SWIFTWATER — Pocono Mountain East’s senior class has held an impressive record against rival Pleasant Valley over the years and the Cardinals’ head coach Rob Melosky knows how difficult that is to do.

The Cardinals dealt Pleasant Valley a third straight loss in this rivalry game of the “‘Ol Oaken Bucket,” this one a 48-12 decision. The winners’ offense was just too much for the locals to counter, as the Cardinals amassed 578 yards of total offense and impressive efficiency throughout.

“These seniors deserve it,” Melosky said. “They’ve been in the program now for a while and that group never lost this bucket and I can’t say enough about them.”

A 21-6 lead at the break ballooned to a 48-12 decision, as the ground attack was working, and despite the lack of attempts, the passing game worked well, too.

Pocono quarterback Jimmy Gamble connected on three of four attempts for 178 yards and two touchdowns, as his one incompletion was an interception in the beginning of the final frame.

“Defensively, what (the Bears) played forced us to throw the ball and Jimmy Gamble got an opportunity and took advantage,” Melosky added after the game. “I can’t say enough about his perseverance and he hasn’t had a lot of reps in game situations, but tonight, he answered the bell.”

Along with the Cardinal air attack, there were a flock of runners that made impressions, as they teamed up for 400 yards on the turf. Sophomore Alexander Hafer led the team with 129 yards on 15 carries and two scores himself.

Meanwhile, the Bears can look to a set of turnovers and a suffocating Cardinal defense for their lack of scoring chances.

Despite the final score, things were definitely interesting in the beginning of the second half, as they turned a 21-6 deficit into a 21-12 game after their second score of the night - a one-yard run by Jack Stephens.

“I feel bad for the kids. They put everything they have into this game and it means everything to the community,” Pleasant Valley head coach Blaec Saeger said post-game. “It wasn’t for a lack of hustle, a lack of effort, or a lack of attention to detail. They gave us everything they have and they played every single play...practiced every single play.

They’re phenomenal kids, they’re well raised by good parents. We’re just a little smaller, a little slower and it ends up losing football games. It’s a process and we’re going through it.”

CROWDED HOUSE ... At the college-like campus, parking lots were at capacity, and the stands were near overflowing, as the battle for the Ol’ Oaken Bucket continues to draw huge crowds.