Easton heads to Emmaus banged up; other EPC Week 9 top storylines
Jeff Braido doesn’t want to talk about injuries because he knows everyone has them.
He admits his Easton Red Rovers football team has guys “who are banged up,” but quickly adds that he has “guys who can play.”
So, who’s in and who’s out for Easton’s game at Emmaus Friday night won’t be revealed until the warmups or kickoff at Emmaus High’s East Penn School District Stadium, but the Red Rovers will be thankful for the opportunity to compete in what figures to be one of the marquee matchups of Week 9 of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference season.
Remember, Easton is the lone EPC South team to lose two games for COVID-19 reasons and Braido said there’s something to be said for just getting to play.
“It may look good now, but you still take nothing for granted,” he said.
It was last November when Easton stunned the Green Hornets 28-23 in the District 11 6A quarterfinals behind a brilliant 4-touchdown effort by Marcus Williams. Two of the touchdowns came on kickoff returns of more than 90 yards, another came on a 21-yard TD reception and another on a 65-yard run from scrimmage. Williams capped the night with an interception to end Emmaus’ last drive.
Williams has had a superb senior season but went out with an injury against Liberty last week as did his backup, Aidan Hutchinson.
If either or both can’t go against Emmaus, expect senior and multi-year starter Cole Transue to be a key at quarterback for the Red Rovers, who will be going against an Emmaus defense that has surrendered just 17 points in a fivegame winning streak.
Transue has thrown just 41 times all season but has been accurate in racking up 518 yards and six touchdowns.
“He had a really good game against Liberty last week and we’re really proud of him,” Braido said. “We didn’t throw the ball too much [Transue was 9 of 12] but when we passed Cole was right on the money and had a real good game. He’s going to have to keep that up to keep teams off balance. We have to have that part of our offense going and he showed last week what he was capable of.”
Kyle Evancho, who caught a TD pass from Transue last year, is also a threat in the passing game along with JuJu Fears, who had three catches for 41 yards against Liberty.
Easton will need to get something out of the passing game against Emmaus, which held Nazareth to just 73 yards rushing last week.
“Emmaus is tough,” Braido said. “Their linebackers run like crazy, the guys up front absorb the blocks to let the linebackers run free and it’s not like they have any weaknesses. They have athletes in the secondary, too. They like to get after you and they like to be aggressive. We’re going to have to see where their linebackers are and pick them up on every play.”
Braido has also been impressed with the development of Green Hornets sophomore quarterback Josiah Williams and said the Emmaus offense will keep his defense on its toes.
But if nothing else, this week’s game will serve as an appetizer for what’s to come for these teams and all of the teams around the EPC.
Rivalry week follows and then it’s playoff time. For Easton, Nazareth is next followed by the postseason and Phillipsburg.
“We have Emmaus and Nazareth in a row and we always have a tough schedule at the end of the season,” Braido said. “You want tough opponents who will make you play your best and this is the time of year you want to be playing your best. We’re looking forward to it.”
Here’s a look at the EPC games and a reminder all are 7 p.m. Friday starts with the exception of Freedom-Becahi, which is a 2 p.m. kickoff on Saturday:
Allentown Central Catholic (5-3, 4-3) at Pocono Mountain East (1-4, 1-5)
Top storylines: The Vikings got back on track with a much-needed win over Whitehall and can secure a District 11 berth with a win. The Cardinals meanwhile get to see former head coach Rob
Melosky, who is now on the Vikings staff.
Players to watch: ACCHS got back to a run-dominated attack last week and used a big night from junior Caiden Shaffer to run past Whitehall The Vikings now have a potential 1-2 punch in the running game with Shaffer and Travis Foster. Defensively, Lavon Johnson continues to dominate upfront with 26 of his 64 tackles going for losses, including two sacks.
What to expect: The Vikings to take care of business quickly, get their starters out of the game and start preparing for the regular-season finale against Bethlehem Catholic.
Keith Groller’s prediction: Central Catholic 49-7.
East Stroudsburg North (0-7, 0-5) at Allen (0-8, 0-6)
Top storylines: The chance for both sides to compete on a more level playing field and for one of them to enjoy the taste of victory for the first time.
Players to watch: After Allen’s Clarence Watkins ran for more than 270 yards against Pocono Mountain West two weeks ago, Stroudsburg schemed for him and limited him last week. But Watkins and Dwight Harriston are capable of big nights against the Timberwolves.
What to expect: Allen figures to snap a losing streak dating back to a 20-7 triumph over Dieruff at the end of the 2019 season. It would also be the first win for coach Mel Thomas.
Keith Groller’s prediction: Allen 40-12.
Easton (4-2, 2-2) at Emmaus (7-1, 5-1)
Top storylines: While a bigger payback would come in districts, the Green Hornets would like to avenge last year’s loss to Easton in the D11 6A quarterfinals when the Rovers’ Marcus Williams put on one of the best shows in tournament history. Williams’ status is not known and the Rovers will have to find other playmakers to succeed against one of the best defenses in the league, district, and state.
Players to watch: If Williams and Aidan Hutchison are out, the Easton offense will be in the hands of senior QB Cole Transue who is coming off an efficient 128-yard, 2-TD passing effort against Liberty. Green Hornets backs Sam Moratori and Jared Groller combined for 200 yards rushing and a pair of TDs last week vs. Nazareth.
What to expect: Easton to try to control the clock behind a rugged front line and a savvy senior quarterback in Cole Transue, while Emmaus will try to keep playing the smothering defense that has sparked a five-game winning streak in which the Green Hornets have allowed just 17 total points.
Keith Groller’s prediction: Emmaus 28-14.
Dieruff (2-5, 2-3) at Northampton (8-0, 7-0)
Top storylines: It’s the first time firstyear Northampton coach John Toman has been the head coach opposing his alma mater. Dieruff has built some momentum with a pair of wins and still has an outside shot at districts with a win while Northampton wants to avoid a letdown ahead of Whitehall.
Players to watch: The K-Kids will likely try to pound it at the Huskies with sophomore Caden Henritzy. Dieruff features a potent pass-catching duo in Christian Sell and Xavier Rodriguez.
What to expect: Northampton has taken care of business all season, sometimes in more dramatic fashion than others, and there’s no reason to think it won’t happen again.
Keith Groller’s prediction: Northampton 52-20.
Parkland (6-1, 5-1) at Liberty (1-7, 0-6)
Top storylines: Trojans coach Tim Moncman, who won his 50th game as Parkland coach last week, returns to his former home where he led the Hurricanes to three state title games in a fouryear span from 2005-08.
Players to watch: Much like Emmaus’ sophomore QB Josiah Williams, Parkland’s Luke Spang seems to settle into his role more comfortably
each week. He has five TDs and just one interception in the last three games. Liberty’s Kyndred Wright ran for 102 yards against Easton.
What to expect: The Hurricanes could keep it competitive, and the Trojans must avoid looking ahead to Emmaus. But ultimately, Parkland’s defense behind Nico Medlar, Brock Boyer, Jesse Ruisch, Andrew Khalife and others, figures to be too strong.
Keith Groller’s prediction: Parkland 30-10.
Pocono Mountain West (4-4, 4-2) at Pleasant Valley (4-3, 4-2)
Top storylines: Could be one of the most significant games of the night in terms of who makes it into the District 11 6A field and who doesn’t. Both are coming off lopsided losses — West to East Stroudsburg South and PV to Freedom.
Players to watch: Two of the top backs in the EPC North, West’s Jaden Bowens and PV’s Rob Papaleo square off.
What to expect: A lot of running plays. The two teams’ starting quarterbacks have attempted just 90 passes combined. West has won three straight in the series and has scored at least 41 points in all three wins.
Keith Groller’s prediction: Pocono Mountain West 42-28.
Stroudsburg (4-4, 3-3) at East Stroudsburg South (5-3, 5-1)
Top storylines: The renewal of a rivalry that was once a fixture on the Thanksgiving morning schedule. After the Mounties won six straight from 2013-18, the Cavaliers have won the last two including a 69-7 thumping last year. Chances are Stroudsburg doesn’t need a reminder of that.
Players to watch: Stroudsburg has the top runner in the league in Andre Reames and South features the top passer in Bobby McClosky, although the Cavs can go to the ground as well with Ron Blake and Gary Welge.
What to expect: A lot of tradition, a lot of emotion, and a lot of Monroe
County talent on display.
Keith Groller’s prediction: East Stroudsburg South 35-28.
Whitehall (3-4, 2-4) at Nazareth (5-3, 3-3)
Top storylines: Two teams trying to bounce back and solidify District 11 tournament spots. The Zephyrs have dropped four straight and the Blue Eagles are coming off a 35-7 loss to Emmaus.
Players to watch: Nazareth’s Sonny Sasso is the leading passer in the EPC and his favorite target has become Mason Kuehner. Look for a lot of Damonte Foreman running the ball for the Zephs.
What to expect: The Zephyrs will deliver a spirited effort. They have stayed together through a four-game losing streak and feel this is a winnable game if they play well. Nazareth, meanwhile, needs to put the Emmaus game behind it as soon as possible.
Keith Groller’s prediction: Nazareth 28-20.
Freedom (6-2, 4-2) at Bethlehem Catholic (2-5, 1-4)
Top storylines: Christmas City rivalry games are always a lot of fun and bring out the best in the schools. Freedom has played like the best team in the area in the past month with four straight wins and has used the running of Deante Crawford and the running and passing of Brian Taylor to score at least 38 points in all four games.
Players to watch: Freedom’s defense has a sack master in Braelin Moore and a pickoff artist Connor Stofanak. Moore has four sacks, Stofanak has four interceptions. Both will pose problems for Becahi quarterback Jared Richardson.
What to expect: The Golden Hawks figure to pull out all stops to pull a surprise, but Freedom’s dominance upfront will be tough to overcome.
Keith Groller’s prediction: Freedom 31-14.
Keith Groller’s Week 8 EPC record: 9-0. Keith Groller’s overall EPC record: 57-10.