Nazareth pulls away late

NAZARETH – Quarterback Dan Harding paced Nazareth throwing for three first half-touchdown passes. But it was freshman running back Jordan Gray’s 37-yard touchdown run that iced the game for Nazareth Area (10-1) in a 43-28 win over Delaware Valley (7-4) in the first round of the Class AAAA District 2-4-11 sub-regional quarterfinals game at Andrew Leh Stadium Friday night.

Nazareth Area overcame two turnovers in the first quarter and after a scoreless first quarter, Harding found Alex Tonnies for an 11-yard touchdown pass. Jack Portnoy’s kick put the Blue Eagles up 7-0.

Dan Harding talked about the first quarter, “We came out a little flat. But it took about a quarter to get things going.”

On Delaware Valley’s next possession they went four-and-out. After a bad punt that went one-yard, the Blue Eagles took over on the Delaware Valley 18. Two plays later Gray went in for the 11-yard score to put Nazareth up 14-0 with 9:09 remaining in the first half.

Christmas came early for the Blue Eagles. The ball went over the Delaware Valley punter’s head for the safety. The Blue Eagles didn’t waste any time on their next possession driving three-plays for 48 yards for the score. Harding hit Daniel Shepherd for the 41-yard strike. Before the Warriors could blink they found themselves down 23-0.

Delaware Valley’s Joe Santiago took the kickoff and went 95 yards for the score. The Warriors trailed 23-7 with 5:15 remaining in the half.

Right before half, Nazareth added to their lead. Harding threw his third touchdown of the second quarter. He found Adam Bridgeforth who went 41-yard for the score.

With that touchdown catch Bridgeforth  breaks Nazareth’s receiving yards record. In 1995 Justin Kondikoff held the record of 1,005 yards receiving.

Harding talked about the record, “That’s a special moment. Adam works hard every game. I’m proud of him.”

Nazareth went into halftime leading 30-7.

The second half Delaware Valley started to chip away at the Blue Eagles lead. The Warriors drove 53 yards. Martin Strenk scored from five yards out. Nazareth’s Aaron Bradley blocked the extra point attempt. Nazareth led 30-13

Adam Bridgeforth said, “The second half they came out fired up and they played hard.”

The Blue Eagles third turnover of the game proved to be costly. On their first play, Strenk took the hand off and went 50-yards down to the Nazareth 10. Four plays later the Warriors were facing a fourth down and goal on Nazareth three-yard line. Quarterback Bryan Schor took the snap and rolled right and found John Harsch for the three-yard touchdown pass. The Warriors edged closer, 30-20.

With 1:53 remaining in the third quarter, Gray’s four-yard score put the Blue Eagles up two scores, 36-20.

The Warriors pulled within eight points with 9:48 remaining in the game. Strenk powered his way in to the end zone for the six-yard run. Schor’s two-point conversion made it 36-28.

The Warriors defense came up with another big stop with under seven minutes remaining in the game. The Warriors took over at their 40 after Jeremy Reynolds’ sack on Harding to stop Nazareth’s drive. But any momentum the Warriors had they gave right back. Schor threw three crucial interceptions down the stretch.

Gray’s 37-yard run finished off Delaware Valley.  “In the end our defense shut them down”, said Harding.

Dan Harding led Nazareth completing 21 of 35 passes for 317 yards and three scores. His favorite target, Adam Bridgeforth caught eight passes for 144 yards. His brother Andrew Bridgeforth added 64 yards. Freshman running back Jordan Gray added 115 yards and three scores.

Up next for Nazareth is Parkland the only team to defeat the Blue Eagles this season. Parkland defeated Stroudsburg 38-10 Friday night and the Blue Eagles 47-20 on October 21^st.