Isaac Gensemer rushes for three touchdowns in win.
Fourth Quarter Sports
By: Brad Price
SOUTH CENTRE TWP. — Central took care of business in a convincing 42-7 victory over the Lehighton Indians on Friday in high school football.
The Blue Jay’s run game clicked on all cylinders from the start against the Indians. Central’s offensive line continued to drive the Indians defensive line off the ball, paving the way for a rushing attack that picked up 279 yards.
Quarterback Trae Devlin credited the offensive line for the win.
“Our O-line had a great game today,” Devlin. said. “ Isaac (Gensemer) getting going on the ground makes my job easier.” Devlin said.
Blue Jays head coach Scott Dennis also commended the offensive line’s play after “challenging them” at halftime last week.
“I think after the second half at Shik, they started feeling that downhill running,” Dennis said of the ground attack. “ And they did that for four quarters today.”
The opening play of the game resulted in an interception by Zach Smith of Central Columbia as he jumped in front of a Chris Whiteman pass and returned it to the Indians’ 14-yard line.
The turnover led to a Gensemer two-yard touchdown run and an early lead.
Whiteman, who had 380 yards passing last week, struggled all night.
Two drives later, Central was on the board again after the Blue Jays ran the ball seven times out of eight plays with four different backs.
“This was all part of the plan,” Dennis said. “Sometimes we run the same play 5, 6, 7 times in a row. I don’t want Isaac (Gensemer) running it 5, 6, 7 times in a row. I’m trying to build depth.”
After the defense was finally tired out, Central struck through the air on Eli Morrison’s 10-yard touchdown pass from Devlin.
“The cornerback jumped and thought it was another toss,” Morrison said. “I stuck my hand up and Trae (Devlin) found me.”
Morrison’s first career touchdown gave Central a 13-point advantage heading into the second quarter.
Following an Indians punt, returner Jacob Reifer took the ensuing punt 71 yards for a touchdown after racing to the outside and outrunning all of Lehighton’s players.
“I just put my head down and ran,” Reifer said.
His scamper gave the Blue Jays a three-touchdown advantage.
Following a touchdown by Leighton’s Ben Schatz on a tipped catch from, Zander Bradley of Central, answered with a tip catch of his own for a touchdown.
Bradley juggled the ball before finally coming down with it and gave Central a three touchdown advantage yet again.
The Blue Jays also added a safety as well before the half when Whiteman was sacked by multiple Blue Jays including Ky Seesholtz, Ian Huntington and Garrett Carter.
The first two drives of the second half were run-heavy for the Blue Jays.
Gensemer added two more touchdowns before sitting the remaining half.
“Our O-line and D-Line dominated the line of scrimmage,” Dennis said.
Lehighton 0 7 0 0 - 7
Central 13 15 14 0 - 42
First Quarter
CC- Isaac Gensemer 2 run (run failed) 10:56
CC- Eli Morrison 10 from Trae Devlin (Gregory kick) 0:44
Second quarter
CC- Jacob Reifer 71 punt return (Gregory kick) 9:51
LH- Ben Schatz 16 from Chris Whiteman (Haydt kick) 6:49
CC- Zander Bradley 36 from Devlin (PAT failed) 2:42
CC- Whiteman 6 sack (safety) 2:34
Third quarter
CC- Gensemer 8 run (Gregory kick) 9:30
CC- Gensemer 24 run (Gregory kick) 7:54
Lehighton Central
First Downs: 10 20
Rushing-yds: 28-72 46-279
Comp-Att-Int 10-22-1 8-14-0
Passing- yds: 97 102
Total yds: 175 381
Fumbles-lost: 0-0 0-0
Penalties-yds: 1-5 6-46
Individual Statistics
Rushing- Central: Isaac Gensemer 18-135 3 TDs; Auston Rainer 6-51: Riley O’Neil 8-28; Jack Schechterly 5-22; Trae Devlin 3-22; Ky Seesholtz 1-8; Jacob Reifer 1-7; Troy Johnson 1-5; Garrett McNelis 1-1; Lannon Lindsey 2-0. Lehighton: Lucas Sangiuliano 3-49; Gunnar Williams 5-20; JJ McDowell 10-7; Shane Williams 1-3; Kyle Maverrik 1-3; Chris Whiteman 7-(-4); Riley Fahringer 1-(-4).
Passing- Central: Devlin 8-13-0 104 yds., 2 TDs; McNelis 0-1-0. Lehighton: Whiteman 10-20-1 97 yds., TD; Sangiuliano 0-1-0; Richard Fronheiser 0-1-0.
Receiving- Central: Zander Bradley 3-54, TD; Jared Verse 2-24; Eli Morrison 2-17, TD; Gensemer 1-7. Lehighton: Zack Crum 3-46; Ben Schatz 3-36 TD; S. Williams 1-9; Ethan Lutz 1-8; Logan Pagotto 1-3; McDowell 1-(-4).
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