To the casual fan, football games are won by quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers.

Mark Rosenberger, beginning his 29th year as the head coach at Jim Thorpe, knows that the linemen on both sides of the ball have a huge impact in determining whether his team wins or loses.

The Olympians will rely heavily on their offensive and defensive lines winning the battles in the trenches this year.

“We return a lot of experience up front, which should help us on both sides of the ball,” said Rosenberger.

JT’s three-point stance starters average 233 pounds. Anchoring the line at center will be senior Adam Ziolkiewicz. Gaetano Sarnelli will be at one guard spot, while seniors Gavin Baker and Logan O’Shura will play tackle. Chase Karnas and Drake Klados are also in the rotation.

“We have confidence in each of these players to provide a physical presence to our multiple set attack.”

Although the O-line will present a veteran presence, the quarterback position has potential, but lacks varsity level experience. A trio of signal callers are competing to replace star quarterback Cole Lazorick, now playing at Muhlenberg. Lazorick combined for 2,300 rushing and passing yards a year ago to go along with his 23 touchdowns.

Coming from the junior varsity are Tyler Hoherchak and Dominic Calcano.

“We have seen their progression each day on the practice field,” said Rosenberger. “Tyler is very athletic and can run between the tackles. He can drop back or roll out as well. Dominic has had a lot of success at the younger levels. He’s a pocket passer with a good arm.”

Senior Kaden Hess has started one game at QB on the varsity level. Rosenberger likes his ability to run the ball, especially if his pocket protection should break down.

If any of the candidates do not win the position outright, Rosenberger is not overly concerned.

“I’m not opposed to alternating quarterbacks during games.”

Lining up behind the quarterback will be two effective blocking fullbacks, senior Paxton Novack and junior Nick Faust. Both also possess power running ability. A year ago, Novack averaged nearly five yards a carry, and Faust just over three yards each time he lugged the rock.

Thorpe features a dual-threat running back in sophomore Bobby Levins, who last year rushed for 223 yards and caught 32 balls for 389 yards and six touchdowns.

“Bobby has great speed and field vision,” said Rosenberger. “If he gets into open space running or receiving, he can break away from the defense.”

In Thorpe’s offense, receivers are utilized as running backs from their flanks. A reliable weapon will be junior Spencer Gothard, who caught 21 passes for 380 yards and five TDs last season.

Anthony Kiehl can both run and receive, and senior Angel Rivera is a downfield threat who Rosenberger describes as an outstanding route runner with a high ceiling of athleticism.

At tight end are Ben Remmel and Mason Jacobs, who both have shown great footwork in their blocking schemes and good hands in the passing game.

In their four-win season in 2025, Thorpe scored an average of three touchdowns a game which might have earned the team more victories, but it was on the defensive side of the ball that cost them a better record. Opponents averaged 33 points a game.

This year, Rosenberger believes his team has the talent and the ability to help return the defense to JT’s glory days when the Red Swarm dominated teams in the Schuylkill League.

The D-line features strength, quickness and the ability to run sideline to sideline to make tackles. Ziolkiewicz, Baker, and O’Shura will lineup in a 3-3 stack alignment.

Manning the middle linebacker position is Faust. Hess, a leading tackler last season, will be on the perimeter with Kiehl, Hoherchak, Faust, and Novak and Remmel in the defensive rotation.

At the corners are senior Ralph Clay and Gothard. The free safeties are Anthony Kiehl and Phil Garner.

“We have good size behind the D-line,” said Rosenberger, whose Olympian teams have won over 180 games during his tenure. “Long arms and athleticism should give us good matchups against the opposition’s skill position players.”

Junior Blaze Flyzik, a 30-point scorer a year ago, returns from the soccer team to do the extra point and field goal kicking.

Depth is a concern with roster numbers down substantially from previous years. Injuries play a role in every team’s success.

If his team can stay healthy, Rosenberger believes the 2026 edition of Jim Thorpe football will make some noise in the Colonial League.

POSITION BREAKDOWN

QUARTERBACKS

It’s QB by committee. Kaden Hess, Tyler Hoherchak, and Dominic Calcano bring different skill sets to compete for the starting position. Varsity level experience is lacking in all three candidates so JT will play the hot hand or rotate all three, depending upon momentum or down and distance.

RUNNING BACKS

Sophomore Bobby Levins opened eyes last season with his speed and field vision. He is also an adept pass catcher. Fullbacks Paxton Novack and Nick Faust are solid blockers and run well between the tackles. Anthony Kiehl and Angel Rivera will bring toughness and speed into the rotation.

WIDE RECEIVERS

The go-to-guy might be Spencer Gothard, who had 21 receptions and five TDs last year. Kiehl and Rivera can add yards after the catch and have big play abilities. Ralph Clay, Colton Steigerwalt, and Christian Ortiz provide depth in Thorpe’s multiple receiver sets.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Experience runs across the line with center Adam Ziolkiewicz and guard Gaetano Sarnelli, as well as tackles Gavin Baker and Logan O’Shura. Chase Karnas and Drake Klados will be in the rotation. Tight ends Mason Jacobs and Ben Remmel will block the perimeter and provide good targets in the passing game.

DEFENSIVE LINE

JT hopes to see the return of Red Swarm that wreaked havoc on opponents. Ziolkiewicz, Baker, and O’Shura bring quickness and agility to both the middle and edges of the field. Sarnelli will see time off the other side of the ball. Outside containment will come from Hess and Hoherchak.

LINEBACKERS

Another key group to help keep opponents out of the end zone. Faust plays the Mike with good size and downhill physicality to fill gaps between the tackles. Novak and Kiel will be outside with athleticism. Remel will work into the mix.

SECONDARY

Good size and long arms come with the cornerbacks and safeties. Clay and Gothard will line up eye to eye wideouts with Dominic Kiehl and Phil Garner covering the deep middle. They all have shown ability to tackling running backs that get to the second level. Levins, Ortiz, will see time as well.