NAZARETH – We had a key EPC matchup Friday night on Halloween Night. For the Blue Eagles fans, there wasn’t a trick but there was a treat.
It was two weeks ago when Northampton beat Nazareth Area 41-28. The Blue Eagles had won 12 consecutive games against the K-Kids before losing on October 17th.
This time playing their final home game of the season, it was Nazareth Area erasing a seven-point halftime deficit. Led by Marquez Wimberly, who rushed for 255 yards and three touchdowns plus a two-point conversion, the Blue Eagles defeated Northampton 37-36 at Andrew Leh Stadium Friday night.
“Great job by Marquez tonight. He ran really hard tonight,” said Head Football Coach Tom Falzone. “He really kept it going tonight for us. Credit to our line they did enough against a big Northampton line tonight.”
Back in October, Chase Kessler rushed for over 300 yards leading the K-Kids to the win. On the second play of Northampton’s scrimmage he took the handoff and went down the sidelines for a 73-yard run setting up the first score of the night. Kessler finished the drive diving into the end zone for the one-yard touchdown run. Jackson Sandt’s kick put the K-Kids up 7-0.
Later in the quarter, the Blue Eagles got on the scoreboard. Owen Hall kicked a 28-yard field goal with 3:30 left in the first quarter. It was Northampton leading after one quarter 7-3.
In the second quarter, both offenses put on a show. Kessler and Gavin Taff both had one-yard touchdown runs for Northampton. Wimberly had a 57-yard touchdown run and Hall kicked his second field goal of the night. This time from 36 yards. The half ended on a blocked field goal attempt by the Blue Eagles’ defense and The K-Kids went into halftime leading 20-13.
“We made a few adjustments at halftime and that was it,” said Falzone. “Our kids fought and battled tonight and I am really proud of them.
The Blue Eagles got the ball to start the third quarter. On the drive, they converted two fourth down plays. Wimberly ran straight up the middle and powered his way into the end zone for the 12-yard run. But the K-Kids blocked the extra point and led by one, 20-19.
The fourth quarter brought the fireworks with both teams combining for 34 points.
The Blue Eagles’ offense struck first. Wimberly got his third touchdown run of the night from five yards out and Cooper Madson threw a perfect pass to Matt Leluga for the seven-yard touchdown catch. Nazareth led 34-20 with 7:51 left in the game.
Next it was the K-Kids turn and who else, Kessler. He scored from two yards out and Taff got the two-point conversion with 6:06 remaining in the game.
The Blue Eagles had one more scoring drive late in the fourth quarter. Hall kicked his third field goal (35 yards) of the night with 2:54 left in the game.
Those three points would be important down the stretch.
“We went back-and-forth on the last kick when timeout was called,” said Falzone. “The wind really picked up and I was like here we go. He battled through the wind and made the kick.”
But the K-Kids weren’t done yet. They answered right back with a scoring drive that was capped by Zander Rickert’s four-yard rushing touchdown with 1:57 remaining in the game. The extra point was no good.
After the Blue Eagles recovered the onside kick they were facing a fourth down with 12 seconds left. Chase Brown took the direct snap and ran towards the opposite end zone. He ran the clock out by falling down in the end zone and preserving the win for Nazareth.
“In the end you have to give Northampton credit,” said Falzone. “They fought right to the last play.”
With the win, the Blue Eagles (8-3) move on to next Friday’s semifinal game to face unbeaten Parkland who won over Stroudsburg 49-14.
“It’s a huge win for us tonight. Especially after losing to them two weeks ago,” said Marquez Wimberly. “We worked really hard for this game tonight. I am proud of our line and this team.”
Northampton has one more game against Catasauqua on Thanksgiving morning.
Scoring summary
| Teams | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
| Northampton (4-7) | 7 | 13 | 0 | 16 | 36 |
| Nazareth Area (8-3) | 3 | 10 | 6 | 18 | 37 |
1st Quarter
NO: Chase Kessler 1 yard run (Jackson Sandt kick good) 9:34
NA: Owen Hall 28 yard field goal good 3:30
2nd Quarter
NO: Chase Kessler 1 yard run (Jackson Sandt kick good) 8:05
NA: Marquez Wimberly 57 yard run (Owen Hall kick good) 7:42
NO: Gavin Taff 1 yard run (kick blocked) 6:02
NA: Owen Hall 36 field goal 1:22
3rd Quarter
NA: Marquez Wimberly 12 yard run (kick blocked) 8:24
4th Quarter:
NA: Marquez Wimberly 5 yard run (2-point conversion good) 11:15
NA: Matt Leluga 7 yard pass from Cooper Madson (Owen Hall kick) 7:51
NO: Chase Kessler 2 yard run (2-point conversion good) 6:06
NA: Owen Hall 35 field goal good 2:54
NO: Zander Rickert 4 yard run (kick failed) 1:57
NO: Chase Brown (Nazareth) ran out of end zone for a safety, 0:00