the ball was tipped into the air and snagged by Grigas in stride, who scored from 13 yards out.
The Spartans cruised the rest of the way, with Grigas returning a kickoff for his third score of the night. Luke Halko kicked a 15-yard field goal to conclude the scoring and set the final of 35-0.
North Schuylkill stymied the Colts’ offense, recording two interceptions and a fumble recovery. The Spartans held Marian running back Seth Paluck to just six yards on 16 carries.
North Schuylkill improved to 3-0 on the season, and will play on the road at winless Schuylkill Haven next week. Marian moves to 1-2 with a trip to Lehighton next Friday.
