FOUNTAIN SPRINGS – The Spartans defense put up their fifth shutout of the season and their offense ran all over Mount Carmel 34-0 Friday night at Spartan Stadium.
North Schuylkill head coach Rick Geist could tell before the game his team was focused. Geist said, “We were ready. They couldn’t wait to play.”
They were led on defense by linebacker Mike Shinkus who had 19 tackles and two sacks in the game and defensive end Ed Pavalko who had nine tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery.
Geist talked about Mike Shinkus, “Mike is a division one linebacker. He can run and he tackles people. He’s a machine.”
The opening drive the Spartans held Mount Carmel to a three-and-out and forced a punt. But the Spartans fumbled the punt and the Tornadoes couldn’t do anything and turned the ball over on downs.
North Schuylkill would fumble away the ball again on their next possession. As quick as they were to give the ball away the defense would bail them out.
Mount Carmel head coach Carmen DeFrancesco said, “We didn’t capitalize there in the first quarter. We never got into a rhythm.”
The Spartans offense finally got going with 1:21 remaining in the first quarter. Ed Pavalko 69-yard run put them up 7-0.
The Spartans would add two more scores right before halftime. Ethan Motsney;s 76-yard punt return gave the Spartans a 13-0 lead.
Another short punt by the Red Tornadoes set up the next score. Scott Houser took a draw, cut back and went 57-yards for the score. They led 19-0 at halftime.
After a quiet third quarter the Spartans added two more scores in the fourth quarter.
The first scoring drive in the fourth quarter went seven plays for 46 yards. It was capped off by a one-yard score by Pavalko.
Henning’s four-yard score with 2:14 remaining made it 34-0 Spartans. This win marked the second straight win over Mount Carmel. The last time that happened was in the 1986-87 season.
Ed Pavalko led the way with 138 yards rushing and Scott Houser added 82 yards.
2 Responses
I’ve been a NS “basher” all year long…mostly because of their weak schedule, but after seeing what they did to MCA, I am now a believer.
They DO play a weak schedule (too many single A schools, and who is this NY team??) but this team can play.
Good Luck the rest of the way Spartans!
What a team!!!!!! And, they were not at full strength.