Red Rovers beat Zephyrs, win District crown

EASTON – Playing 3 games in 8 days is nothing new to the Easton football team. They did it last season, beating rival Phillipsburg (NJ), beating Parkland, then playing in the PIAA State Quarterfinals against LaSalle College High School.

They will be accomplishing the same feat again in 2010. After a Thanksgiving Day lost to Phillipsburg (NJ), Easton will again be playing in the PIAA State Quarters against LaSalle College HS, after beating the Whitehall Zephyrs, 13-10, Saturday night at Cottingham Stadium.

It was a night Easton senior Justin Pacchioli will always remember. His team down 10-6 early in the fourth quarter, when he was racing down the field to catch up to Whitehall wide receiver Tyler Artim. Artim, who received a pass from backup quarterback Nicholas Shafnisky, was racing as well, towards the endzone to put his team further ahead on the scoreboard.

Instead, Pacchioli stripped the ball out of Atrim’s hands, making him fumble the ball on the Easton 28 yard line, recovering the ball was teammate Ian Hayden. Until now, Whitehall had the momentum.

Chris Polony left the game at the 10:44 mark in the 4th quarter, with an undisclosed injury. Polony threw for 42 yards, completing 6 passes before his injury.

Pacchioli drove his team down the field, on a 13 play – 72 yard drive, scoring on a 2 yard run with 4:24 left in the game for the go-ahead score. Easton’s Zach Bambary (92 yards) and Paccioli played a huge part in the drive. Pacchioli’s 33 yard run on a first down, to the Whitehall 6, excited the Easton crowd.

Easton rushed for a total of 211 yards, and held Whitehall’s offense to 65 yards on the ground.

Easton’s defense stopped Whitehall on 2 possessions, Easton’s offense took over with 0:12 left in the game, and ran the clock for the win. Easton’s Zach Bambary

Pacchioli threw for 80 yards, completing 8 of his passes along with an interception. He also ran for 77 yards and a touchdown.

The Red Rovers took the first lead of the game, at the 11:13 of the first quarter, on a 7-play 54 yard drive, on a Pacchioli to fellow senior Jonathan Bisci 7 yard touchdown pass. The point after was blocked.

Whitehall drove back down the field, on a 13 play 72 yard drive, with 5:19 left in the first stanza, resulting in a Joshua Cirocco 25 yard field. Easton continued to lead 6-3, at half time.

On Easton’s first possession of the 2nd half, they drove the field to the Whitehall 25, until Whitehall junior Michael Williams intercepted a Pacchioli pass, and returned it to the Easton 26. It took the Zephyrs 7 plays, and 26 yards on an Eric Fiore 3 yard touchdown run with 0:50 left in the 3rd quarter, to retake the lead – 10-6.

This is also the 2nd time this decade, that Easton has won back to back District 11 titles. Easton won titles in 2003 and 2004, over Parkland and Liberty, respectively.

http://www.d11football.com/news/11/28/red-rovers-beat-zephyrs-win-district-crown/