TAMAQUA- After a pregame moment of silence to remember supporter, booster, and former player and former school board member Daniel Miorelli, the Blue Raiders came out blazing by forcing two straight three and outs and a six yard touchdown run by Ernie Shilko. Tamaqua was on their way to another three and out until Paxson Hayes took off on fake punt down to the Blue Raider 23 yard line. Two plays later, Quinton Hall finishes the drive for Annville-Cleona, but the PAT misses wide right and the home team keeps the lead 7-6.
Late in the first half, both teams battled hard to a 14-14 tie when misfortune struck first against Tamaqua. Tyler Hope was able to close the half on a good note with a five yard touchdown run to give his team the lead at the break 21-14.
Tamaqua was clinging to a 21-20 lead midway through the third quarter when Dutchmen QB Zach Southall ran 32 yards to take the lead away from the Raiders on Homecoming. Several injuries to starters left the Blue Raiders in need of a spark. That spark would come swiftly in the form of a 55 yard screen pass to Tyler Skripko. Hope would haul in a pass from Nate Edmonds to cap the drive off, but an injury to the Raiders placekicker would force them to go for two. The try failed and they still trailed 28-27. A defensive stand would return the ball to a re-energized Blue Raider team bent on a come from behind victory. Hope and Skripko would tack on two more scoring runs to finish off the upset-minded Little Dutchmen. Troy Alexander of Annville-Cleona cut the Blue Raider lead but was not enough. The final count, 43-34, Tamaqua.
NOTES – The night also held homecoming festivities for Tamaqua as Hope and left guard/defensive tackle Cody Houser were nominated for king and team manager Jessica Thomas was nominated for queen.
The Blue Raiders improve to the 3-2 on the year and return to AFL play next week against the North Schuylkill Spartans who also sit at 3-2. The game will be a “Pink-Out” in support of breast cancer research and sponsored by Saint Luke’s Memorial Hospital. Annville falls to 0-5 but proved to be much better than there record shows. The Little Dutchmen will search for their elusive first win against Garden Spot in L-L Section 3 play.
