Born Index Spread: Nazareth -12
Regular Season Meeting: Nazareth thumped Easton 37-13 to clinch the EPC South championship and hand their rivals their worst loss ever against the Blue Eagles. Nate Stefanik starred, catching 9 passes for 95 yards, scoring three touchdowns, throwing a touchdown pass on a trick play, and intercepted a pass, and blocked an extra point. Nazareth’s defense also clamped down, holding Nahjee Adams to 77 yards on the night.
Last Week: Nazareth blew out Pocono Mountain West 63-28 to advance with no problem. Easton went to Northampton and ended the EPC North champions’ season with a dramatic 43-37 victory. Easton got a pair of sacks in the final minute when Nazareth had driven inside the Red Rover 40 after a fumble. Nahjee Adams tied a program record with six rushing touchdowns in the win.
#5 Easton (7-5)
Head Coach: Jeff Braido (Career Record: 22-14)
Last D11 Title: 2010
D11 Finals History (bold- won): 1988, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014
Passing: Cole Transue: 134-219, 1,550 yards, 11 TDs, 9 INTs
Rushing: Nahjee Adams: 224 carries, 1,651 yards, 24 TDs
Receiving: Chase Holmes: 48 catches, 736 yards, 4 TDs
Defense: Tamir Jackson: 84 tackles, 11 TFL, 2 sacks, 2 FF
Red Rover Offense: Running back Nahjee Adams is amongst the state’s leaders in rushing. Adams is a do-everything running back, with the size (5’11 195) to run through tackles and the speed to break away once he gets into the open field. He’s one of the more talented running backs in the state and is the focal point of the offense. He averages over 180 yards per game in Easton wins, but under 70 yards per game in Easton losses. Last week, Easton made a concerted effort to incorporate the fullback into their offense more and Tamir Jackson responded with 88 yards on 9 carries. Jackson is a load and in previous iterations of Easton offenses would be a major compliment to Adams. The offensive line has experience, with four seniors, including 6’3 315 pound Delaware recruit Patrick Shupp at left tackle, but there has been some shuffling on the line after poor performance in the losing streak. Sophomore quarterback Cole Transue is going to be a really dangerous player, and reminds me of Freedom’s Jared Jenkins as a sophomore. He’s a good runner who has been productive with his arm, though as the season has worn on his turnovers have increased. He has a pair of basketball standouts in Chase Holmes and A’sad Brown catching passes for him, as well as very promising sophomore Kyle Evancho.
Red Rover Defense: Easton has an excellent pair of linebackers in Tamir Jackson and Dominic Falcone. Jackson made 100 tackles as a sophomore and is 16 away from hitting the century mark again. He’s physical and makes really good reads in the running game. Falcone is the defensive coordinator’s son and plays with a really high football IQ. He’s also one of the best upper weight wrestlers in the state. The rest of the defense leaves something to be desired. They do not tackle well and have really struggled to get pressure on the quarterback without blitzing.
#1 Nazareth (11-1)
Head Coach: Tom Falzone (Career Record: 22-14)
Last D11 Title: 2011
D11 Finals History (bold- won): 1988 (3A), 1989 (3A), 2011
Passing: Anthony Harris: 129-201, 1,728 yards, 18 TDs, 4 INTs
Rushing: Tyler Rohn: 119 carries, 520 yards, 3 TDs
Receiving: Nathan Stefanik: 55 catches, 794 yards, 8 TDs
Defense: Jake Wilson: 94 tackles, 19 TFL, 15.5 sacks
Blue Eagle Offense: Anthony Harris is a three year starter and one of the best athletes in the Lehigh Valley (he’s also a standout basketball player and one of the best high jumpers/long jumpers in track and field). Harris, who holds an offer from Maine, is a dual threat who has really cut down on turnovers in his senior year. He’s best in quick, rhythm throws, or when improvising outside of the pocket. He’s a great fit in Tom Falzone’s high tempo, spread scheme. He has a solid group of receivers, led by All State candidate Nathan Stefanik. Stefanik, a two-time state medalist and Division I recruit as a wrestler, is a gritty, tough kid who can go over the middle and likes to work underneath in their scheme. The offensive line is a real strength, with the most size Nazareth has had in as long as I can remember, led by left tackle Jake Wilson and center Cody Brudenbacher (6’4 290). The running game is not a priority, though sophomore Tyler Rohn (nephew of NCAA champion Rob Rohn) has shown some promise. They use screens and quick passes to supplement the run game.
Blue Eagle Defense: This is the separator. The Nazareth defense has been excellent this season and is the strongest in the Lehigh Valley. It starts with EPC South Defensive Player of the Year Jake Wilson, who is fully healthy this year and has been a terror at defensive end. He’s brilliant against the run and pass and has earned attention from FBS schools with his play this fall. The back 7 isn’t big, but very fast, with linebackers Jacob Levey and Brandon Mehlig both built to defend modern spread offenses. And Nathan Stefanik has had one of the best seasons in school history from his safety spot, setting a single season record with 10 interceptions.
The Matchup: Nazareth made Easton quit in the first match up and the Red Rovers have earned a reputation in the Valley for being soft, something that was unthinkable in the past. Nazareth plays with tremendous speed and urgency, and they’re going to keep coming, particularly on offense. They’re also playing at home with a senior quarterback and they’re going to have tons of energy. Can Easton match Nazareth’s intensity and play mistake free football, something they haven’t done this year. For Nazareth, can they shut down Nahjee Adams again. If they stop the run, Easton can’t win. That simple.
The Pick: This might be the best Nazareth team of my lifetime, I’d love to see them take on the 2011 squad that won a District title. That team definitely had a better offense, but this Nazareth defense is light years ahead of the 2011 model. Easton is not very good. They play undisciplined, soft football. Adams is enough of a talent to give them a punchers chance, but he can’t be dodging tackles before he even makes it to the line of scrimmage, which he has been doing too much recently. I also can’t see a world where Easton slows down Nazareth's offense. The Born Index has Nazareth as a 12 point favorite, give me the Blue Eagles and the points.
Nazareth 42-14
Regular Season Meeting: Nazareth thumped Easton 37-13 to clinch the EPC South championship and hand their rivals their worst loss ever against the Blue Eagles. Nate Stefanik starred, catching 9 passes for 95 yards, scoring three touchdowns, throwing a touchdown pass on a trick play, and intercepted a pass, and blocked an extra point. Nazareth’s defense also clamped down, holding Nahjee Adams to 77 yards on the night.
Last Week: Nazareth blew out Pocono Mountain West 63-28 to advance with no problem. Easton went to Northampton and ended the EPC North champions’ season with a dramatic 43-37 victory. Easton got a pair of sacks in the final minute when Nazareth had driven inside the Red Rover 40 after a fumble. Nahjee Adams tied a program record with six rushing touchdowns in the win.
#5 Easton (7-5)
Head Coach: Jeff Braido (Career Record: 22-14)
Last D11 Title: 2010
D11 Finals History (bold- won): 1988, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014
Passing: Cole Transue: 134-219, 1,550 yards, 11 TDs, 9 INTs
Rushing: Nahjee Adams: 224 carries, 1,651 yards, 24 TDs
Receiving: Chase Holmes: 48 catches, 736 yards, 4 TDs
Defense: Tamir Jackson: 84 tackles, 11 TFL, 2 sacks, 2 FF
Red Rover Offense: Running back Nahjee Adams is amongst the state’s leaders in rushing. Adams is a do-everything running back, with the size (5’11 195) to run through tackles and the speed to break away once he gets into the open field. He’s one of the more talented running backs in the state and is the focal point of the offense. He averages over 180 yards per game in Easton wins, but under 70 yards per game in Easton losses. Last week, Easton made a concerted effort to incorporate the fullback into their offense more and Tamir Jackson responded with 88 yards on 9 carries. Jackson is a load and in previous iterations of Easton offenses would be a major compliment to Adams. The offensive line has experience, with four seniors, including 6’3 315 pound Delaware recruit Patrick Shupp at left tackle, but there has been some shuffling on the line after poor performance in the losing streak. Sophomore quarterback Cole Transue is going to be a really dangerous player, and reminds me of Freedom’s Jared Jenkins as a sophomore. He’s a good runner who has been productive with his arm, though as the season has worn on his turnovers have increased. He has a pair of basketball standouts in Chase Holmes and A’sad Brown catching passes for him, as well as very promising sophomore Kyle Evancho.
Red Rover Defense: Easton has an excellent pair of linebackers in Tamir Jackson and Dominic Falcone. Jackson made 100 tackles as a sophomore and is 16 away from hitting the century mark again. He’s physical and makes really good reads in the running game. Falcone is the defensive coordinator’s son and plays with a really high football IQ. He’s also one of the best upper weight wrestlers in the state. The rest of the defense leaves something to be desired. They do not tackle well and have really struggled to get pressure on the quarterback without blitzing.
#1 Nazareth (11-1)
Head Coach: Tom Falzone (Career Record: 22-14)
Last D11 Title: 2011
D11 Finals History (bold- won): 1988 (3A), 1989 (3A), 2011
Passing: Anthony Harris: 129-201, 1,728 yards, 18 TDs, 4 INTs
Rushing: Tyler Rohn: 119 carries, 520 yards, 3 TDs
Receiving: Nathan Stefanik: 55 catches, 794 yards, 8 TDs
Defense: Jake Wilson: 94 tackles, 19 TFL, 15.5 sacks
Blue Eagle Offense: Anthony Harris is a three year starter and one of the best athletes in the Lehigh Valley (he’s also a standout basketball player and one of the best high jumpers/long jumpers in track and field). Harris, who holds an offer from Maine, is a dual threat who has really cut down on turnovers in his senior year. He’s best in quick, rhythm throws, or when improvising outside of the pocket. He’s a great fit in Tom Falzone’s high tempo, spread scheme. He has a solid group of receivers, led by All State candidate Nathan Stefanik. Stefanik, a two-time state medalist and Division I recruit as a wrestler, is a gritty, tough kid who can go over the middle and likes to work underneath in their scheme. The offensive line is a real strength, with the most size Nazareth has had in as long as I can remember, led by left tackle Jake Wilson and center Cody Brudenbacher (6’4 290). The running game is not a priority, though sophomore Tyler Rohn (nephew of NCAA champion Rob Rohn) has shown some promise. They use screens and quick passes to supplement the run game.
Blue Eagle Defense: This is the separator. The Nazareth defense has been excellent this season and is the strongest in the Lehigh Valley. It starts with EPC South Defensive Player of the Year Jake Wilson, who is fully healthy this year and has been a terror at defensive end. He’s brilliant against the run and pass and has earned attention from FBS schools with his play this fall. The back 7 isn’t big, but very fast, with linebackers Jacob Levey and Brandon Mehlig both built to defend modern spread offenses. And Nathan Stefanik has had one of the best seasons in school history from his safety spot, setting a single season record with 10 interceptions.
The Matchup: Nazareth made Easton quit in the first match up and the Red Rovers have earned a reputation in the Valley for being soft, something that was unthinkable in the past. Nazareth plays with tremendous speed and urgency, and they’re going to keep coming, particularly on offense. They’re also playing at home with a senior quarterback and they’re going to have tons of energy. Can Easton match Nazareth’s intensity and play mistake free football, something they haven’t done this year. For Nazareth, can they shut down Nahjee Adams again. If they stop the run, Easton can’t win. That simple.
The Pick: This might be the best Nazareth team of my lifetime, I’d love to see them take on the 2011 squad that won a District title. That team definitely had a better offense, but this Nazareth defense is light years ahead of the 2011 model. Easton is not very good. They play undisciplined, soft football. Adams is enough of a talent to give them a punchers chance, but he can’t be dodging tackles before he even makes it to the line of scrimmage, which he has been doing too much recently. I also can’t see a world where Easton slows down Nazareth's offense. The Born Index has Nazareth as a 12 point favorite, give me the Blue Eagles and the points.
Nazareth 42-14
