Comets’ running back Jayden Anglin receives a pitch pass from quarterback Nick Bradley.
Buck Norton-Jennings | For Abington Journal
Comets’ quarterback Nick Bradley passes to teammate Gavin Anders.
Buck Norton-Jennings | For Abington Journal
Abington Heights Evan Keiper breaks free during a game against the Trojans of North Pocono.
Buck Norton-Jennings | For Abington Journal
Comets’ Jayden Anglin makes a tackle during a Sept. 20 home game against North Pocono.
Buck Norton-Jennings | For Abington Journal
Abington Heights receiver Gavin Anders looks to turn following a reception against North Pocono.
Buck Norton-Jennings | For Abington Journal
CLARKS SUMMIT — Abington Heights opened September with a pair of 40-point efforts against traditional powers to reach 4-0 overall before suffering two straight losses.
The Comets began the second half of the season without Nick Bradley, who had surpassed 5,000 career passing yards earlier this year. Bradley was injured during the first loss and sat out the second.
Abington Heights is 1-2 in Lackawanna Football Conference Division 2 and 4-2 overall. The Comets are second to Pittston Area in the five-way race for four District 2 Class 5A playoff berths and will host a semifinal if they can hold that position.
Gavin Anders leads all District 2 receivers in catches (42) and yards (680) through six games. Five of his catches are for touchdowns.
Anders also leads the Comets defensively with 37 tackles and 11 assists.
Delaware Valley 28, Abington Heights 14
Mike Iuzzolino scored three touchdowns, as host Delaware Valley avenged a loss in last year’s District 2 Class 5A championship game with a home-field win in a Sept. 27 Division 1 game.
Iuzzolino carried 24 times for 175 yards and two touchdowns.
The Warriors broke away from a halftime tie to lead 21-7. When the Comets closed within a touchdown in the fourth quarter, Iuzzolino returned the ensuing kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown.
Noah Kayal made his first start at quarterback in Bradley’s absence and passed to Anders for one touchdown along with running for the other. Kayal was 14-for-24 for 198 yards while rushing for 50 yards.
Anders had seven catches for 120 yards.
North Pocono 24, Abington Heights 10
Joe Briskie and Cole West each surpassed 100 yards rushing and ran for a touchdown on Sept. 20 at Comets Stadium as North Pocono won the Division 1 meeting of teams that were 4-0 overall.
West opened the scoring on a 63-yard run in the first minute of the second quarter. He rushed for 107 yards on six carries.
Briskie ran for a game-high 123 yards on 19 carries and scored the clinching 2-yard touchdown with 1:14 left.
North Pocono’s control of the line of scrimmage allowed the Comets to overcome a huge game by the passing combination of Bradley to Anders.
Anders had the best statistical receiving day in conference history with 17 catches for 237 yards. Bradley was 26-for-39 for 320 yards passing.
Bradley’s 5-yard touchdown run with 1:49 left pulled the Comets to within one score.
The Trojans recovered an onside kick and used Briskie’s 39-yard run to set up the final touchdown.
Jack Hartshorn kicked a 29-yard field goal as the first half expired.
The Comets had four drives get to the Trojans 23 or closer without producing a touchdown.
Abington Heights 45, Valley View 7
Abington Heights dominated up front while outrushing visiting Valley View 307-71 Sept. 12 in the first game at the renovated high school stadium.
Jayden Anglin led the ground game by carrying 19 times for 155 yards and also caught a touchdown pass from Bradley.
Bradley ran for two scores while Jacob Barrish and Anthony Severs each ran for one.
Hartshorn went 6-for-6 on extra points and added a field goal.
Following a scoreless first quarter, the Comets took control 21-0 at halftime.
Abington Heights 40, Dallas 28
Bradley accounted for 277 yards and three touchdowns while getting plenty of help from a well-rounded offense as Abington Heights won the Sept. 6 non-league game at Comets Stadium.
Abington Heights piled up 480 yards of total offense and added two defensive touchdowns on interception returns.
“Their backs ran hard,” Dallas coach Rich Mannello said. “I’m really impressed by the line, and that skill group is really something.”
The game developed into a match between steady marches by Abington Heights and big plays by Dallas. Strong offensive efforts were supplemented by the Abington Heights defense and the Dallas special teams.
Tyce Mason returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown for Dallas, which got 208 passing yards on just 12 attempts by Talan Geskey, who passed to his brother Logan for three touchdowns.
Bradley went 16-for-22 for 226 yards and two touchdowns while carrying seven times for 51 yards and another score.
“Our line is really stepping up,” Bradley said. “The backs in the backfield are making huge runs for us. We don’t really have to rely on the pass.”
Anglin ran for 163 yards, caught four passes, and returned an interception 31 yards for a score.
The Comets had five receivers with multiple catches. Rodman Azar and Kayal each caught Bradley touchdown passes.
Thomas Reese had a 22-yard interception return for a touchdown.
