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By Jaelyn Smith
On Friday, August 22, the Pen Argyl football team beat Tamaqua 14-6
At the start of the game, the Green Knights were down 6-0. Senior, Caiden Faust, said, “I was very worried about the score at halftime because of what they did to us last year.” During the next half, Faust scored a touchdown to make the score 6-6.
With a few minutes left of the fourth quarter, Tamaqua’s quarterback went to throw. As he stepped back, Rocco Decesare, senior, pressured him, causing him to throw the ball randomly. His pass ended up in the hands of senior defensive lineman, Jakob Pietraszkiewicz. He took the ball and ran over 50 yards to score. The field and stands erupted in cheers, and the energy changed on the field.
Decesare said, “Playing football again made me feel alive, the energy on the field between my teammates and I is unmatched, there is no better feeling than making a tackle or a big play, and celebrating with your teammates.”
This play caused Pietraszkiewicz to win Lehigh Valley’s Athlete of the Week and Defensive Star Player, and a big first game win over Tamaqua.
This game gave the Pen Argyl football team motivation to beat their next opponent, Palmerton, in another close game, winning 27-20. After the win against Palmerton, Pen Argyl took a loss from Northern Lehigh on the road, but that did not stop them.
They had a big win against Wilson at home followed by another win at home over the formerly undefeated Palisades Pirates. Coach Brady Mutton, credited the new additions to his coaching staff for these wins, saying, “Replacing coaches is always a challenge, but everyone on staff has stepped up and worked into their roles for the season perfectly. Life is easy when coaches are all friends with the same goal and the same page about (most) things.”
The Knights competed against the Salisbury Falcons in an exciting Friday night lights game. The score was very close all game, and had the spectators and players on the edge of their seats right up until the end. The game ended with another Green Knight win, to make them 5-1.
Photo Curtosey of Tadhg Gorman
Zachary Metzgar, senior, running for a first down against the previously undefeated Palisades Pirates before the Green Knights handed them their first loss of the season. The game ended in a 38-21 victory for the Knights.
The following week, the Knights suffered a very big 59-7 loss against Notre Dame Green Pond at home, and looked to flip that energy and not allow themselves to enter a losing streak.
After their big loss, Pen Argyl suffered another defeat against Saucon Valley on their homecoming and senior game. Senior, Zacahry Metzgar, said, “I was very sad to lose the senior game, but not more than any other game. Every loss is terrible, but we need to bounce back, and that is what matters more.” The team did bounce back in their 37-20 win against Catasauqua the following week.
Their final regular season game was the one the players dreamt about from the first time they touched a football and donned their pads: Bangor. Senior, Evan Johnson, said “We are ready for Bangor and we know what we are up against, they do not care if they lose every game and beat us, but we are a great team this year and we will not let that happen.”
Johnson was right, the Knights ended up beating the Slaters 32-21. Pen Argyl has not beat Bangor since the 101st match-up between the two teams. As they continue their season in district playoffs, the Green Knights look to build on this momentum and set the tone for the rest of the year and whatever is left of the football season.
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