The Olympians finally put it all together.

“We played our most complete game of the season,” said Jim Thorpe coach Mark Rosenberger.

Jim Thorpe manhandled Tamaqua 42-6 Friday night, as the Olympians used a big play offense with a stifling defense to even their record at 3-3.

After forcing the Raiders to a game opening three and out that ended when Sal Capria sacked quarterback Luke Kane at his own eight yard line, Thorpe wasted little time to put seven points on the home side of the scoreboard. On a second and nine from the Raiders 31 yard line, Brett Balliet handed off to David Fiorito on a jet sweep left and the senior wideout scored.

Jim Thorpe’s defense, which held the Raiders (2-4) to one total yard rushing in the first half, pressured Kane all game long as well as controlling the line of scrimmage.

“Our first goal was to take away the run,” said Rosenberger, “and then to get after their quarterback and we did a pretty good job of doing both.”

Thorpe’s defense forced six punts in the first half and allowed only one first down.

With 3:57 left in the first quarter, Fiorito scored again, this time on a 37 yard pass and run play from Balliet that followed a nifty double reverse pass play for 22 yards to the speedy receiver.

Cole Lazorick intercepted a pass on Tamaqua’a ensuing possession in the final seconds of the quarter. Then, on a third and 14 from the Raider 43, Capria ran a draw play untouched to the end zone for a 21-0 lead at the intermission.

“We knew they had a tough defense and they showed it all game long,” said Tamaqua coach Sam Bonner. “We couldn’t get any rhythm on offense and their big plays hurt us. After scoring 52 points last week, we’re certainly not pleased tonight.”

Thorpe scored two more touchdowns in the third quarter despite a pass interception by the Raiders’ Victor Schlosser on a long sideline pass.

With the ball on their own 33 yard line, Kane’s pass toward the line of scrimmage was picked off by defensive tackle Noah Rosahac, who had a fine game with a sack and several tackles. He rumbled to the end zone giving his team a 28-0 advantage.

The Olympians scored again at the eight minute mark of the third quarter when Balliet found Justin Yescavage on an 18 yard fade pattern in the corner of the end zone.

In the fourth, Lazorick stepped in front of a Raider receiver on a pass into the flat and ran 11 yards for the Olympians’ final points.

“Lazorick played great and we had an entire team effort including special teams,” said Rosenberger. “This week and last week should give us some momentum next week against North Schuylkill.”

Tamaqua scored its only touchdown in the fourth quarter on an 11 yard run by Jacob Hehn.

SPECIAL MOMENT THAT WASN’T ... With seven minutes to go in the third period, Raider lineman and punter Michael Styka picked up a bad snap and threw a pass right on target for an apparent first down, but the play was nullified by an ineligible receiver downfield penalty.

WHERE’S THE QUARTERBACK? ... Near the end of the game with Thorpe substituting freely, their offense lined up on the ball to run a play, but there was no one to take the snap from center. Following a time out, a signal caller joined the huddle.