OLD FORGE FOOTBALL: Blue Devils miss out on subregional playoffs

Ethen Brewen carried 33 times for 190 yards and two touchdowns Friday night as host Carbondale downed Old Forge 24-13 in a Lackawanna Football Conference Division 3 football finale.

The loss ended the Old Forge regular season at 1-4 in the division and 4-6 overall. It officially ended any hopes the Blue Devils had of taking their usual place pursuing a District 2 and/or subregional title in Class A.

Old Forge finished fifth of six teams in the ratings race for four spots in the District 2-11 Class A Subregional playoffs and stamped LFC Division 3 champion Lackawanna Trail as the District 2 Class A champion as well.

Brewer carried nine times for 61 yards and caught a 15-yard pass on the opening drive, which he capped with a 13-yard touchdown.

T.J. DiMattia brought Old Forge back within 8-7 with a second left in the first quarter. He went 4-for-5 passing on the ensuing drive, including hitting Frankie Perro for a 17-yard touchdown.

Brewen capped another long drive with a 1-yard touchdown and freshman quarterback Cole Becchetti added an important two-point conversion run for a 16-7 halftime lead.

Carbondale scored again on the first play of the fourth quarter, completing its third scoring drive of at least 80 yards.

Nick Hewitt scored for Old Forge on a 6-yard run, but another time-consuming Carbondale drive ended the game.

DiMattia finished 13-for-21 for 149 yards passing. Chris Rasmus had six catches for 57 yards.

DiMattia finished the season with 1,460 yards and 15 touchdowns passing. Rasmus had 51 receptions.

Old Forge is likely to be offered a spot in the Eastern Conference Class 2A/A Championship Game. The Eastern Conference conducts playoffs for the best of the teams that do not make their district playoffs throughout much of the eastern part of the state.