Easton used a dominant rushing attack, an explosive performance from Akhir Brown and a suffocating defensive effort to roll past Pocono Mountain East 39-0 Thursday night.
The Red Rovers scored all 39 of their points in the first half, building a 16-0 lead after the opening quarter before erupting for 23 more points in the second. The victory improved Easton to 3-3, while Pocono Mountain East fell to 4-2.
Easton’s defense got the scoring started. Broddy Thom tackled Pocono Mountain East’s Evan Garrett in the end zone for a safety, giving the Red Rovers an early 2-0 advantage.
Quarterback Zahviay McGurn then connected with Amin Fideen on an eight-yard touchdown pass. McGurn found Tommy Kornicke for the two-point conversion, increasing the lead to 10-0.
Brown provided the first of his three touchdowns later in the opening quarter, breaking loose for a 31-yard scoring run. The conversion attempt failed, but Easton carried a 16-0 advantage into the second quarter.
Brown was just getting started.
He opened Easton’s second-quarter scoring with a 36-yard touchdown run. McGurn connected with Justin Cosover for the two-point conversion to make it 24-0.
Brown struck again with a 40-yard touchdown run, his third rushing score of the night. He then caught a pass from McGurn for the two-point conversion, pushing the advantage to 32-0.
McGurn finished the first-half scoring with a 14-yard touchdown run, and Robbie McCormick added the extra point to send Easton into halftime with a commanding 39-0 lead.
With the outcome firmly in control, neither team scored in the second half.
Brown was the centerpiece of Easton’s offensive performance. He carried 13 times for 177 yards and three touchdowns, averaging more than 13 yards per attempt.
But Brown was far from the only Red Rover finding room to run.
McGurn rushed nine times for 88 yards and a touchdown, while Zachary Pastula added 32 yards on nine attempts. Jeffrey Thomas contributed 23 yards on five carries, and Jayden Foreman gained 18 yards on his lone rushing attempt.
As a team, Easton piled up 343 rushing yards on 42 attempts and scored four touchdowns on the ground.
McGurn was also efficient through the air, completing 5 of 6 passes for 53 yards and a touchdown without an interception. Cody Werkheiser completed all four of his attempts for 29 yards as Easton finished 9-of-10 passing for 79 yards.
Cosover led Easton with 39 receiving yards on two catches, while Jaycob Cicale had two receptions for 33 yards. Fideen caught three passes for 15 yards, including his first-quarter touchdown.
Pocono Mountain East quarterback Ceejay Serfass completed 11 of 23 passes for 127 yards. Prince Albino led the Cardinals’ receiving corps with three catches for 75 yards, while Elijah Jewell caught four passes for 25 yards.
Easton’s defense kept the Cardinals from establishing their ground game, holding Pocono Mountain East to 74 rushing yards on 24 attempts. Jesse Duran led the Cardinals with 30 yards on nine carries.
It was a complete performance for Easton. The Red Rovers scored through the air, on the ground and on defense, while Brown’s three touchdown runs highlighted a 343-yard rushing effort.
| Teams | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
| Easton Area | 16 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 39 |
| Pocono Mountain East | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |