EAST STROUDSBURG – Senior running back Niko Petrone rushed for 235-yards and six touchdowns to lead East Stroudsburg South (11-0) over Scranton 49-0 in the opening round of District 2-4-11 subregional.
East Stroudsburg South came out strong and never looked back. In the first quarter they were a perfect 4-for-4 on scoring drives. Petrone had runs of 52, 1, 55 and 4. “We came out strong,” said Petrone. “We knew what we needed to do tonight and we got it done.”
Freshman quarterback Jacob Cirillo completed two key passes in the first half that setup two scores. “The two passes Cirillo threw were key,” said head football coach Ed Christian. After one quarter the Cavaliers led 28-0.
After a turnover the Cavaliers needed just one play to get on the scoreboard. Petrone took the handoff and exploded through the line en route to a 63-yard touchdown run.
East Stroudsburg South added one more score before halftime. Ryan Nazario 42-yard run setup a 34-yard touchdown run by Demetrius Lanier.
In the first half, East Stroudsburg South scored on six out of seven drives and went in to halftime with a 42-0 lead.
The offensive line did their job in the first half opening up big holes for Petrone. “I have played with this offensive line since I was a little kid,” said Petrone. “I wouldn’t want to play with any other five guys but these guys.”
On defense in the first half the Cavaliers forced four Scranton turnovers.
Scranton received the second half kickoff and on their first play. Running back Jake McCarthy fumbled the ball and East Stroudsburg South recovered on Scranton’s 44.
One play later Petrone took the handoff and raced 44-yards for his sixth touchdown of the night. With that run, Petrone went over 2,000 yards for the season. “He has great vision and knows where he wants to go when he gets through the line,” said Christian. “I haven’t coached anyone quite like him.”
With the mercy rule in effect and the JV teams in, time wound down at the Purple Pit as the hometown crowd celebrated the big win.
NOTE: In 11 games Niko Petrone has rushed for over 2,000 yards and 29 touchdowns. His six-touchdowns tonight was a school record. Breaking the previous record of five he shared with former running back James Mungro.
East Stroudsburg South’s defense forced six Scranton turnovers and pitched their second shutout of the year. “We played the best overall football game of the year,” said Christian. “I said last weekend we are getting better each game and defensively we were superb. We are playing our best football of the year right now.”
With the win East Stroudsburg South hosts Easton Area who defeated Wyoming Valley West, 35-34.
Scranton’s star running back Jake McCarthy finished the night with 110 yards rushing. “They had a great running back and our defense did a great job tonight stopping him,” said Christian.
