In Jim Thorpe’s loss to undefeated Southern Lehigh on Friday night, there were plenty of highlights and a few lowlights in their 43-7 setback to the Spartans.

The highlights: The Olympians moved the first-down chains 14 times. They totaled 244 yards on offense. Their time of possession was nearly equal to Southern Lehigh’s. Their two-quarterback rotation was effective, and the biggest highlight was sophomore Bobby Levins. He sliced and diced his way through the Spartan defense for an average of over 7 yards per carry. On a second quarter drive, he ripped off a 15-yard gain on a run, his longest of the night, off the right side. Add 69 yards to his kickoff returns and a fourth-quarter touchdown run plus a couple of pass receptions and Levins finished the game with 156 all-purpose yards.

The lowlights: On an 11-play second quarter drive that got to the SL 6-yard line, Thorpe turned the ball over on downs. Later that same quarter, the Olympians marched down to the Spartan 21 but once again, they turned the ball over on downs. As the clock ticked down to halftime, Thorpe moved to the visitor’s 7-yard line before a fourth-down pass fell incomplete.

“We had opportunities, but we just didn’t finish,” said JT coach Mark Rosenberger. “We were off just a bit, but I’m proud of how we played every single play. They are huge up front with two quality running backs and an all-state caliber quarterback.”

That QB is senior Colton Sams. In his first two games this year, he led his team to 100 points, with 667 passing yards, eight touchdowns and no interceptions. Friday night, he was accurate and efficient, completing 14 passes for 133 yards and one TD in the air, and he rushed for another on the ground. Sams favorite target was Otto Young, who caught nine balls for 89 yards.

The Spartans (3-0) featured a solid running game led by junior Jack MoDavis, who ran for 226 yards, including TD runs of 66 and 53 yards. Five different players hit pay dirt. On their opening five-play drive, Sams found John Fistner for a 6-yard TD. Their second time with the ball ended with an 84-yard drive and a 1-yard run by Jake Trembler.

On their first possession of the second quarter, MoDavis broke into the clear for his 66-yard score, and with 4:59 left in the half, Southern Lehigh increased its lead to 21-0. After the Spartans stopped the Olympians on downs, Sams orchestrated a 79-yard scoring drive and took it in himself for a 4-yard tally.

Trailing by six TDs and a safety, the Olympians (1-2) showed no quit in their game. Led by quarterback Tyler Hoherchak, they finished a 67-yard, 12-play drive with Levins bolting through the middle for a 5-yard TD.

Rosenberger sees the upside in his team despite its lack of red zone efficiency. “We moved the ball really well through their big defensive line all night long. I thought our offensive line was outstanding. We need to finish our drives, something we’ll work on in practice.” Defensively we missed some tackles, and we need to close the gaps, but we’ll be ready to go next week.”

SAMS CLUB … The talented Spartan quarterback was poised in the pocket, and when he was chased out by JT’s pass rush, he still made plays with accurate sideline and middle of the field passes to keep his team unbeaten.

POWERING OVER PENALTIES … Despite getting flagged seven times for 67 yards in the game, the Spartans were able to overcome the yardage deficit and move the chains for 17 first downs.

UP NEXT … The Olympians travel to Bangor next Friday to take on the Slaters. Game time is 7 p.m. The Spartans play host to Wilson.

So. Lehigh 43, Jim Thorpe 7

So. Lehigh 14 14 8 7 - 43

Jim Thorpe 0 0 0 7 - 7

SL – Fistner 6 pass from Sams (Walsh kick)

SL – Trembler 1 run (Walsh kick)

SL – MoDavis 66 run (Walsh kick)

SL – Sams 4 run (Walsh kick)

SL – punt blocked in end zone

SL – MoDavis 53 run (kick no good)

JT – Levins 8 run (Flyzik kick)

SL – Stock 51 run (Araujo kick)