Nazareth Area High School football team looks to convert high-octane offense into a District 11 title

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

Dramatic fourth quarter comebacks have become a trademark this season for Nazareth Area High School's football team.

No late game drama was necessary in last week's 63-27 win over Parkland in the Districts 2-4-11 Class AAAA sub-regional semifinals.

One big reason for the success was the stellar play of Nazareth's defense, which shut out the Trojans in the second half and held them to one first down until the last series.

"You have to understand, when you have an offense like ours your defense is going to be on the field a lot," Nazareth coach Rob Melosky said. "We're going to score and score fast. Where other teams have six or seven minute drives we have two or three minute drives. Naturally our defense is on the field more and the other team has more opportunities to score."

The Blue Eagles will need the offense and defense to be in high gear when they host Easton tonight in the final at Andrew Leh Stadium.


Nazareth (11-1), top ranked in the Express-Times region, rallied for 21 fourth quarter points to defeat second- ranked Easton 35-28 in Week 2. The Red Rovers (11-2) are the two-time defending sub-regional champion.


Nazareth senior wide receiver/linebacker Dan Shepherd said what happened back then is irrelevant at this point.


"They're a better team now than they were in the second week," Shepherd said. "We're not taking them lightly at all. Every team makes progress during the season. Especially Easton because they're young and their freshmen and sophomores have a lot more experience now."


Easton has won nine straight after a 2-2 start including Thursday's 24-8 victory over Phillipsburg.

"Easton is peaking at the right time," Melosky said. "Both teams have a lot of different kids on the field than in Week 2. And the ones who were on the field have gotten better."

Shepherd, who also plays varsity basketball and baseball, has served as a good role model throughout his career.

"Dan Shepherd's work ethic is second to none," Melosky said. "He's one of the guys that bought into our program right away. He's an early riser in the weight room. He was up at 5:45 in the morning every day."

Shepherd said the Blue Eagles' success on defense starts up front.

"It starts with the line," he said. "They kick-start the defense. If they get a good push it enables us linebackers and the secondary to make plays."

Nazareth's explosive offense is fueled by senior quarterback Dan Harding, who's thrown for 3,176 yards and 28 touchdowns. Harding eclipsed Ryan Fry's school record by tossing his 48th career touchdown pass last week.


Freshman Jordan Gray rushed for 230 yards and five TDs last week. With 1,380 yards on the season, Gray has broken James Mungro's District 11 freshman rushing record.


The Bridgeforth twins, Adam and Andrew, have combined to catch 120 passes for 1,973 yards and 15 scores. Shepherd has 33 catches for 417 yards and seven TDs and junior Alex Tonnies has 31 grabs for 481 yards and five scores.

"I might get the ball once a game, but it's still fun because I can help the team by blocking someone," Shepherd said. "That's the way it is for the whole offense."

Nazareth had big shoes to fill this fall with the graduation of running back Chuck Dibilio, the 2010 Express-Times Player of the Year. With the emergence of Gray and others, the Blue Eagles haven't missed a beat.

"As a head coach you want your players' goals and expectations to be as high as possible," Melosky said. "There might be some outside people who are surprised at what we've done, but we knew we had the potential to be here."

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