By Spencer Decker, NEPASportsNation.com Student Journalist
SCRANTON – Caleb Marzolino ran for 191 yards and 4 touchdowns in less than 3 quarters Friday night, supporting an Abington Heights defensive effort that allowed the Comets to post their second victory of the season with a 41-0 shutout of host West Scranton in a non-league game between Lackawanna Football Conference teams.
Marzolino went to work immediately.
West Scranton got the ball to start the game, but following a three-and-out, Marzolino ran all 5 plays as the Comets moved 50 yards in the game’s first scoring drive.
The Invaders did not get their initial first down until converting third-and-12 on their sixth possession.
Marzolino ran for two more first downs on the second Abington Heights possession, but a Justin Gockley interception stopped that threat.
Abington Heights overcame two penalties in a 66-yard drive to its second touchdown, a 1-yard sneak by P.T. Cutrufello.
Marzolino was back at it again on the next possession. He converted three first downs before scoring on another short touchdown run for a commanding, 21-0 lead.
When West Scranton’s punt traveled just 4 yards, Marzolino scored again on a 29-yard run on the next play.
After the Invaders picked up their first down, they were stopped and again had trouble punting.
Abington Heights blocked the kick, took over at the 18 and scored in one play on a pass from Cutrufello to Nico Bossi for an 18-yard touchdown and a 34-0 lead midway through the second quarter.
West Scranton’s first promising drive of the game reached the Abington Heights 6. On second-and-goal, a pass over the middle was intercepted by Cutrufello.
The second half did not contain the same amount of scoring as the first.
Marzolino’s 11-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter provided the only points.
Abington Heights got back into the Red Zone on its final possessions, but chose to kneel down with the ball to kill the remaining time off the clock.
Michael Hartshorn was 5-for-6 kicking extra points for the Comets.
The game was Senior Night for the winless Invaders.
MORE FRIDAY FOOTBALL COVERAGE
Honesdale-Nanticoke: https://nepasportsnation.com/hornets-rally-past-trojans-12-7/.
Tunkhannock-Towanda: https://nepasportsnation.com/konen-leads-tunkhannock-victory/.
Wyoming Area-Dunmore: https://nepasportsnation.com/pizano-paces-wyoming-area-rout/.
Scoreboard: https://nepasportsnation.com/fridays-football-scoreboard-5/.
