Both teams entered the game with momentum from recent wins, but it was the Spartans who set the tone early and never looked back.
North Schuylkill (6-3), fresh off a statement win against Blue Mountain, wasted no time getting on the board. On their very first play from scrimmage,Luke Miller burst through for a 60-yard touchdown. Although the extra point was missed, the Spartans seized the early momentum with a 6-0 lead.
Lehighton (3-6) struggled to find their footing early, and on their first offensive play, North Schuylkill's Cooper Carl intercepted a pass, setting up the Spartans. Shortly after, Colton Joyce powered in from 9 yards out, and a two-point conversion pass from quarterback Caden Mengel to Miller pushed the lead to 14-0.
Lehighton responded late in the first quarter when Lucas Croizer broke free for a 12-yard touchdown run, cutting the deficit to 14-7 after a successful extra point.
However, North Schuylkill's defense remained relentless. Michael Mogish came up with an interception with 2:44 left in the first quarter, stopping a potential Lehighton drive. The Spartans capitalized on the turnover early in the second quarter when Mengel ran in from the 1-yard line to extend the lead to 21-7.
Mengel struck again midway through the second quarter, this time with a 5-yard rushing touchdown, making it 28-7 after another successful extra point from kicker Gavin Mentzer.
North Schuylkill (6-3), fresh off a statement win against Blue Mountain, wasted no time getting on the board. On their very first play from scrimmage,Luke Miller burst through for a 60-yard touchdown. Although the extra point was missed, the Spartans seized the early momentum with a 6-0 lead.
Lehighton (3-6) struggled to find their footing early, and on their first offensive play, North Schuylkill's Cooper Carl intercepted a pass, setting up the Spartans. Shortly after, Colton Joyce powered in from 9 yards out, and a two-point conversion pass from quarterback Caden Mengel to Miller pushed the lead to 14-0.
Lehighton responded late in the first quarter when Lucas Croizer broke free for a 12-yard touchdown run, cutting the deficit to 14-7 after a successful extra point.
However, North Schuylkill's defense remained relentless. Michael Mogish came up with an interception with 2:44 left in the first quarter, stopping a potential Lehighton drive. The Spartans capitalized on the turnover early in the second quarter when Mengel ran in from the 1-yard line to extend the lead to 21-7.
Mengel struck again midway through the second quarter, this time with a 5-yard rushing touchdown, making it 28-7 after another successful extra point from kicker Gavin Mentzer.
Lehighton fought back as quarterback Jayse Lawrence connected with Caden Meek for a 32-yard touchdown pass, cutting the lead to 28-14.
Just before halftime, Mentzer showcased his range, drilling a 51-yard field goal to send the Spartans into the locker room with a commanding 31-14 advantage.
North Schuylkill kept their foot on the gas in the second half. Mogish, who had already made his mark on defense, hauled in a 43-yard touchdown pass from Mengel with 8:53 left in the third quarter to make it 38-14. Less than three minutes later, Mogish added an 18-yard touchdown reception, pushing the score to 45-14.
Lehighton's running back Roberts found the end zone from 1 yard out to make it 45-21, but North Schuylkill quickly answered. With just 39 seconds left in the third quarter, Miller broke loose again, this time for a 48-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 52-21.
In the fourth quarter, North Schuylkill's Angel Ortiz capped off the scoring with a 22-yard touchdown run, sealing the 58-21 victory.
With the regular season winding down, North Schuylkill looks poised to make a playoff run, riding the wave of their recent successes. The Spartans will host Pottsville Area next Friday.
Just before halftime, Mentzer showcased his range, drilling a 51-yard field goal to send the Spartans into the locker room with a commanding 31-14 advantage.
North Schuylkill kept their foot on the gas in the second half. Mogish, who had already made his mark on defense, hauled in a 43-yard touchdown pass from Mengel with 8:53 left in the third quarter to make it 38-14. Less than three minutes later, Mogish added an 18-yard touchdown reception, pushing the score to 45-14.
Lehighton's running back Roberts found the end zone from 1 yard out to make it 45-21, but North Schuylkill quickly answered. With just 39 seconds left in the third quarter, Miller broke loose again, this time for a 48-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 52-21.
In the fourth quarter, North Schuylkill's Angel Ortiz capped off the scoring with a 22-yard touchdown run, sealing the 58-21 victory.
With the regular season winding down, North Schuylkill looks poised to make a playoff run, riding the wave of their recent successes. The Spartans will host Pottsville Area next Friday.
Lehighton will hope to regroup and finish strong when they host Jim Thorpe next week.
