By Brian Ptashinski @BPtashinski on Twitter
ALLENTOWN- Defending EPC North Champion, Allentown Central Catholic, was the last team standing in the way of the EPC South from completing an opening week sweep. After a strong second half by the visiting Patriots of Freedom, opening up a 7-3 lead to a convincing 27-3 win at J. Birney Crum Stadium. Once again the South dominated the North over the weekend and none of the contests were even competitive.
Central Catholic’s placekicker, Rustin Seyle, opened the scoring with a 30-yard field goal, completing a 10-play, 44-yard drive. The lead did not last long as Patriot Sophomore quarterback Jared Jenkins found Kryee Marshbur for a 20-yard completion for a score to take a 7-3 lead with 2:19 left in the opening quarter.
“The parity among the teams in EPC South happens again this year. You’re going to have to play your best football each and every week. Central Catholic is a good team under a first year head coach, ” Freedom’s coach Jason Roeder said afterwards.
The second half opened up with the Patriots going to the air as Jenkins connected with Alec Huertas with a 24-yard scoring pass on just one play, after a short punt. Central Catholic could not muster even a first down in the third quarter, leaving the score 13-3.
Freedom only needed three plays to score their next two touchdowns as Abdul Beasley ripped off a 61-yard jaunt after receiving a punt from the Vikings. On the ensuing drive, Freedom intercepted a pass and one play later, Joseph Stofanak was on receiving end of a Jenkins pass covering 28 yards.
Central Catholic lost starting quarterback Connor Nejad to an injury early in the first quarter.
Next week Freedom will host William Allen on Friday night while Central Catholic will travel to Pleasant Valley.
