CATASAUQUA — Football coaches like to preach to their teams the importance of a fast start, and Friday night at Alumni Stadium in Catasauqua, the Jim Thorpe Olympians answered that call for head coach Mark Rosenberger.

Thorpe (3-4) scored 35 points in the first quarter on its way to a 49-13 rout of the Rough Riders. In fact, the home team, thanks to some clever kickoffs by JT’s Blaze Fitzik, didn’t gain its first possession until 4:57 was left in the opening session.

The Red, White and Blue took the opening possession, and led by quarterback Cole Lazorick, marched 68 yards in six plays for a 7-0 lead. On a second down and 7 from the Catty 42, Lazorick had tacklers grabbing at air as he cut off right tackle and outran the secondary for a 42-yard touchdown run and a quick 7-0 start.

Enter Blaze Flyzik from off the JT soccer team. His pooch kick fell into open space, where it was recovered by Bobby Levins at the Catty 30. Two plays later, Lazorick hit Bobby Levins in the middle of the field for a 26-yard score and a two-TD lead. By throwing for 123 yards in the game, Lazorick broke the Jim Thorpe career school passing record held by Corey Cinicola.

“I am extremely proud of Cole for setting the school record,” said Rosenberger. “His hard work has crafted him into the all-time best Jim Thorpe quarterback.”

Lazorick and company were not done yet scoring during their first quarter barrage, but first, enter Flyzik again. His second pooch kick was recovered this time by Ben Remmel at the Rough Riders’ 49. A play later, a pass interference penalty set Thorpe up with a first down at the 23. After two runs by Levins, Lazorick bolted off left guard for a 16-yard run to the house, and before Catasauqua touched the ball on offense, the Olympians led 21-0.

The Rough Riders (3-4) went three and out and Levins returned their punt 42 yards to the four yard line. Fullback Nick Faust busted over the goal line from the three for a commanding 28-0 advantage.

The home team went three and out again, giving the ball back to JT’s potent offense. From their own 32, Lazorick lifted a perfect pass into the hands of Connor Zurawa. After he caught the ball in stride, he dragged two defenders the final 15 yards to complete a 68 yard pass and run touchdown.

“We came out and set the tone with a quick touchdown,” said Rosenberger. “Then Blaze made two great kickoffs and our coverage team did a great job getting up field to recover the loose balls.”

Ahead 35-0 going into the second quarter, Thorpe would score once more before the intermission. A Catty punt from their seven yard line put the ball on their own 23. Lazorick, who had run for 100 yards on the night, carried the rock to the six yard line. Two plays later. Angel Rivera scored from two yards, setting the mercy rule into the second half and for the rest of the game.

The Red Swarm defense held Catasauqua to one first down and 39 total yards in the first half, which was one yard fewer than the 40 yards of penalties incurred by the Rough Riders.

“Our defense was strong,” said Rosenberger. “We knew that if we could slow down their running game and make them throw the ball, we had a great chance to win.

The Rough Riders showed some life on the opening kickoff of the second half when Emmanuel Bolmer caught the ball on the 13 and ran it back 87 yards for a TD to make the score 42-6.

Thorpe scored its final touchdown with 3:56 left in the third when Paxton Novack broke free for 12 yards and a six-pointer.

Catty managed a late-game score on a 59-yard run by Joziah Martinex, but the night belonged to Cole Lazorick’s record-setting performance and a return of JT’s renowned Red Swarm defense.

MEMORY MAKER … In the third quarter, a Catty pass was tipped by Zurwawa and intercepted by sophomore defensive lineman Gaetano Sarnelli, a moment he’ll get to replay to his friends and family for the rest of his life.

PREGAME FIRE … JT’s Joshua Louk, who was injured last week and is out for the rest of the season, showed up in the Olympian team room nine hours after he had foot surgery. His presence and pregame speech ignited Thorpe into a blistering 35-point first quarter.

J. Thorpe 49, Catasauqua 13

Jim Thorpe 35 7 7 0 - 49

Catasauqua 0 0 6 7 - 13

JT - Lazorick 42 run (Flyzik kick)

JT - Levins 26 pass from Lazorick (Flyzik kick)

JT - Lazorick 16 run (Flyzik kick)

JT - Faust 3 run (Flyzik kick)

JT - Zurwawa 68 pass from Lazorick (Flyzik kick)

JT - Rivera 2 run (Flyzik kick)

C - Bolmer 87 KO return (kick blocked)

JT - Novack 12 run (Flyzik kick)

C - Martinez 59 run (Estranza kick)