SCRANTON –This game was a rematch from last year. Allentown Central Catholic (13-0) won a close one last season 28-14 at Bethlehem Area School District Stadium. The Vikings put together a flurry of punches and knocked out Abington Heights early.
Quarterback Brendan Nosovitch and Kevin Gulyas connected for four touchdowns in the first half and their defense forced four turnovers. The Vikings built a 40-0 lead at halftime and went on cruise control in the second half in a 54-14 win over Abington Heights (12-1) at Scranton Memorial Stadium Friday night.
The Vikings had 311 yards of total offense in the first half.
Harold Fairclough talked about his first half, “We wanted to try and establish a running game and last year they took that away from us. This year we thought we could move the ball on the run and mix that in with the passing game.”
Abington Heights got the ball first, drove down and attempted a field goal that was no good. But a penalty by the Vikings moved them closer to a first down. The Comets fourth down pass fell incomplete and the Vikings took over on downs.
The Vikings took their opening drive and marched right down the field. The six-play drive ended on a Nosovitch to Gulyas 26-yard touchdown pass. The Vikings led 7-0.
After another three-and-out by the Comets the Vikings scored again. On fourth down and 29 Nosovitch found Gulyas for the touchdown pass. The Vikings built a 14-0 lead with 4:50 left in the first quarter.
The Comets offense couldn’t get going and things got even worse. Quarterback Dante Pasqualichio’s pass was intercepted by Jalen Sndyer-Scipio who took it deep into Abington Heights territory.
This would start a big second quarter by the Vikings. Nosovitch threw touchdown passes of 8, 30 and 4 in the quarter.
Kevin Gulyas talked about Nosovitch, “He really makes good decisions. Easy as a receiver to get open and he finds open guys. That’s what he did the first half.”
Nosovitch and Gulyas would get the hat trick. The eight-yard touchdown pass was the third of the first half. The dynamic duo connected for a fourth time. This time it went 30-yards for the score.
Fairclough talked about the dynamic duo, “It’s a great combination. They have been playing together a few years now. When they are hot they are hot.”
Colin McDermott added a two-yard run and Nosovitch finished the first half scoring with a four-yard touchdown pass to Jack Sandherr.
Turnovers and three and outs hurt the Comets in the first half. The Vikings went into halftime leading 40-0.
Last week, Nosovitch set a single-game record for the Vikings passing five touchdowns against Southern Lehigh. This week he did it in one half. He completed 15-of-22 for 186 yards before sitting out the entire second half.
The Vikings defense in the first half held the Comets to 52 yards rushing and 93 total yards of offense.
Fairclough talked about his defense, “Greg Moore put together a great game plan and the kids came out and executed. We wanted to come out and be physical.”
The Vikings offense started where they left off in the first half. Gulyas started the opening drive by taking the kickoff 87-yards for the touchdown. They led 47-0.
Gulyas finished the night with seven catches for 101 yards and four touchdowns.
The Vikings played their backups most of the second half. The Comets James Fruehan’s 35-yard touchdown run put the Comets on the board.
The Vikings Kevin McDermott one-yard touchdown run with 3:15 remaining added to their lead.
Corey Degilio’s 51-yard run for the Comets finished the scoring.
The Vikings move on next week and will face unbeaten District 9 champion Clearfield next week in a Class 3A state quarterfinals at a date and time to be determined.
