Nazareth gives up early score, then dominates
Blue Eagles fall behind 7-0 on the fourth play from scrimmage, then outscore Trojans the rest of the way
The last two times Parkland and Nazareth played, the games were classics and tight ones that went to the wire.
Friday night’s meeting between the perennial Eastern Pennsylvania Conference powers at Nazareth’s Andy Leh Stadium was expected to be another thriller. But the Blue Eagles took all of the drama out of it.
After giving up a 67-yard touchdown pass on the game’s fourth play from scrimmage, the Blue Eagles kept Parkland out of the end zone the rest of the night and found it often themselves.
Sonny Sasso threw a pair of second-half touchdowns and Mason Kuehner had a big TD run and a late interception as Nazareth delivered a Labor Day weekend statement with a 28-10 Eastern Pennsylvania Conference victory in a battle of 1-0 teams.
It was the 100th career victory for Nazareth coach Tom Falzone, who is in his ninth season at Nazareth after going 47-18 in five seasons at his alma mater, Catasauqua. Falzone, who is now 53-37 with the Blue Eagles, was surprised it was his 100th win. He also had another surprise because among those who were part of a large crowd to witness the milestone was one of Falzone’s most famous players, Washington Commanders’ rookie Jahan Dotson.
“I’m happy for him,” Dotson said while waiting to greet Falzone after the game. “I never beat Parkland when I was here. This is a big win.”
Sasso threw for 156 yards overall and had a pair of touchdown passes in a big third quarter for Nazareth after the Blue Eagles clung to a 14-10 halftime lead.
Even with several injured starters, including starting running back Michael Bonsignore, the Blue Eagles found a way.
Collin Wells ran well as Bonsignore’s replacement, gaining 73 yards, and Sasso completed 17 of 22 passes and spread the ball to seven different receivers.
But perhaps the biggest story was written by a hard-hitting and aggressive Nazareth defense that shut out Parkland in the second half. The Trojans had 211 yards in the first half but finished with just 245. Junior quarterback Luke Spang threw for 136 yards and ran for 24, but was under constant pressure and sacked four times.
Things started out well for Parkland when Spang hit Trey Tremba for the 67-yarder on the first series, but the Trojans couldn’t sustain things on offense.
“I’m proud of these kids,” Falzone said. “It’s only Week 2 and we have a long way to go, but I loved the effort tonight. Our defense played great. They were aggressive and they really dug in. Jim Schaffer calls that defense and the whole staff did a great job tonight. It’s always a chess match when you go against Parkland because [Tim] Moncman is a great coach and always comes up with great schemes.”
Moncman also felt the Nazareth defense was the difference.
“Football is about emotion and attitude and they had it tonight and we didn’t,” Moncman said. “They have a real good defense and some great skill players. We made too many mistakes [2 turnovers, 6 penalties for 40 yards]. It was one of those nights when everything that could go wrong, did. We have a lot of things to fix, but it’s a long season.”
Kuehner, a junior who was one of the Blue Eagles all over the field along with many of his teammates, said he knew his team would have to overcome adversity and it came early with the big Parkland TD pass.
“We just had to roll with the punches,” he said. “We did that tonight. We stepped up. We knew our offense would put up points, but we also knew our defense would have to make big stops and we did.”
Fancy first-half footwork
Big plays marked the first half.
After Parkland stuck first, Nazareth got the tying score when Spang lost the handle as he attempted a pass near his end zone. Sean Kinney fell on the loose ball for the touchdown.
The Blue Eagles eventually grabbed a 14-7 lead on a 5-yard TD run by Mason Kuehner that actually covered about 20 yards as Kuehner went left, reversed course, and went around the right end and into the end zone.
“I took the reverse and saw a big Parkland kid right in my face, and I was like, uh oh, and just had to spin out of that and reverse
field and get into the end zone,” he said. “It was third down and a big play and I was just happy I could help out the guys.”
Nazareth was poised to add to the lead just before halftime.
The Blue Eagles had a first down at the Parkland 33 late in the half, but couldn’t get closer.
Parkland took advantage of a short punt and took over with 1:16 left in the half. A 43-yard completion from Spang to Nakhi Bullock set up Gryffin Mitstifer’s 42-yard field goal on the final play of the half. It trimmed Nazareth’s lead to 14-10.
Tommy boy
To commemorate the milestone, Nazareth athletic director Ray Ramella, who had kept everything a surprise, played a special tribute on the video board.
Falzone’s family has moved to Nazareth and he considers himself a Blue Eagle, but still cares about Catty.
In fact, he asked for the score of the Roughies game against Palmerton Friday night and was disappointed to learn they had lost.
“Some of those 100 wins came with my time with the Rough Riders,” he said. “I love those guys there, too, and miss those guys. But I’m proud to be here.”
Falzone also still carries his father’s funeral card in his pocket. The Rev. Joseph S. Falzone, known as “Father Joe” died on Sept. 18, 2020, and was his son’s biggest fan.
What’s next
Both teams have tough assignments against Bethlehem teams next Friday. Parkland travels to Freedom and Nazareth welcomes Bethlehem Catholic.