Jim Thorpe, like every other team, has a series of goals that add up to where it believes it can be at the end of the regular season.
Coach Mark Rosenberger’s Olympians have enough talent returning from last year’s 7-5 team to feel they can make it back to the District 11 Class 3A championship game — where the 2021 team’s season ended with a loss to North Schuylkill.
That long-term goal is realistic, but the day-to-day and week-to-week achievements will keep the team engaged and focused on the short term.
“The big goal is to get to the district championship game and play a lot better,” Rosenberger said.
The Olympians have eight returning starters on offense and three standout defensive starters to lean on.
They’ll need their leadership as they navigate a challenging regular-season schedule that includes three consecutive October games against perennial powers North Schuylkill, Notre Dame-GP, and Northern Lehigh.
All three of them are expected to be postseason participants again in 2022.
“Last year we saw tremendous growth because of the kids we have coming back this year,” Rosenberger said. “We’re excited. We’re looking forward to it, but it is a challenging schedule.”
The players have been diligent every day and doing what they can to be prepared for all situations while continuing to build the team bond.
“We’ve been practicing really hard,” senior tight end/defensive end Bryson Heydt said. “Everybody really wants this. We’re holding ourselves to a higher standard.”
Three things to know about the Olympians
1. Towering presence
Noah Rosahac is 6-foot-6, 260 pounds. He’s a junior. He has a full scholarship offer from Lafayette. Other offers are sure to follow.
The two-way tackle will be a problem for Olympians opponents for two more years. He led the team last season with 86 tackles, including a league-best 27 for loss.
“We definitely saw it building last year,” Rosenberger said. “He’s a very smart kid. His physicality, it’s gotten even better. He was dominant last year, went wire to wire with our defensive points lead. That doesn’t happen too often. I don’t think it has ever happened as a defensive tackle.
“His confidence continues to build. There is a progression. He was making plays last year, but not always making the proper reads. I think he’s gotten much smarter on the defensive line this year, and will make even more plays for us.”
2. Other Olympians standouts
Brett Balliet returns at quarterback. He completed 98 of 192 passes last season for 1,209 yards and 12 touchdowns.
David Fiorito returns at receiver. Sal Capria, who missed half the season with an injury, returns in the backfield. Both will start on defense, as well. Heydt is back at tight end.
Two-way tackle Paul Rutledge and fellow seniors Tiernan McCartney and Nathaniel Lopez will team with Rosahac to comprise a solid offensive front to give Balliet and Co. a chance to shine.
“Skill-wise, we have some depth issues,” Rosenberger said. “We have some things to figure out there, but if we stay healthy, I’m pretty excited about those kids.”
Sophomore Justin Yescavage could have a breakout season at receiver.
In addition to Rosahac and Heydt (64 tackles, 19 for loss), linebacker Dominic Berger (68 tackles) returns on defense.
“With [Heydt], Rutledge and others,” Rosahac said, “it should be a really good defensive line this year.”
Berger and Capria will lead the linebacker group. Ben Goldberg and Jave Butler are others expected to step in. Fiorito is among those in the secondary.
“I think our mentality will be better on and off the field,” Heydt said. “Being respectful to our coaches and teachers. It starts with the little things like that, then the big things will come.”
3. Jim Thorpe’s schedule (7 p.m.)
Aug. 26: Blue Mountain
Sept. 1: at Bangor
Sept. 9: Salisbury
Sept. 16: at Palmerton
Sept. 24: at Pine Grove
Sept. 30: Tamaqua
Oct. 7: North Schuylkill
Oct. 14: at Notre Dame-GP
Oct. 21: Northern Lehigh
Oct. 28: at Lehighton
Morning Call reporter Tom Housenick can be reached at 610-820-6651 or at thousenick@mcall.com
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