North Pocono kicked off its season with a 36-20 triumph over Berwick, a game that saw running back Joe Briskie dominate the ground game with 149 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns.
Early Dominance Sets Tone
The Trojans surged early, building a 30-0 lead that was anchored by a 93-yard return from Cole West, a Cornell commit, and a 6-yard rush by Briskie that capped a 37-yard burst through the defense.
Defensive standouts added to the onslaught when lineman Mikey Hatala intercepted a pass and later fumbled into the end zone, setting up Henry Wolff’s score that pushed the margin to 27-0.
A 47-yard field goal from Shane Youngblood extended the lead before the second half saw Berwick’s sophomore quarterback Brayden Cleaver rally his team, throwing for 217 yards and adding 145 on the ground while connecting on two long touchdowns.
Cleaver’s brother, Bryce Cleaver, was also involved in a 78-yard scoring play, but cramping issues forced several key players, including West and Briskie, back onto the field late in the fourth quarter.
Despite the late surge, North Pocono held firm, securing the home victory and marking Briskie’s first full game back after missing most of the previous season due to injury.