An Instant Classic Ends in Heartbreak: North Pocono Falls to Scranton Prep in Triple Overtime
By: Steven Abbatiello | SportzWire | October 10, 2026 | Photo courtesy Maty Ezby
In a battle between two of District 2’s champions, the North Pocono Trojans and Scranton Prep Cavaliers delivered a game to remember Friday night. After four quarters of hard-fought football and three overtime periods, Scranton Prep escaped with a dramatic 37-36 victory over North Pocono, handing the Trojans their first loss of the season.
The intensity showed from the opening kickoff, Scranton Prep struck first when quarterback Owen Jeffers broke free for a 22-yard touchdown run, giving the Cavaliers an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter. North Pocono answered with a methodical drive of its own. Quarterback Chase Zimmerman finished the possession with a one-yard keeper into the end zone, tying the game at 7-7.
The defenses took control for much of the remainder of the first half. Both teams struggled to score points. North Pocono missed a field goal attempt late in the half, while Scranton Prep’s 39-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Henry Wolff in the closing seconds, sending both teams into halftime tied at 7-7.
The Trojans came out of the break ready to strike. After receiving the second-half kickoff, North Pocono put together another strong drive, capped by Henry Wolff’s 11-yard touchdown run. The score gave the Trojans a 14-7 advantage in the third quarter. North Pocono’s defense continued to battle, keeping Scranton Prep off the scoreboard throughout much of the second half, however, the Cavaliers refused to go away. With under two minutes remaining in regulation, Jeffers connected with Braedon McPartland on a 13-yard touchdown pass to even the score at 14-14.
The Trojans had an opportunity to answer late in regulation, but their drive stalled in Scranton Prep territory. The Cavaliers were unable to put together a final scoring drive of their own, sending the contest into overtime.
Overtime Delivers Nonstop Drama
North Pocono struck first in the opening overtime period when wide receiver Cole West connected with Jayden Taylor on a five-yard touchdown pass. The Trojans took a 21-14 lead, but Scranton Prep answered with a five-yard touchdown pass from Jeffers to Ricky Dewey, tying the game at 21-21.
The second overtime brought even more excitement. Scranton Prep took the lead when Jeffers scored on a one-yard quarterback keeper on fourth down and a North Pocono penalty on the extra-point attempt, the Cavaliers elected to go for two and converted the try to move ahead 29-21.
With the game hanging in the balance, Zimmerman stepped up for the Trojans. He threw a touchdown pass to Wolff before connecting again on the two-point conversion, bringing North Pocono all the way back to tie the game at 29-29 and force a third overtime.
North Pocono wasted little time in the third overtime. West ran in for a 10-yard touchdown, putting the Trojans ahead 36-29, the Cavaliers answered one final time. Jeffers for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to one point, rather than settle for a tie, Scranton Prep went for the two-point conversion. McPartland carried the ball and crossed the goal line, giving the Cavaliers a stunning 37-36 victory.
Trojans Look to Bounce Back
Despite the heartbreaking result, North Pocono showed tremendous determination, West and Zimmerman each contributed both a rushing touchdown and a passing touchdown, while Wolff added a key second-half rushing score and a touchdown reception.
The loss drops North Pocono to 6-1 on the season, while Scranton Prep also moves to 6-1 after surviving the triple-overtime battle.
The Trojans will look to regroup next Friday when they travel to face Delaware Valley. After a game that came down to a single point in the third overtime, North Pocono will aim to turn the disappointment into motivation as the regular season continues.
The Trojans Community: More Than Just a Game
As I scrolled through social media this morning, one thing stood out above everything else: the overwhelming love and support for the North Pocono Trojans. This community is about so much more than football. It’s about pride, tradition, and showing up for our student-athletes across every sport North Pocono has to offer.
I’ll admit, I’m not just a fan or a reporter watching from the stands, I’m also the father of a player on this team, and that makes these moments a little more personal. I’ve watched these young men experience the excitement of winning, the confidence that comes with success, and the hard work it takes to get there. Coach Dolhan always reminds them to stay humble, keep one foot on the ground, and approach every week with the mindset that they are 1-0. This week, the record says 0-1, but the hunger to get back to winning is still there.
Make no mistake about it this Trojans team is built different. One loss doesn’t define who these young men are, what they’ve accomplished, or what they’re capable of doing moving forward. If anything, it gives them another reason to work harder, come together, and prove what they already know about themselves. The “Men of Troy,” as so many have called them, have plenty left to fight for. There will be lessons learned from this loss, extra motivation on the practice field, and another opportunity to show what this team is made of. The road back won’t necessarily be easy, but I believe these young men have what it takes to respond.
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