On paper it seemed like a metaphorical David versus Goliath. In most situations, though, David doesn’t always win.

Northwestern was the Goliath, an imposing 9-0 team with exceptional talent, depth, ability to score in many different ways a and strong yearning to win a forthcoming showdown against an undefeated rival.

Tamaqua, on the other hand, has a 3-6 record, and has struggled in some games. Still, the squad displayed guts and determination. They even took an early lead against Northwestern, but that seemed only to antagonize the football giant.

The result was the Tigers pulling away with a 56-16 victory.

The aggressiveness of Northwestern was evident on the first play from scrimmage. Senior quarterback Mason Bollinger connected with tight end Shane Hulmes for a basic 60-yard touchdown pass play, and within 17 seconds the Tigers took a 7-0 lead.

Not to be outdone, the Blue Raiders came right back with a touchdown, finishing a 48-yard drive in a mere six plays, capping it with an impressive 24-yard, evasive scoring play by sophomore Terrence McDowell. A two-point conversion gave Tamaqua an 8-7 edge after a little over three minutes into the game.

But then the reputation of the Tigers prevailed. They scored five more touchdowns before intermission, leading at the half 36-8.

Head coach Josh Snyder of Northwestern said of the Raiders, “They played hard, Tamaqua, as they usually do. But we settled down and took care of business.”

Big plays on both offense and defense had major roles in the Northwestern victory.

One of the biggest plays on defense occurred in the first quarter. After Northwestern took a 15-8 lead the Raiders began driving again, starting on their 27 and advancing to the NW 33. On a fourth-and-12 play, Tamaqua quarterback Chase Serfass dropped back to pass but was smothered by a defender who knocked the ball loose. Defensive lineman Michael Boring, a 5-10, 210 pound senior, scooped up the ball, broke through the pack and rumbled 55 yards untouched down the field.

In the third quarter, the Raiders had showed signs of moving offensively, making it to the Tiger 47 before a holding penalty moved them back 10 yards. Then, a spot foul pushed them back to the 20, and a fumble occurred with Serfass recovering it on the three and his team facing a fourth-and-51.

The Tigers took a punt on the Blue Raider 45, with Brady Zimmerman returning it to the two before he was knocked out of bounds. Lineman Ethan Steigerwalt, a 5-10, 200 pound senior, finished the job by bulling into the end zone for the score in Refrigerator Perry fashion.

Northwestern overwhelmed Tamaqua with passing plays in the first half, completing 6-of-7 for 114 yards. The Raiders, on the other hand, also threw seven times in the first half. They completed four for 41 yards.

Snyder was obviously proud of the way his team handled Tamaqua.

“Offensively, (quarterback) Shane Leh did a good job distributing the football,” the coach said. “He made some good scrambling plays. And I though Mason Bollinger had some nice plays.”

Snyder was also appreciative of the success the quarterback had with his ends.

BIG SHOWDOWN NEXT WEEK … Everyone in the Tiger jungle is looking forward to next week’s game against Southern Lehigh. The two teams are undefeated and both have been beating most of their opponents pretty handily. Friday night Southern Lehigh defeated Saucon Valley, 56-20. Northwestern has won the past three meetings against the Spartans.

TWO MINUTE DRILL A SUCCESS … The Tigers got the ball against Tamaqua on the 50 yard line with just 45 second left in the second quarter and scored three plays later. Leh threw two passes to Bollinger, putting the ball at the one, and then Bollinger crossed the goal line with 22 seconds left. Snyder said it was done with a two-minute drill that his team had only begun practicing on Wednesday.

TOP GAINERS … McDowell was the leading rusher for Tamaqua, netting 71 yards, 47 of them on the first-quarter touchdown play. Nobody had overwhelming rushing figures for Northwestern since big plays capped most of the scoring drives. Chase Sukanick and Braxton Lakatosh each netted 33 yards.

N’western 56, Tamaqua 16

Tamaqua 8 0 0 8 - 16

N’western 22 14 14 6 - 56

NW - Hulmes 60 pass from Bollinger (Sukanick kick).

T - McDowell 47 run (McCabe pass from Serfass).

NW - Lakatosh 13 run (Zimmerman pass from Bolligner).

NW - Boring 55 run on fumble recovery (Sukanick kick).

NW - Sukanick 26 run (Sukanick kick).

NW - Bollinger 1 run (Sukanick kick).

NW - Steigerwalt 2 run (Sukanick kick).

NW - Sukanick 22 run (Sukanick kick).

T - McDowell 2 run. (Schickram, pass from Serfass).

NW - Wikert 23 run (run failed).