Shock and ... expectation
Unbeaten District 11 6A champ Nazareth stunned everyone but itself
Tom Falzone spent the 2020 Nazareth high school football season carrying around in his pocket the funeral card for his father, the Rev. Joseph S. Falzone, who died Sept. 18, a week before the Blue Eagles were set to kick off their season.
Joseph Falzone was one of Nazareth’s biggest fans and didn’t miss a game when healthy.
His absence was felt at Leh Stadium and in the Nazareth football community.
But many of the values Falzone’s father instilled in him were needed in a big way throughout an abbreviated 2020 season that had more twists and turns than a boardwalk Wild Mouse.
Patience, perseverance, focus, poise and commitment, all things Falzone learned from his dad and things he has imparted to his teams over the years, were at the foundation of an unexpected run to a second straight District 11 title.
When the season ended with a 37-29 win over Freedom on Nov. 20 in the District 11 6A championship game, Falzone pulled out the funeral card and made sure his father was not forgotten on one of the most special nights of his coaching career.
“Losing my dad at the beginning of the season made this year the most difficult year of coaching I’ve ever faced,” Falzone said. “But I know he was watching and he would be so proud of the 2020 Blue Eagles.”
In a year many thought the Eagles would come back to earth after going 12-2 and winning the 2019 EPC South and District 11 6A titles, the program soared to even greater heights.
They went 8-0, becoming the first Nazareth team since 1968 to go undefeated.
They beat Central Catholic, District 11 4A champs, in the season opener, and then navigated a tough schedule of EPC Northampton County teams.
Then came what appeared to be the cruelest of twists, the likely end of the season after Nazareth was hit with a COVID-19 case a few hours before districts were supposed to kick off.
For at least a 24-hour period, a dream season seemed headed for a nightmarish end. But then, an effort headed by athletic director Ray Ramella turned things around, and three nights after the season seemed over, the Blue Eagles were back on the field, playing Pleasant Valley in the District 11 6A tournament.
Eleven nights later, they beat Freedom in another roller coaster ride to clinch a second straight District 11 6A crown.
The district final was a titanic struggle, but one that was most appropriate.
“This game summed it up; a roller coaster ride that was just like the entire offseason, and the entire regular season and then what we went through at the start of districts,” an emotional Falzone said during the postgame celebration. “It was fitting, though. I am so proud of our players and so grateful to have the coaching staff I have. I’ve talked a lot about them, but this doesn’t happen without them. Because of losing my father, this one was extra special.”
Nazareth graduated most of its proven stars from 2019 such as Nathan Stefanik, Anthony Harris, Logan Grom, Jake Wilson and Trent Federico. Left behind, however, was a bunch of guys ready to show what they can do.
“We had a group of kids who patiently waited their turn to get a chance to shine on Friday nights,” Falzone said. “Although most of the faces on the field were new this year, this group had to figure things out quickly to compete in an absolute grinder division of the EPC.”
While quarterback Matt Bugbee was the breakout star, Nazareth got contributions up and down the roster.
Tyler Rohn, Alex Kwiatek and Bugbee all ran for more than 200 yards.
Jaiden Cabrera had 41 catches for 595 yards and Andrew Wells had 23 receptions for 267 yards and two scores. Joey Capobianco had 15 receptions for 309 yards and Greg Salivonchik and Tyler O’Hagen combined for 26 grabs and more than 220 yards.
But it was Nazareth’s toughness on defense that was its trademark. The Blue Eagles had 27 quarterback sacks and 69 tackles for loss overall. Broc Bender, Sean Ward, Capobianco, and Levi LaRochelle were among the many unrelenting Blue Eagles, who set the tone for the season and then finished it off with one last defensive stand against Freedom.
Defensive coordinator Jim Schaffer, a longtime member of Falzone coaching staffs, beamed with pride as the District 11 celebration unfolded around him. He may have never coached a unit with more heart.
“Joe Capobianco was a beast tonight and he was playing with a dinged-up shoulder,” Schaffer said. “That’s the type of kid we have at Nazareth. This was my 11th district championship game and the sixth time we’ve won. They all feel special. There’s a lot of pride you feel when you see hard work pay off. They work hard, they don’t let things bother them. Our kids just come back from adversity and buckle it up.”
Falzone has carved his niche as one of the best coaches in local football, with multiple coach-of-the-year honors, including at Nazareth in 2019, and it’s likely more good times are headed to Nazareth as long as he and his staff are in charge.
“Nazareth is a great place to live and these kids represent their school and community the right way,” Falzone said. “I amproud to be associated with the players, coaches, administration ... everyone who had a hand in making this year so successful.”