(EDITOR’S NOTE: The Times News will be running a series of stories asking area coaches and athletic directors - past and present - to remember their “Most Memorable” sporting event. Today’s Most Memorable moment comes from Jim Thorpe football coach Mark Rosenberger)

By Rod Heckman

rheckman@tnonline.com

Talented defensive units enjoy a good challenge.

For that matter, so do coaches.

On Oct. 20, 2007, Mark Rosenberger and the Jim Thorpe “Red Swarm” faced one of those challenges.

Needless to say, they passed with flying colors.

The Olympians were scheduled to host Schuylkill Haven and outstanding running back Zach Barket the night before, but a storm pushed the Anthracite League contest to the following day. Barket had rushed for 1,658 yards in the Hurricanes’ first seven games, an average of nearly 240 yards per outing.

What happened that Saturday afternoon is something Rosenberger will never forget.

“The game was supposed to be Friday night but it got canceled because of the rainstorm,” said Rosenberger. “On Saturday, it was a little muddy and it was definitely windy. It was a pretty neat atmosphere because we had been playing Fridays all the time, and this game was played on Saturday afternoon. The fans came out ... and it was a special game for us. Our kids really played well, and they wanted to show how good our defense was against the best running back in the conference, and probably one of the best in the state.”

Barket could never get going as the Olympians swallowed him up.

The “Red Swarm” limited the all-state player to just 23 yards on 17 carries, and Jim Thorpe eventually posted a 10-0 victory. The team went on to capture an Anthracite League championship.

“The whole concept our defense is based upon is getting many hats to the football,” said Rosenberger, who has coached 22 seasons at Thorpe. “We had a great defense that year, with outstanding d-linemen and excellent linebackers. I think we were able to frustrate their offense and frustrate (Barket) a little bit with our continual attacking style of defense, and it really worked out well for us.

“To hold the kid, who was the leading rusher in the state, to (23) yards was very impressive. We controlled the line that day on both sides.”

While Thorpe kept Barket in check, the game was still up for grabs at halftime as the two clubs were locked in a scoreless battle.

Any fears that Haven’s star player would break loose in the second half were nonexistent to Rosenberger.

“I had great confidence in our defense,” he said. “When you play against a great player like that, you have even a little more reason to play harder ... so I wouldn’t say I was concerned. I was definitely confident in our defense that they would keep it going.

“To maintain that level of discipline and efficiency in tackling a player like that was impressive. Again, it goes back to the mentality of getting many hats to the football, swarming to the football. In order to stop players like that ... and avoid that big play, it all comes from great hustle and discipline on defense.”

While Barket was bottled up, Thorpe’s main running back didn’t have any trouble picking up yardage.

Phil Redline finished the contest with 109 yards on 25 carries. He also scored the game’s only touchdown in the third quarter when he caught a 7-yard pass from Corey Cinicola to complete a 14-play drive.

Early in the fourth quarter, Josh Hontz set up the Olympians on Haven’s 32-yard line with a key punt return. Thorpe moved inside the 10 before Nate Schmidt converted on a 22-yard field goal to give the hosts some breathing room.

“That (touchdown) was big, absolutely, but I felt a lot more confident when we got the 10-point lead because you’re always concerned about them breaking one off,” said Rosenberger. “There was definitely a little more relief when Nate hit the field goal to get us up 10.”

The Hurricanes put a long drive together late in the game, but Scott McGonigal recovered a fumble with a minute to play to clinch the victory and the shutout.

McGonigal finished with a team-high 12 tackles, while Kyle Porembo added eight stops. Hontz also had eight tackles, three pass deflections and a forced fumble, with Lance Malatak chipping in four tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.

“There was a lot of excitement (in the locker room after the game),” said Rosenberger. “There were some special characters and excellent leaders in that group. They were just a special group of kids, kids you enjoyed being around.”

That win was just one of 145 in Rosenberger’s career at Jim Thorpe. And while many players and coaches have contributed to those victories over the years, there was one person he especially wanted to credit.

While Frank Jacobs wasn’t part of the staff that watched the “Red Swarm” dominate Haven and Barket that October afternoon 13 years ago, he became a vital member of the program afterward and helped the Olympians continue to thrive.

Jacobs passed away in April, but is still remembered for his commitment to the sport he loved.

“I also want to take a moment to express my gratitude to Coach Frank Jacobs, who was a big part of the Jim Thorpe coaching staff during many of these memorables games and seasons,” added Rosenberger. “His passing was a huge loss for his family, as well as the Jim Thorpe football community.

“His hard-nosed approach to football and life left an everlasting footprint on countless Jim Thorpe athletes. You are greatly missed Coach Jake.”