TAMAQUA – On opening night, a team can be excused for botched plays, missed assignments and breakdowns.

But Tamaqua didn’t need any excuses for its opening night performance.

The Blue Raiders lived up to their preseason-hype with an impressive 42-0 non-league rout of Line Mountain.

Tamaqua coach Sam Bonner put together a perfect game plan and the Raiders executed it to perfection Friday night.

Heading into the opener, Bonner had preached balance from his lethal scoring machine and it was evident from the first touchdown to the final points in the mercy rule victory.

Tamaqua used a three-headed offensive monster to do most of its damage.

• Nick Breiner zipped his way for 126 rushing yards, caught two passes for 48 yards, and scored a pair of touchdowns.

• Nate Boyle was nothing short of sensational running and catching. He scored three touchdowns, kicked every extra-point, amassed 116 yards rushing, and hauled in six catches for 99 more yards.

• Highly touted quarterback Braydon Knoblauch directed all six scoring drives, going 9-for-15 passing and 165 yards. The highlight of his night was a 50-yard pass to Boyle in the second quarter when the game was still in the balance.

“That’s what we were looking for coming into the season,” said Bonner of the offensive threats. “We are all on the same page. We communicate very well and our offensive line was outstanding.”

But the offense wasn’t alone in its standout opening night performance

“Our defense was just as good,” added Bonner. “Maybe even more impressive when you consider the overall game.”

Tamaqua’s defense stifled LM the entire night. The Blue Raiders pressured Evan Herb, allowing the big-arm quarterback just nine completions for 58 yards and intercepting him twice.

“We wanted to put pressure on Herb and not let him get comfortable back there and just make throws,” said Bonner. “Our guys up front came hard and we had a lot of good reads from our back seven.”

Tamaqua took advantage of a shanked punt and on its first offensive series needed just three plays to hit paydirt when Breiner snapped off a 27-yard run. Before the first quarter was complete the Raiders were ahead 14-0 as Knoblauch and Breiner hooked up on a 43-yard strike to set up a 7-yard run by Breiner.

On its third possession, Tamaqua hit paydirt again capping a 10-play drive with Boyle going in from three yards out.

Boyle added scoring runs of 75 and one yard in the third quarter to make it 35-0.

Pierce Demetriades polished off the game with an 8-yard touchdown run in the final quarter.

DEFENDING … Bronson Strouse had a good night on the defensive side along with Mike Smith and Matt Kistler. Boyle and Demetriades both added interceptions.

PLAY IT AGAIN … The Tamaqua marching band put on an outstanding display. The 192-member unit was well-disciplined and fun to watch.

ON THE HORIZON … Tamaqua will travel to Mahanoy Area next Friday.