It was a battle of two of the heavyweights in District 11 semi-final football game Friday night. A sudden change of events late in the first half sparked a Trojan rally to propel Parkland to a 27-10 victory at a packed house at Zephyr Stadium.
With 1:34 and Whitehall having a fourth and 1 from their own 47 yard line, Coach Gilbert decided to go for it in a 3-3 ballgame. RB Saquon Barkley tried a run around end but was stopped short and Parkland took over with 1:29 left.
Parkland took advantage of the situation in just 6 plays, capped by a lofted pass by QB Devonte Cross to Eli Redmond for a 35 yard touchdown with just 5.9 until intermission gave the Trojans a 10-3 lead.
“We had some momentum and we thought we could make a play,” Coach Gilbert stated. “It backfired on us.” “They flowed to the ball with their speed and made the play,” he concluded.
The second half belonged to Williams (42 carries 229 yards) and the offensive line of Parkland. Williams had 46 yards on opening drive of the half finished off with 24-yard field goal by Stefan Williams to extend the lead to 13-3.
“I just didn’t want this to end tonight. I wanted to get this win for my teammates,” Williams stated after his second game against Whitehall in which he ran for over 200 yards.
Eli Redmond picked off Jeff Charles, who struggled with his passing game completing 9 of 18 passes and three interceptions, on Whitehall’s next possession. Parkland went on 13-play drive using up valuable time on the clock. Williams powered his way in to the end zone giving his team a 20-3 lead.
“We adjusted some things in that second half. We didn’t move the ball like we would have liked to early on,” Parkland coach Jim Morgans said. “Our coaches made the right calls at the right time. They did an outstanding job,” he added.
Whitehall managed to cut the lead in half with 8:30 left in the contest on a one yard Ryan Bonshak score. After another Charles interception put the Trojans in a great field position. Williams scored once again this time on a 34 yard jaunt through the heart of the Zephyr defense giving his team the final margin of victory.
With the win Parkland manages to get a home game for the District 11 championship game next against Easton. The Red Rovers defeated previously unbeaten East Stroudsburg South 31-0. Parkland lost earlier in the year to Easton 24-0 at Cottingham Stadium.
“We know we are going to be facing one heck of a football team in Easton. They did a great job against us in the first time around. They have a great defense. We are going to have to play a lot better this time around.” Morgans stated.
Parkland held Barkley in check most of the night allowing him 93 yards on just 17 carries.
