If you ask any fan who the top high school football program in the Lehigh Valley is…it’s real easy, Parkland!
Parkland (13-0) Friday night defeated Freedom 30-6 in the District 11 Class 6A final at Northampton. The win is Parkland’s sixth consecutive District 11 title. The Trojans move on and meet the winner of Saturday’s Northeast vs. St. Joseph’s Prep matchup.
Freedom took the opening kickoff and marched down the field. Nicholas Stannard kicked a 36-yard field goal and Freedom led 3-0 early in the first quarter.
The Trojans answered right back. Jahan Worth capped off a 12-play, 64-yard drive with an nine-yard touchdown run. Parkland led 7-3 with 2:15 in the first quarter.
Parkland’s Juan Salas intercepted a Jared Jenkins pass. Michael Ruisch completed passes of 3, 17 and 19 yards setting up a touchdown run. Mason Malozzi bulled his way in from four yards out and the Trojans extended their lead to 14-3 with 8:02 left in the first half.
Freedom drove deep into Trojan territory right before halftime. Jenkins’ pass was picked off by Parkland’s Josh Wagner who took it 100 yards. His return was nullified by a holding penalty. But the turnover stood and Trojans took over and went into halftime with a 14-3 lead.
Tristan Wheeler recovered a Parkland fumble on the first play of the second half. Freedom ran a trick play for a touchdown on the next play. It was negated by a penalty. Patriots now had the ball at Parkland 23. They would have to settle for a Stannard 24-yard field goal. The Patriots cut Parkland’s lead to 14-6 in the third.
Parkland again answered a Freedom score. Worth powered into the end zone from 22-yards out. The Trojans extended their lead to 21-6 with 5:52 left in the third quarter.
On Freedom’s next possession they turned the ball over on downs. Nick Johnston caught a Ruisch pass and raced 55-yards for the touchdown.
Parkland would add a safety in the fourth quarter and the Trojans won 30-6.
NOTE: Parkland’s Jahan Worth finished the night rushing for 142 yards on two touchdowns. Michael Ruisch passed for 187 yards and a score.
