GAME CHANGER
Week 7 stat heroes: Northwestern WR/DB Christopher is a ‘baller’
Cade Christopher played quarterback throughout his youth football days and is Northwestern’s backup this season to wideout-turned-QBJustin Holmes.
Christopherputhissignal-calling experiences to use during the third quarter of last Friday night’s game against Saucon Valley.
“I read hitch,” said the sophomorewho plays wide receiver and defensive back.
“They were running it all game. The receiver gave agoodheadfake. I hesitated at first, but read it.
“I jumped the route, took it to the house.”
Christopher’s first interception return for a touchdown at any level put Northwestern in complete control of what became a 55-28 victory.
“They threw the hitch a bunch earlier in the gameand[Christopher] waspretty close [to intercepting],” Tigers coachJosh Snydersaid. “I guess they threwit onetoo many times.
“We did not have a defensive touchdown before that this year.”
Christopher was expected to be a varsity contributor last season, but an injury kept him off the field all year.
The 5-foot-9, 150-pounder is making up for lost time. He has nine catches this season; six have gone for touchdowns. Another was called back against Saucon Valley because of penalty. Heis averaging
37.4 yards per catch.
Christophershowedoffhisquarterbacking skills on the next offensive play after the penalty by hitting Nick Henry with a 64-yard TDpass.
“He’s something coach calls a baller,” HenrysaidofChristopher.“Whenthelights comeononFridaynights, heplays his heart out. He plays full speed all game.”
Northwestern scored three touchdowns in a span of 4 minutes, 23 seconds to take control in the third period against Saucon Valley. Christopher had a hand in all three. He set up the second score with a fumble recovery. The Tigers scored on the next play, then Christopher had his pick-6 on the Panthers’ next offensive play after the ensuing kickoff.
“I did not expect this when I first started playing,” hesaid. “Butthetouchdownshave definitely given me a lot of confidence. I’ve proven to myself that I can score all these TDs.
“Against Palisades, I got twotouchdowns in that first game. That set me up for the future.”
Christopher is setting himself up to be a big part of Northwestern’s future — the immediate future and the following two years.
There were plenty of other stars from Week 7:
GavinAmerman,PenArgyl:
completed the hat track with his 22-yard TD catch against Marian Catholic. That gave him the school’s career receiving yardage mark (1,380) to go with his career records for catches (88) and TD receptions (14).
Jake Fauzio, Southern Lehigh: The senior running back had a career-high 180 yards and one touchdown in a win over Bangor. Matt Frame,Northern Lehigh: The junior fullback ran for 211 yards and four touchdowns on just 15 carries vs. Salisbury. ZackGillen,Wilson: The senior receiver had 10 catches for 202 yards and two scores. He also threw a 52-yard TD pass to Dylan Goldsworth. One of his receptions was for 10 yards before he pitched it to Damon Simpson who ran the last 59 yards for a score.
Nick Henry, Northwestern: The senior running back rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught two passes, one for a score in a win over Saucon Valley. Bryce Herb,Williams Valley: The senior broke the school’s career passing yardage record (4,582) — held by his father Paul
Herb (4,530) — in a 35-28 win over Tri-Valley. The younger Herb already owns the career passing TD mark (58).
Justin Holmes, Northwestern: The junior quarterback passed for 136 yards and two TDs and ran for another 83 and a score against Saucon Valley.
Zack Hunsicker, Lehighton: The senior is closing on the program’s career receptions and receiving yardage records, but his two interceptions helped Lehighton end a twogame losing streak with a 28-20 win over Pine Grove.
kicked five extra points and intercepted two passes — returning one for a TD — in a victory over Schuylkill Haven.
AydenNey,Pine Grove: The senior running back tied Ryan Heim’s school record for longest run from scrimmage with his 99-yard touchdown scamper against Lehighton. Chad Parton, Salisbury: The senior caught eight passes for 177 yards and two TDs. Parton set the school’s career receiving yardage mark against Northern Lehigh. He also rushed for 20 yards and returned an interception 20 yards for a score. HunterReitz, Catasauqua: The freshman ran for 174 yard and two fourth-quarter touchdowns to help the Rough Riders end a 21-game losing streak with a 41-34 victory over Wilson.
Mike Repsher, Northern Lehigh: The senior athlete rushed for 149 yards and a TD on only eight carries against Salisbury. He also ran a punt back 69 yards for a third-quarter score. ConnorSchwalm, Minersville: The quarterback threw for 337 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Marian Catholic. Logan Shorb, Southern Lehigh: The senior ran for 109 yards and a score in a win over Bangor.
MasonSmeland,Palisades: The senior ran for 95 yards and one score and caught three passes for another 91 and two TDs in a victory over Palmerton. He is five rushing yards shy of 1,000 for the year.
Cayden Stem,Wilson: The junior quarterback threw for 373 yards and three TDs and had a rushing TD in a loss at Catasauqua.
NateWickersham,Tamaqua: The senior quarterback/halfback ran for 107 yards and two scores, threw a touchdown pass and had a sack/fumble recovery that led to a late score in a win over Pen Argyl.