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Lehigh Valley Week 3

RoverNation05

Well-Known Member
Aug 22, 2010
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Things I’m interested in from tonight’s games:

Easton and Liberty: can the Rovers play well against a good team? Liberty took Becahi to the wire last week, which I put some stock in. Easton’s offense has piled up big numbers (Nahjee Adams has 687 rushing yards in three weeks and Cole Transue has thrown for 471 yards and they’re scoring over 40 points per game) but they have not played anybody. As in, their three opponents are a combined 0-9. And while all eyes are on the offense, I’m interested into how they look defensively, which has really slipped from their heyday. From Liberty, can they beat a good team? They have talent, but this decade they always seem to fall short when the talent is even. Dallas Holmes at QB has had flashes of excellence so far, can he dominate a shaky Easton secondary?

Freedom vs Nazareth: Are the Blue Eagles for real? In particular, does Tom Falzone finally have a defense? Nazareth leads the league in forced turnovers, headlined by Nathan Stefanik’s six interceptions (with two defensive TDs) but the whole group impressed against ACC last weekend, holding the Vikings to negative rushing yards. Freedom is the most complete offense in the Valley and a top five team in the state in both polls. How will Nazareth handle them?

Parkland vs Bethlehem Catholic: Can a depleted Parkland squad hang. Penn State commit Nick Dawkins is out, and those are both literal and figurative big shoes to fill at left tackle. Captains Luke Dauberman (safety) and Dante Medlar (linebacker) are both out too. Becahi’s offense is not a secret - Tavion Banks running behind their huge offensive line, and will Parkland be able to match up physically with a couple guys out. For Becahi, they are literally seconds away from being 3-0 and from being 1-2. Will they be able to hold up with a third physical, emotional game in a row against a quality opponent?
 
Easton up 38-7 on Liberty, early 3rd quarter. Hurricanes don’t have a first down since their opening drive. Easton has blocked two punts and forced a fumble, all leading to points. Nahjee Adams has over 100 yards and three touchdowns by halftime. Also, as an aside, sat what you will about Easton football, but a packed Cottingham with a packed student section going nuts is electric.
 
Big surprise arise (to me) at the half. Nazareth up 28-13 on Freedom. Blue Eagles scored on all four first half possessions, and Nathan Stefanik grabbed his 7th pick of the year. Any idea on the state record? Locally, I think Jarred Holley has 11 in 2006, that’s the biggest number I remember.
 
Nahjee Adams now at 244 yards and 4 touchdowns with 4:12 left in the third quarter. He’s 69 yards away from 1,000 for the season. Rovers up 44-7.
 
Jared Jenkins throws a 35 yard TD to get Freedom within a score - Nazareth up 28-20 near the end of the third quarter.
 
Nazareth answers right back. Anthony Harris hits Stefanik for a 25 yard TD and a 35-20 look. Freedom is on the ropes.
 
Big kick return for Freedom and a TD on the next play. 35-27 now and it looks like Freedom-Nazareth is going to the wire.
 
Freedom has the ball with 4:16 left and a chance to tie with a two point conversion. Drive starts at their own 29.
 
Jalen Stewart rips off a 50 yard TD run, but the two point try is broken up. Nazareth up 35-33 with two minutes left.
 
Nazareth picks up a first down - ballgame. Blue Eagles knock off Freedom 35-33. Biggest win of Falzone’s tenure at Nazareth. Anthony Harris throws three touchdowns and runs for one in the win. Only Easton and Nazareth left undefeated after four weeks.
 
Bethlehem Catholic up 24-0 on Parkland at halftime. Trojans offense struggling mightily, Becahi scores three times in the second quarter.
 
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