Pen Argyl generated a turnover on Northwestern’s second play from scrimmage during Saturday’s Colonial-Schuylkill League game.
Green Knights coach Brady Mutton went right to his offense’s best play — a fade pattern from quarterback Brad Rissmiller to wide receiver Damian Tyminski.
Tigers cornerback Danny Jenkins knew it was coming, likely more than once.
Rissmiller made a good throw and Tyminski got both hands on it, but Jenkins stripped the standout receiver as they went to the ground.
It was one of Pen Argyl’s only chances. It went the way of the others when the first units were on the field.
Northwestern’s defense overcame some spotty play in other areas (three turnovers and six penalties) to dominate. Its first team allowed only 36 yards and two first downs (one via penalty) in what was a 41-6 win at Alumni Stadium.
Jenkins was one of many who made standout plays in pivotal moments. The senior has been waiting two years for opportunities like that.
“It’s been awesome,” he said. “Seeing our team succeed and not being able to play, not even suit up for two years in a row, it’s really good to get out here and start playing some football and make a difference for our team.”
Jenkins missed his sophomore season with ankle issues then had his spleen removed and missed all of 2022.
His diligence was rewarded Saturday with strong defensive play against one of the league’s premier receivers.
Jenkins also contributed offensively with an 11-yard touchdown catch with 41 seconds left in the first half. His first varsity TD gave the Tigers a 34-0 cushion.
Mason Bollinger’s touchdown pass to Eli Zimmerman late in the third quarter pushed the game into the mercy rule.
Northwestern had nine receivers with at least one catch and Dalton Clymer ran for 119 yards and two touchdowns in what was an offensive clinic minus the turnovers and penalties.
“Keeping the defense on their heels, not being able to really take one single thing away from,” Tigers coach Josh Snyder said. “We were able to keep them honest and pick them apart. I think we have a lot of weapons, our line is giving us a lot of protection especially today.
“We threw the ball today more than we typically do, but I wanted to see what we had there especially at the end of the first half when we went four-wide for the first time this year. We executed that very well with the touchdown to Danny Jenkins to finish the half really well.”
What the Tigers have is a slew of reliable receivers and two quarterbacks capable of moving the offense.
Shane Leh took more snaps Saturday. The sophomore completed nine of 17 passes for 126 yards and two TDs. Bollinger was six for six for 48 yards and a score. He also ran for 38 yards and caught a 33-yard TD pass.
Pen Argyl recovered an onside kick to start the second half, then another on a punt return. It drove to the Northwestern 12 but was turned away on downs.
The Green Knights finally scored against the Tigers’ backups on Nuallan King’s fourth-down, 5-yard TD run on a fumble.
But coach Brady Mutton’s club could not finish anything else.
“It’s what we talked about just now and at halftime,” Mutton said. “The last three weeks, even in the two wins, you give us three good [plays] and then one bad one. We can’t get off the field. We’re not finishing the drives.”
Pen Argyl struggled to block Northwestern’s monster front in its 30 defensive look. Ben Walters, Bryer Reichard, Jackson Bailey and others controlled the line of scrimmage. Linebackers Dalton Clymer and Blaine Snyder were freed up to make plays as the Tigers allowed only 21 yards rushing and had seven tackles for loss including sacks by Reichard and Walters.
Reichard just missed an interception.
Jenkins recovered a fumble and Eli Zimmerman intercepted a pass for Northwestern.
Up next
Northwestern (4-0) hosts Lehighton (2-2) at 7 p.m. Friday. Pen Argyl (2-2) travels to Catasauqua (3-1), also at 7 Friday.
Morning Call reporter Tom Housenick can be reached at 610-820-6651 or at thousenick@mcall.com
NORTHWESTERN 41, PEN ARGYL 6
Northwestern; 13; 21; 7; 0 — 41
Pen Argyl; 0; 0; 0; 6 — 6
ORDER OF SCORING
First quarter
NWL: Dalton Clymer 12 run (Seth Kern kick), 3:04
NWL: Shane Leh 6 pass to Devon Hildebrand (pass failed), 0:33
Second quarter
NWL: Clymer 13 run (Clymer run), 7:15
NWL: Leh 33 pass to Mason Bollinger (Kern kick), 4:42
NWL: Leh 11 pass to Danny Jenkins (kick failed), 0:41
Third quarter
NWL: Bollinger 15 pass to Eli Zimmerman (Kern kick), 2:34
Fourth quarter
PA: Nuallan King 6 run (Reid Kitulka kick), 9:02
TEAM STATISTICS
NWL; PA
First downs; 25; 5
Rushes-yards; 33-239; 20-21
Passing yards; 192; 92
Comp-Att-INTs; 16-24-0; 10-18-1
Punts-avg.; 0-0; 3.34.3
Fumbles-lost; 3-3; 1-1
Penalties-yards; 6-49; 3-20
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing: (Northwestern) Dalton Clymer 13-119, 2 TDs; Eli Zimmerman 4-22; Landen Matson 2-2; Mason Bollinger 4-38; team 1-(-3); Brady Zimmerman 1-12; Michael Lagowy 1-9; Braxton Lakatosh 5-25; Jesse Yenser 2-15; (Pen Argyl) Caiden Faust 11-1; Brad Rissmiller 5-(-1); Damian Tyminski 2-3; Nuallan King 1-5, TD; Alex Moser 1-3.
Passing: (Northwestern) Shane Leh 9-17-0, 126 yards 2 TDs; Bollinger 6-6-0, 48 yards, TD; Brady Krimmel 1-1-0, 18 yards; (Pen Argyl) Rissmiller 10-18-1, 92 yards.
Receiving: (Northwestern); Bollinger 1-33, TD; Hildebrand 3-24, TD; Clymer 1-8; Matson 3-42; Shane Hulmes 2-20; Danny Jenkins 1-11, TD; Seth Kern 2-11; Brady Zimmerman 1-15; Seth Kern 2-11; (Pen Argyl) Tyminski 6-72; Moser 2-10; Mason Soos 2-10.
