FOUNTAIN SPRINGS – North Schuylkill was down 8-6 but rallied in the fourth quarter to beat Panther Valley 12-8 at Spartan Stadium. With the win by North Schuylkill they clinch their first Anthracite Football League Championship.
North Schuylkill scored on a twelve plays and 76 yards drive. Kody Flail took a pitch from Tom Ferrari and darted 34-yards for the score. The Spartans led 6-0.
In the second quarter the Spartans had an opportunity to go up by two scores but fumbled the ball on the one-yard line.
Panther Valley finally got on the scoreboard in the third quarter. Quarterback Casey Lawrence hit Ryan Poeldnurk for an 11-yard score. Lawrence’s two-point conversion put Panther Valley up 8-6.
After a punt by Panther Valley the Spartans took over on the Panther Valley 39 yard line. With 6:51 remaining in the game, Ferrari hit Zach Hogan for the 39-yard score. The Spartans led 12-8.
North Schuylkill’s defense forced a three-and-out on the Panther ensuing possession.
Flail came up with a big sack on third down to stop the drive.
North Schuylkill’s Kody Flail said, “We dug deep. The sack at the end was big.”
It was just two years ago that North Schuylkill went 0-10. On Friday night the Spartans experienced a new feeling winning a first title.
Flail finished the game with 92 yards rushing and one score. Scott Houser rushed for 77 yards on 15 carries.
North Schuylkill (9-0) ends the regular season with Mount Carmel next Friday. Panther Valley (7-2) will try and rebound against Minersville.
3 Responses
ns scored with 1:17 left in the 2nd and I feel that Panther valley will win out in district 11 playoff, after that it will get a little tough.
ns is good but we will see come playoff time you should beat class a schools and 2a you guys draw from half of schuylkill county
They did not score on their initial drive. There was only like 1:10 left in the first quarter when they scored.