In the game of football, momentum is like a runaway train, an unstoppable force that runs through anything that gets in its way. The mojo has been rising for the Jim Thorpe Olympians, who have won four games in a row and now will play for the District 11 Class 3A championship against North Schuylkill on Saturday night at 6 p.m. in Lehighton.

Thorpe coach Mark Rosenberger talked about his team’s run to the title game.

“Our kids have gained a lot of confidence over the past few weeks,” he said. “They have been working hard to improve and have a good idea now of our philosophy and what we want them to do. The team chemistry is better. We’re committed to both sides of the ball. Our defense is playing smarter. Overall, we’ been making plays during the winning streak.”

The Olympians will feature running back Cameron Tinajero, who has rushed for 739 yards and 12 touchdowns. David Fiorito has been a big play threat of late, averaging seven yards a carry. Sal Capria, coming off an ankle injury, has been solid between the tackles, gaining four yards per carry.

Quarterback Brett Balliet has shown he can make the big play in the big game. In last week’s win against second-seeded Notre Dame Green Pond, he threw for 173 yards, including two game changing throws to wideout Drew Wimmer late in the fourth quarter. Derryl Fisher, JT’s all- purpose player, leads the team with 42 receptions for 567 yards and five TDs. Tight end Bryson Heydt has also been a big target across the middle for Balliet.

The third-seeded Olympians earned a rematch against the Spartans, who were ranked as the No. 1 team in the state before losing in double overtime to Pottsville in their final regular season game.

North Schuylkill defeated Thorpe 28-7 in early September and has won the last five games between the two schools. The last time they met in the playoffs was in 2018, when the Spartans won 16-7 in a monsoon rainstorm. The last time Thorpe played for a district title was in 2005.

In the September game, JT was ahead 7-0 after a quarter, but the Spartans, led by Josh Chowansky’s 262 yards rushing and 2020 all-state quarterback Jake Hall’s 220 yards passing, stormed back for the win.

Rosenberger’s Red Swarm defense will have its hands full beginning with Hall, who has completed 62% of his passes for 2,059 yards and 28 touchdowns this year, and is a threat to run the ball as well.

“He does a great job of running their offense,” said Rosenberger. “We have to get a pass rush and force him off his spot, and our secondary, unlike the first game, must not allow his receivers to get wide open.”

Hall’s favorite receivers have been Joey Flail with 50 catches for 880 yards, Evan Stanakis and Carl Brown, the latter who scored on an 84 yard pass play in the first game.

Behind Hall is running back Josh Chowansky, who can run to the house every time he touches the ball. In their first match up, he ran for more total yards than Jim Thorpe had gained in the entire game. On the season, Chowansky has amassed 1,424 rushing yards and 12 TDs.

“We have to play assignment football against him. He is very fast and can make you miss, so we can’t miss our tackles on him,” said Rosenberger.

North Schuylkill coach Wally Hall has been tracking the Olympians, and he expects to see a different team on Saturday than the one his Spartans defeated in September.

“They have been able to run the ball more effectively since we last played,” said Hall. “Their overall team has improved. Their skill position players are all getting touches, so you can’t key on just anyone of them.”

Hall remarked about what he saw as JT’s most significant step up.

“The down linemen on both sides of the ball have made a big difference, and on defense, they have been controlling the line of scrimmage,” he said.

Rosenberger agreed with Hall’s assessment.

“When we first played, most of our offensive line was playing in just their third varsity game,” said Rosenberger. “Now, we are more seasoned veterans. Our blocking communication is much better. They can trust each other and when one gets to the second level on a linebacker, the other knows who he has to block.

“Our D-line has played at a high level all year. We did some nice things in the first game against them, but had a few breakdowns, too.”

The defending 3A champions will have more big game experience than Thorpe. Rosenberger is stressing to his team to stay in the moment if they fall behind early.

“We tell our kids that if they should score early or we turn the ball over to keep focused,” he said. “It’s the next play that will count now.”

The next play that will count is the opening kickoff on Saturday night and Jim Thorpe hopes to keep that runaway train running down the track to win the district 3A championship.