District 11 Semifinals

[RoverNation05]

#4 Emmaus Green Hornets (9-2) at #1 Easton Red Rovers (10-1)

Regular Season: Easton 28-21 (OT)
Emmaus raced out to a 14-0 lead, jump started by a Jerek Cooper 74 yard touchdown run on their opening drive, then converted a short field after a shanked punt. The middle of the game was all Easton, however, as the Rovers scored 21 straight points to take a fourth quarter lead. But Reilly Bechtel got loose on another big play for Emmaus, this time a 63 yard run down to the 1, and Emmaus threw a short touchdown with 3:52 left to tie the game. Emmaus had a shot at the win at the end of regulation, but a high snap on a 25 yard field goal attempt forced Will Buck to push the kick wide right. In overtime, Easton scored on their first play from scrimmage, and a diving Will Day interception in the end zone ended the game for the Red Rovers. Day was the star, carrying 23 times for 147 yards and ran for and caught a touchdown, while Dorian Thomas “chipped in” with 129 yards on 18 carries and the game winning TD in overtime. Easton ran for 312 yards and 19 first downs on the night, while Emmaus gained 137 of their 293 yards on two plays.

Playoff History: Easton leads 2-1
In 2004, Emmaus earned their first ever D11 playoff appearance (in the old four team bracket) after a 9-1 regular season. They traveled to Cottingham to take on the top seeded and 10-0 Easton team. After torrential downpours moved the game to Saturday, Emmaus hung around all afternoon and looked like they might play spoiler when Mike Brusko threw a 34 yard touchdown pass with 2:46 to go in the game. But Easton responded with a 65 yard touchdown drive, highlighted by a 40 yard run by Zack Pizarro down to the five on third and short to set up an Ovid Goulbourne TD with 44 seconds left for the win. Pizarro and Goulbourne combined for 226 yard (136 and 90) and both Easton scores while the defense held Emmaus to 165 yards of offense. In 2018, Emmaus earned their first ever trip to the District 11 finals when it beat Easton 31-24 in the D11 semifinals on their home turf. This time, it was Easton who scored to tie the game with 6:44 left on a touchdown run by quarterback Nate Nimeh, but Emmaus struck right back with a 54 yard scoring drive, capped by a Lubens Myers touchdown run with 5:11 left. Emmaus made plays in the margins, with a third quarter interception in the end zone and a touchdown pass on 4th and 21 to knock out the Rovers. In 2020, a 2-4 Easton team pulled a massive upset over undefeated Emmaus when Marcus Williams scored four touchdowns to upend the Green Hornets 28-23. Williams ran for 103 yards and a touchdown, caught a screen pass for a TD, and returned two kickoffs for touchdowns.

Easton Lineup
Offense
QB: Cole Ordway (Jr. 5’11 170): 96-164, 1,561 yards, 14 TDs, 4 INTs/66 carries, 405 yards, 6 TDs
RB: Dorian Thomas (Sr. 5’9 170): 188 carries, 1,298 yards, 19 TDs/3 catches 6 yards
RB: Will Day (Sr. 5’10 185): 155 carries, 1,026 yards, 19 TDs/7 catches, 81 yards, TD
WR: Jasir Frutchey (Sr. 6’4 215): 27 catches, 455 yards, 6 TDs
WR: JC Wilson III (Sr. 6’3 205): 21 catches, 413 yards, TD
WR: Andrew Biddle (Jr. 5’10 165): 19 catches, 344 yards, 3 TDs
TE: Kurtis Crossman (Jr. 6’3 225): 6 catches, 124 yards
TE: Justin Cosover (So. 6’1 190): 3 catches, 22 yards, TD
LT: Algee Macon (Jr. 6’2 205)
LG: Marquis Labossiere (Sr. 5’10 255)
C: Gavin Crosson (Jr. 6’1 290)
RG: Jackson Fuhrer (Sr. 6’3 240)
RT: Elijah Grovesnor (Jr. 6’4 250)
They ran for over 300 yards against Emmaus last time out, and the calling card all year has been the run game with two-headed monster Dorian Thomas and Will Day. The wrinkle of course, was last week Cole Ordway set the single-game program record for passing yards with 326 in the win over Stroudsburg. They’ve got weapons on the outside, with physically huge receivers who can run a little bit and are almost always open in 1-on-1 match ups because of their size advantage on corners. Ordway has struggled with his deep ball accuracy, but he’s improved a ton on short to intermediate throws, and has really improved in making decisions in the run game whether to give or keep on option plays. He’s got some wiggle (he’s probably a college infield as a baseball player) and how he steps up is probably their offensive key to the game.Thomas, Day, Crossman, Macon, and Fuhrer were all First Team all EPC picks, and Crosson joined them on the All Northampton County team.

Defense
DE: Algee Macon (Jr. 6’2 205): 34 tackles, 12 TFL, 7 sacks, INT
DT: Marquis Labossiere (Sr. 5’10 255): 25 tackles, 7 TFL, 2 sacks
DT: Omar Mahmoud (Sr. 5’11 255): 16 tackles, 7 TFL, 2 sacks
DE: Kurtis Crossman (Jr. 6’3 225): 33 tackles, 5 TFL, 4 sacks
DE: Anthony Diaz (Jr. 6’3 215): 13 tackles, 3 TFL
LB: Mekhi Grant (Sr. 5’10 215): 48 tackles, 11 TFL, 4 sacks
LB: Mason Fleming (Sr. 5’11 195): 50 tackles, 8 TFL, INT
LB: Jasir Frutchey (Sr. 6’4 215): 36 tackles, 7 TFL, 2 sacks, 2 INTs
DB: Cael DiSora (Sr. 6’3 195): 48 tackles, 3 TFL, 3 INTS, FF
DB: Andrew Biddle (Jr. 5’10 165): 30 tackles, 2 TFL, 5 INTs
DB: Will Day (Sr. 5’10 185): 53 tackles, 2 TFL, sack, 3 INTs, FF
DB: Sean McPeek (So. 6’ 4195): 22 tackles, INT
DB: JC Wilson (Sr. 6’3 205): 15 tackles
The defense got absolutely torched by Nazareth, but has otherwise been stout. Their pass rush overwhelmed Stroudsburg last week and was the difference maker in their game with Freedom in week 9. Emmaus doesn’t throw the ball a ton, but Easton will have to be really disciplined in how they defend the option game, as Jerek Cooper can take it to the house anytime he pulls the ball, and Bechtel is a physical back who is going to be the down-to-down bellcow. Frutchey is probably the most important chess piece because of his versatility, they’ll need him as a run defender more than ever. Crossman, Grant, Frutchey, and Day were All Conference picks and Grant was selected as the Northampton County Defensive Player of the Year.

Emmaus Lineup
Offense
QB: Jerek Cooper (Jr. 6’2 190): 67-128, 898 yards, 10 TDs, 5 INTs/92 carries, 619 yards, 8 TDs
RB: Reilly Bechtel (Sr. 5’10 195): 133 carries, 1,153 yards, 17 TDs
RB: Jay Santos (So. 5’8 175): 49 carries, 392 yards, 5 TDs
WR: Kai Jefferson-Rushing (Jr. 5’11 170): 21 catches, 264 yards, 4 TDs
WR: Daniel Duggan (Sr. 5’7 160): 9 catches, 201 yards, 2 TDs
WR: Jah’Khi Daves (Sr. 6’1 170): 8 catches, 94 yards
TE: Samuel Stephen (Sr. 6’0 230): 9 catches, 101 yard, 2 TDs
LT: Brady McHugh (Jr. 6’2 280)
LG: Connor Soos (Sr. 6’2 190)
C: Joey Glover (Jr. 6’1 250)
RG: Mason Weber (So. 6’1 255)
RT: Robert Edwards (Jr. 6’2 290)
It’s a ground and pound offense, most in read-option from Cooper and Bechtel. They bludgeoned Nazareth last week – it’s a good offensive line with monsters in McHugh and Edwards, and Weber is going to be a really good one. Like Easton, they also use the tight end a lot in the run game and he gives them essentially an extra tackle who can run a little bit. They’re not going to throw it a ton, but Jefferson-Rushing is the major target. Easton has huge defensive backs, so Emmaus is going to have to create space and make them tackle 1-on-1. No first team all conference picks, but Bechtel, Cooper, Stephens, and McHugh all earned second team nods, and joined them Weber and Jefferson-Rushing on the all Lehigh County team. Cooper was the Lehigh County offensive player of the year

Defense
DE: Robert Edwards (Jr. 6’2 290): 71 tackles, 17 TFL, 6 sacks, INT, TD
DT: Brody McHugh (Jr. 6’2 280)
DE: Ben Dennis (Sr. 6’7 235)
LB: Reilly Bechtel (Sr. 5’10 195): 36 tackles, 7 TFL, 2 sacks
LB: Sam Stephen (Sr. 6’0 230)
LB: Neo Michel (Sr. 5’10 190)
LB: Chase Whitesell (Sr. 6’1 200)
DB: Daniel Duggan (Sr. 5’7 160)
DB: Zack Stephens (Sr. 5’7 150)
DB: Jah’Khi Daves (Sr. 6’1 170)
DB: Cole Moreau (Jr. 6’2 190)
K/P: Will Buck (Sr. 6’4 210; Cornell)
Since giving up 28 points to Easton in their overtime loss during week 5, the Emmaus defense has yielded 27 points, including back-to-back shutouts of Parkland and Nazareth in the last two weeks. This unit is the best in the Lehigh Valley, led by EPC Defensive Player of the Year, and All State candidate Robert Edwards. The massive junior defensive end leads the Valley with 17 tackles for loss and is a run stopping monster as a 3-4 defensive end. He plays with a ton of motor, and makes an astonishing amount of plays for a down lineman. He had 14 solo tackles against Easton during their regular season match-up. Reilly Bechtel is also an all-league defender from his linebacker spot, and they’ve gotten great play from Daniel Duggan and Jah’Khi Daves in the secondary. They are huge up front with Edwards, Brody McHugh, and 6’7 Ben Dennis on the defensive line, but are pretty light in the secondary, so their smaller back seven defenders will have to tackle against a big and physical group of skill players from Easton. Edwards was the EPC Defensive Player of the Year. Edwards and Bechtel were first team all conference on defense, while Duggan and Daves joined them on the Lehigh County team. Bechtel also was co-Lehigh County DPOY with Edwards. And Will Buck was both the all conference kicker and punter.

 

[bucksftball]

Is Emmaus a team that has just gotten better and better and is peaking at the right time? The early loss to Neshaminy sticks out like a sore thumb. Sounds like this one will be won in the trenches.

 

[Stalker]

Is this the year Easton or Emmaus break through against LS or SJP?

 

[bucksftball]

Is this the year Easton or Emmaus break through against LS or SJP?

I don't even want to open my mouth and say this... but I really think Easton has the dudes to give them a fight, if they get there.

 

[RoverNation05]

I’ll get the Freedom-Parkland semi posted tomorrow morning to get both games previewed.

Emmaus is super well coached. They’ve gelled throughout the year, I think the quarterback kid has really grown up. I still am kind of skeptical of their offense, but they’re crazy physical in D and have come a long way there. I don’t think this is the most talented Emmaus team, save for Edwards, who is an animal, but they play super hard and keep getting better.

My initial inclination is Easton doesn’t have enough team speed to win the D12 game. Newsome and Wimberly really gave their D issues, so O’Brien and McFadden or Hardy and company would be a tough time. Easton is deep - they’ve got tons of kids who will go play in the PSAC, but Day is probably their highest end guy, and I think he’ll end up at Lehigh? Maybe Crossman goes FCS too if he doesn’t play baseball? Maybe I’m overselling SJP and LaSalle, but I’d feel way better about Easton’s chances if they also had a Shane Simpson, Jarred Holley, Saquon Barkley, Kenny Yeboah, Devante Cross, Dan Persa, Devin Street, etc. The Valley has those guys, Heck, Nazareth has two this year in Falzone and Wimberly, just without enough of a team around them. That’s probably where Easton falls short.

I don’t think Emmaus would match up well with the PCL champ. Honestly, a fully healthy Freedom would probably have the best chance, but with Peluso, Aaron James, and Jayden Macon all out, it changes the calculus a little. I’m also remembering they had that sophomore leave for St. Frances Academy who is supposed to be awesome. So they’ve had a lot not break their way.

 

[RoverNation05]

I’ll get the Freedom-Parkland semi posted tomorrow morning to get both games previewed.

Emmaus is super well coached. They’ve gelled throughout the year, I think the quarterback kid has really grown up. I still am kind of skeptical of their offense, but they’re crazy physical in D and have come a long way there. I don’t think this is the most talented Emmaus team, save for Edwards, who is an animal, but they play super hard and keep getting better.

My initial inclination is Easton doesn’t have enough team speed to win the D12 game. Newsome and Wimberly really gave their D issues, so O’Brien and McFadden or Hardy and company would be a tough time. Easton is deep - they’ve got tons of kids who will go play in the PSAC, but Day is probably their highest end guy, and I think he’ll end up at Lehigh? Maybe Crossman goes FCS too if he doesn’t play baseball? Maybe I’m overselling SJP and LaSalle, but I’d feel way better about Easton’s chances if they also had a Shane Simpson, Jarred Holley, Saquon Barkley, Kenny Yeboah, Devante Cross, Dan Persa, Devin Street, etc. The Valley has those guys, Heck, Nazareth has two this year in Falzone and Wimberly, just without enough of a team around them. That’s probably where Easton falls short.

I don’t think Emmaus would match up well with the PCL champ. Honestly, a fully healthy Freedom would probably have the best chance, but with Peluso, Aaron James, and Jayden Macon all out, it changes the calculus a little. I’m also remembering they had that sophomore leave for St. Frances Academy who is supposed to be awesome. So they’ve had a lot not break their way.

This is the sophomore that transferred out of Freedom.

 

[RoverNation05]

#3 Parkland Trojans (9-2) at #2 Freedom Patriots (10-1)

Regular Season: Freedom 30-13
Parkland and Freedom met in a huge non-conference game in Week 2, with Freedom taking control of the middle part of the game. Parkland fumbled on the second play of the game, which Freedom almost immediately converted into a 13 yard TD throw to Shacre Colwell. After a Justin Peluso interception stopped the next Parkland drive in the red zone, Aaron Beete burst 78 yards for a touchdown to put Freedom up 14-0. With a 14-7 halftime lead, Freedom went down and scored on their first possession, then took advantage of a 9 yard Parkland punt to go up 27-7 on Beete’s second TD run. He finished with 160 yards on 20 carries (and made 13 tackles), while Colwell caught two touchdowns, and the Freedom defense held TJ Lawrence to 78 yards.

Playoff History: Parkland 5-1
The Trojans first met Freedom during the Patriots first ever D11 playoff appearance in 2002. Freedom led 14-7 before Austin Scott famously did this, and Scott finished with 300 yards and five touchdowns in the 44-27 win, their first playoff win on their march to a state title. In 2016, the Trojans won their fifth straight D11 title with a 24-14 win over Freedom. The Patriots raced out to a 14-0 lead, but gave up 24 straight in the loss. The following season, Parkland dominated Freedom, 30-6, behind 143 yards from Jahan Worth, ending Freedom’s Cinderella run to finals after a 5-5 regular season. In 2018, Freedom ended Parkland’s streak of six consecutive D11 championships and avenged their back-to-back finals losses with a 35-21 win in the D11 semis. Freedom forced four turnovers and had a pair of 100 yard rushers in Matty Russin and Jalen Stewart in the win. The following season, Parkland won an all time classic, erasing a 17 point deficit at halftime to win 40-32. Trailing 26-25 in the fourth quarter, Parkland forced a fumble in their own territory, then drove 66 yards to take a lead. The teams traded touchdowns from there, with Freedom scoring with 26 seconds left to cut the lead to 40-32, then recovering an onside kick and completing a Hail Mary, but Owen Johnson was tackled at the one yard line to preserve the Parkland win. Finally, in 2022, Parkland shocked Freedom with a 35-10 win. The Trojans came into the playoffs 6-4, but caught fire, and got 115 yards and three touchdowns from Trey Tremba to bury the Patriots early.

Freedom Lineup
Offense
QB: Chase Walker (Sr. 6’4 240; East Stroudsburg – baseball): 139-242; 2,090 yards, 19 TDs, 8 INTs/6 rushing TDs
RB: Aaron Beete (Sr. 5’10 165; Kutztown): 197 carries, 1,643 yards, 18 TDs/7 catches, 83 yards, TD
WR: Shacre Colwell (Sr. 6’2 170): 39 catches, 673 yards, 8 TDs
WR: Amare DuBoise (Sr. 5’10 165): 36 catches, 604 yards, 5 TDs
WR: Jelani Fedrick (Sr. 5’9 175): 25 catches, 379 yards, 2 TDs
TE: Jacob Hauze (Jr. 6’3 245): 11 catches, 122 yard, TD
LT: Dylan Hill (Sr. 6’3 250)
LG:
C: Dan Schiffert (Jr. 6’4 300)
RG: Ryan Ellis (Sr. 5’11 245)
RT: Tanner Wheeler (Sr. 6’5 280; Richmond)
Freedom is scary on offense, with Beete the conference’s leading rusher and co-Northampton County offensive player of the year. Colwell is an all-league receiver and probably the best individual talent at the position. The big question is how the offensive line holds up. It’s the best unit in the league, but that includes having 6’4 280 guard Aaron James, who tore his ACL against Easton. They haven’t been quite as sharp on offense without him. But they’re still huge and athletic up front, which is kind of a nightmare for Parkland.

Defense
DE: Jacob Hauze (Jr. 6’3 245): 21 tackles, 5 TFL, 3 sacks
NT: Tanner Wheeler (Sr. 6’5 280; Richmond): 18 tackles, 2 TFL
DE: Dylan Hill (Sr. 6’3 250): 23 tackles, 3 TFL, 3 sacks
DE: Ryan Ellis (Sr. 5’11 245): 10 tackles, 2 sacks
LB: Ryan Roeder (Sr. 6’0 205): 49 tackles, 6 TFL, sack, 2 INTs
LB: Xavier DeJesus (Jr. 5’11 185): 45 tackles, 6 TLF, sack, INT
LB: Ben Renshaw (Jr.): 29 tackles
LB: Reshaun Jones (So. 5'10 185): 33 tackles, 5 TFL
DB: Gabe Fihlman (Sr. 6’0 180): 52 tackles, INT
DB: Amare DuBoise (Sr. 5’10 165): 21 tackles, INT, RET TD
DB: Shacre Colwell (Sr. 6’2 170): 20 tackles, 3 INTs
DB: Aaron Beete (Sr. 5’10 165; Kutztown): 45 tackles, 2 INTs
DB: Jelani Fedrick (Sr. 5’9 175): 24 tackles, 2 INTs
The calling card of Jason Roeder’s time at Freedom, the Patriots are stout again on that side of the ball despite massive injuries to some of their best personnel. All state candidate Justin Peluso (6’3 215; Lafayette) tore his ACL during week 5 and Jayden Macon I believe is injured and will not play Friday. Ryan Roeder had an all conference season taking over Peluso’s position after the injury and they have depth at linebacker. Colwell, Beete, and DuBoise is probably the best secondary in the area and Wheeler, Ellis, and Hill are really good defensive linemen. Colwell, Beete, Roeder, and Wheeler were all first team all EPC defenders, with Dylan Hill making the second team.

Parkland Lineup
Offense
QB: Osmany Guzman (Sr. 6’0 180): 101-153, 1,468 yards, 11 TDs, 3 INTs/41 carries, 124 yards, 3 TDs
RB: TJ Lawrence (So. 5’11 200): 151 carries, 921 yards, 10 TDs/16 catches, 247 yards, TD
RB: Naquon Thomason (So. 5’6 175): 70 carries, 379 yards, 4 TDs
FB/TE: Reid Andrush (Sr. 5’11 190): 17 carries, 57 yards, 9 TDs/6 catches, 48 yards, TD
WR: Nassim Adams (Jr. 5’7 145): 28 catches, 342 yards, TD
WR: Leo Dauberman (Sr. 5’11 185): 31 catches, 486 yards, 6 TDs
WR: Preston Mertz (Sr. 6’0 160): 13 catches, 207 yards, 2 TDs
LT: Evan Saylor (Sr. 6’3 305)
LG: Austin Shook (Sr. 6’3 205)
C: Mason Marcks (Sr. 5’10 280)
RG: Matthew Dorsey (Jr. 5’11 260)
RT: James Tyler (Jr. 6’3 280)
Typical Tim Moncman offense. They’re big and physical up front, they play with some edge, and have a great running back. TJ Lawrence hasn’t blossomed into the superstar that a lot of the Valley is expecting (he’s been nicknamed “Baby Saquon” since middle school…) but he’s absolutely an impact player and moving in the right direcdtion. He’s the big weapon here, with Saylor, Tyler, Dorsey, and Marcks all experienced guys up front that can really let Lawrence shine. The passing game is more efficient than it is good, Guzman kind of surprisingly won the job to outsiders, and he’s largely done his job as a senior QB who needs to take care of the football, run a little bit, and stay out of the way. Leo Dauberman is about the 400th Dauberman to go through the program recently, and is the biggest threat on the perimeter. Saylor, Marcks, Dorsey, and Dauberman made the the EPC second team. Lawrence joined them on the all Lehigh County team.

Defense
DL: Matthew Dorsey (Jr. 5’11 260): 25 tackles, TFL
DL: Julian Diaz (Jr. 5’11 225): 22 tackle, 3 TFL, sack, FF
DL: Domenic Martrich (Jr.): 39 tackles, 11 TFL, 6 sacks
DL: Reid Andrush (Sr. 5’11 190): 38 tackles, 3 TFL, sack
LB: Marcel Burden (Sr. 5’10 175): 26 tackles, 2 TFL, sack
LB: TJ Lawrence (So. 5’11 200): 61 tackles, 6 TFL, sack
DB: Preston Mertz (Sr. 6’0 160): 24 tackles, 7 INTs
DB: Leo Dauberman (Sr. 5’11 185): 31 tackles, 3 TFL, FF, INT
DB: Nassim Adams (Jr. 5’7 145): 17 tackles, 2 INTs
DB: Parker Kusko (Sr. 6’0 160): 37 tcakles, 3 TFL, INT
DB: Liam Spang (Jr.): 50 tackles, 6 TFL, sack
DB: Jaren Sanchez (So. 6’0 170): 35 tackles, TFL
Speaking of typical Moncman, Domenic Martrich is a classic Moncman defensive lineman. They moved him down from linebacker as he’s put on weight, where Moncman says he “doesn’t have to think, just goes” and plays with an incredible motor. His sack numbers have slowed down as teams have keyed on him, but he’s a disruptor up front. Lawrence is the headliner, great linebacker, future four star if he keeps growing, and offenses get funneled his way. Mertz has crazy interception numbers, but the younger Spang and Dauberman are the best players in the secondary. Martrich was the first team all EPC defensive athlete, while Burden earned second team honors at outside linebacker. Andrush, Lawrence, Dauberman, and Mertz joined them with Lehigh County honors.