Josiah Gray (5) coughs up a North Pocono fumble recovered by the Patriots’ Lucas LoPresto (1), Friday night at Trippi Stadium.
Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
The Patriots’ Paulie Ferentino (9) breaks up a North Pocono pass intended for Cole West (11).
Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
Lucas LoPresto (1) gains big yardage on an end-around run for Pittston Area against North Pocono.
Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
Pittston Area tight end John Jadus (84) hauls in a Paulie Ferentino pass within the 5-yard line against North Pocono.
Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
Senior Brody Spindler (0) is shown crossing the goal line for Pittston Area for a Patriot touchdown, cutting the deficit in half against North Pocono, 14-7 at halftime.
Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
YATESVILLE — Pittston Area didn’t have to worry about North Pocono standout running back Joe Briskie Friday night.
Just two carries into the game, Briskie, who rushed for 167 yards in last year’s matchup, was sidelined with a shoulder injury.
The Patriots, though, ended up with another concern — North Pocono’s versatile Cole West.
West ran for two touchdowns on direct snaps, caught a 70-yard TD pass and also picked off a pass as North Pocono defeated Pittston Area 34-21.
Pittston Area (1-1) was within a one-score game three times, only for West to strike.
“I’m not going to lie, I didn’t anticipate the amount of quarterback stuff with him running the ball,” Pittston Area coach Paul Russick said. “Cole West is a big, talented, physical kid. He plays three sports and you don’t see that anymore.
“He was impressive to watch. He’s going to be a good college football player somewhere someday.”
On Friday night, West was a heck of a high school player.
Pittston Area cut the deficit to 14-7 just before halftime on a 3-yard run by Brody Spindler. But just three plays into the third quarter, West took a short pass from Chase Zimmerman and turned it into a 70-yard TD.
Again, Pittston Area cut into the deficit. Quarterback Paulie Ferentino found a remarkably wide-open Stephen Barnic for a 26-yard TD, moving the Patriots within 21-14 at 7:15 of the third quarter.
Again, West struck — this time with a 49-yard touchdown run.
And when Pittston Area moved within 27-21 on a 1-yard TD run by Spindler with 10:18 remaining in the fourth quarter, West answered seven plays later with a 28-yard touchdown run.
West finished with seven carries for 111 yards and caught two passes for 80 more. He also had an interception on Pittston Area’s next-to-last possession of the game.
“Losing Joe is such a big part,” West said. “I mean, he’s our guy. We run behind him, he’s our anchor. I knew I was going to have to step up.”
Jayden Taylor, subbing for Briskie, ran 20 times for 107 yards as North Pocono improved to 2-0.
Pittston Area had to punt on its first four possessions, but a 23-yard reception by tight end John Jadus to the North Pocono 3-yard line set up its first score and gave the offense a much-needed boost.
Zimmerman scored the first two touchdowns. He ran 10 yards for a score in the last minute of the first quarter and 2 yards midway through the second to spot North Pocono to a 14-0 lead.
By the numbers
Pittston Area, which broke a five-game losing streak in openers, was trying to get off to a 2-0 start for the first time since 2011. … There was plenty of offense. North Pocono had statistical advantages of 21-15 in first downs, 309-130 in rushing yards and 443-277 in total offense. … Paulie Ferrentino was 10-for-14 passing for 147 yards for the Patriots. John Jadus had four catches for 71 yards. … Jude Ferentino led Pittston Area in rushing with 77 yards on 19 carries.
Up next
Pittston Area will try to move back above .500 Friday night when it plays at Nanticoke. The teams have a common opponent. North Pocono beat Nanticoke 56-0 in the opener. The Trojans are still looking for their first offensive score after losing 37-2 to Carbondale. Nanticoke has been outscored 78-0 in the first halves of its two games.
