It’s not how you start. It’s how you finish.

Jim Thorpe scored first in both halves in Friday night’s loss to North Schuylkill, but the visiting Spartans put the last 17 points on the scoreboard to defeat the Olympians, 31-14.

Jim Thorpe’s defense held the high-scoring Spartans in check for the first quarter. The Olympians’ Joshua James and Justin Yescavage each had an interception and Noah Rosahac had two sacks to prevent the Spartans from getting any rhythm in their fast paced, no huddle offense.

A roughing the kicker penalty gave Thorpe a first down at their own 48 yard line and from there, the Olympians mounted an eight play scoring drive capped by David Fiorito’s 12 yard touchdown run for a 7-0 lead after one quarter.

Thorpe’s next possession moved the sticks to the Spartan 35 before Collin McGee picked off a pass. Meanwhile, Rosahac and company kept pressure on North Schuylkill quarterback Trevor Minalda, forcing another punt with under nine minutes left in the half.

With 6:45 to go before intermission, the Spartans took over at their own 36 and tied the score in just four plays. On a third and eight from their own 32, Joey Flail got the edge on a sweep left and out ran the secondary for a 68-yard touchdown.

Thorpe lined up for a punt on their next possession despite an outstanding over the defender’s shoulder catch by tight end Bryson Heydt on a pass from quarterback Cole Lazorick. North Schuylkill’s Neekoli Caraballo blocked Lazorick’s punt attempt setting his team up at the Jim Thorpe 32. On a second and 15, Minalda connected with Flail on a screen pass to the right side. Flail cut back to the middle and split the defense for a 37 yard score and a 14-7 Spartan lead at the half.

The Olympians, led by Lazorick, a freshman getting his first varsity start, took the second half kickoff and aided by two 15 yard penalties ended a four minute drive with his six yard pass to Heydt in the back of the end zone.

Tied at 14, the Olympians stood tall again and stopped North Schuylkill deep in Olympian territory forcing Gavin Mentzer to kick a 31 yard field goal to put the Spartans up by 17-14 with 39 seconds to play in the third quarter.

Jim Thorpe coach Mark Rosenberger was proud of his team’s effort to match up with the physical play by the Saprtans.

“We played hard all night,” he said, “and competed against a very good team.”

The Spartans scored twice in the fourth quarter. Following a second blocked punt, Jared Tinari scored from two yards out and with two minutes left in the game, he broke free for a 25 yard touchdown.

“Big plays and special teams hurt us tonight,” said Rosenberger. “Too many mistakes we made and you can’t give good teams that advantage.”

His analysis was supported by the fact that Thorpe had more first downs and tied the Spartans in total offense with 246 yards.

RED LIGHTS FLASHING ... North Schuylkill committed 12 penalties for 137 yards.

ON THE JOB TRAINING ... Olympian freshman quarterback Cole Lazorick was pressed into action due an injury and performed well, throwing for 146 yards and a touchdown.

SPINARAMA ... David Fiorito’s 12 yard touchdown run was a thing of beauty as he spun completely around to avoid a tackle on his way to the goal line.