Boys LAX – Hornets face tough road assignment tonight in District XI opener taking on recently-crowned EPC champion Easton. PREVIEW

Photo: Nathan Lewis

Who – No.5 seed Emmaus (12-6) vs No.4 seed Easton (14-5)

When/Where – Thursday 6 p.m., Cottingham Stadium, Easton

Coverage – LIVE: www.easternpasportsnetwork.com  (5:40 p.m. pregame)

What’s at stake – Winner advances to semifinals May 23 @ Northampton HS vs No.1 seed Parkland

Coaches – Bob Kornicke (1st year); Easton: Brad Bachman

Head-to-Head: Easton won 12-6 at Emmaus

Probable starters – Emmaus: Jr. Will Barber (73g/45a), Fr. Jack Restino (31/9), Jr. Liam Rooney (30/24), Sr. Aidan Garrett (17/11), Jr. Michael Chies, Sr. Ryan DeJohn, Jr. John Wassel, Jr. Erik Wentz, Jr. Zach Yenawine, Jr. GK Sam Rainford (157 saves). Others: Sr. John Hughes (32/14), Soph. Gabe Chies (7/1), Soph. Ashton Fehr (13/2)

Easton key players – Sr. Sean Wilson (48g/37a), Sr. Matt Deliso (25/19), Sr. J’vier Johnson, Sr. Adam Petrignani, Sr. Jayden Hazzard, Soph. Cael DiSora (34/13), Soph. Shae Linegar (30/13), Soph. Xavier Parker (23/15), Sr. Carter Youtz (26/15), Sr. GK Owen Amacker, Jr. GK Ethan Lapham

GAME NOTES: The 7-time District XI champs Emmaus begin their quest for an eighth title and third in the last five years as they take on Easton, which is coming off winning its first EPC championship since 2016, a 14-7 upset win over top-seeded Parkland on Tuesday … Emmaus has been off for eight days with their last game back on May 10 — a 16-12 loss to the Trojans in the EPC semis ….The Hornets have loss two of their last three games …A year ago, Emmaus lost in the opening-round of districts at Freedom … Easton has won four straight. Their losses this season are to: CB West 10-7, Germantown Academy 13-5, Freedom 17-13, Parkland 14-9 and Spring-Ford 20-10