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WILKES-BARRE TWP. — First the pretty number.
Nanticoke rushed for 504 yards — including 254 from Eric Jefferies and 127 from Dawson Hughes — as it defeated Holy Redeemer 33-19 Saturday night in a Wyoming Valley Conference Division 3A-A game at King’s College.
Now, the ugly numbers. The Trojans (4-5) were penalized 14 times for 169 yards, the most penalty yardage by a WVC team in a single game all season.
“I don’t know. I don’t know with these guys,” Nanticoke coach Ron Bruza said. “Slow start. Not punching it in when we need to. Penalties at crucial times. I am happy about the way the guys responded in the second half. They came out and started to play football.”
The victory could mean another game Week 11. Nanticoke is still alive for a District 2 Class 3A playoff spot, but would need to defeat rival Hanover Area on Friday and get plenty of help. The Eastern Conference playoffs appear to be a more probable landing spot.
Nanticoke led 12-7 at halftime, failing to capitalize on a few opportunities and seeing Redeemer receiver John Winters catch a tipped pass for a 7-yard touchdown just before the break.
The Trojans came out strongly in the third quarter and scored twice, appearing primed to pull away. Jefferies scored his second touchdown against his former Redeemer teammates and Ian Novakowski added his second TD run of the game.
Redeemer (1-8) wouldn’t wilt. A 10-yard TD catch by Cade Fahey pulled the Royals within 26-12 at 9:22 of the fourth quarter. And after another long Nanticoke touchdown run, Turosky threw his third touchdown pass to move Redeemer within 33-19 with 7:05 to play.
Redeemer finishes its season Saturday afternoon when it plays at Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech (1-8).
Nanticoke 33, Holy Redeemer 19
Nanticoke`6`6`14`7`—`33
Holy Redeemer`0`7`0`12`—`19
First quarter
NAN — Eric Jefferies 28 run (pass failed), 10:58
Second quarter
NAN — Ian Novakowski 2 run (run failed), 6:02
HR — Jon Winters 7 pass from JD Turosky (Nate Roppelt kick), 0:53
Third quarter
NAN — Jefferies 7 rrun (Rickey Klepadlo kick), 8:18
NAN — Novakowski 4 run (Klepadlo kick), 3:52
Fourth quarter
HR — Cade Fahey 10 pass from Turosky (kick failed), 9:22
NAN — Darren Boseman 45 run (Kepadlo kick), 8:10
HR — Dorian Ryans 4 run (pass failed), 7:05
Team statistics`NAN`HR
First downs`20`10
Rushes-yards`59-504`24-38
Passing yards`4`171
Total yards`508`209
Passing`2-7-0`11-21-1
Sacked-yards lost`0-0`5-34
Punts-avg.`1-3`6-22.7
Fumbles-lost`2-1`1-1
Penalties-yards`14-169`10-60
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING — Nanticoke, Dawson Hughes 16-127, Jefferies 24-254, Matt Wrubel 3-16, Mark Walters 1-15, Novakowski 6-22, Borsen 5-62, John Krzywicki 2-9, Matt Bobeck 1-0, team 1-(minus-1). Redeemer, Ryans 5-9, Turosky 17-27, Tom Engle 2-2.
PASSING — Nanticoke, Wrubel 2-6-0-4, Walters 0-1-0-0. Turosky 11-21-1-171.
RECEIVING — Nanticoke, Walters 1-(minus-1), Boseman 1-5. Redeemer, Winters 6-106, Robb McClay 1-0, John Sartin 1-4, Fahey 2-56, Ryans 1-5.
INTERCEPTIONS — Nanticoke, Walters 1-0.
MISSED FGs — None.
