RECAP >> Early on in Friday night’s game, Emmaus showed that they could go toe-to-toe against Freedom, matching the Patriots score-for-score and even leading early into the second quarter.
The big question, however, was could the Hornets sustain that frenetic scoring pace on their end, while trying to slow down the defending District XI champs high-powered offense.
In a word, no.
Freedom amassed an incredible 630 yards of total offense and scored touchdowns on 9 of their 10 possessions on the night as they pulled away in the second quarter and dominated Emmaus the rest of the way in rolling to a 63-28 rout of the Hornets at Bethlehem Area School District Stadium.
Pates senior quarterback Jared Jenkins had a field day against Emmaus’ defense with a record-setting night, completing an incredible 25 of 29 passes for 426 yards and four touchdowns. In the first half alone, Jenkins was 16 of 17 for 342 yards and three scores.
“They (Freedom) played really well.” said Emmaus head coach Harold Fairclough. “No. 8 (Jenkins) had a hell of a day. We just didn’t have an answer.”
“I thought our kids fought and played hard and that’s what I wanted to see out of them this week coming off last week’s loss. I can’t say that they didn’t put in the effort and play with some energy because they did. We showed in the first half that we can compete.”
A 21-21 game early in the second quarter turned into a rout by Freedom as they outscored Emmaus 42-7 the rest of the way in defeating the Hornets for the sixth straight time in improving to 7-1 on the season.
The loss by Emmaus was its second straight as they dropped to 4-4, and the 63 points allowed was the most since a 49-17 loss to the same Patriots team in last year’s District XI Class 6A championship game.
Emmaus junior running back Brandon Camire finished with 157 yards on the ground on 25 carries before leaving the game in the third quarter with an apparent rib injury. Camire, who went over 100 yards in the first quarter, accounted for all of his team’s offense in the first half as he scored on touchdown runs on 3, 2 and 6 yards.
Sophomore Jared Groller finished with his second-high total of the season with 72 yards on 10 carries and scored his team’s lone TD of the second half on a 6-yard run, while junior Jameel Sanders had a career-high eight receptions and 98 yards.
For Freedom, senior running back Jalen Stewart had 3 touchdowns on just 11 carries and become the program’s all-time leading scorer early in the game with his first TD of the night. Classmate Gabe Caton had big night with 7 receptions for 175 yards and a TD, while junior Matt Russin had a pair of touchdowns and a 140 total yards.
Emmaus will look to bounce back on Friday as they return home to East Penn School District Stadium to take on Bethlehem Catholic on Senior Night. The game will be aired live on www.pennsportsradio.com beginning with the pregame show at 6:30 p.m. Kickoff is set for 7:05 p.m.
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Emmaus – 14-7-7-0 – 28
Freedom – 14-28-14-7 – 63
Scoring:
Q1
Em – Brandon Camire 3 yard run (Alex Orlando PAT)
F – Matt Russin 19 yard pass from Jared Jenkins (Nick Stannard PAT)
E – Camire 2 yard run (Orlando PAT)
F – Jalen Stewart 2 yard run (Stannard PAT)
Q2
E – Camire 6 yard run (Orlando PAT)
F – Russin 62 yard run (Stannard PAT)
F – Stewart 1 yard run (Orlando PAT)
F – Owen Johnson-McCormick 15 yard pass from Jenkins (Stannard PAT)
F – John Quin Hoke 28 yard pass from Jenkins (Stannard PAT)
Q3
F – Stewart 25 yard run (Stannard PAT)
E – Jared Groller 6 yard run (Orlando PAT)
F – Gabe Caton 20 yard pass from Jenkins (Stannard PAT)
Q4
F – Judah Rock 1 yard run (Stannard PAT)
Individual (Emmaus)
Rushing – Brandon Camire 25 car., 157 yards, 3 TD; Jared Groller 10-72-1, Gabe Trexler 5-38, Max Antigua-Figerua 4-6, Jameel Sanders 1(-1), Jacob Moyer 2 (-9)
Passing – Jacob Moyer 11 of 17, 112, Brandon Camire 0 of 1, Alex Lanzone 0-0
Receiving – Jameel Sanders 8 recept., 98 yards; Brandon Camire 1-9, Adam Heiserman 1-5, Cole Scott 1-0