Tough, hard-fought games are what Parkland had faced the last few weeks of the high school football season.

That was not the case last Friday night as the defending four-time district champs induced the mercy rule and beat Pocono Mountain East 49-0.

“We challenged the kids this week, “ said Parkland head coach Tim Moncman. “We’ve gone through a pretty rough stretch, but we wanted to see 48 minutes of football and that’s what we got here [against Pocono Mountain East].”

The Trojans wasted no time driving right down the field and taking a 7-0 lead. Quarterback Mike Rusich hit wide receiver Dante Medlar for a 19-yard touchdown pass.

Following a Cardinals turnover, Parkland’s quarterback tossed his second touchdown in two minutes. Rusich hooked up with Cole Wetherhold for a 39-yard touchdown, giving the Trojans an early 14-0 lead.

Pocono Mountain continued to get dominated by Parkland’s tough defense. The Eagle’s simply couldn’t compete with the size and strength of Parkland. Every run play was stopped in the backfield and every pass was pressured.

Ruisch tossed another 34-yard pass to Wetherhold for his second touchdown reception of the game.

Another Cardinal three-and-out put the ball right back into the hands of the Trojans.

After a few short plays Jahan Worth was setto establish Parkland’s run game breaking free for a 55 yard touchdown.

With 2:15 left in the first quarter, Parkland led Pocono Mountain East 28-0.

The Cardinals’ offensive woes continued when they put the ball on the ground after a promising drive.

Rusich dropped back on the first play and tossed a 57-yard gem to Tyler Hays.

After Brian Hanton’s fifth made extra point, the Pocono Mountain East scoreboard clock could only be stopped with a timeout or a score.

The Trojan starting defense took the field for the last time on the following Pocono Mountain drive.

Middle Linebacker Alex Ocasio attacked the offense and forced another short lived three and out for the Eagles.

Following a long pass and a Jahan Worth 25-yard run, Worth capped of the drive with a 7-yard touchdown run. The Trojans went into half leading 42-0.

Worth racked up 106 yards and two touchdowns on only eight carries.

Pocono Mountain received the second half kickoff but continued to be outplayed by Parkland’s defense.

Following a turnover by each team’s second-string offense, the Trojans used 10 minutes from the clock and scored their seventh unanswered touchdown of the game.

Running back Dominic Nelson jumped over the goal line for the 1-yard touchdown run.

“We told the guys not to look at records and to go out and play football and I couldn’t be happier with their performance tonight,” said Moncman.