Representing Jim Thorpe at the Colonial League Media Day were, from left: Aaron Curran, coach Mark Rosenberger, Cole Lazorick and Justin Yescavage. Photo by Leroy Boyer

Jim Thorpe

Head coach: Mark Rosenberger

2023: 4-7

Story by Leroy Boyer

Over the course of 26 seasons as the head coach at Jim Thorpe, Mark Rosenberger has had his fair share of dynamic quarterbacks. He thinks he has another good one in junior Cole Lazorick.

In his first season as a starter a year ago, Lazorick passed for 1,744 yards and 16 touchdowns while rushing for 699 yards and nine more scores. Now a junior with a full season under his belt, Lazorick is one of several key returnees who is hoping to guide the Olympians to a winning campaign after back-to-back losing seasons. Jim Thorpe was 4-7 a year ago, falling to Palmerton in the District 11 Class 3A quarterfinals.

Helping that cause will be senior wide receiver Justin Yescavage, who led the area in receiving yards after catching 50 passes for 964 yards and seven touchdowns. Junior wideout Josh Louk (29-475, 4 TDs) also returns, while senior Aaron Curran and junior Pierce Gothard fill out the receiving corps. The key will be finding a No. 1 tailback after only Lazorick (165) and Louk (48-158) had a substantial amount of carries last season.

“We return several skill players that made impactful plays last year,” said Rosenberger, who is 165-112 as the Olympians’ head coach.

Up front, Jim Thorpe will have to replace two-way standout Noah Rosahac, who is now playing at Syracuse. Junior center Adam Kosciolek, senior guard Blake Carroll and junior tackle Gavin Strohl are returning starters on the offensive line, with sophomore guard Gavin Baker and tight ends Connor Zurawa and Ethan Moore expected to contribute. Sophomores Logan O’Shura and Adam Ziolkiewicz will also be battling for spots.

Defensively, the Olympians will need a new leader after Rosahac compiled 66 tackles, 25 tackles for loss and three sacks a year ago. Junior linebacker Michael Antignani tied for the team high with 72 stops a year ago, while Lazorick, Yescavage, Louk and Curran all played key roles in the secondary.

Senior Noah Geiser gives the Olympians a weapon in the kicking game after converting 28-of-30 extra points and booting three field goals.

“We need to stay healthy and the offensive line (must) develop into a consistent group,” Rosenberger said. He said the biggest things the Olympians must work on during preseason camp are “experience and the need to increase our football IQ.”

Jim Thorpe moves up to Class 4A for the next two-year cycle. The Olympians will compete in the Red Division (Division I) of the Schuylkill/Colonial Football Cooperative along with Bangor, Blue Mountain, Lehighton, North Schuylkill, Northwestern Lehigh, Pottsville, Southern Lehigh and Tamaqua. Rosenberger’s club opens its season Friday, Aug. 23, at home against Palmerton.