EAST STROUDSBURG – Going into tonight’s game, Easton’s number one priority was to try and stop or at least slow down East Stroudsburg South’s running back Niko Petrone. Well, you can check that off the list. They held the 2,000-yard runner to just 26-yards rushing in the game.
Easton Area’s defense dominated East Stroudsburg South Friday night in a 31-0 shutout to advance to the District 11 4A finals against Parkland. With the win, Easton joins Mount Carmel Area as the only programs in the state to win 800 or more games.
“It’s big to us,” said head football coach Steve Shiffert. “Believe it or not we do keep track of those things and for us to hit the 800 plateau is great, but to do it Easton style with a shutout made it twice as sweet tonight.”
Joining Easton next Friday night is Parkland who defeated Whitehall for the second time this season, 27-10.
In the first quarter, Easton had opportunities, but two missed field goals by Red Rovers kicker Matt Semanick kept the game scoreless after one quarter.
Late in the first half, a 60-yard punt return by Easton’s Alec Bina down to the East Stroudsburg South’s seven, setup the first score of the night. Kyle Bambary’s seven-yard touchdown run with 5:49 left in the half put the Red Rovers up 7-0.
Bina said after the punt return,“ I have to thank all of the guys who blocked for me tonight. Did you see the wall? All I had to do was run down the sidelines.”
Easton’s defense forced another three-and-out and extended their lead on consecutive scoring drives.
The Red Rovers were facing a fourth-and-nine on East Stroudsburg South’s 32. Quarterback Brad Wilkins found Shane Simpson by the sidelines as he went high in the air for the catch, came down and weaved his way through the Cavaliers defense for the 32-yard score.
Easton’s defense forced one turnover and six punts in the first half. The score would remain 14-0 at the half.
The Red Rovers added to their lead in the third quarter. After two missed field goals in the first half, Semanick connected on a 31-yarder.
Late in the third quarter Bina did it again. This time his 58-yard punt return went to the Cavaliers three-yard line and setup another Bambary touchdown. One play later his three-yard score with 13.1 seconds remanding in the third quarter put Easton up 24-0.
“We probably practice special teams more than the average team,” said head football coach Steve Shiffert. “We do it all week long and Alec did a great job on returns and he really set the tone for us tonight.”
Easton put the game away early in the fourth quarter. The Red Rovers had the ball on the 50 and three runs of 40, 9 and a one-yard touchdown run by Simpson put the game out of reach.
“This win means everything and this is what we worked for to get to the District finals,” said Alec Bina. “It was a great game team effort tonight.”
NOTE: Easton’s defense played well in the win Friday night. They forced one turnover and 10 punts in the shutout win. “Doug Powell did a great job tonight preparing this team,” said Shiffert. “Heck of a running back that our kids shut down tonight.”
Shane Simpson and Kyle Bambary combined for almost 170-yards rushing and three touchdowns.
East Stroudsburg South’s running back Niko Petrone finished the season with 2,041 yards and 29 touchdowns.
