The loss of 25 players from last year’s Whitehall High School’s football team could not derail the Zephyr train in their home opener as it cruised past a very good Spring Ford team 37-21. Whitehall got 2 scores each from Ryan Bonshak and Saquon Barkley on the first 4 possessions of the first half.
First-time starting quarterback Jeff Charles, who replaces Lehigh University Freshman Nick Shafnisky, threw for 160 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception.
Charles hooked up with Bonshak on the first touchdown pass of 22 yards on a 4th and 19 in the first quarter. Bonshak also scored on a 6 yard scamper in the first stanza. He finished with 47 yards on the ground for the game.
Barkley hauled in a 31 yard scoring reception in the second quarter and also had a nifty 55 yard scamper to the end zone. Barkley rushed for 121 yards on 15 carries.
The Zephyr defense bottled up Rams “Mr. Everything” Tate Carter for much of the game. The defense was about as suffocating as the heat was on the field, as several players were having issues with cramping during the game. Bonshak had 8 tackles to lead the team. Five tackles were made by Angel Rodriguez.
Whitehall placekicker Conner Ilgenfritz drilled a 38 yard field goal at end of first half to make the score 31-7 at intermission.
