Emmaus vs Nazareth
How it happened: Emmaus overcame a 15-point deficit (21-6) in the second quarter to rally for a wild 43-42 win as they scored the game-winning TD with just :09 left in regulation and converted the ensuing two-point conversion for the win….The Hornets are 2-0 on the season for the second time since 2016….Emmaus won despite a number of dropped passes, missed opportunities and being penalized 11 times for 115 yards.
The visiting team won in the series for the fifth straight year and Emmaus picked up its second straight win at Nazareth with last year’s contest featuring a combined 97 points with the Hornets prevailing 55-42. The Blue Eagles won at Emmaus in 2016 (41-21) and 2015 (49-36).
Coach Fairclough: “[We found a way to win this game] and that’s what it’s all about. We knew we might have some trouble with their offense and that’s kinda how it played out. We had our ups and downs and we made a lot of mistakes. At halftime, we told this kids that this was probably our worst half of football that I’ve ever seen and we were down just eight points. We remained positive, kept working and chipping away and it paid dividends in the end.”
“A lot of guys stepped up tonight; a lot of guys that never played varsity before. This was a huge game and my hat goes off to these guys. They love playing for each other and it showed. It’s a fun group to be around.”
Parvel the playmaker:: One week after accounting for 3 TDs in the Hornets season-opening win over Allen, senior QB Ethan Parvel did one better as he had a hand in 4 of his team’s 6 TDs, throwing for 3 and running for another, including a wild scramble in the waning seconds of the game, finding a wide open Izaiah McPherson who made a diving catch in the end zone.
Fairclough: “I think he (Parvel) felt a sense of urgency to get the ball out. He knew he couldn’t go down there. He just flipped it and I think Izaiah stopped his route, then started again and saw the ball coming and then decided to catch it. It was an amazing play.”
More Myers: With running mate Sone Ntoh sidelined early in the game with a leg/calf injury, senior Lubens Myers stood tall for the Hornets as he scored the game-winning, two-point conversion. The senior also returned the opening kickoff 94 yards for a score and accounted for two TDs. For the game, Myers rushed for 127 yards on a career-high 27 carries.
Fairclough: “He wasn’t going to be denied on the [two-point] play. He was running hard ad he’s a on a mission this year. He missed a lot of time last year and he’s playing with a chip on his shoulder and I love to see that. He was all over the field – offense, defense, special teams. He wants it and I’m proud of him. ”
Johnny Be Good: Playing in his first varsity game, junior WR Johnny Ferris played a key role in the win with an amazing 24-yard TD catch in the back of the end zone for his first career TD early in the fourth quarter. Ferris also had a key 8-yard catch late in the game to keep another drive alive.
Fairclough: “We love him. Johnny on the spot. He catches the ball all the time. We had no problem putting him in there. He made a great catch on the touchdown and he also had a great catch near the sideline later in the game to keep a drive alive. He just stepped up big time.”
Defensive leaders: Through the first two games of the season, senior LB Tim Higgins leads the team with 12 tackles (10 solo), while fellow senior DL Jacob Wieder is second (10) and senior DB Carlton Lovett is third (8)
Injury update: Hornets senior RB Sone Ntoh left the game early in the second quarter with a leg/calf injury and didn’t return. Said Fairlcough on Tuesday: He’s ‘definitely getting better, but it’s still day to day.’ The Harvard-bound Ntoh had just one carry for four yards before leaving the game.
What’s up next: Emmaus will return to EPSD Stadium on Friday to host Whitehall on East Penn Emmaus Midget Football Association (EPEMFA) Night ….The Zephyrs enter the contest 0-2 after an opening-season loss to East Stroudsburg South (37-28) and last week’s defeat to Easton (55-21) in which the Zephyrs were outscored 35-7 in the second half after only trailing by six (20-14) at the break….There will be plenty of intrigue around this game as Parvel goes against his former team…
EPC Standings (South) – EMMAUS 2-0, Easton 2-0, Parkland 2-0, Freedom 2-0, Liberty 2-0, BC 1-1, CC 1-1, Nazareth 1-1, Whitehall 0-2
(North) – ES South 2-0, Northampton 1-1, Stroudsburg 1-1, Allen 1-1, Pleasant Valley 0-2, PM East 0-2, PM West 0-2, Dieruff 0-2, ES North 0-2