EASTON – Easton saved one of its biggest performances of the season for Senior Night, as the Red Rovers knocked off No. 1-ranked Nazareth Area 37-29 Friday night in a thrilling EPC showdown.
Akhir Brown delivered a monster performance, rushing for 220 yards and four touchdowns, while Easton’s defense came up with several game-changing plays to help secure the upset.
The Red Rovers improved to 5-5 overall and 3-2 in the EPC Northampton Division, while Nazareth fell to 8-2 overall and 4-1 in division play.
Easton finished with 475 yards of total offense, including 235 rushing yards, and controlled the game with a balanced attack led by Brown and quarterback Zahviay McGurn.
The Red Rovers wasted little time getting on the scoreboard.
Easton took the opening possession and marched downfield before Brown broke loose for a 28-yard touchdown run with 8:33 remaining in the first quarter. Greyson Baker converted the extra point to give the Red Rovers a 7-0 advantage.
Nazareth answered with a scoring drive of its own.
Facing fourth-and-goal, Lance Zuercher took a direct snap and powered his way into the end zone from three yards out with 5:23 remaining. Owen Hall added the extra point to tie the game at 7-7.
The opening quarter ended with the teams tied, but Easton was already threatening again, holding possession at the Nazareth eight-yard line.
Brown finished the drive early in the second quarter, scoring on a three-yard touchdown run with 11:25 remaining. Baker’s extra point gave Easton a 14-7 advantage.
Nazareth responded immediately with one of the biggest plays of the first half.
On the first play of the ensuing possession, quarterback Cooper Madson connected with Mason Marinelli for a 74-yard touchdown pass. Hall converted the extra point, tying the game at 14-14 with 11:09 remaining.
Both defenses settled in as the second quarter continued, but Easton came up with a critical stop late in the half.
The Red Rovers stopped Nazareth on fourth-and-1 with 1:38 remaining, taking over at the Blue Eagles’ 21-yard line.
Easton turned the opportunity into points when Baker connected on a 22-yard field goal with just five seconds remaining, giving the Red Rovers a 17-14 halftime lead.
The Red Rovers had outgained Nazareth 274-142 in the opening half, but the scoreboard showed just a three-point advantage.
The third quarter featured a major defensive play that helped swing momentum in Easton’s favor.
With 1:16 remaining, Robbie McCormick intercepted a Madson pass at the Nazareth 35-yard line and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown.
The extra point was blocked, but Easton extended its lead to 23-14.
Nazareth answered quickly.
Will Bacolo broke free for an 18-yard touchdown run with 16 seconds remaining in the third quarter. Hall’s extra point cut Easton’s lead to 23-21 heading into the final period.
With the game hanging in the balance, Brown took over in the fourth quarter.
The Easton running back delivered another explosive play, racing 55 yards for his third touchdown of the night with 9:39 remaining. Baker added the extra point, pushing the Red Rovers’ advantage to 30-21.
Easton’s defense then provided another opportunity.
Amin Fideen intercepted Madson, giving the Red Rovers possession and a chance to extend their lead.
Brown made the Blue Eagles pay.
He scored his fourth touchdown of the night on a four-yard run with 7:04 remaining. Baker converted the extra point, giving Easton its largest lead of the game, 37-21.
But Nazareth wasn’t finished.
Bacolo answered with a 19-yard touchdown run with 5:35 remaining. He also converted the two-point attempt, pulling the Blue Eagles within one possession at 37-29.
Easton, however, held on down the stretch to secure one of its biggest victories of the season.
Brown was the centerpiece of the Red Rovers’ offensive success, carrying 42 times for 220 yards and four touchdowns. His scoring runs covered 28, 3, 55 and 4 yards.
McGurn provided balance through the air, completing 16 of 30 passes for 241 yards. He also added 23 rushing yards on nine carries.
Fideen was one of Easton’s leading receiving threats, hauling in six passes for 82 yards. Sean McPeek added six receptions, while Justin Cosover caught two passes for 22 yards.
Easton’s offense finished with 23 first downs compared with 12 for Nazareth, demonstrating the Red Rovers’ ability to sustain drives and control possession.
The Red Rovers also held a significant advantage in rushing attempts, running the football 52 times for 235 yards.
Nazareth’s offense was led by Madson, who completed 11 of 21 passes for 167 yards and a touchdown but was intercepted twice.
Marinelli was the Blue Eagles’ leading receiver, catching four passes for 120 yards and a touchdown, highlighted by his 74-yard scoring reception in the second quarter.
Bacolo carried the rushing attack, finishing with 112 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries. He also added a successful two-point conversion in the fourth quarter.
Matt Leluga caught three passes for 18 yards, while Zuercher added two receptions for 15 yards and a three-yard rushing touchdown.
Nazareth finished with 294 yards of total offense, including 128 rushing yards and 167 passing yards.
While Brown’s four-touchdown performance grabbed the headlines, Easton’s defense played an equally important role in the victory.
McCormick’s 35-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter gave Easton a nine-point advantage, while Fideen’s fourth-quarter interception helped set up Brown’s final touchdown.
The Red Rovers also came up with a critical fourth-down stop late in the first half that led to Baker’s field goal.
Easton capitalized on Nazareth’s mistakes, turning defensive takeaways into points while limiting the Blue Eagles’ opportunities to regain momentum.
For the Red Rovers, the victory couldn’t have come at a better time.
After entering the contest with a 4-5 record, Easton evened its season mark at 5-5 and gained valuable momentum heading into the District 11 Class 6A playoffs.
The victory was even sweeter coming against the area’s No. 1-ranked team in District 11 6A.
Brown’s 220-yard, four-touchdown performance highlighted a memorable Senior Night as the Red Rovers celebrated a 37-29 upset victory over No. 1 Nazareth Area.
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nazareth Area | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 29 |
| Easton Area | 7 | 10 | 6 | 14 | 37 |
Scoring Summary
Final: Easton Area 37, Nazareth Area 29
1st Quarter:
E – Akhir Brown 28-yard run (Greyson Baker kick good) 8:33
N – Lance Zuercher 3-yard run (Owen Hall kick good) 5:23
2nd Quarter:
E – Akhir Brown 3-yard run (Greyson Baker kick good) 11:25
N – Mason Marinelli 74-yard pass from Cooper Madson (Owen Hall kick good) 11:09
E – Greyson Baker 22-yard field goal good 0:05
3rd Quarter:
E – Robbie McCormick 35-yard interception return (kick blocked) 1:16
N – Will Bacolo 18-yard run (Owen Hall kick good) 0:16
4th Quarter:
E – Akhir Brown 55-yard run (Greyson Baker kick good) 9:39
E – Akhir Brown 4-yard run (Greyson Baker kick good) 7:04
N – Will Bacolo 19-yard run (Bacolo run good) 5:35