By Brian Ptashinski @BPtashinski on Twitter
WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP- Behind the strong running of RB Braxton Marrero and QB Ethan Parvel’s arm and legs, the Whitehall Zephyrs managed to hold on for a 42-35 thrilling shootout at Zephyr Stadium in Whitehall Township Friday night in an early season EPC South Showdown.
Marrero scored from 18 yards out with little time left in the contest. The score came after Marrero fumbled the ball away with about 5 minutes left in the game. That led to a three-yard run by Sone Ntoh with 3:44 remaining. The win avenged last year’s loss to Emmaus 38-14 at EPSD Stadium.
Parvel got the scoring spree started on the second play of the game, on a read-option burst for a 69-yard run and a 7-0 lead. The lead did not last long as Blake Reed flipped a shovel pass to Noah Bredinger for a five-yard score. The Zephyrs scored on the ensuing drive as Parvel hooked up with Dez Boykin for a 19-yard scoring play giving the Zephyrs a 14-7 lead still in the opening quarter. Emmaus managed another score late in the quarter when Reed connected with Izaiah McPherson for ten yards evening the score at 14.
Boykin got his second touchdown on a nine-yard reception with about ten minutes left in the half. McPhereson got the Hornets even once again this time on a nifty spinning 27-yard jaunt with 3:48 left on the clock. As the half came to a close the score was tied at 21.
Emmaus found themselves with great field position to start the third quarter, as Whitehall kicked three consecutive times out of bounds. This put the ball at the Hornets 45, but they could not take advantage and were forced to punt. Whitehall could not move the ball either and kicked it back to the Hornets. Reed threw his third touchdown pass, when he hit Deonte Castro on a 29-yard screen pass to give the visitors their first lead. Marrero made sure that lead did not last long as on first play from scrimmage, he busted a 62-yard run and we were tied again at 28 with 7:26 left in the quarter. Parvel gave the Zephs the lead back with a 25 yard pass again to Boykin for 35-28 lead with 7:46 lead in the 4th quarter.
The Hornets turned the ball over for the first time inside the Whitehall 20 with 6:15 on the clock, but a few plays later Marrero returned the favor which led to Ntoh going in from three yards out making the score 35-35. The Zephys got the ball at their own 24 with just under three minutes left that setup the game-winner.
“This game should give us a big boost going forward. That is a good football team we faced tonight. We are excited for next week and rest of the season,” Whitehall coach Brian Gilbert stated after the game.
Parvel completed 11 of 17 passes for 134 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed 20 times for 118 yards and a score. Boykin, who was on receiving end of all three scores caught eight passes for 109 yards. Marrero finished the night with 19 tallies for 192 yards. Whitehall totaled 468 yards in the contest.
Emmaus was down a key player as RB Lubens Meyers was out most of the game with a lower body injury.
“I just wanted a chance to make up for that mistake of fumbling the football. I just came out and really wanted to have a chance to win the game,” Marrero added.
Whitehall (2-0, 1-0 EPC South) go on the road to face Nazareth, who suffered a 30-6 loss at Parkland. Emmaus(1-1, 0-1 EPC South) will be at home with Bethlehem Catholic, a 48-0 winner against Northampton.
