Sparty party continues

MAHANOY CITY - North Schuylkill's defense was taking on water.

Another big play kept the Spartans' unbeaten season from going under.

Tyler Laudeman's fumble recovery deep in Spartan territory led to Kody Flail's go-ahead touchdown run as North Schuylkill erased a two-touchdown deficit to earn its first district championship since 1996 with a 33-26 victory over Northern Lehigh in the District 11 Class AA final at Mahanoy Area's Alumni Stadium on Saturday night.

The Spartans (13-0) advance to the PIAA quarterfinals to face West Catholic (11-2) Saturday at a time and District 11 site to be determined.

With a season of big plays under its belt, North Schuylkill used another to pull out a district title.

Driving for a two-score lead, Northern Lehigh fumbled a handoff at the North Schuylkill 25.

Laudeman was right there to dive on the loose ball, and 10 plays and 75 yards later Flail was sprinting untouched into the end zone for the tying score with 3:17 left. Charlie Hutnick's extra point gave the Spartans a 27-26 lead.

"I was just thinking we had to get the ball," Laudeman said. "A lot of players stepped up big on that play. I was just in the right place at the right time."

Flail's score nearly didn't happen. A Tom Ferrari pass was nearly intercepted on third-and-5 from the Spartans' 46, but Zach Parnell broke the play up.

Then on fourth-and-5, Flail zipped 25 yards down the far sideline to help set up his 14-yard touchdown run.

"I owe it all to my line and my two fullbacks," Flail said. "We were a little flat (after halftime). We came out with fire. We came together as a team in the fourth quarter and found a way to win."

Flail added a 15-yard touchdown run with 1:47 left following a Steve Ennis interception to make it 33-26, and on second-and-10 from the Spartans' 48, Zach Hogan ended the game with an interception.

"That's what we thrive off of," Ennis said. "Every week it's a different guy and that's why we're so successful."

However, it was Northern Lehigh's ground game that thrived for most of the game behind the running of junior Cody Remaley. Remaley, who owns the Bulldogs' school record for career rushing yards and rushing yards in a season, carried 27 times for 141 yards.

The Bulldogs (10-3) took a 20-14 advantage into halftime behind a 93-yard kickoff return on a reverse by Jake Kern, a one-yard plunge by fullback Matt Gill and a 21-yard pass from Tyler Bolton to Kern.

"In the first half we gave up two touchdowns on fourth down and the kickoff return," North Schuylkill coach Rick Geist said. "We went in at halftime and said we could do it."

But it was Northern Lehigh which struck first in the half, taking the opening possession 60 yards in seven plays and capping it with a nine-yard run by Remaley.

North Schuylkill answered in a big way.

The Spartans went 69 yards in 16 plays and ate 8:13 from the clock. Ed Pavalko scored his third touchdown of the game on a one-yard run. Ferrari connected with Derek Hughes for 15 yards on a key third-and-11 to keep the drive moving.

Northern Lehigh marched right back down the field to the North Schuylkill 14 before a holding penalty wiped out a big run and pushed the Bulldogs back to the 23.

That's when disaster struck for Northern Lehigh, and Laudeman was there to scoop up the fumble.

When doubts could have creeped into the Spartans' minds, Ferrari had confidence.

"Five yards at a time," Ferrari said. "Keep pushing the ball."

The Spartans pushed all the way into the end zone for the go-ahead score.

"I had no doubts," Ferrari said. "I knew we would pull through. It takes confidence."

Now just two seasons after going 0-10, North Schuylkill can call itself champions once again.

"It's unbelievable," Ferrari said. "I'm speechless. From what we came from and the heart we showed today, I'm so proud of my guys."

Flail, a junior who finished with 14 carries for 104 yards, knew just what to say.

"I feel so good for my seniors right now. We're back - 13-0 - and we won a district title. That's all to the seniors right there."

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