Whitehall edges Northampton in rivalry thriller

Written by: Tyler Trumbauer on Saturday, October 31st, 2020. Follow Tyler Trumbauer on Twitter.

WHITEHALL, Pa. – Whitehall led for only 20 seconds in the contest, but that was all the Zephyrs needed as Whitehall recorded a game-winning two-point conversion in the game’s final minute to defeat rival Northampton 36-35 on Friday night. The Zephyrs hoisted the Cement Bowl trophy to cap off the 2020 regular season.

In an offensive explosion in Friday’s game that included 827 combined yards between both squads, it was the final few for Whitehall that was the most important. Following a short touchdown run by Quinn Wentling to cut the deficit to 35-34, the Zephyrs decided to go for the two-point conversion and the victory. Wentling hit Bryce Bashore on a short pass in the end zone that pushed Whitehall into its first lead of the night, 36-35.

The Konkrete Kids did have 20 seconds left on the clock and three timeouts as they tried to get into field goal range to attempt a game-winner, however, the Zephyrs intercepted a Konkrete Kids’ pass on that ensuing drive to secure the home victory on a chilly October night.

Wentling piloted Whitehall’s offense in the win. The quarterback amassed 414 total yards of offense and was a part of all five of the Zephyrs’ touchdowns in addition to the winning two-point conversion attempt. Thomas Buskirk was Whitehall’s leading receiver in the game, which featured a balanced attack by the Zephyrs. Buskirk caught all nine of his targets for 116 yards.

Northampton’s offense shined in the one-point setback as well, particularly in the rushing attack. The Konkrete Kids totaled 313 yards on the ground, led by 124 yards by Michael Cruz, who also had two rushing touchdowns. K-Kid quarterback Joe Kerbacher had 65 rushing yards and two scores as well.

Kerbacher attempted nine passes in the game, completed three of them, one of which for a touchdown.

The game was a back-and-forth affair all night that went down to the final minute, but the offenses were slow to get started. Northampton struck first and led 7-0 after the first quarter of play. The teams combined to score 64 points over the next 36 minutes of the game.

Whitehall’s first score came in the second quarter when Wentling connected with Ryan Kovalchik for a 26-yard touchdown pass. Northampton had a response, however, with Kerbacher’s second quarterback sneak of the night. Before halftime, though the Zephyrs were able to tie it up when Wentling went to the air again and hit Bashore on a 10-yard touchdown pass.

Wentling also did some damage on the ground as well. In the third quarter, down 21-14 to Northampton, the Whitehall quarterback called his own number and ran 84 yards for a touchdown in the game’s longest play from scrimmage.

Northampton led 28-21 entering the final quarter of play, but the seesaw continued between the two EPC squads down to the final minute. Northampton had a seven-point lead with a few minutes left, but couldn’t get a first down, was forced to punt the ball back to Whitehall and that is when Wentling and company went to work on the final, game-winning drive.

Both teams now await to release of the District 11 playoff brackets. The Zephyrs are in the 5A tournament and wait to see if they secured a home playoff opener. The Konkrete Kids needed a win to make certain they’d be in the tournament but now wait to see if they grabbed one of the final spots after all of the weekend’s action is over.

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