HAZLETON — After a sluggish start, Abington Heights’ offense started to click in the second half.
It turned out to be too little, too late as Hazleton Area rolled to a 47-19 win over the Comets in a non-conference football game Sept. 15.
Both teams struggled early, until Hazleton Area engineered a 6-play, 53-yard scoring drive that was capped by a 41-yard touchdown pass from Sparky Wolk to running back Adrian Otero. After Will Barrientos added the extra point, the Cougars led 7-0 with 9:51 left in the second quarter.
Otero, who caught four passes for 99 yards, made a spin move at the 30-yard line to elude a tackler and broke several more tackles near the end zone.
The Cougars added to their lead when Wolk scored on a 3-yard run to end a 7-play, 53-yard drive. Abington Heights’ Chris Callahan blocked the extra point attempt, but Hazleton Area led 13-0 with 5:25 remaining in the second quarter. Wolk connected with David Smith on passes of 27 and 28 yards to set up the score.
Abington Heights defensive back Trey Koehler intercepted a Wolk pass and returned the ball to the Hazleton 43-yard line with 1:46 left in the first half.
Comets quarterback George Tinsley, who completed 13 of 23 passes for 187 yards, found wide receiver Corey Perkins for 41 yards, but a false start penalty and five-yard loss stalled the drive, and Zach Boersma missed a 28-yard field goal attempt.
Hazleton Area struck quickly in the third quarter when Josh Zukoski returned the second half kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown. Barrientos’ extra point attempt was no good.
“It was a good effort,” Hazleton Area coach Mike Brennan said. “A lot of guys did some good things today.”
Tinsley and Perkins connected for a 29-yard touchdown with 8:51 left in the third quarter to cap a 7-play, 66-yard drive. Mike Malone hauled in a 17-yard reception on a third down play to keep the drive going.
Boersma added the extra point, but the Comets trailed, 19-7.
Otero returned the ensuing kickoff 60 yards to the Abington Heights 30-yard line and scored on a 1-yard run nine plays later. Hazleton Area (2-2) led 26-7 with 3:51 remaining in the third quarter after Barrientos’ extra point.
After the Cougars’ defense forced Abington Heights (1-3) into a 3-and-out, Jacob Hunsinger took a pass from Wolk on a bubble screen and ran 28 yards for a touchdown. A key block by Smith cleared the way for the score.
“We had a great week of preparation and went out and did what we had to do,” Wolk said. “Our run game opened up, which helps me a lot in the pass game. If I get the ball out to Adrian, Damon (Horton) or any of my running backs or wide receivers, they can make plays.”
Perkins, who finished with eight catches for 155 yards, scored his second touchdown when Tinsley rolled out of the pocket and found the sophomore for a 52-yard score.
Brennan was complimentary of Tinsley’s poise and ability following the game.
“I love their quarterback; he’s a strong armed kid and he made some plays,” Brennan said. “He’s composed back there.”
Hazleton Area answered right back on the first play of its next possession when Wolk, who threw for 280 yards and three touchdowns, found Horton for a 55-yard touchdown.
The Cougars scored on their fifth consecutive possession of the second half when Horton broke to the outside and raced 63 yards for a touchdown.
Abington Heights’ Kaleb Sherman, who rushed for 72 yards on 17 carries, scored on an 8-yard run with 5:22 left in the game.
