Just as teams were getting set for the opening kickoff at Parkland stadium last night, the lights went out. The game was delayed for about 15 minutes until power was restored. The delay did not seem to bother Whitehall as Saquon Barkley returned the opening kick 50 yards to the Parkland 44. On the first play from scrimmage Barkley took a handoff up the middle cut to his left and scored in the corner. The PAT was blocked giving the Zephyrs a quick 6-0 lead. Then the game became a showcase for the Trojans RB Kareem Williams, who rushed for 216 yards on 21 carries and 3 scores. His first coming on the last play of the first quarter on a 57 yard scamper to give Parkland a 7-6 after the PAT. He was given the MVP award after the game as his team received the Joe Gerencser Memorial Trophy, which is presented annually to the winner.
“He is a big physical back,” Whitehall coach Brian Gilbert stated. “They ran the ball effectively. They controlled the ground game. That’s what won the game for them”
Whitehall took a lead of 12-7 in the second period, when on a 4th and goal from the Parkland 5 FG holder Gianni Sinatore took the snap and ran around the corner and dove into the end zone. The two point conversion failed.
That lead lasted until 4 plays later when Williams had a specatcular 47 yard run with under two minutes to go in the half to give the Trojans a 14-12 lead at intermission.
The second half was dominated by Parkland’s physical ground game. They did not attempt a single pass. QB Davonte Cross rushed for 83 yards in the half, giving him 103 yards on the ground for the game.
The final dagger for Whitehall came at the 6:50 mark of the final quarter, Matthew Bonshak took the snap from center and tried a run up the middle he was hit hard and fumbled the ball, Parkland recovered at Whitehall 34. The Trojans proceeded to run the ball and the clock for nearly five minutes until Williams scored his third touchdown of the night from 31 yards out to give Parkland a 21-12 lead.
“We did a great job defensively,” parkland coach Jim Morgans stated. “Defensive coordinator Timmy Moncman does a great job of getting these kids ready to play every week.”
With Parkland’s win and Easton’s loss to Emmaus last night. The LVC currently has 4-way tie pending Bethlehem Catholic’s game on Saturday with Liberty.
