Needing a win to clinch a berth in the post-season for the 11th straight season, Emmaus pulled away from a stubborn Allen team after halftime to earn a 34-20 win spoiling the Canaries Homecoming last Friday night at J. Birney Crum Stadium.
With both teams tied at 3-5 entering the game and vying for the last playoff spot, the Hornets all but assured themselves an invite to the upcoming District XI 6A playoffs by using a 21-0 run after the break to pull away before Allen made the final score a little bit more respectful with two late touchdowns.
Running back Jay Santos, who rushed for a career-high 200 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s 42-0 win over Dieruff, topped that mark as he gained 236 yards and four TDs to lead the Emmaus offense. The senior has now accumulated nine rushing touchdowns over the last three weeks.
The win improved the Hornets to 4-5 on the season, while Allen dropped to 3-6 after suffering their fifth straight loss.
Santos got the scoring started early in the game with the first of his four touchdowns on a 5-yard run before the Canaries responded on their next drive, tying the score as junior quarterback hooked up with Timaj Plott on 68-yard score.
Emmaus led just 13-6 at halftime and then scored three straight touchdowns to open up a 34-6 lead. Anthony Attar keyed the start with a 21-yard TD run, his ninth of the season.
For Allen, Pagan threw for 111 yards and a TD in the game, while classmate Ethan Osorio also threw for 100+ yards (113) and a score. Junior Mikey Taylor ran for 99 yards on the ground.
Defensively, the Hornets were led by senior Mason Lenig and junior Jerel Robinson who each had five tackles. Seniors Mason Weber and Tyler Carmosky were next with four stops.
Emmaus will close out the regular season on Friday at 7 p.m. as they host rival Parkland (7-2). The game will be aired LIVE on The Eastern Pa. Sports Network beginning at 6:30 p.m.
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Emmaus 34, Allen 20
Em – 6-7-14-7 – 34
All – 6-0-0-14 – 20
Scoring –
Em – Jay Santos 5 yd run (PAT failed)
All – Timajh Plott 68 yd pass from Julian Pagan (2-pt conv. failed)
Em – Santos 25 yd run (George Marmaros PAT)
Em – Attar 21 run (Marmaros PAT)
Em – Santos 7 yd run (Marmaros PAT)
Em – Santos 7 yd run (Marmaros PAT)
All – Pagan 2 yd run (2-point conv. failed)
All – Jaylen Walker 17 yd pass from Pagan (2-point conv. Zaisean Prince pass from Pagan)
Individual stats – Emmaus
Rushing – Jay Santos 25-236, 4 TD; Anthony Attar 1-21, TD; Manolo Bermudez 1-16, Kellen Hafner 2 (-16)
Passing – Kellen Hafner 4 of 6, 53 yards
Receiving – AJ Kaintz 2-40, Attar 2-13
PHOTO GALLERY – Courtesy of Tom Ashelman
#4 – Anthony Attar
#65 – Angel Cardona
#33 – Manolo Bermudez
#9 – Mason Lenig
#7 – Nik Castro, #66 – Mason Weber, #22 – Jay Santos, #2 – Tyler Carmosky, #8 – Jamaad Sanders