Whitehall moves on

NAZARETH – Chris Polony and Eric Fiore combined for 179 yards rushing to lead Whitehall over Nazareth Area 21-6 in the Class 4A semifinal game at Andrew Leh Stadium Friday night.

Whitehall made a statement on their opening drive going 71-yards on 10 plays. The Zephyrs ran the ball six straight times during the drive. Fiore carried the ball five times for 27-yards and Polony finished off the drive with a one-yard score. Whitehall led 7-0 with 7:06 left in the first quarter.

With 6:05 remaining in the first half Whitehall put together another long drive taking five minutes and 42 seconds off the clock. Fiore’s one-yard plunge into the end zone put the Zephyrs up 14-0 with 28.0 seconds.

Nazareth quarterback Dan Harding connected on a long pass to Sean Sauerzopf at mid-field. Chuck Dibilo took the snap as time ran out and took it deep into Zephyr territory before being stopped. Whitehall went into halftime leading 14-0.

Whitehall out rushed Nazareth 139 yards to 68 in the first half.

Nazareth took their opening drive in the second half and marched right down the field led by Dibilo. Harding threw a bullet to Sauerzopf who got hammered in the end zone but hung on for the 13-yard touchdown pass.  The kick was blocked and Nazareth trailed 14-6.

Late in the third quarter Rob Melosky went to his bag of tricks and tried a pass with Dibilo, but Tyler Artim intercepted the pass with 2:56 remaining. Whitehall took over on their eight-yard line.

Nazareth’s defense came up with the stop. Daniel Shephard stepped in front of the Polony pass for the interception early in the fourth quarter. The Blue Eagles offense stalled and was forced to punt the ball.

Late in the game Whitehall’s punishing running attack wore down the Nazareth defense as Fiore scored on a four-yard touchdown run with 3:25 remaining in the game.  Whitehall led 21-6.

Whitehall Head coach Tony Trisciani said, “We are always going to be balanced but we try and take what they give us. I had a lot of confidence in our kids that we could move them and we got a great running back. We’re always a threat for throwing the ball and you put everything together is what opens up the creases.”

Nazareth’s season came down to a 4^th down and seven play. Harding’s pass would fall incomplete and Whitehall took over on downs.

Whitehall ran out the clock and will face Easton Area next Saturday. Easton Area defeated East Stroudsburg South 68-20.

Chris Polony finishes the game passing for only 48 yards. He finished with 75 yards rushing.

Polony talked about what this win meant to his team, “This is unbelievable playing for a district championship. This is the first time in a long time.”