It’s go-for-broke time in the high school football season.

Friday night marked the start of the second half for most teams despite the fact it’s not even October yet.

For most, Tamaqua seemed like a heavy underdog against a resurgent Jim Thorpe squad that looked like it was trending upward.

But funny things happen in sports.

Games are played on the field and not on paper, which is why you never underestimate the dog.

The Blue Raiders not only stayed with the Olympians on Friday, but they pulled off a stunning 14-7 win.

Tamaqua kept the Homecoming crowd glued to their seats until the final 90 seconds, when victory formation was finally had.

The Raiders (2-4) looked like a veteran outfit, assured of what they were doing and where they was going. Their game plan worked to perfection, as they picked and chose when and where it needed to attack Jim Thorpe.

Junior running back Bradley Whalen sloshed and slid his way past Olympian (2-4) tacklers on his way to 115 yards rushing.

Meanwhile, junior quarterback Luke Kane was poised, smart and decisive when he had to come up with key plays. Kane was sharp most of the evening as he drilled a pair of touchdown passes - one to Tyler Koch and another to Jacob Hehn, who are also juniors on a roster that has plenty of players who are earning their stripes and will be back in 2024.

Perhaps that would be the story in a nutshell - but not so.

The Raiders rallied on the line of scrimmage; the defense in particular kept coming up with key plays. If it wasn’t Koch, then it was Luke Frohnheiser, or Whalen at tackle - yes, he plays defense at tackle. Mike Styka was also getting his licks in, as was Declan Coleman.

In other words, there were big plays coming from just about everyone for Tamaqua.

“I said to my assistant coaches, we made plays tonight, which we tried to emphasize that,” said Raider head coach Sam Bonner, who last week wracked up his 100th career win.

“We made plays tonight, whether it was (Victor) Schlosser with the big catch, or one of our defensive linemen who made big plays for us.”

Indeed, Schlosser was key in the opening drive, latching onto a 40-yard toss from Kane to sustain a drive at the Thorpe 20. Four plays later Kane lofted a pass to Koch, who zipped into TD land for the first Tamaqua score.

Thorpe also found its groove on its first possession of the game.

Cole Lazorick was as impressive as any player during the Olympian march. He raced 20 yards to keep things flickering even though his team was hit with multiple penalties.

On second down and 23 yards, Lazorick found Chase Whaley free in the middle of the field, and tossed a perfect strike for what turned out to be a 63-yard touchdown.

But Tamaqua had an answer, which came late in the first half. Kane came up with a terrific pass to Hehn for a 40-yard touchdown and the go-ahead score.

From there, the defense was tested, but it foiled and seemed to frustrate the Olympians late in the half.

Thorpe drove deep into Tamaqua territory and looked like it had six on the board, but a penalty killed the drive - along with the Raiders defense.

The Olympians were knocking at the door late in the third quarter, too, but fumbled a chance away at the Tamaqua 34.

“We didn’t help ourselves the way we had penalties,” Thorpe mentor Mark Rosenberger said. “We had chances, we just didn’t do a very good job of executing; just kept shooting ourselves in the foot.

“(Tamaqua) made plays, and that was the difference.”

NOT JUST YOUR ORDINARY BACK … Whalen carries the ball but also plays defensive tackle. “You don’t get too many tailbacks and noseguards,” said Bonner on Whalen’s positions.

IN THE BOX … Kudos to announcer Josh Holmberg, son Ryder and Dave Mace who runs the clock and does his math figuring the yardage.

COMING OF AGE … The win could be a catalyst for the remainder of the season. Tamaqua travels to Pine Grove next before hosting Northern Lehigh in a Thursday contest.

TOUGH ROAD AHEAD ... Things don’t get any easier for the Olympians. Thorpe travels to North Schuylkill next before hosting Notre Dame.