JIM THORPE — After suffering losses in two of its previous three games, North Schuylkill got back to business as usual in its Schuylkill/Colonial League Red Division game against Jim Thorpe on Friday at Olympian Stadium.

That meant opening up its potent offensive attack right from the opening possession.

The Spartans were in the end zone just six plays into the game, scored again on its second possession, and never looked back in a 50-7 rout of the Olympians.

Luke Miller scored the first of his three touchdowns two minutes into the first quarter on a 1-yard run. It capped an 80-yard drive that featured four pass plays to four different receivers by quarterback Caden Mengel.

Mengel’s 20-yard scoring pass to Cooper Carl on the Spartans next possession game opened up a 14-0 lead with 5:04 left in the fourth quarter.

Miller, who compiled 100 yards rushing, ran for his second touchdown on a 6-yard run with 5:36 remaining in the second quarter as North Schuylkill opened up a 21-0 lead.

His third score came on a 4-yard run in the third quarter that put the mercy rule into effect. Mengel then connected on a 27-yard scoring pass to Landen Smith with 3:10 left before halftime as the Spartans opened up a 28-0 lead.

The two also connected on a 12-yard scoring pass to open the scoring in the third quarter. Mengel completed 14-of-15 passes for 215 yards while Smith had six receptions for 115 yards.

“We were operating as we should with the very talented group that we have,” North Schuylkill coach Wally Hall said. “Hopefully we can continue that as we keep moving forward.”

Unlike its previous two wins, the Spartans did not have to get into an offensive shootout with an opponent.

While Jim Thorpe was able to move the ball at times with its passing game, it could not sustain drives long enough to keep North Schuylkill’s offense off the field.

The Olympians’ lone score came on the last play of the first half on a 2-yard run by quarterback Cole Lazorick, who passed for 193 yards on 19 completions. Justin Yescavage had seven catches for 99 yards, while Aaron Curran hauled in five passes for 52 yards.

But Jim Thorpe’s running game was held to minus-29 yards as the Spartans’ pass rush chased Lazorick around the backfield the entire game. The North Schuylkill defense recorded a safety when the punter was tackled in the end zone.

“It all starts with their offensive and defensive lines. They’re huge,” said Jim Thorpe coach Mark Rosenberger, whose team lost its fourth straight game after an opening-week win.

“They controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides. They’re an imposing football team and they have good athletes on top of that.”

Game Summary

North Schuylkill 50, Jim Thorpe 7

NS (3-2, 1-2) — 14 14 16 6 — 50

JT (1-4, 0-4) —  0 7 0 0 — 7

NS — Miller 1 run (Mentzer kick)

NS — Carl 20 pass from Mengel (Mentzer kick)

NS — Miller 6 run (Mentzer kick)

NS — Smith 27 pass from Mengel (Mentzer kick)

JT — Lazorick 2 run (Geiser kick)

NS — Smith 12 pass from Mengel (Mentzer kick)

NS — Safety, punter tackled in end zone

NS — Miller 4 run (Mentzer kick)

NS — Ortiz 10 run (run failed)

Team Statistics