By JEREMY SELLEW
For the first time in 11 years, the Thomas Jefferson Jaguars will again roar into the PIAA championship game.
The Jaguars held Lampeter-Strasburg without a rushing yard, dominating play on the line en route to a 44-2 PIAA semifinal win Friday at Hollidaysburg’s Tigers Stadium.
Thomas Jefferson’s defense was too much for the Pioneers’ offense, holding them to 101 yards, 50 of which came on one play in the first half. The Jaguars finished with four interceptions of L-S quarterback Conner Nolt, two by Ian Hansen.
“We thought we matched up well with them athletically, but we couldn’t match their size and strength up front,” said Charleroi native and Lampeter-Strasburg coach John Manion.
The Jaguars (15-0) put their foot on the gas from the start as Dylan Mallozzi scored on a 9-yard run to open the scoring midway through the first quarter.
The Pioneers (8-4) jumped offside on the extra-point attempt, leading TJ head coach Bill Cherpak to throw the offense back on the field for a 2-point conversion. Mallozzi easily carried it in and the Jaguars led 8-0.
“We wanted to jump out early. We did what we wanted to do,” Cherpak said. “Any time we can start like that, it’s a good thing. We knew their offense isn’t one that’s really built to come back.”
To read the rest of this story, please see a copy of Saturday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at https://e.monvalleyindependent.com.