It’s not often this season that opponents have been able to move the football against Emmaus’ stout defense.
Other than giving up season-high 42 points in a Week 2 loss against a one-loss Nazareth team, the Hornets have been one of the league’s best defensive units, allowing just 13.7 points per game while only giving up just two touchdowns in the last 16 quarters.
Freedom, Emmaus’ opponent last night, wasn’t impressed with that.
The Patriots, winners of three straight after a 1-4 start to their season, rallied after an early deficit scoring 19 unanswered points, using big plays to stun Emmaus 25-19 at East Penn School District Stadium, spoiling the Hornets Senior Night in a wet and rainy ending.
Freedom senior running back Noah Pierre scored the third of his three touchdowns on the night on a 6-yard run with just :51 seconds left in the game breaking a 19-all tie as the Patriots snapped Emmaus’ four-game win streak, beating the Hornets for the ninth time in the last 11 meetings.
Emmaus, which has had its season ended by Freedom in six of the last seven years districts, had rallied to tie the game with 3:58 left in the fourth quarter on the second of two touchdowns from junior Reilly Bechtel from two yards outs, but Freedom was able to respond with the game-winning score.
Despite the loss, the Hornets were still able to clinch a berth in the upcoming District XI Class 6A Tournament, while the Patriots did the same. Both teams are now 5-4 on the season and could potentially meet again in two weeks.
Bechtel, seldomly used in the backfield this season (8 carries/70 yards), rushed for a career-high 93 yards in the game and he also scored Emmaus’ first touchdown of the night on a 37-yard run early in the second quarter.
Junior wideout Daniel Duggan also had a career-night with 68 yards receiving on four receptions.
Senior quarterback Josiah Williams, who went over 1,000 passing yards on the season in the loss, completed just 10 of 27 for 130 yards and an interception. On Emmaus’ first drive of the night, Williams’ pass into the end zone from the Freedom 2-yard line was picked off by junior linebacker Justin Peluso.
Pierre had 169 yards on 17 carries for Freedom which rushed for 245 yards in the game. Junior wideout Amare Duboise also had a big night with 95 yards receiving, including an 8-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Chase Walker on fourth-and-goal as time expired in the first half.
Defensively, senior Mario Landino led Emmaus with eight tackles, while sophomore Robert Edwards was next with six.
Prior to the game, Emmaus honored its 17 seniors: Matt Volquez, Jordin Mitchell, Miles Hulbert, Josiah Williams, Riley Guiffre, Cael Kratzer, Connor Ravier, Gavin Newhart, John Wassel, Jasiyah Banks, Charlie Peters, George Attar, Mario Landino, Ryan Nimas, Tom Ashelman, Ben Mercado and Josh Lane.
Emmaus will close out the regular-season next Friday as they travel to rival Parkland. The game will carried LIVE on The Eastern Pa. Sports Network beginning with the pregame show at 6:30 p.m.
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Freedom 25, Emmaus 19
Fr – 0-6-13-6 – 25
Em – 0-9-3-7 – 19
Scoring:
Q2
Em – Reilly Bechtel 37 yard run (PAT failed)
Em – Will Buck FG 33 yards
Fr – Amare DuBoise 8 yard pass from Chase Walker (PAT failed)
Q3
Fr – Noah Pierre 70 yard run (PAT failed)
Fr – Pierre 36 yard run (PAT failed)
Em – Buck FG 34 yards
Q4:
Em – Bechtel 2 yard run (Buck PAT)
F – Pierre 7 yard run (PAT failed)
INDIVIDUAL – Emmaus
Rushing – Reilly Bechtel 9-93, 2 TD; Josiah Williams 12-63, Riley Guiffre 11-43, Jasiyah Banks 3-7, Daniel Duggan 1-5
Passing – Josiah Williams 10 of 27, 130 yards, 1 Int.
Receiving – Daniel Duggan 4-68, Rafael Terrero 3-35, Cole Moreau 1-11, Ben Jones 1-11, Jerek Cooper 1-5
STARTERS – Emmaus:
Offense: QB Josiah Williams, RB Riley Guiffre, TE John Wassel, WR Rafael Terrero, WR Ben Jones, WR Daniel Duggan, C Tom Ashelman, G Mason Weber/George Attar, T Mario Landino/Ryan Nimas
Defense: NG Brody McHugh, DE Mario Landino/Robert Edwards, LB Reilly Bechtel/Sam Stephan/Connor Ravier/John Wassel/Jerek Cooper, CB Jordan Mitchell/Matt Volquez, FS Rafael Terrero
Special Teams: K/P Will Buck