FOUNTAIN SPRINGS — Nate Gadinski still gets sick over it.
The North Schuylkill senior lineman gets a little fired up when you ask him about last year’s Eastern Conference Class AA championship game against Northwestern Lehigh.
It was a game the Spartans controlled for three-plus quarters only to let a nine-point, second-half lead evaporate in a 19-18 loss.
Tonight the teams meet again, this time for a District 11 Class AA championship and a berth in the PIAA Tournament.
When the Spartans (11-0) run out onto Ghosh Orthodontics Field at Spartan Stadium for the 7:10 p.m. kickoff, last year’s meeting with the Tigers (10-1) will still be fresh in their minds.
“After that happened, for about a month, I was just sick to my stomach about that game,” Gadinski said, recalling last year’s contest. “Even now, I still have it in the back of my mind. That game was so close we should have won that.
“This time around, it’s going to be a different story.”
For the Spartans to make it a different story, they’re going to have to stop a team that mirrors them in many ways.
Offensively, both teams feature a trio of offensive weapons and a big, veteran offensive line.
For North Schuylkill, quarterback Bobby Grigas leads a balanced attack that is averaging 399.8 total yards per game. The junior signal-caller has completed 71-of-121 passes for 1,429 yards and 24 touchdowns with just two interceptions while rushing for 405 more yards and six scores.
Senior running back John Rupinski has had a breakout campaign, rushing for 1,574 yards and 22 touchdowns behind a veteran
and big offensive line. Junior wideouts Tevin Murray (33-699, 13 TDs) and Richie Zahodnick (24-469, 6 TDs) have been game-breakers, while fullback Major Jordan has rushed for seven touchdowns.
Over its last eight games, North Schuylkill has scored 42 or more points seven times and more than 50 points twice. The Spartans advanced to the finals with a 38-0 whitewashing of Palmerton in the semifinals.
“Our focus was to be a more balanced football team offensively, particularly with the skilled players and quarterback that we have,” North Schuylkill coach Wally Hall said. “It gives us really good opportunities when we’re able to run and pass the ball.”
Northwestern Lehigh is led by junior running back Harry Hall, who has rushed for 1,537 yards and 14 touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Cam Richardson has hauled in 39 passes for 651 yards and 13 TDs and rushed for 423 yards and 10 scores.
Senior quarterback Frank Dangello makes it all go, completing 69-of-129 passes for 1,070 yards and 19 TDs. The 5-foot-7, 181-pounder has also rushed for 406 yards and seven scores.
Receivers Taylor Breininger (17-231, 5 TDs) and Dylan Snyder (10-88, TD) complement the Tigers’ attack.
“The key defensively is to slow down the run,” Hall said. “We definitely want to stop their run.
“They’re going to have play-action. They’re a team that likes to run the ball and they also like to do a lot of play-action. We have to slow both of those down.”
Northwestern Lehigh has scored 40 or more points eight times and 50 points once. The Tigers, who beat District 11 Class AAA finalist Saucon Valley 39-14 in the regular season, reached the finals with a 42-14 rout of Palisades.
NW Lehigh’s only loss was a 40-37 loss to Class AAA semifinalist Southern Lehigh in Week 7.
How close are the offenses? The Spartans have scored 460 points in 11 games (41.8 ppg), while the Tigers have scored 459 (41.7 ppg).
“First off, execution is the No. 1 thing,” North Schuylkill middle linebacker Major Jordan said. “We have to play hard up front, fill the holes and know our responsibilities. We have to read our keys.
“Up front is going to be the matchup. We have to stay tough up front, positive throughout the whole game and not get down on ourselves.”
Gadinski said the key tonight will be the play in the trenches.
Northwestern features four first-team All-Colonial League linemen in tackles George Haddad (6-0, 262) and Chris Trumbauer (6-3, 257), guard Chet Karpyn (5-11, 262) and center Jason Pechacek (5-10, 235), with guard Matt Shields (5-10, 229) rounding out the unit.
Defensively, Trumbauer and Karpyn play tackle, Haddad and Andrew Sorensen (5-9, 174) man the ends and Hall, Breininger and Teagen Golden play linebacker.
“It’s absolutely important, because everything starts there,” the 6-2, 260-pound lineman said. “We have to give Grigas enough time in the pocket to pass the ball and make big plays and we have to give Rupinski enough time to hit the holes. We have to open up the holes and keep Grigas protected.”
The Spartans expect an electric atmosphere tonight at Spartan Stadium, with a crowd bigger than home contests earlier this season with Marian and Mount Carmel.
Being mentally focused and remembering what it was like to lose to the Tigers last year are big keys, Gadinski said.
“I think what it came down to last year was that we weren’t as mentally tough as we are this year,” Gadinski said. “We really worked hard through the offseason and summer, and we really prepared ourselves for the point we are at right now.
“This time around, we’re going to be more prepared than we were (last year).”
Added Jordan: “We’re all excited. It’s going to be a fun one. We’re going to come out, play our hearts out and put on a show for the people who come out and watch.”