TimesLeader.com

Abington Heights Comets down Tunkhannock Tigers in second half

By Gerard Hetman Ghetman@theabingtonjouranl.com

—For the two football teams competing in Friday night’s contest at Tunkhannock High School, 2009 has been a season of opposites. While both the Abington Heights Comets and Tunkhannock Tigers were expected to be contenders in their respective conferences and divisions, only the Comets have lived up to the billing to date.

click image to enlarge

Abington Heights’ Morgan Craig takes down Tunkhannock’s Shawn Caines.

Abington Journal Photo/ Stephanie Walkowski

Select images available for purchase in the
Times Leader Photo Store

For the first half of the game on Oct. 30, someone apparently forgot to tell the home team, as the Tigers scratched and clawed with their neighbors to produce a close contest. But as the game wore on, the size, strength and experience of the Comets proved too much, as Abington came away with a 37-6 non-conference victory.

The win helped the Comets improve their overall record to 8-1 on the season, while Tunkhannock fell to 2-7 with the loss.

After receiving the opening kickoff, Tunkhannock appeared to self-destruct when Shawn Caines fumbled on the second play from scrimmage. With Paul Gallagher taking the ensuing handoff 64 yards for an Abington Heights touchdown, it appeared that a rout was on.

But the Tigers, running their unique wing-t offense, refused to go away. Taking advantage of a fumbled punt return by Abington’s James Fruehan, Tunkhannock pieced together a drive that spanned the first and second quarters and ended with Bubba Felker catching a 10-yard touchdown pass from T.J. Jenkins. While the ensuing Point After Touchdown was missed, Tunkhannock had some momentum, even though the Comets would tack on 10 more points before halftime.

“We had a very focused week of practice—we knew it would take discipline to win,” Abington Heights head coach Joe Repshis said of the preparation for the wing-t. “It meant sticking to our reads and being patient, while not over-pursuing. Coach (Frank) Berardelli does a great job with their offense, but thankfully we were able to establish the run and mix in the pass to put some points on the board.”

Fruehan’s play later in the game more than made up for his miscue. While he only carried the ball five times from scrimmage, three of his carries went for touchdowns, and the game was iced shortly after the start of the fourth quarter when Mike Umerich returned a punt 58 yards for a Comets touchdown.

“Every week our backs have done a great job running for us,” Repshis added. “It starts up front with our line, then Paul Gallagher, James Fruehan and Kody Pasqualichio give us three good options that can run the ball and also run away from defenders.”

While the Comets quickly departed the stadium after the conclusion of the contest, Tunkhannock remained at their postgame huddle a bit longer. Coming off an upset win at Wyoming Area the week before, the young Tigers squad had hoped for a better result, but Coach Berardelli saw plenty of reasons for optimism with his team.

“We know what kind of football team Abington Heights is. Everyone does—they aren’t hiding it from anyone,” Berardelli said. “Our kids were really up to the challenge. They came out and slugged it out and didn’t back down.”

“We’re getting there, we have a young team,” Berardelli continued. “We’ll have 8 of 11 back on offenses and 10 of 11 back on defense next season. I was very happy with the way our tackles, Owen Houser and Dakota Kresge, played tonight. They knew the challenge they were facing and were really up for it.”

Gallagher led the Comets offense with 16 carries for 164 yards and the opening touchdown, while Mike Beamish completed two of 10 passes for 39 yards. T.J. Jenkins completed two of three passes for Tunkhannock, while Steve Harris, Cory Balko and Shawn Caines each picked up at least 40 yards rushing for the Tigers.