North Pocono Stays Perfect: Trojans Earn First State Playoff Win in 40–36 Thriller
By: Matt Flanagan | SportzWire | November 15, 2025 | Photo courtesy straightedgefoto
The North Pocono Trojans improved to 13-0 Friday night with a 40–36 victory over Bishop Shanahan in the PIAA Class 4A state tournament. North Pocono opened the game with a 13-0 lead behind two early rushing touchdowns from Josiah Gray and carried a 13-7 advantage into halftime. Gray finished with 146 rushing yards and three touchdowns, powering a Trojans ground attack that totaled 311 rushing yards to counter the Eagles’ passing production.
The fourth quarter featured five lead changes in a back-and-forth battle. Cole West scored early in the period before Bishop Shanahan quarterback Anthony Aquila connected with Aidan Civitella for touchdown passes of 53 and 49 yards to swing momentum. North Pocono answered with a 1-yard sneak from quarterback Chase Zimmerman to regain the lead at 33-29, and West added a decisive 21-yard touchdown run with 46 seconds remaining. A defensive stop on the next possession, highlighted by a forced fumble, sealed North Pocono’s first-ever state playoff victory and extended the best season in program history.
