Wilkins leads Easton in rout over Phillipsburg

EASTON – Junior Quarterback Brad Wilkins threw for 197 yards and a record five touchdowns to lead the Red Rovers over Phillipsburg in the 106th annual Turkey Day game at Fisher Field Thursday morning.

With the win, Easton (10-2) leads the all-time series 60-41-5 and won six of the last seven meetings. “It’s so rewarding to see the kids reach their goal winning on this field,” said head football coach Steve Shiffert. “I am so proud of these kids.”

On Easton’s first possession they went eight plays totalling 58-yards for the score. Bradley Wilkins hit Chis Delbene for the 18-yard pass and Matt Semanick’s kick put Easton up 7-0.

Phillipsburg answered right back. Quarterback Tyler Troxell hit Alex Martin for a 64-yard pass play down to the Easton four. Two plays later, DaJuan Lee hammered in from two-yards out for the score. Ryan O’Dowd’s kick was no good and P-Burg trailed 7-6.

The Red Rovers extended their lead in the second quarter. Facing a fourth down and two, Wilkins rolled out and found Matthew Mowad in the back of the end zone for a two-yard touchdown pass.

Another Wilkins to Mowad score followed, for 33-yards. With 2:07 remaining in the first half,

Easton led 21-6.

On the kick off, Martin went 94-yards for a P-Burg score. They tried for a two-point conversion with Martin lined up in the wild cat formation. He swept left but came up short on a tackle by Nick Raso of Easton.

At halftime, Easton led 21-12.

The only score in the third quarter was setup by a blocked punt. P-Burg’s Connor Lilly blocked the punt and the Stateliners got the ball on Easton’s five. Martin made a incredible one-handed catch on his back end in the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown pass from Troxell. After the missed PAT, Easton still led 21-18 with :36 seconds remaining in the quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Red Rovers turned up the defensive pressure. Xavier Jenkins intercepted a Troxell pass and returned it to the Phillipsburg 30. “The defense played a excellent game today,” said Shiffert.

The Red Rovers were facing a fourth down and 26 when Wilkins hit Mowad for his fifth touchdown pass with 8:56 remaining in the game. They led 28-18. “My offensive line and receivers made it happen today,” said Wilkins. “I never threw five touchdown passes in a game until today. I threw four against Parkland in a JV game last season.”

Mowad finished with four catches for 73 yards and three touchdowns. “He knows how to go to the ball and he is a big target,” said Wilkins.

On Troxell’s very next throw, Easton’s Justin Best picked him off and the Red Rovers took over on their 48. On Easton’s third play of the drive, Wilkins hit Ezra Gaines for a 52-yard touchdown pass. With 7:22 remaining. The Red Rovers led 35-18.

NOTE: Wilkins was named offensive MVP of the game. “He threw the ball well all day when we gave him time,” said Shiffert.

Phillipsburg’s Jarrett Williams was named defensive MVP of the game.

Easton scored on fourth down conversions three times.